Hi all

I've just joined this site and in need of some help.
I'm in discussion with a well known Finanicial house on the Corniche. Nothing concrete yet, but potentially would be good for us and my family - but very scary moving from London away from the rest of the family.

The role would be in Financial Trading area (senior) - what basic salary would one hold out / ask for? There would be 5 of us potentially moving (me, wife and 3 young kids) What housing allowance should one request?

The kids are 5,4,2 - as it's July - i guess getting into a good brirish school would be difficult now? Anyone know if properties around the Bloom Gardens are available to rent?

How is the general package built up?

do they normally quote basic Salary which includes housing, but education allowance is an extra? If Landlord expects 2 cheques for the yr rent - does the firm take care of these 2 payments seperatley, therefore not included in Salary? Does Firm also take care of schooling and if so, how?

Refer to this thread re school fees, although it may not be representative of your industry:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=718946

Might help if you specify which city

......In Abu Dhabi.
Firm is located on Corniche.

Take a look at Dubizzle.com and LLJ Properties' website re rents and availability.

As to employers taking responsibility for accommodation--it varies widely, although again there may be a norm within your industry (no, not you, Norm). Generally its either an all-in package, placing responsibility on you to find, agree and take the risk, to the employer doing everything. Just bear in mind that there are very specific and unusual (compared to UK) risks arising from entering into a tenancy agreement here (ie if you miss a payment or a post-dated cheque bounces there's a fair chance you'll end up in clink), so for peace of mind (especially as you'll have your family here) try to make your employer responsible for your accommodation. Having said that, there are plenty of people who rent in their own names.

If membership at The Club is any indication, it isn't as bad getting into schools as it used to be a couple of years ago.

School allowance alone should be something like 12000 pcm, roughly 150k pa.

Housing allowance- at least 180k which should give you the flexibility to choose between a flat in town or a villa outside. There is no public transport- OK there are probably ten routes but the walk to the bus stop in 40 degree heat is a nightmare. Add the cost of renting a car to your initial calculations (ca 2600 pcm for a decent car on a 6-month lease) until you buy something decent second-hand (60,000-80,000). Or a brand new Toyota Camry.

We can easily get by on 18000 pcm but ask for the same pay as you'd get in the UK. Otherwise it's not worth it really is it?

Your company may take care of the rent, and then reclaim it on a monthly basis. Some companies do, many don't.

Do some research and explain to them that you will need to spend x amount on setting up home within the first month (school fees, rent for the year, car, phone and electricity accounts, furniture).

Most people come out here alone before the family joins them 3 months later. NOT a bad idea.

I like the idea of 'Your company may take care of the rent, and then reclaim it on a monthly basis. Some companies do, many don't' -

thats a good call so I will ask. This way - it would avoid any delays in the landlord getting his/her payment.... it's pretty scary that if i miss one payment, i'll end up in the clink. Thats hard line man!!!

Is your salary - all in type of package or was the employer able to break it down for you?

it totally makes sense to move for the same UK salary im getting otherwise, whats the point. Would you say 50k Dhms is a bit low (including Housing/Transport)? it does seem like it to me..... they tell me i can look at places for approc 200k Dhm annual rent...

AED 200k pa will get you something fairly good downtown, although it won't be dog's bollox for 5 of you. If you're willing to go off-island then the accommodation will be much better, but the travel to the Corniche will drive you mental.

where do you recommend?

I've got verbal confirmation that schooling for my kids should be ok. It's the new Brighton College. Hence - i was looking at Bloom Gardens - but there's no places there for renting just yet.

What other areas near the school you recommend? How much would I need to get ourselves a good house/with private pool and garden (willing to drop the pool if have it :-)

Whats the 'The Club' ?????

We stay in a 4,000sqft 4 bed villa in Khalifa City A (10 mins from the airport, 25-40 mins from Cornishe depending on traffic). 230,000 Dhms paid last November, no pool but plenty of space outside for the kids to twist off.

Although we saw some very good and spacious apartments downtown, the outside space is what sold it to us.

I hear that KCA rents are heading south at 15-20% over the past 12 months and there are plenty of good standard newbuilds available.

You really ought to visit first. Location will probably be very important for you and your family's well-being, in terms of the school-run, local amenities and your commute. Living downtown (near your office) would be quite different from living in Khalifa City: you need to get a feel for that difference, because some people could tolerate one and not the other. I know families who are happy in Sas Al Nakhl and Raha Beach and wouldn't dream of being downtown, and others vice versa. And its especially important if you're aiming for a particular school--for many women here driving is downright scary.

Q: Did your firm pay the rent to the landlord in one go or installments? OR are you managing this? if the latter, how?

Is driving around really that bad?

Q: you are right, we all need to visit but as this has just come out of the blue and totally unexpectedly, we'd ideally aim to get the kids into school insept 2011. Yes, it's pretty tight schedule. May have to live in a hotel for 2/3 months until we find something...

i could get the rest of th family up in Jan 2012, but then kids would be a term behind.....

im sooooo confused... is it really this hard

The company paid in one cheque, another 5% of the value went to the (very helpful aussie) agent

Driving here is all about "how big or fast is your thingy". UAE driving is saintly compared with places like Egypt, Libya or India.

I would recommend coming on your own first and getting the family out later -schools here are used to children joining mid term. You will find it a lot less stressful getting sorted first.