AbiOsoSweet

Hello all, Happy New year.
Whats a better choice Abu Dhabi or Dubai? leaning towards dubai as would be cheaper in comparison based on my situation. Is the economy as bad as some previous threads having been claiming and whats it like for a female living alone in UAE?
I'm a british single female in my late 20's. I Have just over 4yrs experience in Project management. My roles have been varied (Risk Manager, PMO manager, junior PM and BA) and i've also worked in various industries from telecomms, utilities, central/local govermnt etc....
I quite comfortable that my Cv is quite good (not angelina jolie good but possibly scarlet Johansen good) and will not struggle to fit into any industry.

Please let me know what you seasoned and new expats think
Thanks

admon

the economy in dubai is likely to be worse than most of us realise, seems every day there is a poster on here losing their job.
As you will have read already, it really is a leap of faith that only your own situation and intuition can answer.
As for the choice between ABD & Dubai - ABD is likely to have far more stability, but comes down to what you want from the move.
Come out here for a week if you have the time, have a look around, see what feels right for you.

LukeandJo

We are going out for a week to see whats what in both places. It does seem to be the way to go.

Trying to secure employment overseas via (mostly) the internet is a difficult task, and probably wont develop into anything.

commander

Can I ask why Dubai/AD?

Is it for the money or the lifestyle or both?

The red carpet welcome for british expats days are generally over.

But you will read on here all the doom and gloom (that is happening) you will read about posters on here that are losing jobs, but remember only a very very small percentage of expats actually post on these sites, so don't take ANYTHING on here as gospel; advice yes but not gospel

Grace O Malley

Went to visit one of my clients today, one of the biggest local groups here in AD with a wide range of industries contained within the group, he quite blatantly told me that he has told all of his staff to accept a 15% pay reduction or go back home his very words were - there are plenty of people with no jobs in Europe who will come out here with much lower pay as they have no jobs at home

My worry is that companies here will use this recession as an excuse to fire people and re employ expats on a much lower salary, just my thoughts

busybee2

yes i am sure that will be the case, but hopefully the rents will come down and then only then will people be able to afford less salaries like it was a few years ago.

commander

Ouch.....

It makes sense though anna doesn't it!

Grace O Malley

Yes but my worry is that companies are going to take very big advantage here of their employees and with no employment law here so to speak of , it could be disastarous for a lot of expats here

AbiOsoSweet

My prefrence for dubai is more financial, from my research AD seems more expensive in comparison, and if i'm going to be on my own, i rather prefer a to spend less for just as good an enviroment.

Grace O Malley

AD is more exp for rent for sure, but you will prob end up spending more in Dubai, as when it comes to socializing Dubai has far more bars, restaurants nite clubs, shopping malls, more temptation to spend!

AD has limited bars etc, 2 decent shopping malls, you don't necessarily need a car if you are in the city, taxis are cheap as chips.

AD is quiet and Dubai is more livelier, it depends what you are after and what you like doing

Autonomy

Please, please post your thoughts once you've been - it would be great to compare and contrast .... do a before and after post for other guys thinking of moving...

LukeandJo

sorry!

Eva

Crossed wire I think......
Auto genuinely asking you to kindly report your experience for benefit of other members.

Autonomy

100% Right! Sorry OP, this is what I meant - would be great to have a before and after kind of post of first impression...

commander

Yea luke and joe,

What auto is suggesting would be really helpful

You guys have put a lot of time and effort into this, and I hope it comes to a sucessfull conclusion.

Your before and after views and opinions would be appreciated and extremely useful as a guide for others who are looking to make the move...

Sincerely all the best.