Is it enough?
 

Hello everyone

We have been offered 42k per month and are very tempted to take up the position in AD. From what we have been reading this would be more than enough for the two of us however we have financial obligations back home of about 10k per month. Would this be feasible? We would like to live somewhere convenient to the airport and were budgeting on about 120k p.a. rental. Also would it be better to bring our household furniture and goods or would 42k be enough for us to start from scratch and furnish our home with everything from cutlery to furniture.

Thanks

Re: Is it enough?
 

A net 32k a month isn't going to go that far between two of you if there's no other income. You will live OK on it once you're set up , but you won't save much, if anything.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Info regarding cost of living is all on this thread on the main ME page...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=762609


'We' have been offered 42k? A joint job, or is that the combined salary for you both?

As to whether you bring your own stuff partly depends on how long you plan to stay.

Re: Is it enough?
 

It is only my husband's income - I will want to get a job but do not want to have to do so in order to just survive.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Thanks Cypselos - your response is appreciated.

Re: Is it enough?
 

We have gone through the 'Is It Worth It' spreadsheet but do not know how current the figures are - it does seem 'worth it' using the figures given however we now wonder - won't someone make the decision for us please!!! (I wish). What would be a reasonable salary for it to be worth it?

Re: Is it enough?
 

Lemme get this straight;

You and your partner combined / his on his own / hers on her own / yours on your own income will be AED 42,000 pm

You need to transfer home AED 10,000 pm right?

That's a big transfer home no? If it's a mortgage, can't you rent it out?

That to one side, 32,000 a month - 10,000 rent (you said 120k) = 22,000 pm

2 cars = 4000 a month

=18,000 a month

House bills = 3000 to be generous

= 15,000

Beer tokens = 15,001

=-1.

Don't do it

Re: Is it enough?
 

What's worth?

Being away from friends and family
Meeting a whole new group of generally interesting and engaging people
350+ days of sun
6 months a year when you can barley go outside
Experience of living and working in a different culture
Experience of having to deal with ****wits both local and expat day in and day out
Easy travel
Not having the cash/holidays you need to travel back for stuff at home and still go on your own vac.

Ultimately you've got to try and put a value, plus or minus, against all of that and more in terms of what you can save while you're here, and what you'll get out of living here from a personal and professional experience basis, and that's a very personal thing no one can really help with.

That said, overall I agree with Scamp, but i fear he's underestimating the beer budget

Re: Is it enough?
 

In more serious mode now.

15,000 leaves you entertainment / food / flights / beer money.

That's not loads but not much when you consider you'll want to be saving some money from that too.

There are people here who live on a shit load less, my Mrs being one of them...

Do you have kids? If so, don't do it. It's not enough. If not, then it might be worth a go but tough to say without knowing where that money comes from etc.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Your 'non-serious' mode made me laugh - such a small beer budget!!!:rofl:

We will get a flight back home every year and we have kids but they are grown up. The reason we want to send so much home is for our mortgage - it is a fair bit more than we need to but we would like to get our house paid for as soon as possible so we can start saving - retirement is not that far off for us. So we could cut the amount to send back by a bit if we had to. Saying that we do not want to just survive - fun is on our agenda too.

Re: Is it enough?
 

...and the 42k is total combined income or one half's income that you'll both live on?

Re: Is it enough?
 

that was posted in June of this year so is very current.
If you can be more specific we can help more.
Is this for 1 job? Will you be getting another job? Will the company pay to ship your things out? Can you rent out your house in the UK? Will the company be paying travel allowance/car allowance etc etc.?
I think if you are in an apartment with just 2 of you and no kids would be ok then your household bills will be a lot less. If you don't have kids you don't need 2 cars, you can drop your husband off at work, if you're not working or if your jobs are close to each other share your car.
I think it is possible and you can enjoy yourselves.

Re: Is it enough?
 

As Patsy is saying, much of it is down to your lifestyle and expectations. If you want a nice villa and to go out a lot, then you will spend way more than if you choose to live in an apartment and mostly stay home.

Don't forget that you coud be taxed on part of the income if you only stay in the UAE for a short while. Tax liability is dependent on your UK residency status as determind by HMRC.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Are there any issues with the sums of money being sent home here as well?

Re: Is it enough?
 

It will be what we are looking to live on - any money I earn will be a bonus - more beer money! :)

Re: Is it enough?
 

I reckon you'll be fine.

Again, in one hit:

42,000
Rent - 10k
32,000
Utilities - 2k
30,000
Car + Ins + Fuel (roughly) - 2,500
27,500
Transfer Home - 10k
17,500
Savings??? - even just a bit? - 3k
14,500


So, 14,500 left for meals out, takeaways, food shopping, beer sessions, holidays, taxi's to Dubai to go drinking at the waterparks, dirty massages, F1 tickets and anything else essential.

