Meelius

Hello there.

Just wondering if anyone has any comments on living working in Sharjah.

I am 45 year old chap, and Ive been offered an academic post at the University of Sharjah starting Sept. The package is 20,000 a month and accomodation so this seems like quite a good deal to me.

My partner and 2 year old son will be joining me ( I hope) in a few months time, but at the moment my partner is not over keen at the moment so I am looking for advice/info that will persuade her to leave London!
That said I need to know the bad stuff too so I am all ears!


Im particularly interested in finding out more about child care etc, and also how easy/difficult will it be and the best ways to build a social life!


Look forward to hearing from you and thanks in advance.
First post here so take it easy on me if Im out of step!

Cheers

M

Jim Smith

[QUOTE=Meelius;7797750]Hello there.

Just wondering if anyone has any comments on living working in Sharjah.

First you need to consider the partner/son bit. Don't think you will get visas for them to say the least!

I am sure others will give you the full story!

Wellsie

Hiya,

My husband is moving to Sharjah and my 2 and half year old daughter and I are hoping to join him in November - so we are in the same boat!

We visited him in February and whist we were there we made appointments to visit nurseries - there are loads and ones that follow the british curriculum.

At the minute we are trying to decide whether to live in Sharjah or Ajman. What I have found is, there are more things to do in Ajman for little ones.

I'll follow your thread, to see what others advise!

Good luck

rowell

Do a search and read the posts on "partners" you will def not get a visa for partner and son

Spugsy

You realise that if your partner isn't married to you then it's illegal to live together?

Blue Cat

not a residency visa but they could come and visit if they were discreet though.

Meelius

Thanks for all the replies. Clearly I may have to get married or something drastic before I leave the UK!

Relationship issues aside can anyone comment on best ways into a social life -clubs to join etc, and does anyone know much about working life at University of Sharjah.

Also re. drink. its completely banned in Sharjah? But not in Dubai?

Excuse my ignorance again..

Thanks

M

Spugsy

Dubai is near enough Sharjah, 30-40 mins or so but don't go back drunk just in case, Sharjah is a real shithole, the desert with loads of strict muslims, I bloody hate it.

You could of course get somewhere to live in Dubai and travel to Sharjah for work, that might work mate, but on 20k a month a place for you and the missus and kid may be a bit of a squeeze I'm afraid.

Blue Cat

do a search on Sharjah Wanderers Club - serves alcohol and bacon sandwiches!

Meelius

Thanks! Why a shit hole?

My salary is 20k plus accomodation allowance - so presumably I could do the live in Dubai/drive to work option?

I believe rents in Dubai are more expensive though?

M

Spugsy

Dubai rents are miles more expensive, it's just shit, nothing much to do, bad traffic, not much going on.

Have a search into it.

Blue Cat

how much accom allowance are you getting? you could look at Mirdiff and Mizhar

Aikman7981

Eew... Alcohol and bacon on a sandwich?

Blue Cat

like my favourite vodka jelly

bedarwen

Meelius

I work at the University of Sharjah - if you PM me I can tell you most of what you might need to know.

Re: accommodation - whilst there is in the contract an idea that you can have an allowance rather than on campus accommodation, it is very rare that you will ever get it. The accommodation on campus is good and you only have 5 minute drive to work rather than over 1 hour driving - even from the centre of Sharjah (as traffic is so bad in the morning rush hour).

Which college are you going to be working at? And which subject?