Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
#46
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
Yes, I don't want to rain on your parade but maybe you should find somewhere to live first....
Maybe cars are just more interesting than property.
Maybe cars are just more interesting than property.
#47
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 121
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
Get yourself a well spec'd Boxster S with a hard top if you fancy it - driven them and they are definitely good fun. The S starts at 190k AED *NEW* = 26k GBP
But, FYI, a 911 starts from 270k AED (NEW) = 36k GBP and the 911 Convertible is 306k AED = 42k GBP...
Try looking on www.porschedubai.com to see what used 911's they have around 1 to 2 years old which would be in your budget.
Cars are much cheaper here
But, FYI, a 911 starts from 270k AED (NEW) = 36k GBP and the 911 Convertible is 306k AED = 42k GBP...
Try looking on www.porschedubai.com to see what used 911's they have around 1 to 2 years old which would be in your budget.
Cars are much cheaper here
#48
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Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
#50
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
the fact that no one takes their car(s) back home with them makes me think it's somehow not such a good thing to do...
#51
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
well, I always struggle/don't like to give advice on packages - that is something that is entirely up to yourself and your situation.
Roughly though, take your net UK salary and then this is what you are aiming for as a total package; including salary, housing allowance, flights home etc. In the UK, you have rent/mortgage to pay out of salary, so always best to compare like with like IMHO.
For property, there are loads of places to look for apartments with some specialising in particular areas. As has been mentioned, JBR & Marina areas are handy for Internet City, as is Palm Jumeirah which you mention. I'm sure if you look about you would prob even get a 2-bed apartment you could afford in these areas rather than just the 1 bed.
Best bet is to just get here and see what you like; its good to have an idea of the prices for rent etc, but you may not like things when you see them.
Same with cars - a small sporty car may not be top of your list when you see how insance some of the drivers here are! We certainly changed our mind when we got here!!
Mike
PS - wish I earned 120k GBP when I was 26. In fact, wish I earned it now
#52
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
well, I always struggle/don't like to give advice on packages - that is something that is entirely up to yourself and your situation.
Roughly though, take your net UK salary and then this is what you are aiming for as a total package; including salary, housing allowance, flights home etc. In the UK, you have rent/mortgage to pay out of salary, so always best to compare like with like IMHO.
For property, there are loads of places to look for apartments with some specialising in particular areas. As has been mentioned, JBR & Marina areas are handy for Internet City, as is Palm Jumeirah which you mention. I'm sure if you look about you would prob even get a 2-bed apartment you could afford in these areas rather than just the 1 bed.
Best bet is to just get here and see what you like; its good to have an idea of the prices for rent etc, but you may not like things when you see them.
Same with cars - a small sporty car may not be top of your list when you see how insance some of the drivers here are! We certainly changed our mind when we got here!!
Mike
PS - wish I earned 120k GBP when I was 26. In fact, wish I earned it now
I'd probably pass on the 2 bedroom apartment, my feeling is that I wouldn't find one within my budget, AND I have no real use for the extra bedroom. I don't want an office at home yet, and I don't have a wife or kids - or even a girlfriend as of last week for that matter! That being the case, what are the good hangouts!?
#53
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Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
Regarding whether or not I'd want to buy a sports car there because of the wild driving... I learned to drive in Beirut, Lebanon - I'm baptised by fire :-). We drive 70 MPH on highways...in the WRONG direction! I've never seen anyone stop at a traffic light anywhere in Lebanon, they are simply novelties :-).
I'd probably pass on the 2 bedroom apartment, my feeling is that I wouldn't find one within my budget, AND I have no real use for the extra bedroom. I don't want an office at home yet, and I don't have a wife or kids - or even a girlfriend as of last week for that matter! That being the case, what are the good hangouts!?
I'd probably pass on the 2 bedroom apartment, my feeling is that I wouldn't find one within my budget, AND I have no real use for the extra bedroom. I don't want an office at home yet, and I don't have a wife or kids - or even a girlfriend as of last week for that matter! That being the case, what are the good hangouts!?
#55
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,028
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
Regarding whether or not I'd want to buy a sports car there because of the wild driving... I learned to drive in Beirut, Lebanon - I'm baptised by fire :-). We drive 70 MPH on highways...in the WRONG direction! I've never seen anyone stop at a traffic light anywhere in Lebanon, they are simply novelties :-).
#57
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
Regarding whether or not I'd want to buy a sports car there because of the wild driving... I learned to drive in Beirut, Lebanon - I'm baptised by fire :-). We drive 70 MPH on highways...in the WRONG direction! I've never seen anyone stop at a traffic light anywhere in Lebanon, they are simply novelties :-).
I'd probably pass on the 2 bedroom apartment, my feeling is that I wouldn't find one within my budget, AND I have no real use for the extra bedroom. I don't want an office at home yet, and I don't have a wife or kids - or even a girlfriend as of last week for that matter! That being the case, what are the good hangouts!?
I'd probably pass on the 2 bedroom apartment, my feeling is that I wouldn't find one within my budget, AND I have no real use for the extra bedroom. I don't want an office at home yet, and I don't have a wife or kids - or even a girlfriend as of last week for that matter! That being the case, what are the good hangouts!?
#58
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Posts: 35
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
I prefer a lounge type atmosphere as opposed to a club... Something not too loud, and not full of drunken people, I like a good drink, but I can't believe the way people here in London do it (I live within sight of Emirates Stadium where Arsenal plays... you can imagine what it looks like here on match days!). Maybe something with a bit of live music. I'm also into the bar scene - know of any good spots for 20 and 30 something young professionals?
#59
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
I prefer a lounge type atmosphere as opposed to a club... Something not too loud, and not full of drunken people, I like a good drink, but I can't believe the way people here in London do it (I live within sight of Emirates Stadium where Arsenal plays... you can imagine what it looks like here on match days!). Maybe something with a bit of live music. I'm also into the bar scene - know of any good spots for 20 and 30 something young professionals?
#60
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Re: Expat package comparable to £120,000/yr
I prefer a lounge type atmosphere as opposed to a club... Something not too loud, and not full of drunken people, I like a good drink, but I can't believe the way people here in London do it (I live within sight of Emirates Stadium where Arsenal plays... you can imagine what it looks like here on match days!). Maybe something with a bit of live music. I'm also into the bar scene - know of any good spots for 20 and 30 something young professionals?