Jamworld

Thanks for the tips. Ultimately however there should be some legal permit as you mentioned. So I'll be sure to ask for one to be safe. What's your take on the grocery question, is it really 500 AED per person per month?

britexpat76

I lived in KCA and as a single person you can feed yourself on 500 a month without having any luxuries from abella though. Plenty of cheap supermarkets on the pink parade and cheap take aways. I paid 55000 for a legit split 1 bed with pool.

Jamworld

Wow, so besides the extremely high tuition rate, Abu Dhabi is affordable after all. Just don't expect to live like Patsy Stone, or Milhouse or any of the other wealthy bored members. Thanks, mate.

Millhouse

Weird I gave that impression - I live in the equivalent of a council estate, and drive two cars with a combined age of 18 years.

You have gone from proposing villas in Jumeriah to split houses in KCA though. That change is like a move from a townhouse in Knightsbridges to a 2 up 2 down conversion in Runcorn. I still think a flat in the marina / greens is your best option but you takes your choice and all that.

britexpat76

You asked if aed500 was enough to live on for a single guy? What has tuition rates got to do with it? Am I missing something?

Jamworld

I'm actually married and have two young ones. The logic is if 500 suffices for a single guy as I've heard, then four times that should be just as fine for a family of four.

Sandboy

depends, if your jameaters demand a certain brand or type of food and the Mrs wants to shop in certain supermarkets it can get silly

you can live cheaply, if you can be arsed

Bahtatboy

Plenty, if you and the missus are determined to do it. Alternatively could be one trolleyful at Spinneys.

busybee2

yes exactly not even a trolley load from spinneys for that amount!!!

scrubbedexpat141

I'm not allowed in there unsupervised.

Last time I went in to buy dinner I actually came home with Coco Pops, some chicken, frozen fruit for smoothies, mars ice creams, Esquire and a thing that turns the toilet water blue.

I wish I was making it up.

busybee2

and the cost more than 500dhs?

Millhouse

food yes, groceries no. Nappies, washing powder etc.

Our bill varies from 300 to 1000 week depending if it's a big shop involving the non edible things.

Oyibopeppeh

About the same here for 3 adults (one is the live-in help) and one young 'un

scrubbedexpat141

Dunno.

Might have, but unlikely.

The fruit for smoothies was extortionate, but I assumed that it meant it was high quality

Bahtatboy

Fair point about the nappies. I am probably about mid-point between last buying them and having to buy them again Fresh food should be from the excellent markets (veg, meat, fish), tinned/bottled food and household stuff from wherever's cheapest (Co-Op? Lulu?).

ps For my youngest two (who are now 20ish) we never bought nappies, used cotton ones and washed them. Don't know if that's feasible here and/or if it would cost more in water/power/washing powder for the washing machine (but surely not).