Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4396508)

My children are 12, 9 and 6. It certainly sounds very expensive in Dubai, I was told that if we moved out there we would be sooooo much better off and the kids would have a safer life, and I dont doubt that but I assume every country has its down points - I suppose you make your decision and go for it and deal with anything that hits you along the way!!!! A big thank you to everyones input, it certainly helps getting feed back from people who are still leaving there and who have left. Maybe I should be thinking of Australia??????? Thanks again guys

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 4396557)

Dubai is not going to make you happy or unhappy...it's what you make of it yourself, like anywhere else

Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4394132)

Hi I am nothing to do with the other two people that have registered yesterday/today ......I am seeking help in making a decision for me and my family - could you help me!!!???:D

Originally Posted by GarethR (Post 4394173)

You need to bear in mind that your quality of life in Dubai, especially with a family of five, will depend very much indeed on the type of package you can get. Just off the top of my head, I'd say that you need to be looking at a *minimum* monthly basic salary of 25,000 dhs. On top of that, the company should be paying for your accommodation, school fees for all three kids, medical insurance and annual flights home for everyone. A couple of cars would be nice too. If you can get that, you'll be doing OK out here.

Sorry to bring it down to money, but that's really what it's all about in Dubai. We can wax lyrical about the sunshine and the lack of income tax and the lifestyle etc, but Dubai isn't a cheap place to live. For many people, the effect of the high cost of housing and schooling on their disposable income means that they might as well be paying income tax.

Originally Posted by Zannie (Post 4397166)

There is no specific salary range depending on your experience, a lot depends on what your job is and who you work for. Salaries and packages vary a great deal from company to company.

Also, unfortunately Dubai is still very much a man's world and they tend to get offered higher saleries and packages in most cases. As a wife, most employers won't offer you a great package as they will expect your husband is the main bread winner and will have already have the various package allowances.

It's crap, but that's how it is most of the time. :frown:

Originally Posted by GarethR (Post 4396594)

Unfortunately, it's not 1997 any more.

Originally Posted by Amy123 (Post 4397176)

However, is a salary of around 15 - 17k per month inclusive of benefits such as housing, car an ok start or should I aim higher?

Originally Posted by IndieGirl (Post 4396823)

Sorry - it was too much of a coincidence. At work....so will respond in detail later.

Meanwhile it will help if you give us some more background info - your areas of specialisation/work/experience/qualifications etc.

Like the others said - if you have a fantastic package - everything else will more or less fall into place.

Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4397306)

We currently own a very successful tile and bathroom showroom, we were thinking of letting our manager run it for us and we would take a wage from it each month. My husband would then get a job in Dubai as well. He does'nt have loads of qualifications on paper but has years of experience in running a business and staff. Not sure if this would be good enough? Speaking to so many people confuses me and sends me into "am I doing the right thing?". Thanks appreciate your input in this.

Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4397306)

we were thinking of letting our manager run it for us and we would take a wage from it each month

Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4397306)

We currently own a very successful tile and bathroom showroom, we were thinking of letting our manager run it for us and we would take a wage from it each month. My husband would then get a job in Dubai as well. He does'nt have loads of qualifications on paper but has years of experience in running a business and staff. Not sure if this would be good enough? Speaking to so many people confuses me and sends me into "am I doing the right thing?". Thanks appreciate your input in this.

Originally Posted by hgardner (Post 4397306)

We currently own a very successful tile and bathroom showroom, we were thinking of letting our manager run it for us and we would take a wage from it each month. My husband would then get a job in Dubai as well. He does'nt have loads of qualifications on paper but has years of experience in running a business and staff. Not sure if this would be good enough? Speaking to so many people confuses me and sends me into "am I doing the right thing?". Thanks appreciate your input in this.

Originally Posted by GarethR (Post 4397401)

In that case, if you're supporting yourself with money sent over each month from your business in the UK, then I guess you might as well give Dubai a bash. As long as your wage is about £3000 a month, you'll be able to have a pretty nice life here - not extravagant, but nice - and you'll be able to afford to take your time finding the right local job.

EDIT - I forgot that you have three school-age kids. In that case, you're looking at a 4-bed apartment or villa, and three sets of school fees, the customised uniforms, etc... in which case £3000 a month just won't cut it. You're looking at the thick end of £2400 per month just to rent a place big enough for you, before you even think about school fees, monthly bills, cars, food, etc etc.

Are these sorts of figures what you had in mind?

Originally Posted by IndieGirl (Post 4397637)

Get the CV made and make sure he has a pomopus designation on it- e.g. Managing Director/CEO/Executive Vice President:p (does he have a degree?..., if not stress on the experience).

Apply for a job - through the numerous recruitment agencies mentioned in the FAQs in this forum.

I would be asking for cash in hand of minimum AED20k PLUS all expenses paid - Housing, Utilities, School, Medical Insurance and tickets. The value of these perks should be no less than Aed 28,000. So you're looking at a minimum of Aed 50k per month - this is the usual salary for someone in top management (e.g. GM/MD....).

Good luck!