New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Hi,

My name is Francesca and myself and my fiance (Ashley) are looking to relocate to Dubai in the next six months. Ashley is a Commercial Manager for a construction company and I am in Property Management.

It looks like we will be getting our accommodation through Ashley's work and I think I will get a job once out there.

I would really appreciate some help with the following questions if at all possible:

Where is a nice area for British Expats to live in Dubai? I'm worried about accepting accommodation and not knowing the best place to live, where we will feel happy.

We are a couple with no children. Can we still ask for a Villa, or will they put us in an apartment?

What else should we be asking for in a package as a bare minimum?

What is Abu Dabi like? Ashley is being offered allot of work there, but we are not familiar with the area.

Even though his wage will be tax free, do we have to pay tax on any monies transferred to the UK? Are there any other implications regarding this?

Sorry to flood this mail with a load of questions that I am sure you have heard before, but I want to be fully aware of things and not go into anything blind.

I promise to be more interesting in my next mail!!!!

Kind regards

Francesca

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Hi Francesca and welcome to the Board.

I'm waiting to come out to Riyadh so am expecting to be there in the next couple of months, and had lots of similar types of questions.

There are some really helpful people on this forum ( and I'm not one of them! ) who I'm sure will be able to offer you lots of info and advice. Perhaps log on again tomorrow, as I'm sure you'll realise that due to time difference, there may not be many folk logging on in UAE right now.

Have a read of this thread - another poster asking lots of similar questions, and maybe try a few searches:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508428

In the meantime, best wishes for a smooth and swift re-location - mine seems to be taking ages!

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Maybe its the water........
Billeous.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

do a search, there is loads of info on here...

as for where to live, completely depends on where you and partner will be working and the budget, what is your accomodation allowance, as you will see, rent is a killer here...

yeah, it's tax free but expensive here...

you want flights home, medical cover, car and a proper rent allowance in your package...you could push for beach club/gym membership but this is getting more unusual in packages now...

think abu dhabi is much quieter than dubai, but the AD people (syb and annacarna) will i'm sure fill you in...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Abu Dhabi is a lot more chilled out than Dubai. Having said that, Dubai has better shops, but it is only a hour's drive away (on a good day!).

How it usually works with accommodation, is that your employer will give you an allowance. If you decide to rent a more expensive property, then you just pay the difference.

You should also ask for medical insurance, car loan, flights home, school fees (in case you have children in the future!), relocation cost, erm, can't think of anything else right now.

If you are renting out your property in the UK, then you will pay tax on any profit you make.

Good luck!

Sam x

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

you not feeling right eva, lol...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

where you live really does depend a bit on where you will be working.

personally I wouldnt want to live in one of the expat Villa areas as they are a bit out of the way. An apartment in the marina is better located, will have great views and be closer to bars/restaurants/clubs.

Make sure your company will advance the full rent. You are likely to have to pay the full year rent or at least 6 months in advance.

Make sure your package includes full medical insurance, 2 return flights a year and that your holidays are working days not calendar days!

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

is it the norm to get two return airfares a year? we have only ever had one :(

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

thats what i was advised to ask for when I moved out here

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

We get two return flights a year - or, to be strictly accurate, I get a "flight allowance" as part of my monthly salary. The theory is that you save that each month, and at the end of the year you've got enough to pay for two return flights.

The old system of companies buying the tickets for employees on request appears, like so many other perks, to be disappearing. Shame really, I'd much rather have that than the flight allowance.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

oh dear, i didnt get a car allowance, nor a housing allowance and i get only 1 flight per year.. did i get a rubbish deal?

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

More likely you got a very typical deal by the standards of modern Dubai. Housing allowances, in particular, are nothing like they used to be... in the good old days nearly everyone would be given a separate amount of money for their housing that they didn't have to pay back to the company - that's how a lot of the people who were here 5-6 years ago could afford downpayments on mortgages when the market was opened to expats.

Nowadays, most people just get an advance on their salary to pay their rent, with only the privileged few getting a true company-paid housing allowance.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Alot of the time they will offer based on dependency status. A villa isn't out of the question, nor is an appartment, it's completely down to the company. You could always 'request' one or the other, but there's no guarantee

Depends on the seniorirty of the role, but as a commercial manager; A car, travel expenses, annual tickets once a year, medical and other insurances.

I've 'heard' Abu Dhabi is very nice - alot more laid back, but in terms of construction it's about 4-5 years behind Dubai. It is however catching up... Hence your partner probably getting alot of work there.

Money transfers can be taxed, however there are several methods in transferring the currency back to the UK tax free - Google is your best friend :) Easily researched.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Money transfers can be taxed, however there are several methods in transferring the currency back to the UK tax free - Google is your best friend :) Easily researched.[/QUOTE]

can i have another hint please? did a check on Google and came up with nothing.. Thanks!

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

What sort of property would £400 grand get you in Dubai ? bearing in mind we have 2 young children and have a 4 bedroom house at the mo! We would like the same (or better) , would it be best to live on an expat village or somewhere closer to town ? Si

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

£400,000 is about 3 mil. AED.. if im not mistaken.. Doubt you'd be able to buy a 4 bedroom house over here in Dubai for that amount

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

yeah, doubt you'd get 4 bed for that sort of money...not sure how much sprins 3 beds are now??

and you should be aware that you can't buy property in every area in dubai...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

"sprins"? :D

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

hahahahahaha...it's that new well known expat community formerly called springs...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

ahh.. i've heard of it..
a 3 bed there's about 2.5 mil aed.. but the guy isnt looking for anything less than a 4 bed.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Did the OP get scared away or something?

