Duracell_Bunny

Just got back from a leaving do at the Emirates Towers for a colleague of mine, he is going back to the UK due to rising costs in Dubai. In fact he was the 3rd Brit I have come to know who has decided to leave Dubai in the space of 7 weeks.

Apparently 60% of his salary (30K) was going on rental expenses. He has been offered a role back in Birmingham and with the same rate as Dubai. However he says what he will pay on Tax and NI back home is less than what he pays for rent in Dubai and will still leave him better off than getting a Tax free salary and paying the ridiculous rent for a small apartment.

He obviously has his own place in UK but even if he did not he would still be £4000 better off P/A.

The way things are going, I am also thinking of making a move back home to good old Milton Keynes. Had an offer last week but declined. However after doing some rough calculations I would be saving a total of £5000 P/A in addition to the existing disposable income here in Dubai. The downside is the weather which I am quite happy to put up with rather than trying to battle basic rising living expenses in here.

I am I doing the right thing?

Desert Rat

Apparently about 500 per month leaving due to the slow down in the UAE market

Duracell_Bunny

Wow.

Norm_uk

You're not the only one. I have had several (well paid and comfortable) clients and friends of mine head back or say they are only staying till the rent contract runs out.

If you are better off (or even just the same) in your home country why would you stay in a country where you can be arrested for kissing your better half in public?

Weather is a rubbish excuse...even in the current economic climate most people back home still go on holiday once or twice a year. Besides, I don't define a good climate as being near 50C for half the year...!

This is no surprise to me. I am comfortable here but I can't see myself being here in 3-4 years unless I get an astronomical income increase...money isn't everything. Once I am comfortable I want culture, freedom and a place where my children won't grow up thinking it's normal to just hang around a mall spending the 500dhs per week pocket money I give them.

N.

The Dean

Dubai was fun.

Dubai is now crap.

Mind you................ Milton Keynes???????

UKCityGent

Dubai never appealed to me - always thought it was NY on speed (and I hate NY!)

Kuwait for me (seems relaxed, chilled (at 50 c in summer), and seems to be an up and coming place)

MK - great place and Cranfield School of Management best Business School (especially since we beat LBS at rugby in my year !!)

Inselaffen

Try Singapore instead.
rents are falling here. I probably paid over the market rate but still rent comes in at about 30% of my income.

lionheart

We have been trying to quit Dubai for ages but cannot find a suitable job opportunity back home or elsewhere overseas. Will keep sending the cv's...

Nic1

500dhs a week ??????? OMG can't let my kids see this . . . .

N

Spugsy

why not just get a cheaper villa / apartment over here?

Blue Cat

there is nothing cheap here anymore

Meow

I can't believe that Dubai could ever be worse than Milton Keynes.

Whilst there may be lots of Brits returning to the UK, there are also many who are moving out here, although I think the demographic has changed somewhat and it is now mainly younger, single people as opposed to families.

hawkhead

Well I hope the same happens in AD, it's getting too bloody busy here....

The Dean

My God - next you'll be telling me you studied under David Molian!!!???

Milton Keynes has no soul and no character - a bit like the 'town' in The Truman Show.

The Dean

......... and the opinions of anyone who hates New York can safely be ignored......... wonderful city, with a real buzz and a unique character. It's my second favourite US city, after the stunningly beautiful San Francisco........