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-   -   Dubai - Do we or don't we? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/middle-east-60/dubai-do-we-dont-we-622181/)

fourfoot Jul 26th 2009 11:32 am

Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 
Hiya,

Newbie to site, still in UK, here goes:

Boyfriend was made redundant a week ago, redundancy money not yet through, but will be used to reduce UK debts (related to university and starting up a home). He was earning £30k, working as a management accountant (with 10 years experience, although not yet fully qualified). I am on £23k and work in a specialist function for a bank that probably won't translate to the Middle East.

Boyfriend has been approached by a headhunter looking for someone with experience in his field, and we are considering this, although I would have to seek alternative employment. His second telephone interview basically ended with a request for him to consider the sort of remuneration package he is looking for. We have never been to Dubai and have no idea as to where to pitch this - more from the point of view of getting a realistic perception about the cost of living.

We have no kids and do not look to have any, but we do have a dog who we would bring with us, so we'd need a secure garden. We are both early thirties; have no savings in the UK, as we are trying to reduce our debts as much as possible, reckon they will be about £20k combined after redundancy money is through (not looking for advice on how this particular situation should have been avoided!). We also have a mortgage, but ultimately would look to sell up. One thread in particular mentioned it would be an idea to have at least £10k before making the move, but this is not an option for us.

Our approach to this move would be to clear existing debt and create a decent savings pot. The flashy "look at me, I drive a Porsche I can't afford" lifestyle is not what we're looking for....

Given our circumstances, should we even be considering this? Any helpful advice would be most appreciated!:)

Roadking Jul 26th 2009 11:41 am

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785151)
Hiya,

Newbie to site, still in UK, here goes:

Boyfriend was made redundant a week ago, redundancy money not yet through, but will be used to reduce UK debts (related to university and starting up a home). He was earning £30k, working as a management accountant (with 10 years experience, although not yet fully qualified). I am on £23k and work in a specialist function for a bank that probably won't translate to the Middle East.

Boyfriend has been approached by a headhunter looking for someone with experience in his field, and we are considering this, although I would have to seek alternative employment. His second telephone interview basically ended with a request for him to consider the sort of remuneration package he is looking for. We have never been to Dubai and have no idea as to where to pitch this - more from the point of view of getting a realistic perception about the cost of living.

We have no kids and do not look to have any, but we do have a dog who we would bring with us, so we'd need a secure garden. We are both early thirties; have no savings in the UK, as we are trying to reduce our debts as much as possible, reckon they will be about £20k combined after redundancy money is through (not looking for advice on how this particular situation should have been avoided!). We also have a mortgage, but ultimately would look to sell up. One thread in particular mentioned it would be an idea to have at least £10k before making the move, but this is not an option for us.

Our approach to this move would be to clear existing debt and create a decent savings pot. The flashy "look at me, I drive a Porsche I can't afford" lifestyle is not what we're looking for....

Given our circumstances, should we even be considering this? Any helpful advice would be most appreciated!:)

OK, couple of things; first off you may need to consider getting married before coming. Living together is illegal although it is done. However, without a visa you would have to do the regular visa runs which I understand are getting more complicated, your boyfriend cannot sponsor you - or vice versa.

Housing has been covered by BC in another thread so you know what to expect there. Living costs can be high dependant on the lifestyle and convenience want.

The biggest thing is the risk element. You have no protection here work wise, you can be sacked for any reason or even without reason. So, you should factor this into any salary package. However, as BF is unemployed anyway, it may just be worth the risk.

lionheart Jul 26th 2009 11:52 am

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 
This may not be want you want to hear but, in your position, I would send boyfriend here for 3-6 months first (you can visit for holidays) and then, if everything looks hunky dory, you could follow thereafter with doggy. This has the advantage that you both remain in gainful employment.

Madam Medusa Jul 26th 2009 12:06 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785151)
Hiya,

Newbie to site, still in UK, here goes:

Boyfriend was made redundant a week ago, redundancy money not yet through, but will be used to reduce UK debts (related to university and starting up a home). He was earning £30k, working as a management accountant (with 10 years experience, although not yet fully qualified). I am on £23k and work in a specialist function for a bank that probably won't translate to the Middle East.

