Originally Posted by Confucius (Post 5432377)

Let me give you the lowdown on living in SHJ and commuting to Garhoud:
2-2.5 hours of commute everyday (about 1 hr each way)...One lucky day per week that you get to your destination within 30 minutes...
This is if you live in Nahda or AlKhan/Taawon areas that are close to Dubai...
Costwise:
You will live in a 2BR apartment - 5,500/month
Utility fees (phone/internet/SEWA/Evision) - 1,300/month
Groceries (Carrefour/Spinneys) for 3 pax - 1,500/month
2 cars - 3,500/month (bank installments)
2 cars petrol/maintenace/insurance,etc - 2,000/month
Schooling - 2,500/month (You're British,life is expensive...I pay 1,500/month for my cost centre)
Boozing (youre still English,the pub is your second home) - 1,000/month
Clothing (You're English,but you still wear clothes and look like a gentleman) - 1,000/month for the entire family
Dining out (Your wife will leave you if you don't) - 1,000/month
That's 19,300AED per month...
So unless I forgot something, you'll live a good life...(He already said he's not bothered to save...So he wants to live life to the full,ie the "Lebanese" way...)

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 5434790)

talking complete crap to women in Boudoir every night? ;):rofl:

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 5434795)

but it's crap smelling of roses...you try and do that and hey presto...

Originally Posted by shakh your bootie (Post 5434814)

elephant dung? it's miracle stuff.

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 5434795)

but it's crap smelling of roses...you try and do that and hey presto...

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 5434829)

will leave that to our Levantine friends! its part of their heritage!

Originally Posted by IndieGirl (Post 5431801)

Why not consider Mankhool/Burjuman area as well? You can get a 3 bed for 140-160 p.a.. Here's a rough budget, if you're not keen on saving...

13125 rent (150k p.a. for a 3 bed; includes the 5% municipality tax)
2500 car (e.g. Camry)
2500 groceries
2000 School (mid range in Garhoud)
750 W/E; Phone/internet for an apartment
1125 shopping/entertainment/saving. Eating out is cheap; there are 2 parks within a 10 minute drive; ........

I used to commute to Garhoud 2 years back - 15min drive to and fro; may be 30 min now - you travel in the opposite direction to the Sharjah traffic, so no problem:)

Will try and find out the rents in neighbouring buildings tomorrow to see if anything cheaper available....

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 5434833)

pratice makes perfect...

Originally Posted by W10 (Post 5434956)

I think you're a little bit light on the bills - 3 bed place plus TV (there is a kid) plus internet and phone (remember mobile costs too) would be closer to Dh1,250 I think.

You also have to remember all the 'fees' which will crop up all of the time. And Dh1,125 a month won't stretch very far.

I'd say unless you can share then it won't be much fun. You'll be broke the whole time. The people who all live on less than Dh10,000 all share - whole families in one room.

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 5434790)

talking complete crap to women in Boudoir every night? ;):rofl:

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 5434795)

but it's crap smelling of roses...you try and do that and hey presto...

Originally Posted by shakh your bootie (Post 5434814)

elephant dung? it's miracle stuff.

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 5434829)

will leave that to our Levantine friends! its part of their heritage!

Originally Posted by W10 (Post 5435017)

That's what IG suggested.

I think a 2 bed in BD is 110k plus

Originally Posted by Confucius (Post 5435018)

I will put your photo as an Anti-Lebo in the Lebanese Embassies and Consulates,i.e. Boudoir,ShoChos,Trilogy,etc...Your phone will get busy soon...

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 5435051)

cant actually say I've met any Lebo's since I've been out here. and I understand the females are a wonderful sight :)

I have done plenty of business with Lebo's in the past and made sure I checked my watch was still on my wrist after shaking hands :p