Newbie expat with grenade in head!
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Newbie expat with grenade in head!
36 hours ago I was a typical redundant fella, a victim of the current economic woes that seem to have last forever. Having applied for one job, the recruitment agency called back with the now worn out response that my skill set didn't meet the client's brief. But they said there was a job in Dubai that I'd be perfect for. I deliberated about it for a while and tentatively suggested it to she who must be obeyed last night. The result wasn't a categorical 'no' and indeed was a defi tie maybe.
I spoke with the agency today and suddenly I'm at the top of a short list, and I feel like someone has tossed a question grenade into my head. How will we get the dogs there? What are the schools like? Will my kids (aged 3, 5 & 7) cope with the move? How will we get the dogs there? How hot does it REALLY get? How much am I worth? Will she who must be obeyed find work there, or is that not considered the done thing? Have I set a new base level for ignorance? How will we get the dogs there? Do the schools there cope well with a child with special needs? (He has mild Aspergers so is not the full Rainman) Will we need to bring all of stuff, and we have a LOT of detritus, with us? Arghhh...I need a chill pill. Can I get chill pills in Dubai?
As you can see I'm a little all over the place and just need to know where to start. I found a book on Amazon Kindle by a guy called Chris Combe (A Year in Wonderland) but that's not exactly a sales pitch for Dubai. I doubt there's a good 'how to' book out there as everyone's circumstances will be different. This forum has so far proved fantastic. The stickied spreadsheet of costs is AWESOME.
I appreciate that I need to get a proper proposal first but at the same time I don't want this rapidly accelerating train get out of control if it means there's no way we can get on board.
In short, what are the key questions I should be asking in some form of priority? Any advice will be very gratefully received. And just how will I get the dogs over there?
Happy days
Hadders
I spoke with the agency today and suddenly I'm at the top of a short list, and I feel like someone has tossed a question grenade into my head. How will we get the dogs there? What are the schools like? Will my kids (aged 3, 5 & 7) cope with the move? How will we get the dogs there? How hot does it REALLY get? How much am I worth? Will she who must be obeyed find work there, or is that not considered the done thing? Have I set a new base level for ignorance? How will we get the dogs there? Do the schools there cope well with a child with special needs? (He has mild Aspergers so is not the full Rainman) Will we need to bring all of stuff, and we have a LOT of detritus, with us? Arghhh...I need a chill pill. Can I get chill pills in Dubai?
As you can see I'm a little all over the place and just need to know where to start. I found a book on Amazon Kindle by a guy called Chris Combe (A Year in Wonderland) but that's not exactly a sales pitch for Dubai. I doubt there's a good 'how to' book out there as everyone's circumstances will be different. This forum has so far proved fantastic. The stickied spreadsheet of costs is AWESOME.
I appreciate that I need to get a proper proposal first but at the same time I don't want this rapidly accelerating train get out of control if it means there's no way we can get on board.
In short, what are the key questions I should be asking in some form of priority? Any advice will be very gratefully received. And just how will I get the dogs over there?
Happy days
Hadders
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
unfortunately uae is not really set up for kids with special needs, i cannot comment directly as i live in abu dhabi, but in dubai there are many more schools, and i think a few of them do cater for mild cases of aspergers and the like etc. blue cat should be able to help with schools. the younger ages are more difficult to get in, but if you are coming out mid year you stand a better shot. there are rules put in place that come middle of february only people from outside the country can fill any vacant school places. you need to say what line of work your wife would be doing, but if you have school aged kids its very difficult to get work around the school runs, unless of course you do what a lot do and get a maid but then that adds to your costs. chill pills are controlled so you would need to see a pyschiastrist to get the script lol. lots of people get the dogs here.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
unfortunately uae is not really set up for kids with special needs, i cannot comment directly as i live in abu dhabi, but in dubai there are many more schools, and i think a few of them do cater for mild cases of aspergers and the like etc. blue cat should be able to help with schools. the younger ages are more difficult to get in, but if you are coming out mid year you stand a better shot. there are rules put in place that come middle of february only people from outside the country can fill any vacant school places. you need to say what line of work your wife would be doing, but if you have school aged kids its very difficult to get work around the school runs, unless of course you do what a lot do and get a maid but then that adds to your costs. chill pills are controlled so you would need to see a pyschiastrist to get the script lol. lots of people get the dogs here.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Have you been inside my head Hadders? lol - I thought I was the only one with a million and one questions going on inside my head - our kids are not coming with us and we don't have kids so it will be an easier move in that respect however the questions keep on coming. I guess we will get the answers when we get there. Good luck with everything - I hope it works out for you and your family.
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Have you been inside my head Hadders? lol - I thought I was the only one with a million and one questions going on inside my head - our kids are not coming with us and we don't have kids so it will be an easier move in that respect however the questions keep on coming. I guess we will get the answers when we get there. Good luck with everything - I hope it works out for you and your family.
