Job opportunity in Dubai
Sep 28th 2016, 11:15 am
#1
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Job opportunity in Dubai
Hi All,
Seems like a friendly place, could be wrong though
I'm currently in the running for a job opportunity in Dubai and ideally want to know if the move is worth it as i think if i'm offered the job it'll be a very quick process - no more than 6 weeks to move out there. I've read various websites about the +/-'s but wanted to speak to people who have actually done it. I've no ties to back home other than family so it's quite a good time to do it and experience a different country and culture.
Firstly the job pays 20000aed p/month not inclusive of any bonus' There is also a package which comes with that, which includes; health care/4x flights home p/y, temp accommodation for 4 weeks etc.. I used the very helpful 'is it worth it' spreadsheet but wanted real life advice in regards to the finances
I've seen the cost of living (rent etc) is higher than the UK and understand that Dubai has different cultures than here in the UK. So i guess the main questions are can you live comfortably and ideally save money on the above? It is challenging to live in Dubai with the restrictions, that a UK citizen isn't used to, that are placed on certain things such as internet access, etc?
I'm 30yrs old and will be moving out there on my own, so i guess where would be the best place to live for someone who would want to socialise and enjoy themselves (have looked at apartments in and around the marina area already)
Any advice would be massively appreciated
Cheers
Seems like a friendly place, could be wrong though
I'm currently in the running for a job opportunity in Dubai and ideally want to know if the move is worth it as i think if i'm offered the job it'll be a very quick process - no more than 6 weeks to move out there. I've read various websites about the +/-'s but wanted to speak to people who have actually done it. I've no ties to back home other than family so it's quite a good time to do it and experience a different country and culture.
Firstly the job pays 20000aed p/month not inclusive of any bonus' There is also a package which comes with that, which includes; health care/4x flights home p/y, temp accommodation for 4 weeks etc.. I used the very helpful 'is it worth it' spreadsheet but wanted real life advice in regards to the finances
I've seen the cost of living (rent etc) is higher than the UK and understand that Dubai has different cultures than here in the UK. So i guess the main questions are can you live comfortably and ideally save money on the above? It is challenging to live in Dubai with the restrictions, that a UK citizen isn't used to, that are placed on certain things such as internet access, etc?
I'm 30yrs old and will be moving out there on my own, so i guess where would be the best place to live for someone who would want to socialise and enjoy themselves (have looked at apartments in and around the marina area already)
Any advice would be massively appreciated
Cheers
Sep 28th 2016, 11:35 am
#2
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Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
has the company offered any accommodation allowance over and above your basic salary of AED 20k
Sep 28th 2016, 11:42 am
#3
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Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
20k a month is a bit tight.
A 1-bedroom in Sports City would be more realistic than the Marina. Aim for something around 70K.
You'll live decently enough. How much you spend on entertainment and social activities, well, the sky's the limit, but it will probably be the difference between whether you leave Dubai with savings or go home having spent every penny.
A 1-bedroom in Sports City would be more realistic than the Marina. Aim for something around 70K.
You'll live decently enough. How much you spend on entertainment and social activities, well, the sky's the limit, but it will probably be the difference between whether you leave Dubai with savings or go home having spent every penny.
Sep 28th 2016, 12:55 pm
#4
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Joined: Sep 2016
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Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
Hi guys,
Cheers for your responses.
No they haven't Mission. All they offer is temp accommodation whilst i find somewhere to live. The research I've done seems to point to most agents wanting the years rent up front or in some cases over 3 payments. Is this the norm and monthly rental doesn't really exist?
Cheers DXB Just had a look at Sports City seems OK and close to all the sports stadium which cant be a bad thing
From a social side of things as i know there is a big ex pat community, are there things to do. I have seen that you can join groups etc but I suppose I want to know is it easy to meet like minded people?
Cheers for your responses.
No they haven't Mission. All they offer is temp accommodation whilst i find somewhere to live. The research I've done seems to point to most agents wanting the years rent up front or in some cases over 3 payments. Is this the norm and monthly rental doesn't really exist?
Cheers DXB Just had a look at Sports City seems OK and close to all the sports stadium which cant be a bad thing
From a social side of things as i know there is a big ex pat community, are there things to do. I have seen that you can join groups etc but I suppose I want to know is it easy to meet like minded people?
Sep 29th 2016, 5:10 am
#5
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Posts: 3,467
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
20K would as others have said be a bit tight and I expect you'd be quite a bit down on other Brit expats your age who'd most likely be on 30K+.
As for the rent, yes its common for rent to be paid in 1, 2, 3 and rarely 4 cheques up front plus 5% agency fee.
What is it you do and whats your experience? This will give folk commenting a better idea if the package being offered is any good or not. Also, who is making the offer? Western company etc? This makes quite a big difference.
As for the rent, yes its common for rent to be paid in 1, 2, 3 and rarely 4 cheques up front plus 5% agency fee.
What is it you do and whats your experience? This will give folk commenting a better idea if the package being offered is any good or not. Also, who is making the offer? Western company etc? This makes quite a big difference.