14,500 / 4 = 3,625 per week. For the mrs and I our food shop is about 6-800 depending on if I go to Choitrams / Waitrose or Carrefour.

= 3625 - 700
2,925 per week to have fun with.

That's basically 500 quid.

Expensive brunch every other week brings it down to 2400 a week (Averaged)

Fags are only 10dhs, one night out for a nice meal is about 500-1000 if you go somewhere reasonably nice. More if you want to be fancy, BUCKET loads less if you go somewhere dirty (but still v good).

I reckon you'll be alright. You won't be flush with bucket loads of money but if you end the month with 5,000dhs spare then you'll have had a good time and not been bored.


***ALL OF THE ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO HOW MUCH YOU SPEND ON SHOPPING AT THE MALLS. IF YOU AVOID THESE YOU ARE GOING TO BE MUCH BETTER OFF.***

Re: Is it enough?
 

Not if they are confirmed as being UK non-resident for tax purposes.

Re: Is it enough?
 

We will get a settling in allowance of 42k - we will either use that to ship our stuff out or start from scratch (although my choice would be to ship stuff as it will be more like home). It is a permanent position (or as permanent as these positions can be) so we would be looking to stay as long as possible. We could rent our house out however at the moment would prefer to let our daughter stay in it but she could not, at the moment, pay too much and we would not chuck her out. I presume that we would be able to pay money into our mortgage each month without having to pay income tax on it?

The company will pay for one flight a year and they do not pay housing, car allowance etc - the 42k is the whole - everything.

There is just so much to look into and we are only starting the process however time will be of the essence.

Re: Is it enough?
 

well I reckon seeing as we don't smoke that can be added to what we could spend on our dirty nights out :) Thanks so much for the breakdown (I was almost having a nervous one!!!). Based on your figures given it does look 'do-able'.

Can you suggest some good areas? Hubby would like to be close to work and I would like to be close to somewhere where I can keep fit - indoors and out.

Re: Is it enough?
 

And work is where? I think you said your housing budget is AED 120k?

Re: Is it enough?
 

Work is at the airport and yes - we thought 120k would be ok?

Re: Is it enough?
 

You'll get quite a bit for your money in Mirdiff.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Do you know if we would be taxed in the UK on sending Dhs10k or so back each month for our mortgage?

Re: Is it enough?
 

I'd factor in something for flying home a couple of times a year outside the annual flight paid for by the company - two flights back to the UK for a couple work out at the best part of 1000 AED a month over the year.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Is that close to Dubai Airport? My husband will be at AD airport. I am presuming that because his visa will be from AD then we will have to stay in AD - which, considering traffic conditions, would be preferable.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Abu Dhabi isn't it?

I'm not sure I'd want to be making the trip from Mirdif to AUH everyday, especially if they're digging up SZR for a new paddling pond.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Per my earlier post, that depends on your residency status (and whether you are liable to UK income tax on overseas earnings). Provided you stay for a number of years you shouldn't have an issue, but there could be a liability to tax in partial tax years for a relatively short stay. It depends on your specific circumstances.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Ah, I assumed Dubai. If AUH, then Yas Island, Al Raha Gardens and Officers City I think. Rents are much higher in AD though.

Re: Is it enough?
 

If working at AUH, you could live at Al Reef or somewhere like Al Bandar - both are very close. I have colleagues at both - those with families seem to like Al Reef particularly, and those without seem to prefer Al Bandar. Al Bandar rents at the moment range from about 100k to 140k, for 1 bedroom apartments up to 3 bedroom apartments.

Re: Is it enough?
 

Al Zeina next to Al Bandar will be cheaper. Loads of apartments there.

Re: Is it enough?
 

I don't think it's enough, you will have to watch your money, we're on more than that and are not going out as much as we'd like, nor saving very much and my DH is pretty good at the budget. That said our rent is higher because we live in the city, but we do send home a little bit less than you're anticipating.

In my view if you're not saving it's not worth the hassle

Re: Is it enough?
 

Your circumstances aren't that different to ours and we're finding that in the long run it'll be worth it so it comes down to your lifestyle, objectives and how long you'll be here. I'm not working yet and we don't have kids. We arrived in Abu Dhabi in Jan / Feb this year, my husband is on a bit more than that but we don't get flights. Nor do we get any allowances at all. We're here to get our debts paid off asap and then start saving. We now have all the essentials for our 2 bed apartment which has taken a big chunk of cash over the last few months but we've also managed to pay extra off debts in that time (probably what you send back for your mortgage) and treat ourselves to nice experiences and we do eat out / drink a few times a week and have a car each. We're not extravagant. Neither of us are into designer gear or driving top of the range cars, we don't do expensive brunches every week or buy all our furniture from Marina (unfortunately...). We just remember why we're here and balance things accordingly. From next month we can start paying even more off debts and so if we're here for another three to four years we'll be debt free and have a hefty deposit for a nice place back home in the UK (if that's where we decide to go). In my opinion, you'll need a few years here to feel the benefit financially and as Meow has stated, everything depends on your UK residence status anyway. There are plenty of places to live near the airport - we're at Al Zeina in a lovely apartment for just over 10k a month. I think you can manage fine on the salary you state if you're not 'spend spend spend' kind of people. You can still save / send money back and have a nice lifestyle, as we do. And remember the ladies nights - I still can't quite get my head round the fact that a night out is so cheap - for seven quid (the taxi home) I can drink as much free cava or red wine that I like, all night in a lovely bar. A night like that at home would cost the best part of a hundred quid.

