qman8166

HI all, Ive been potentially offered a position in Abu Dhabi accompanied, and just need a flavour of what life can be like. My wife would like to work and we have a 13 yr old daughter who would come with us.

Only need a flavour of housing, schooling, socialising, etc, general expat living really, how much it costs to live, and I appreciate that costs of living are level dependant, so can we get some of your thoughts.
Im 41 and my wife is 43 so we arent quite ready for pipe and slippers and would like some social life.

Thanks

Mike and Wendy

Millhouse

life is alright but it depends on how much you earn. Could be fantastic, or shit.

why not come out and take a look at the place?

flares

Housing - very good standard - still hard to get but this should get better as more units are finished and people without work repatriate

Schooling - excellent - my two boys are at the Al Khubairat British School...very very good check its Ofsted report - used to be hard to get into but demand has dropped. Other Intnl schools available too.

Socialising - pubs, nightclubs, comedy clubs, restaurants, sports clubs, golf, tennis everything available for the discerning expat or if you like a bit of something different theres Russian, Philipino, African bars

How much does it cost to live? - fork ing loads if you are not careful but there are ways to manage

Millhouse

Interesting, I would have said:


Housing - over priced and poor quality, but some nice places to be had.

Schooling - highly vairable, not great quality and potentially long waiting lists

Socialising - pubs, nightclubs, comedy clubs, restaurants, sports clubs, golf, tennis everything available for the discerning expat or if you like hookers there's Russian, Philipino, Chinese and African bars

Hence my comment about 'coming out and looking' rather than taking the often contradictory advice on a forum.

flares

Yeah some new compound houses are probably susceptible to slightly dodgy finishing due to rush they were thrown up. We're in an old villa and it is great. Bit shabby but the size and space...spot on.

soukie

Agree with EmiratesMillhouse re: housing - it's definately overpriced and the quality of housing is inferior to housing in Dubai. Most landlords in Abu Dhabi require 12 months rent paid in advance - some will take a cheque for 6 months advance and a post dated one for the next 6 months. Tower block living is very common in the City - some have facilities (pool and parking etc) but the majority do not and there are some real dives to live in too. Do you know your budget for accomodation yet?

I find the standard of schooling good at Al Khubairat. There are other British curriculum schools operated by Aldar Acadamies - these are fairly new and don't have a track record yet. Most people I know are pleased with what's on offer though.

jaybudwyn3

Hi all,
I may soon be offered job in construction in abu dhabi.
Package includes 'accomodaton,including utilities etc'
Any advice would be welcomed.

Cheers
jaybudwyn3

klaus3974

Not enough information. You could be a construction worker, live with 10 guys in a room and get a 2000 dirhams salary or be in the other end of the scale.

Millhouse

My advice would be to be careful.

DustyBits

Having just spent yesterday checking out "hotel apartments" in the city to get Mrs DB out of a hotel room, agree there are some real dives out there, most going for around Dhs 20,000 per month for a 1-bed. Doesn't seem to be anything similar off the island yet.

Today she's had some success arranging views of an unfurnished villa floor in likes of Khalifa A, AND the landlords are prepared to accept 6 month contract and supply white goods, for equivalent of Dhs 10,000 per month. Sign of changing times? (I'll let you know quality and any 'extras').

Dusty

Eva

L'Arabia Hotel Apartments recently opened in Mohammed Bin Zayed City(off island)
Supposed to be nice with a pool but still up around 20k AED per month.You know always to phone for rates as opposed to taking website or Agents' word for it don't you?Does your wife drive? It's easy to go stir crazy off island in AD.
Nice new accomodation - Aloft Abu Dhabi -part of the ADNEC complex on 30th, seems to be reasonable rates.

DustyBits

Thanks Eva
Yes she's mobile (got her little red Jeep imported from Kuwait) so not bothered about the isolation of Khalifa. We'll be doing more viewing next weekend when I go over so will take a look at Aloft.

grapefruit

Housing difficult in Abu Dhabi but you could consider living in Dubai - Springs area, Dubai Marina. New Saadiyat Road just open into downtown Abu Dhabi saves some commuting time. In Dubai more and cheaper housing and school options. More social activity too but Abu Dhabi improving.

jaybudwyn3

Thanks klaus394
My position would be as a Construction Project Manager.
Salary £(GBP)50k/annum
Accomodation including utilities
Flights ?
Healthcare
Fully expensed vehicle
Single status
Does this sound like a good package ?

Cheers,
Jaybudwyn3

jaybudwyn3

Thanks EmiratesMillhouse
I still have not heard anything more
Does recruitment take this length of time normally in UAE ?

Cheers,
Jaybudwyn3