Initial package has now been disclosed with my starting gambit being £150k plus all relocation expenses, etc. They didn't blink which makes me think I'm too low. Athough Autonmy's 'Is it worth it' calculator shows that to be a decent result. I think this works out to be circa AED75k PCM.
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Yeh apologies for the mess I left while in your head. It was starting to look so organised as well. I've started a spreadsheet ("Not another bloody spreadsheet!" says SWMBO) to keep track of my questions which seem to strike in a completely random and tangential way. It really is a case of can open, worms everywhere.
Initial package has now been disclosed with my starting gambit being £150k plus all relocation expenses, etc. They didn't blink which makes me think I'm too low. Athough Autonmy's 'Is it worth it' calculator shows that to be a decent result. I think this works out to be circa AED75k PCM.
Initial package has now been disclosed with my starting gambit being £150k plus all relocation expenses, etc. They didn't blink which makes me think I'm too low. Athough Autonmy's 'Is it worth it' calculator shows that to be a decent result. I think this works out to be circa AED75k PCM.
#7
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
36 hours ago I was a typical redundant fella, a victim of the current economic woes that seem to have last forever. Having applied for one job, the recruitment agency called back with the now worn out response that my skill set didn't meet the client's brief. But they said there was a job in Dubai that I'd be perfect for. I deliberated about it for a while and tentatively suggested it to she who must be obeyed last night. The result wasn't a categorical 'no' and indeed was a defi tie maybe.
I spoke with the agency today and suddenly I'm at the top of a short list, and I feel like someone has tossed a question grenade into my head. How will we get the dogs there? What are the schools like? Will my kids (aged 3, 5 & 7) cope with the move? How will we get the dogs there? How hot does it REALLY get? How much am I worth? Will she who must be obeyed find work there, or is that not considered the done thing? Have I set a new base level for ignorance? How will we get the dogs there? Do the schools there cope well with a child with special needs? (He has mild Aspergers so is not the full Rainman) Will we need to bring all of stuff, and we have a LOT of detritus, with us? Arghhh...I need a chill pill. Can I get chill pills in Dubai?
As you can see I'm a little all over the place and just need to know where to start. I found a book on Amazon Kindle by a guy called Chris Combe (A Year in Wonderland) but that's not exactly a sales pitch for Dubai. I doubt there's a good 'how to' book out there as everyone's circumstances will be different. This forum has so far proved fantastic. The stickied spreadsheet of costs is AWESOME.
I appreciate that I need to get a proper proposal first but at the same time I don't want this rapidly accelerating train get out of control if it means there's no way we can get on board.
In short, what are the key questions I should be asking in some form of priority? Any advice will be very gratefully received. And just how will I get the dogs over there?
Happy days
Hadders
I spoke with the agency today and suddenly I'm at the top of a short list, and I feel like someone has tossed a question grenade into my head. How will we get the dogs there? What are the schools like? Will my kids (aged 3, 5 & 7) cope with the move? How will we get the dogs there? How hot does it REALLY get? How much am I worth? Will she who must be obeyed find work there, or is that not considered the done thing? Have I set a new base level for ignorance? How will we get the dogs there? Do the schools there cope well with a child with special needs? (He has mild Aspergers so is not the full Rainman) Will we need to bring all of stuff, and we have a LOT of detritus, with us? Arghhh...I need a chill pill. Can I get chill pills in Dubai?
As you can see I'm a little all over the place and just need to know where to start. I found a book on Amazon Kindle by a guy called Chris Combe (A Year in Wonderland) but that's not exactly a sales pitch for Dubai. I doubt there's a good 'how to' book out there as everyone's circumstances will be different. This forum has so far proved fantastic. The stickied spreadsheet of costs is AWESOME.
I appreciate that I need to get a proper proposal first but at the same time I don't want this rapidly accelerating train get out of control if it means there's no way we can get on board.
In short, what are the key questions I should be asking in some form of priority? Any advice will be very gratefully received. And just how will I get the dogs over there?
Happy days
Hadders
#8
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Hadders-welcome to the board, take a deep breath.
As much as you feel it may all be a whirlwind don't forget you can do things at a slower pace, you could move out here leave the missus and co at home for 3-6 months, work through your trial period, make some friends, put the word out to the people you meet about your wife and you'll find some job openings once shes here (what does she do?) see how you feel get the family out for holidays, do your research and then make the big move. No point turning the world upside down, do it at your own pace and do your research.
For your doggies I believe they will need all their injections done and a little doggy passport so you have time to get that done before they can travel. There are some pet relocatin companies listed here along with info on what is needed- permissions etc; http://dwc.hct.ac.ae/expatinfo/animals.htm
Dubai Explorer is the book you want- gives you load of info on living out here etc.
Now breath
As much as you feel it may all be a whirlwind don't forget you can do things at a slower pace, you could move out here leave the missus and co at home for 3-6 months, work through your trial period, make some friends, put the word out to the people you meet about your wife and you'll find some job openings once shes here (what does she do?) see how you feel get the family out for holidays, do your research and then make the big move. No point turning the world upside down, do it at your own pace and do your research.