Re: Is it enough?
 

I get where you are coming from Raining, we came here 4 years ago in the exact same boat as you're in now, however, I was working and on a good salary up until 9 months ago, so now we've lost a hefty chunk of income and that was basically what were saving each month, so now with the cost of living here we've actually come to realise that if I could go back home and get back to work, downgrade the accommodation here just for him we'd be in a far better position than we are now.

We only have our mortgage back home now, the Uk flat is rented and looks after itself and the only other thing we have to pay out is our Uni fees for his masters and my degree, no debt here whatsoever, car is paid, never ran up any credit card debt at all, but saving only very little now.

Re: Is it enough?
 

You'll be fine on that I think. Minus the 10k you need to send back to the UK (also beware, if you've converted it from the GBP amount, exchange rates can fluctuate - although it hasn't much in the last 3 years - 5.5 to 6).

32k - round about what I'm on ignoring bonuses, I've got the wife, one baby and one on the way.

Scamps numbers are about right, for 2,500 you'll get an OK rental or a new/second hand car and some fuel money in change. It would also pay the finance/insurance and fuel for a new pajero, or a better brand second hand car, or a cheap and cheerful second hand fiesta with a lot of change.

If you are staying beside the airport, Al Reef will get you a 2 bed villa for 80 or a 3 bed for 100. He can taxi on the days you want the car and vice vera. Even if he took a taxi 5 days a week both ways it'll only cost 1500AED.

Utilities, 1500 a month in Al Reef for a 3bed (we're in one), that's water, leccy and internet/Phone and the top OSN TV. Less if in a 2 bed.

Food, you'll eat well for 2,500 a month with red meat and chicken, less if your a weirdo veggie.

Going out is a difficult one, it's easy to go out and blow 1k on a meal with a couple of bottles of wine, but if you use the entertainer vouchers, a meal with a bottle shouldn't hit you for more than 500 AED, so I'll factor in once a weekend in the below.

By the way, Al Reef is a little out of the way, but if I've understood correctly you are both in your later years so you may be quite happy piddling away at home until your Husband comes back, it's the only one I can be confident about the prices about.

So, based on a 2 bed;
Takehome 42k
- send home 10k
- rent 7k (rounded up to factor deposit and 5% commision)
- utilities 1.5k
- car and fuel (rental) 3k
- if taxi to/from work 1.5k
- food 2.5k
- going out for a decentish meal once a week 2k
Out: 27.5k
Disposable: 14.5k - around 2.5k GBP

You'll likely get a better rent in Al Reef now, car rental is high, and if you were to get a sensible rate for Al Zeina/Bandar/Muneera, then your Husband would definately only be paying 20dhs a day for his commute.

If you pick up something workwise, it's all in the bank!

Go for it!

Re: Is it enough?
 

Thank you everyone for all your input - it really is appreciated and the comments have all been taken on board - yes even the one about being in our later years and being happy piddling about during the day!!!! Not sure what age you regard as 'later years' however we are still young enough to enjoy ourselves and I will certainly not be happy just 'piddling' about - :rofl:
I will need to find something to do to keep myself busy - like 'Raining' I am not into designer stuff and the like - am more into keeping myself (and others - which is a job I hope to be able to get into over there - fit). I have heard that there is a need for fitness instructors/personal trainers so will be making some enquiries at a later stage.
Hubby is being pestered to sign his contract today :eek: We have to make the decision real soon but is really a no brainer seeing as in a few months he will be out of work and we all know the state of the job market here in the UK.
Watch this space - we may be adding to the AD expat numbers :thumbsup:

Re: Is it enough?
 

There has been a flood of P/Ts over here in recent years, some ( not all) of them are either fitness instructors or 'Gym enthusiasts' and NOT certified PTs. There will be new regulations soon to make sure all P/Ts are certified and registered.
There are lots of gyms that you can apply to, as to their level of professionalism you will have to be the judge. Or you can 'freelance' and either use clients homes/gyms or a park.
If you need some advise let me know, although I am based in Dubai so not sure about the AD gyms.