Saff_Parker

Hi all,

Been called for a job interview in Dubai and wanted opinions on the salary. It's 12,000 AED per month which is inclusive of all allowances. I am aware this is meagre compared to a lot of people on this forum but I'm a single 20-something year old female with 2.5 years working experience, no partner to support and no kids to put through school (yet).

I've done a little googling on costs and it seems this may just be enough to get by in Dubai but wanted your opinions as residents in the country?

I don't drink alcohol so I shan't be spending any money on that.. nor do I smoke. I hope I could save something out of it but not sure if that's realistic?

Cheers.

Saff.

auzdafluff

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=762609

Saff_Parker

I did have a look but I'm on a computer that doesn't have Excel installed so couldn't open the file - grr. Will try it tomorrow on another one, thanks though

auzdafluff

Fair enough.

Do you have any debts?

Saff_Parker

Just my student loan from uni. No overdrafts, no credit card debt and no mortgage payments.

commander

Why don't you drink? Any specific reason? Athlete?????

If medical..I apologise in advance.

12000 is touch and go in my opinion

Saff_Parker

When I was 14 I found out (the hard way) that I'm allergic to vodka. Tried a few other drinks since then but I've pretty much been put off for good.

Thanks for your input though

Saff x

Paracletus

Download it and upload it on google docs if you have a gmail account.

Eva

You are in Energy aren't you?
Lived in ME but Degree from UK?
Are you caught up in some sort of nostalgiac memory of a halycon lifestyle at school here?
You know that old cliche about returning to places of success?
'they are but a shadow of their former glory'
Why do you want to come to an area with a bigfoot carbon imprint-or- all that
Masdar mishmash?- when you are still in the primary stages of professional career?
I don't want to sound harsh but I don't get it.,
Normally novices are committed to their science;the Emirates has to be the last place on the planet to give credit/gravitas( actually support it not just talking the talk) to your specialism .
I am pretty sure future employers will question your 'vocation'...

Or is that job offer from another professional genre just to get you here?
Teaching in local educational establishments perhaps?
Anyway, the 12k monthly salary won't give you many options for choice.
Sure you can survive, but you want to live...don't you?
Really none of my beeswax, I hope you find something which suits you but I do think
there are other places where your experience and education will be more appreciated.
Good luck

Saff_Parker

Thanks for your input in regards to my question. The job is in the industry I did my uni degree in. Not teaching. Cheers.

Saff.

Autonomy

Life is what you make it.

Can you survive on 12K - yes

Question is not can you survive, but will you thrive? That's up to you....

Eva

Is the salary the only thing making you think twice about the job?

Do you know anything@ comparator salaries?

Millhouse

Happy to flat share? If yes, then I think it's doable. If you want to live alone, then I think it'll be a bit tough (financially and socially - as you wont have the money to go out)

12k will happily maintain an Indian family of 6 and they will still save half of it. It's all about how much you spend on rent.

(just a point of reference though - about the level of 'respect' for science/research etc. We used to pay our western team assistant 25k)

kittycat1

Yes you can if you watch your spending. You won't save anything (unless your a hermit) but you can live and go out and have a life no problem. Agreed with Millhouse flat share is probably your best option, but there are places for 2k a month if you are prepared to live anywhere and in a studio apartment- try to move close to the metro as that is the cheapest way of travelling (I wouldn't even consider buses as they take forever to get anywhere). The hardest part will be when you first move out here but once your set up you'll be fine.

britexpat76

Without drinking and eating at home you can save some of that. Get some experience here and then look to move/Improve your salary.