And what's wrong with people introducing themselves before asking for help and then to never be seen again....

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

she was online yesterday...maybe overwhelmed by the amount of information given...

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

can i have another hint please? did a check on Google and came up with nothing.. Thanks![/QUOTE]

Try opening a paypal account! That way, when you get a bank account over here, you can transfer the money! They'll charge, but the exchange rates they offer are usually very fair.

Good luck on your move!

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Hello all - my name is Lee

I am an architect looking at the possibility of moving out to Dubai for a few years. I am an associate with a practice here in the UK.

I have signed up with a couple of agencies here but just putting feelers out. They have given me an indication of an approx salary being £55 000 just wondering if this is a realistic expectation?

I would appreciate any advice

Many thanks

Lee

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

would depend on the whole package wouldn't it, like housing allowance, medical insurance, flights back to UK, and if you've a family, school allowance etc.

and welcome to BE :)

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Thanks

Apologies for crashing into this thread.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

maybe do a search on the forum, have a look at the Wiki at the top of the page...and then if you still have questions, start your own thread with those specific question...there is a lot of very recent info here....
good luck

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Hello,

Thanks to everyone who gave me their invaluable advise to my last mail. Things have moved quite quickly since I last got in touch. My fiance Ashley has received an offer and as you will remember he is a commercial Manager for a construction company and has been offered a position for six weeks time, however, we are keen to find out if it is a good offer or he should be asking for allot more. The offer is as follows:

Basic salary: AED 360,000 / annum
Accomodation & amenities: AED 150,000 / annum
Vehicle & running costs: AED 30,000 / annum
Fuel costs: AED 6,000 / annum
Mobile phone charges: AED 8,000 / annum
Air flights: AED 10,000 / annum (one trip for both of us)
Medical insurance: All medical insurance for both of us excluding non emergency dental.
Annual leave: Four calendar weeks holiday

In addition:

1. Our flights over to dubai (economy unfortunately!!!)
2. Accomodation in serviced apartment for four weeks (accomodation part of salary will not be paid in that time)
3. Hire car for four weeks (vehicle & travel allowance part of salary will not be paid for that time)
4. Shipping costs of personal effects
5. Settlement cash allowance of AED 5,000 to assist in establishing ourselves
6. Work permit & residence Visa will be paid for both of us by the company.


Be honest and frank, is this any good? The last thing we want to do is get over there and not be able to afford a nice place to live. I personally am very fussy and need my home comforts. Don't mind what country I am in, as long as my home is nice. Is there anything else that you think we should be asking for at this stage?

I will wait to hear before we get back to them about the offer. I appreciate that it is now your weekend, but would really appreciate a response.

Thanks again for your help. We would be lost without this advise!!!!

Francesca

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

good news francesca!!! package looks pretty good (you haven't got kids, right?)...whether the accomodation allowance is ok depends on what you are looking for...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Thanks so much for your help MM, your a star!!! We do not have kids, but are going to ask for the accomodation package to be increased anyway. I will let you know how we get on. What the weather like out there?

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

weather is rubbish...huge sandstorms at the moment...can't wait for the sun to return...

MM, xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Snowing in the UK and 2 degrees

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

so I hear but you have the luxury of central heating ;)

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

You mean your air conditioning systems are not heat pumps? You will be telling me hot water is by solar only next? Went to Turkey last year and didnt realise that, you had to wait for 2 hrs sunshine before you could have a warm shower and it was cold.See you all soon.

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

not sure about everyone elses AC but mine definately isn't we have tried it a couple of times with no luck. No solar energy out here which does surprise me. Apparently it is too expensive to set up ;)

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

One of the cheapest forms of green energy and one of the only ones with a reasonable pay back, but it of course depends who owns the utility company!

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

I agree!! there was a shop on the SZR who sold solar energy panels but it closed down. I remember it was discussed on the radio some time back as to why it isn't an option here but I can't remember the outcome! maybe it is TOO hot in the summer :confused:

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

prob takes too long to install... oh and the energy companies out there wouldn't like it...

but solar panels are fairly robust nowadays... all the BP garages here use them for power... apparently one day of UK sun, is enough to run the garage for two weeks

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

Hi All,

We have been looking at accomodation in Dubai and looks like we will have around AED180,000. We ideally want a villa but the only places coming up are Arabian Ranches. Is anyone familliar with these villas. I take from the amount of them available that there is something wrong with them or they are in a bad area? I really do not know where I am supposed to be looking and the good and bad areas.

We want a villa as will probably be bringing two cats but would prefer a really nice appartment as apose to grotty villa if its all we can afford. I do not want to be in the marina, as it looks really built up with lots of tower blocks. I am affraid of moving to Dubai and being stuck on the 50th floor (slight exageration) of a tower block. We are looking for a nice area, close to malls, restaurants and local amenities but not smack bang in the middle of it all. Am I asking the earth???

Please get back to me with some areas and what they are like. Also is it usual that accomodation is completely unfurnished and has to be furnished bythe tenant?

Look forward to hearing from you

Thanks again, would be completely lost without your help.

Francesca xx

Re: New Member (Moving to Dubai)
 

maybe it's best to come here and stay in furnished accomodation for a couple of weeks and just take your time getting to know Dubai, get familiar with the different areas....it's very had to give advise on these things...I wouldn't live in AR, but I quite like the Marina...
Thing to remember is the traffic so try and live as close as possible to where you work...
There are lots more areas with villas apart from AR by the way...and there is nothing wrong with AR villas as far as I know.