"Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Hi,

On the forum we get a lot of questions whether a package will be worth it to move to the UAE or Qatar.

Every situation is different of course, so to try an assist with people wanting to work out "Is It Worth It" I put together this spreadsheet (with help from other posters here).

It's not going to be definitive or 100% accurate always - though it should help you with some of the usual costs, how things work and useful links for more info.

Feel free to download and use it. Read the notes in the welcome tab.

If there are any suggestions - please post them here.

If there are any updates to the file they will be posted in the replies below in this thread.

Hope you find this helpful to consider your move to the UAE / Qatar.

Cheers,

Auto

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Stuck this up top as it's really helpful.

There's some finance info in the wiki - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...nancial_Topics

Which I'm sure needs updating.

DXB - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Dubai_...s_and_Packages which I added a link to the previous thread on this.

Qatar - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...nancial_Topics There wasn't any info, but I linked to the old thread.

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Hey my friend,, just a 'newbie' and would really appreciate any advice you could give me on the following :

I am a UK based 'technician plumber' and i am looking for work the middle east,,Doha, Dubai etc...basically looking to make money...
would you know if there is a demand,, avg salary conditions etc...

I have been looking through most UK based online agencies for a while but none of them look the most trustworthy.

I would appreciate if you could even point me in the right direction, i.e. websites, agencies, forums etc...

Read your "Is it worth it", very good and informative, thankyou

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Most MFP work is done by subcontinentals and Filipinos at wages that would make you choke on your sandwich (and not in a good way).

There's a small trade for western MFP specialists actually getting hands on, but for the most part, you'll be looking at management level stuff if you want it to pay well.

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

You may want to change your job title to 'hydraulic dynamics specialist' or somesuch...

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

hi i work saudi doha dubai india oman as a site manager. i came here over 3 years ago. love the life style, its crazy hot in summer time working out side but you get 6 months of great weather witch ways up the hot times.

its very hard to get work in most the areas out here now+ they want degrees docs stamp by Embassy and at least 5 year experience. but get a flight out with hotel you as a british passport holder you can stay for 1 month and after that cross the boarder to oman and turn around and head straight back in for a further month bus goes that way most day for all the other people who do that.

apartment prices range from 35,000 - 500,000aed a year for rent you can look on Dubizzle for a room share.

And the information in the above thread is correct all works are carried out by indian and filipino worker only on around 600aed to 3500aed a month they live in a camp and get food provided. management jobs are normally westerners

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Hi All,

I am considering applying for a job in Qatar

The package includes, £5300 per month pay on a three year contract, free accommodation and health care and flights to England and back each year and a bonus on completion of the three years.

Do you guys think this is worth it?

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Sounds OK to me. Do you fancy the job? If so, take it. Doha's improving, and yes it's odd at times, but if you want a go at it, take it!:)

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

thanks :) its the same job as what i am doing in London, but much better paid in Doha, so I am seriously considering it!

What is there to do in terms of entertainment in Doha?

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

It's not going to compete with London; It's insular , but get within the group of people, then, in it's own way , you will have a great time. Doha's odd, but it does'nt take agreat effort to get within a posse,

As I said, if you're prepared to be a bit outgoiing, then the long termers, if you;re outgoing , will adopt you.

I know that might be a bit negative, but long term Doha-ites are usually outgoing. and welcome Newbies

Best of luck, but dive in. Doha is odd but welcoming!

You'll never regret it, I went there in1982. and yes, it's not Dubai, but the friends you make will be forever.

Ignore the naysayers! Go for it!!

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

hi there! i have another is it worth it, or even is it possible?

I am being flown out to dubai this weekend for a final interview. I work in marketing and the package offered is as follows:
240,000aed plus 1 month accommodation flights out there and a bonus (no idea what yet).

It would be just me flying out, so no dependants and I would be looking to flatshare somewhere in the marina so say 5000aed on rent.

Is it possible to live out there, save and experience everything on this salary. I have low outgoings, just the basics. No car - would use public transport (I assume this is possible).

Am quite anxious as have never lived abroad but I think stepping out my comfort zone would be good for me.

Ideally I would like to negotiate the following package with them

240,000aed
bonus
2 months accommodation
1 flight home a year

Opinions, thoughts, ideas would be most welcome. Ideally, I would like to be able to save as I am living so that I can travel and save for a deposit on a house back home in the UK

Cheers

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

:thumbsup: we will be there in 3 weeks,flights booked etc. I can't wait. GO FOR IT I say...you only live once.

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

That's great! Make the most of it and enjoy it! Yes there will be some early hassle, but put it down to experience!
Wish you well!

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

AED 20k per month is enough have some left over each month to save if you have no dependants and no other financial committments anywhere else (mortgage, credit cards, etc in the UK).

Re: "Is It Worth It" - a guide to costs vs income for the UAE & Qatar
 

Interesting hbow things change. When I first went to the Middle East in 1970 there were loads of British "tradesmen" ie plumbers, electricians and joiners.

These guys have now been priced out of the market by Filipinos and others from Asia.

A similar process can now be seen in IT and accountancy. "The Decline of the West" !