View Poll Results: When was Dubai last a lovely place to live in?
30+ years ago, before Federation
1
2.27%
20 years ago, when we all nightclubbed in Sharjah
6
13.64%
10 years ago, when there was "nothing but the Trade Centre"
11
25.00%
5 years ago, when the Madinat was still Chicago Beach Village
11
25.00%
It's the perfect lovely place now
9
20.45%
Dubai's golden age hasn't dawned yet
6
13.64%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll
When was Dubai last a lovely place?
#61
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
I wasn't aware it was a difficult concept to grasp - but the population of Dubai does not end after the Lakes and the Meadows, nor does it end with spoiled Western expats.
You have any idea what percentage of the population earns Dh40k, probably less than 1%
You have any idea what percentage of the population earns Dh40k, probably less than 1%
#62
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
I must be spending alot of time with the top 1% or a bunch of liars!
#63
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
No it doesn't. Sorry. I know and have socialised with Omanis, Kuwaitis, Emiratis, Sudanese arabs, Lebanese, Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians, Indians, Africans etc etc...am I unusual??
Would you only hang out with white, English people in London? Nonsense. It's a self-perpetuating myth brought about by ignorance.
It can be difficult to get to know locals, but seriously. How much effort have you made?
Would you only hang out with white, English people in London? Nonsense. It's a self-perpetuating myth brought about by ignorance.
It can be difficult to get to know locals, but seriously. How much effort have you made?
The only white Briton i speak to on a regular basis is my own boss.
I haven't met any Omanis or Kuwaitis - but Sudanese, Egyptians, Lebanese, Palestinians, Iraqis (to be honest only my barber and one car hire guy), Syrians, Philipinos absolutely. I work with them, pass the time of day with them when travelling, chat in the gym etc.
I wasn't seeking to justify my own lifestyle, rather to propose an explanation for your earlier observation about old-timer UK expats whose good old days' memories revolve around expat bar banter.
#64
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
Most of the Emiratis I know would drink me under the table.
It's a concerted lack of effort on both sides.
It's a concerted lack of effort on both sides.
#67
Soupy twist
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,271
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
Most people coming in now have to pay their own rent. That's just the way it is. Unless you're senior management level or above, chances are you'll be given a monthly salary and that's that. You can probably claim an advance on that salary to help cover your rent cheques, but a great many people now have to take out bank loans to pay their rent.
Take my company. Big Media City employer, 900 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent. No help with school fees, either.
Take my previous company. *Another* big Media City employer, about 500 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent (although more senior staff get help with school fees).
#68
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
I would guess that the people you know who get their rent paid probably work in the more "traditional" expat industries? Oil, gas, construction, maybe finance, that sort of thing?
Most people coming in now have to pay their own rent. That's just the way it is. Unless you're senior management level or above, chances are you'll be given a monthly salary and that's that. You can probably claim an advance on that salary to help cover your rent cheques, but a great many people now have to take out bank loans to pay their rent.
Take my company. Big Media City employer, 900 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent. No help with school fees, either.
Take my previous company. *Another* big Media City employer, about 500 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent (although more senior staff get help with school fees).
Most people coming in now have to pay their own rent. That's just the way it is. Unless you're senior management level or above, chances are you'll be given a monthly salary and that's that. You can probably claim an advance on that salary to help cover your rent cheques, but a great many people now have to take out bank loans to pay their rent.
Take my company. Big Media City employer, 900 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent. No help with school fees, either.
Take my previous company. *Another* big Media City employer, about 500 employees, *all* have to pay their own rent (although more senior staff get help with school fees).
I agree Gareth but my arguement is that we are probably all earning the same but are given it in a different format. We get 60,000 housing every six months. the company could change their mind, divide it by six and give us ten grand a more each month. The way you say it , makes sound like your paying your own rent, when really what the company are doing is giving you a bigger basic than we get and telling you to get on with. Ok so we don't say we pay our rent, but if it was given to us as 10 grand a month then we probably would??? do you see what I am saying?
#69
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
Sorry, but no. Most people I know are earning less than 18k a month AND have to pay rent.
#72
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
My field of work is only just starting to attract western companies in Dubai. It is still dominated by Indians who quite frankly have a very dodgy reputation (which has been confirmed by my current problems). Most of the westren companies consequently wont even consider employing Indians in commercial positions. I know one company which did employ 2 and had to get rid of the pretty quickly.
I took quite a basic package to come out here and looked on it as an experience, wanting to experience local culture and also learn at least basic arabic out here. Because Ive been royally shafted by my now ex-company none of that happened and i dont have a great impression of Dubai.
I took quite a basic package to come out here and looked on it as an experience, wanting to experience local culture and also learn at least basic arabic out here. Because Ive been royally shafted by my now ex-company none of that happened and i dont have a great impression of Dubai.
#73
Soupy twist
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,271
Re: When was Dubai last a lovely place?
It actually equates to 66,000 dhs per year. That would have been fine a few years ago, but now it's roughly half of what a reasonable 2-bed apartment costs. So I'm paying 60k of my "own money", as it were, towards my rent.
Is your basic above 20k?