Originally Posted by UKMS (Post 13251351)

Beer etc aside :)

Whilst you are saving £1200 per month now, also factor in how much is going into a pension from your UK employer and how much is going into the NI pot. you might find you are not much better off in the UAE financially. Whether the lifestyle is better is another matter, some love it some hate it. . Dont get 'wowed' by the seemingly larger post tax salary because at the figures you have given it will be pretty even and not as clear as saving £3k. No income tax but tons of indirect taxation.

Im not trying to put you off but just being realistic.

Originally Posted by jagcv4 (Post 13251117)

Hi have you now moved to Abu Dhabi and how are you finding it? I am a single person and planning to move to Abu Dhabi on a similar package at 40k AED per month including medical insurance. Some of my friends mentioned that to live a decent life expenses would be like around 20,000 AED split as follows

rent - 9000 AED
Food - 1500 AED
Maid - 500 AED
Petrol - 1000 AED
TV BB - 600 AED
Elec - 500 AED
Mobile - 300 AED
Eating out - 1000 AED
Car rental - 1000 AED
Other costs - 2000 AED

Can you share your thoughts please as to how are you finding this now? Appreciate your help.

Originally Posted by Blinkycat (Post 13238932)

Yet another one - I am in my mid 40s in quite a senior job in the UK earning almost £60k - have been offered a government-type admin job in Abu Dhabi for 42k aed pm, including everything (school included at 40k p/a)
I feel that they have lowballed me massively for this role after what the recruitment agent initially promised, and the company has refused to budge in any way on the salary.
My wife doesn't really want to come given the living costs as she'd have to give up her job - and we have two young kids. Just seeking advice really if anyone was in a similar situation of the ends not really justifying the means but still a decent potential salary bump for a year or two...