Sep 29th 2016, 7:30 am
#6
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Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
HUGO, if there is no housing allowance then mate AED 20k is going to be very tight. Your accommodation alone will at least be around AED 70k (AED 6k per month), and for that you will have to look for somewhere out in the sticks.
Motorcity
Jumeriah village circle
Jumeriah village triangle
IMPZ
Sportscity
all these will have accommodation within your budget but traffic will be a frigging nightmare to and from these locations - where will your offices be?
There are landlords who will accept 12 monthly post dated cheques (and so you could always ask for that option). In addition you will need 5% deposit and 5% commission to the agent.
Then you got all your living expenses
5% housing fee
DEWA - Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - basically your lecky and water
Air Con service provider
Transport
food/drinks
it is doable on your package, but it will be tight and I doubt you will be able to save much.
Motorcity
Jumeriah village circle
Jumeriah village triangle
IMPZ
Sportscity
all these will have accommodation within your budget but traffic will be a frigging nightmare to and from these locations - where will your offices be?
There are landlords who will accept 12 monthly post dated cheques (and so you could always ask for that option). In addition you will need 5% deposit and 5% commission to the agent.
Then you got all your living expenses
5% housing fee
DEWA - Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - basically your lecky and water
Air Con service provider
Transport
food/drinks
it is doable on your package, but it will be tight and I doubt you will be able to save much.
Sep 29th 2016, 8:23 am
#7
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Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
I came out on a slightly lower basic but with commission - so hard to compare.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
Sep 29th 2016, 8:57 am
#8
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
I came out on a slightly lower basic but with commission - so hard to compare.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
7k rent (taking into account 5% commission & 5% deposit)
1k dewa
500 AC
2500 car hire/transport
3-4k food and drinks, including lunch
1k tv/internet/mobile/tel
so that would leave approx. 4k for shags/savings
Sep 29th 2016, 9:01 am
#9
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
I'm seeing lots of listing in Sports City for 60K so looks like rents are dropping there. Sports City is also mostly AC included so he should be able to keep his monthly bills to about 1,000, if he doesn't go crazy with his internet/tv package. 500 for dewa including the housing tax, and another 500 for tv/internet.
A single person could easily keep his weekly food shop to 250 (1,000 for the month). I do it for even less (we've been there already ).
2k for a monthly rental (Tiida), slightly cheaper for a Yaris. Always go with a reputable agency.
This is how I'd budget it:
5K for monthly share of rent.
1K for bills (DEWA/internet)
4K for groceries, takeways, beer, socialisation, petrol - assuming no heavy drinking or whoring)
2K for rental car
Total: 12K
Remainder: 8k a month for savings. So, doable and not bad if he sticks to a budget and doesn't try to keep up with the Joneses.
As mentioned, it's the setting up costs that are a killer. Deposits, first rental cheque, furniture, etc.
A single person could easily keep his weekly food shop to 250 (1,000 for the month). I do it for even less (we've been there already
). 2k for a monthly rental (Tiida), slightly cheaper for a Yaris. Always go with a reputable agency.
This is how I'd budget it:
5K for monthly share of rent.
1K for bills (DEWA/internet)
4K for groceries, takeways, beer, socialisation, petrol - assuming no heavy drinking or whoring)
2K for rental car
Total: 12K
Remainder: 8k a month for savings. So, doable and not bad if he sticks to a budget and doesn't try to keep up with the Joneses.
As mentioned, it's the setting up costs that are a killer. Deposits, first rental cheque, furniture, etc.
I came out on a slightly lower basic but with commission - so hard to compare.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
Also, I was lucky that rent was lower...but the places suggested are your best bet - Sport City is alright actually, few bars, good links to roads and plenty of food shops etc.
Mate lives up there pays just shy of 70k and has a really nice place.
Other costs on top - normal, but on 20k you can assume;
6k rent
2k bills (tv, internet, DEWA, AC (if not included) etc)
2k food shops (if you do once a week for lunch / dinners)
1.5k if you rent a tin pot Lancer (like I did to start with)
= 11,500
= 8,500 remaining for beer, whores, savings, golf etc.
That's pretty good actually, I normally take out about 1500-2000 for food shops, golf, beers, fun each week. So 8,500 = 2125 per week, but food shop already budgeted for, so you can easily get by on 1500 week for fun so can bump 2,500 aside each month locally or back home towards savings. Easily. Probably more if you're sensible.
Ask your company about rent loans, if they do it - it's easy and simple and normally interest free (unless they're *****). As Mission says - 5% fee + 5% deposit so maybe get them built into the loan if you can.
If not -banks do them and it's a piece of piss.
Just save as much as you can before moving here, setting up is pricey.
