laurenzo99

I have been offered a job in Abu Dhabi and am currently deliberating whether to make the move from Scotland, UK.

I was hoping that some expats could tell me what life is like over there- both the good and the bad!

Many Thanks,

Lauren

Millsyisland

Have you tried searching for specifics in the forum as this type of question gets covered regularly? Or be a bit more specific as to what you want to know - in answer to your question, my life's great over here but guess you'd like a bit more than that?

laurenzo99

Thanks for a reply!

My accom. will be provided so no questions on that front. But I am interested in how it is to buy a car/ drive in AD and also how much the cost of living is (i.e. supermarket shop)

Hope someone can help....

mummy2dolly

If you are a confident driver, then driving is fine. Getting a carloan is easy enough, but time consuming and frustrating...as with any application you will make... if you multiply the time they tell you it will take by at least 4 then you may get a more accurate prediction....

I find supermarket shopping expensive, but then it depends where you shop and who you are feeding, I've got 2 fussy kids hence my high costs, but you can buy local for a fraction of the imported price (eg imported peppers = 29.95 dhs/kg, local peppers = 12.95 dhs/kg).

TV and Internet in extortionate for a crap service.

But don't be put off, it's great (most of the time)!!!

laurenzo99

My utilitities are covered, but have to pay for phone/ internet.

How much does a months line rental/ internet cost approx?

I doubt I would drive myself to be honest, so would have to rely on public transport!

Bluelionesse

Internet/TV package costs us about £100/month

Limited public transport options - although taxis are quite cheap. Buy a second hand car, petrol is dirt cheap, and drive about yourself. But make sure that your accommodation has a parking space allocated for you!

It all depends on the person/family but I find supermarket shopping quite cheap compared to the UK, fruit and veg (always try to buy stuff sourced middle/east or india) is less than half the price, as is Australian steak.

We live in Al Ain, 1.5 hours from AD and we love it.

Norm_uk

Lifestyle depends on your hobbies and interests more than anything else?

Abu Dhabi expats tend to be a little more down to earth and less concerned with what car you drive and how much you earn - I lived in Dubai for 7.5 years and that was the norm, with 'normal' people being the exception (and there are plenty thankfully).

With an average income life can be good almost anywhere so a lot will depend on what you make of it.

The only real gripe here for me is the driving and the judicial system...

N.

mummy2dolly

Our internet/tv/mobile phone (for one mobile) bill is about 900dhs/month (£150). I *think* the internet alone is £50... you may get more of an idea here http://www.etisalat.ae/index.jsp?lang=en

If you live and work in town and it's just you then using taxis is fine, there are buses but I admit to knowing nothing about them.

Good luck deciding

soukie

I would have agreed with this comment a couple of years ago but AD has changed for the worst and there are more expats who like to show off what they have even though most of it is probably owned by the banks! AD is a good place to live if you are sensible with money and don't try to keep up with the " Whitley-Jones' ". Driving is a nightmare so if you work in town I would recommend living in town - everything is easy to get to by taxi and the buses are good but crowded. Do you know where you will be working?

Oyibopeppeh

Having just returned from a week in the UK (and a Friday night in Nottingham), the idea of UAE justice doesn't seem half as bad considering the disgusting behavior of the web-footed British pond life on a weekend....

Tillybean

I lived in Nottingham years and years ago and always thought it was a great city. Went back last year for a weekend and was frankly shocked. Read somewhere that Nottingham now has the highest crime rate per capita in the UK (outside of London).

It was sad to see the Market Square as a bit of a no-go zone....I remember many a drunken but fun night prancing through the square on the way to/from some dodgy club....Cookie Club anyone.

Norm_uk

I don't associate with capricious idiots so I wouldn't know - we pick up on people like that in my social circle and tend to exclude them.

I do agree with you that there are more people like that now but it's no where near as bad as Dubai where the appearance of wealth and status can make or break you in some social circles...thankfully there are still down to earth people there too.

N.

Norm_uk

The UK needs to go back to harsh prisons where the guards rule and start dishing out nasty punishments to deter crime so I agree with you there.

However I'd rather be in the UK and face justice there if accused of a crime I didn't commit. I believe we still generally treat all people equally before the law in the UK (well...except the royal family!).

N.

soukie

Neither do we but a bit of people watching and eaves dropping in the school playground tells me things have changed in AD. Agree with you about Dubai - it's always been that way though even when we were there in the early 90's the Dewbye set were there. The only difference is that they probably owned their flash cars and jewellery then whereas the majority now have the debt to go with the flashiness.

laurenzo99

If I choose to move and accept the position then I would be working for a School near the golf course. Am not sure where accom. will be.

As a young, single, white female will there be any issues with me going places along (i.e. supermarket/ cinema not bars)