Boyfriend has been approached by a headhunter looking for someone with experience in his field, and we are considering this, although I would have to seek alternative employment. His second telephone interview basically ended with a request for him to consider the sort of remuneration package he is looking for. We have never been to Dubai and have no idea as to where to pitch this - more from the point of view of getting a realistic perception about the cost of living.

We have no kids and do not look to have any, but we do have a dog who we would bring with us, so we'd need a secure garden. We are both early thirties; have no savings in the UK, as we are trying to reduce our debts as much as possible, reckon they will be about £20k combined after redundancy money is through (not looking for advice on how this particular situation should have been avoided!). We also have a mortgage, but ultimately would look to sell up. One thread in particular mentioned it would be an idea to have at least £10k before making the move, but this is not an option for us.

Our approach to this move would be to clear existing debt and create a decent savings pot. The flashy "look at me, I drive a Porsche I can't afford" lifestyle is not what we're looking for....

Given our circumstances, should we even be considering this? Any helpful advice would be most appreciated!:)

doesn't sound like a great idea to come here from what you've said...

you haven't got any set up money, you have debts already (worth the equivalent of around 120,000 dhs), you have a dog that needs to be shipped out (costs a few thousand pounds) and a house you need to sell to pay off the mortgage, where presumably you may take a loss, given the current state of the uk market...

the likelihood of you saving enough money to pay off your uk debts is small, unless you both get jobs and are very careful about what you spend...it's expensive here, and although it's true that rents are falling, you will need a villa for your dog, which already bumps up the price...

unless you get a job, you will not get sponsorship, so you will need to do visa runs which again cost money...and you clearly won't get any flights home, health insurance etc on your boyfriend's package...so you need to factor all that in too...

all that said, until you see what package he is being offered, you can't rule it out entirely...!

MM, xx

admon Jul 26th 2009 12:28 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 
The ONLY way I can see this working for you is if:

Company PROVIDE the accommodation. Forget an allowance or a loan, you don't have the cash to fund upfront rent payments, 5% annual rent deposit, 5% agency fees, 2000dhs DEWA setup, etc etc.

He needs to hit high on salary. He wants to be asking 25000dhs a month, PLUS accommodation as above.
Sounds extravagant? Factor in buying furniture, white goods, renting a car, etc etc and first couple of months salary will be eaten pretty quickly.
Plus if you are to make the move in a bid to pay off UK debt, the numbers have to work for you.

As MM has already said, you should really stay behind for a few months before going to the cost of selling up and moving the dog out.

fourfoot Jul 26th 2009 12:56 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 
Cheers guys,

Not looking to move to solve UK debt, that's being taken care of already, but would leave us with two loans to clear, one of which is through my current employer. None of this had even crossed our minds til he got a call from the headhunter, conveniently in the same week as we found out he was losing his job.....

Madam Medusa Jul 26th 2009 1:00 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785310)
Not looking to move to solve UK debt

oh...? it was this that made me think you were:


Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785310)
Our approach to this move would be to clear existing debt

MM, xx

fourfoot Jul 26th 2009 1:38 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 
Apologies, BF had amended thread!

He'll be using his redundancy to clear most of his, my cards will be cleared by the end of the year anyway. My only loan is a staff loan through my employer, which no doubt would be subject to the usual rates should I cease to be employed by them, and is still serviceable. His loan would also still be serviceable.

We were looking to start saving to get married, so clearing cards, etc was a priority before any of this came up, as we don't really want to get another loan to pay for a wedding!

soukie Jul 26th 2009 1:51 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by lionheart (Post 7785194)
This may not be want you want to hear but, in your position, I would send boyfriend here for 3-6 months first (you can visit for holidays) and then, if everything looks hunky dory, you could follow thereafter with doggy. This has the advantage that you both remain in gainful employment.

I totally agree with this - best not to give your job up until you are both sure that Dubai is OK for you both.

fourfoot Jul 26th 2009 1:59 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785366)
Apologies, BF had amended thread!