Sep 29th 2016, 9:19 am
#10
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
Sep 29th 2016, 9:35 am
#11
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
HUGO - I'm in the middle of apartment hunting....and I just came across this for you....give you a bit of an idea
https://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-...PQ%3D%3D&pos=3
https://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-...PQ%3D%3D&pos=3
Sep 29th 2016, 10:08 am
#12
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
SCAMPY I think you are a little light on your budget above, I'd say the following
7k rent (taking into account 5% commission & 5% deposit)
1k dewa
500 AC
2500 car hire/transport
3-4k food and drinks, including lunch
1k tv/internet/mobile/tel
so that would leave approx. 4k for shags/savings
7k rent (taking into account 5% commission & 5% deposit)
1k dewa
500 AC
2500 car hire/transport
3-4k food and drinks, including lunch
1k tv/internet/mobile/tel
so that would leave approx. 4k for shags/savings
1k DEWA - absurd I'm afraid, our 1 bed with housing fee is never more than 600 a month.
AC in Sports City normally included but I'd budget 5-600.
1.5-2k for car hire is all you need. My Lancer from a dodgy bloke in Al Quoz was 1540 and was excellent.
550 is what I pay for TV + Internet
250 for dodgy box (1500 every 6 months)
If you're sensible and do food shops - I don't buy lunch or coffees and our food shops range from 400-750 depending (dishwasher tablets and washing powder type shit every so often bumps one up)...for two of us. So if he budgets 500 a week for grub then it works, call it 4k at the top end of your range.
A single person could easily keep his weekly food shop to 250 (1,000 for the month). I do it for even less (we've been there already ).
2k for a monthly rental (Tiida), slightly cheaper for a Yaris. Always go with a reputable agency.
This is how I'd budget it:
5K for monthly share of rent.
1K for bills (DEWA/internet)
4K for groceries, takeways, beer, socialisation, petrol - assuming no heavy drinking or whoring)
2K for rental car
Total: 12K
Remainder: 8k a month for savings. So, doable and not bad if he sticks to a budget and doesn't try to keep up with the Joneses.
As mentioned, it's the setting up costs that are a killer. Deposits, first rental cheque, furniture, etc.
). 2k for a monthly rental (Tiida), slightly cheaper for a Yaris. Always go with a reputable agency.
This is how I'd budget it:
5K for monthly share of rent.
1K for bills (DEWA/internet)
4K for groceries, takeways, beer, socialisation, petrol - assuming no heavy drinking or whoring)
2K for rental car
Total: 12K
Remainder: 8k a month for savings. So, doable and not bad if he sticks to a budget and doesn't try to keep up with the Joneses.
As mentioned, it's the setting up costs that are a killer. Deposits, first rental cheque, furniture, etc.
250 per month for food isn't enough to sustain a meat eating, normal sized human being mate....I'm sorry. It's just not.
Sep 29th 2016, 10:13 am
#14
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
20,000
6,500 rent + deposits (based on 70k apartment + 7k in fees/deposits)
600 DEWA
600 AC (if applicable)
600 TV / Internet
2000 Car
200 Salik / Fuel (rough guesses)
2000 food shops - lunch and dinners
= 13,500
= 7,500 left.
1,500 a week for fun - beers, golf, whores.
= 1,500 to put aside for savings / rainy day etc.
I would say that's tight as it doesn't really let you build a buffer. But remember the rent cost will drop in year two.
You can easily spend less on the weekly fun shit, trim that allowance to 1,000 dizzers and you're probably still not saying no to much...remember you've covered all your lunches and dinners so it's literally just fun money.
Maybe look at house sharing for the first year? I know loads of people who do this. You'll pay 5k probably for a nice room in a shared apartment with decent people. You'll instantly have some new mates and you won't have the bills. You'll be 6,500 + 1,800 in bills = 8,300 - 5,000 = 3,330 better off a month.
Might be worth considering for year 1.
6,500 rent + deposits (based on 70k apartment + 7k in fees/deposits)
600 DEWA
600 AC (if applicable)
600 TV / Internet
2000 Car
200 Salik / Fuel (rough guesses)
2000 food shops - lunch and dinners
= 13,500
= 7,500 left.
1,500 a week for fun - beers, golf, whores.
= 1,500 to put aside for savings / rainy day etc.
I would say that's tight as it doesn't really let you build a buffer. But remember the rent cost will drop in year two.
You can easily spend less on the weekly fun shit, trim that allowance to 1,000 dizzers and you're probably still not saying no to much...remember you've covered all your lunches and dinners so it's literally just fun money.
Maybe look at house sharing for the first year? I know loads of people who do this. You'll pay 5k probably for a nice room in a shared apartment with decent people. You'll instantly have some new mates and you won't have the bills. You'll be 6,500 + 1,800 in bills = 8,300 - 5,000 = 3,330 better off a month.
Might be worth considering for year 1.
Sep 29th 2016, 10:15 am
#15
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Posts: 0
Re: Job opportunity in Dubai
Also, don't forget that you might even get a nice apartment for 60,000 instead of 70,000. Which makes monthly contribution + deposits / fees only 5,500. Another 1,000 saved.
The more 500-1000 savings you can make the better. Once you're set up you'll want a stash of cash locally for any big buys / emergencies as well as to be sticking it offshore etc.
The more 500-1000 savings you can make the better. Once you're set up you'll want a stash of cash locally for any big buys / emergencies as well as to be sticking it offshore etc.