greengables

My hubby has been offered an HR job with a big engineering firm and we r currently negotiating his salary package - would LOVE your opinions

He will b a middle manager (1 under the HR Director in and in an HR branch of 20 ppl)

$6k - 6,500 US per month
plus
$8k furniture/relocation allowance
allowance for 3 bdrm villa or apartment
car allowance
school fees for both kiddies
air fares home for whole family once p yr


What do u think? Note the house and car allowance havent been finalised - How much should these be for? Will we be able to live fairly comfortably on this 1 income - (considering we have 2 kids and also will have to pay $1900 per month on our mortgage back home, apart from that we have no other debts)

Border Reiver

I don't know much about HR packages but family medical and dental insurance appear to be missing? Seems like you will have about 4,000 USD to live on once you have paid your mortgage back home and for a family of 4 I would have said that isn't a great deal. Could you not rent out your house at home?

Blue Cat

your housing allowances is a big issue, get back to us with the figure for that.

seven seas

yeah- look at other threads for rental prices.

And they ought to help you find a place to live, otherwise it might mean a lot of hassle.

nottmbantam

Will you get any help finding a good / appropriate school for the kids or is that left down entirely to you?

seven seas

I don't think finding a good school woudl be that difficult.....

The academic results at SABIS/ Choueifat were great last time I looked.

Madam Medusa

finding the school isn't the issue...it's finding one with a place that's the mare...

MM, xx

lionheart

I have two words for you...waiting list.

Blue Cat

isn't Choueifat for Emiratis only

greengables

thanks for your replies -

medical dental were covered too

yes they will help us find a suitable house and school. they seem very committed to seeing that the family is supported

rent wont cover our entire mortgage repayment hence the need to pay the difference

It will be $100k Australian tax-free - plus all the benefits. Surely it is enough???

greengables

THis seems unreal - i have read that the average Expat salary in UAE is only $2500 per month. surely $4k US is enough?? My hubbie's current net pay after car and house has come out is $1200Aus per month!

Blue Cat

you have answered your own question there yes it's enough

Border Reiver

$4,000 is enough, but you will be surprised, nay horrified, how quickly you get through money in Dubai especially in the first year or so. Depends a lot on your housing allowance and if the company will pay for the DEWA bill and the "housing fee" which is 5% of your rent. Also, you will need two cars- there is no public transport and you will be driven mad relying on taxis.

Obviously Blue Cat has a more frugal lifestyle than me!

Blue Cat

yes I just rent the one property, not bought the entire street! 4000 USD is 17,000 dhs - yes a bit on the low side but manageable.

MacScot

I presume you are based in Oz just now. As you have retained a house in Australia and are paying of the mortgage, you may still be liable for Australian tax while you are over here in the first year.

If you are working overseas you need to determine whether you are still an Australian resident for tax purposes. If you are unsure how to work out your residency status, check the the "Residency – overview" website as follows:
http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessiona...tent/64131.htm

Also check out examples of residency and non-residency at the following site:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/co...tent/36280.htm
Especially look at the case of "Bronlyn - an extended job overseas.

Also read the following:
Working Overseas - Overview:
http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessiona...tent/64144.htm

Hope the above may be of some help. I am a non-resident for tax purposes as I sold my property in Australia before coming to Dubai.