swain3030

Hello,

I have had a interview for a job on a newspaper in Abu Dhabi.
The money is around £40,000.

Is this a good wage for being able to live in what I understand is an expensive place?

I'd need to pay for an apartment out of that either on my own or shared, and the company say I wouldn't need to drive so I would not plan on getting a car, they say taxis are cheap.

Grateful for any advice in case I get the job and have to decide whether to go!


Thanks

elizabeth

typical

I assume you're not being paid in pounds - what is the dirham amount?

Are you coming on your own?

It's possible to do without a car in Dubai but rather limiting.

Meow

The National? They are losing quite a few journalists. Salary approx AED 19,500 per month sounds about right for there. You can manage but accommodation in AD is still very expensive so that will take up much of your budget.

Just because you leave the UK to work abroad your salary isn't necessarily free of UK tax. Take a look at this entry on my website for useful info regarding tax issues for British expats.

http://financialuae.wordpress.com/20...ritish-expats/

I also write a regular column in The National (as a freelancer) if that is who the job is with and you have any questions.

The Dean

Swain, you signed up in Nov 2009, and only started posting today?? That's got to be some sort of record............

nottmbantam

Trust you to go off on a tangent.....

Autonomy

This will give you some more info (!) (and bitchiness) about The National and salaries:

http://dubaimedia.blogspot.com/2009/...leaked-on.html

There was a pdf of them all on wikileaks - but it's not available currently....

Meow

I had that info when it came out. Was most interesting

Edit> Just skimmed through the comments on your link. Some are very wide of the mark. The National was not expected to make a profit for five years from launch and it's subscriptions are increasing all the time. Heaven knows it is far from a great paper, but it is better than any other local newspaper. Journalists are rarely paid much, unless they have a real 'name' and The National also uses a lot of freelancers (on a variety of pay scales).

Blue Cat

I have talked to other people about this and about how their circulation figures are manipulated. The give away how many 1000's to hotels and establishments. How many 1000's only subscribe for the free Entertainer etc? It is the best paper in the UAE though

lionheart

My three cautionary points are;
1/ Don't expect to stay in that post for longer than 6-12 months.
2/ As already advised, Abu Dhabi housing is very expensive
3/ Taxis are no longer cheap and waiting for one can be a nuisance.
Good luck otherwise. At least it's better than Riyadh.

swain3030

hello- thanks for your help!
Lionheart- why expect to only stay 6-12 months- do people get sick of it quickly?
Meow- thanks for the tax advice, this is useful as I would rent out my flat if I go I expect- would I be taxed on this income? What are the people like on the paper?
Yes its that paper and yes I'd be on my own! Is it easy to meet people to socialise with?

The pay- £40,000 is around 230,000 d- how does that sound?


thanks