He'll be using his redundancy to clear most of his, my cards will be cleared by the end of the year anyway. My only loan is a staff loan through my employer, which no doubt would be subject to the usual rates should I cease to be employed by them, and is still serviceable. His loan would also still be serviceable.

We were looking to start saving to get married, so clearing cards, etc was a priority before any of this came up, as we don't really want to get another loan to pay for a wedding!

BF talking:

Having just spoken with the headhunter, it seems that 25,000dhs per month PLUS accomodation allowance 'significant enough to cover a 2 bed villa in a nice area' is definitely on the cards...! Company car would also be an option.
Plus usual benefits of: international relocation package; healthcare for me; annual ticket home plus 30 days holiday; it's not a fixed term contract either....

Jeeper Jul 26th 2009 2:38 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by lionheart (Post 7785194)
This may not be want you want to hear but, in your position, I would send boyfriend here for 3-6 months first (you can visit for holidays) and then, if everything looks hunky dory, you could follow thereafter with doggy. This has the advantage that you both remain in gainful employment.

:thumbup: 3 to 6 months is nothing for you to be apart. Def a good sensible option.
He can rent a studio / 1 bed . It's easy to find payments in more than 1 cheque so once the job seems settled etc you could follow, he can cancel his apartment lease and you both rock into a villa.

During this time you are both earning....he's probably living relatively cheap compared to his salary...and you'll knock off a decent amount of debt in the process as well as feeling a bit more secure about the whole thing.

I don't believe it has to be that expensive a process moving out here if you do it right.

Blue Cat Jul 26th 2009 2:43 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785388)
BF talking:

Having just spoken with the headhunter, it seems that 25,000dhs per month PLUS accomodation allowance 'significant enough to cover a 2 bed villa in a nice area' is definitely on the cards...! Company car would also be an option.
Plus usual benefits of: international relocation package; healthcare for me; annual ticket home plus 30 days holiday; it's not a fixed term contract either....

healthcare for you if you are married I think?

Patsy Stoned Jul 26th 2009 2:56 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by Blue Cat (Post 7785448)
healthcare for you if you are married I think?

BC.... it is the BF talking so he is saying healthcare for him not her.

4foot's BF...........25,000dhs is ok but you need to know what the housing allowance is, plus will they pay this upfront or monthly. Also relocation allowance
Make sure everything is sorted out, if you have to supplement your housing allowance from your salary then it gets difficult

fourfoot Jul 26th 2009 3:13 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by Patsy Stoned (Post 7785461)
BC.... it is the BF talking so he is saying healthcare for him not her.

4foot's BF...........25,000dhs is ok but you need to know what the housing allowance is, plus will they pay this upfront or monthly. Also relocation allowance
Make sure everything is sorted out, if you have to supplement your housing allowance from your salary then it gets difficult

BF once more:

Ultimately, I'm sure I've got to negotiate what I want, and this is the very first stage of the negotiations!! From what I've seen, I'd be looking for c120,000dhs to cover a decent 2/3 bed villa. Not sure how they would be looking to administer that sum... I assume 'annual upfront' in the form of 12 cheques would be ideal?

Patsy Stoned Jul 26th 2009 3:23 pm

Re: Dubai - Do we or don't we?
 

Originally Posted by fourfoot (Post 7785477)
BF once more:

Ultimately, I'm sure I've got to negotiate what I want, and this is the very first stage of the negotiations!! From what I've seen, I'd be looking for c120,000dhs to cover a decent 2/3 bed villa. Not sure how they would be looking to administer that sum... I assume 'annual upfront' in the form of 12 cheques would be ideal?

12 cheques are still not the norm here, you may be able to do 4/6 cheques. But it depends if your company is giving you a "monthly housing allowance" or paying your rent up front. That will make all the difference for you.
120,000 won't get you much in the way of a villa. Well you may get a small 1 in the Springs I guess. Look on dubizzle to give you some idea of prices. these will just be a guide, you can haggle now.
Please make sure you look at everything and don't be afraid to ask questions.


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