For your doggies I believe they will need all their injections done and a little doggy passport so you have time to get that done before they can travel. There are some pet relocatin companies listed here along with info on what is needed- permissions etc; http://dwc.hct.ac.ae/expatinfo/animals.htm
Dubai Explorer is the book you want- gives you load of info on living out here etc.
Now breath
Last edited by kittycat1; Dec 14th 2012 at 5:25 am.
#9
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
That's quite a lot of change and so you should be OK. Is this, 'all in' i.e. you have to pay for everything?
If you think you have lowballed it then you can always say 'of course, that assumes the school fees are covered' 3 kids will set you back 120-150k AED a year (ish)
A 5 bed house to store the kids in could cost you up to 300k ish per year with utilities being somewhere around 2k in the winter, 7k in the summer. Depending where you live of course.
Getting the package right is the main thing - sounds like you are there - most problems in Dubai can be solved with money... as you will learn when you arrive by all the people queuing up to take it from you.
As for the dogs... humm, it is hot here. Personally, I don't this is a good place for them - but I'll be shot for saying that.
If you think you have lowballed it then you can always say 'of course, that assumes the school fees are covered' 3 kids will set you back 120-150k AED a year (ish)
A 5 bed house to store the kids in could cost you up to 300k ish per year with utilities being somewhere around 2k in the winter, 7k in the summer. Depending where you live of course.
Getting the package right is the main thing - sounds like you are there - most problems in Dubai can be solved with money... as you will learn when you arrive by all the people queuing up to take it from you.
As for the dogs... humm, it is hot here. Personally, I don't this is a good place for them - but I'll be shot for saying that.
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
As has been said, most of your questions can't be answered until you have a package / salary figure. That's when you can work out if it is truly worth it.
Dogs - probably won't enjoy being housebound in the summer (50 degrees).
If your kid (who isn't quite the Rainman, yet) is in a normal school now then should be fine. My mrs is a teacher and some of the kids who apparently don't have any special needs are truly ****ing special by all accounts of the stories she tells me.
Chill Pills - Yeah, of course, you just go to the pub and leave the kids with the master and get battered. Although, I did get offered hash by a bloke in Karama the other night.
Dogs - probably won't enjoy being housebound in the summer (50 degrees).
If your kid (who isn't quite the Rainman, yet) is in a normal school now then should be fine. My mrs is a teacher and some of the kids who apparently don't have any special needs are truly ****ing special by all accounts of the stories she tells me.
Chill Pills - Yeah, of course, you just go to the pub and leave the kids with the master and get battered. Although, I did get offered hash by a bloke in Karama the other night.
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 127
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Don't know about packages etc. Dogs will be fine, you'll just have to get used to getting up before the sun does and having walkies then. You can't wait for the winter and a lie in!
#12
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
If and when you do arrive, the Explorer residents guides are a good first stop to help you get your head around the particular ways of doing things here.
#13
womble
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,675
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
If your kid (who isn't quite the Rainman, yet) is in a normal school now then should be fine. My mrs is a teacher and some of the kids who apparently don't have any special needs are truly ****ing special by all accounts of the stories she tells me.
#14
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
For your information to be classed as not resident in the UK so that your UAE employment earnings will not be subject to UK tax you need to satisfy the following rules:
- you are leaving to work abroad under a contract of employment for at least a whole tax year
- you will be absent from the UK for at least a whole tax year
- your visits to the UK after you have left to begin your overseas employment will total less than 183 days in any tax year and average less than 91 days a tax year. This average is taken over the period of absence up to a maximum of four years.
With regards to relocating your dogs I can highly recommend Dubai Kennels & Cattery
http://www.dkc.ae/
Good luck!
#15
Re: Newbie expat with grenade in head!
Hello Hadders,
For your information to be classed as not resident in the UK so that your UAE employment earnings will not be subject to UK tax you need to satisfy the following rules:
- you are leaving to work abroad under a contract of employment for at least a whole tax year
- you will be absent from the UK for at least a whole tax year
- your visits to the UK after you have left to begin your overseas employment will total less than 183 days in any tax year and average less than 91 days a tax year. This average is taken over the period of absence up to a maximum of four years.
With regards to relocating your dogs I can highly recommend Dubai Kennels & Cattery
http://www.dkc.ae/
Good luck!
For your information to be classed as not resident in the UK so that your UAE employment earnings will not be subject to UK tax you need to satisfy the following rules:
- you are leaving to work abroad under a contract of employment for at least a whole tax year
- you will be absent from the UK for at least a whole tax year
- your visits to the UK after you have left to begin your overseas employment will total less than 183 days in any tax year and average less than 91 days a tax year. This average is taken over the period of absence up to a maximum of four years.
With regards to relocating your dogs I can highly recommend Dubai Kennels & Cattery
http://www.dkc.ae/
Good luck!
But the tax rules are changing with effect from 06/04/13 with the Statutory Residency Test. 91 days will not be a set figure.