Relocating to the UAE?

[CrouchingWayne]

Hi all,

Has anyone done this, if so any advice or guidance to offer?

I've recently been made aware of a role for me within the company I work for (albeit at a group level, not within a subsidiary like I am now) which is based in Abu Dhabi. The ball is sitting in my court to think about if I want to move or not.

I have some reservations, but wanted to know if anyone here has done it and how they find it? The wife is unsure at best, but the job sounds pretty good for my career.

Locally I'm moving into a new role internally that I quite like the sound of and had sort of suggested to management, so I've also got a good option here (but in a difficult industry for the short term - oil.)

I'm quite young with no kids yet, so part of me thinks it's worth doing now for the experience and CV. Conversely I quite like my life as it is!

I'm not sure on the money yet (still at the "would you move" stage) but it was suggested it would be a step up. How do living costs etc compare? I certainly don't want to end up any worse off.

Thanks!

[allergictocheese]

Do it while you can. Seriously, if nothing else it's a life experience, and it certainly shouldn't harm your CV. If I had had an opportunity like that in my early career I'd have jumped on it faster than a desperate milf.

[craigdub]

Do it, you won't regret it, I wish I'd moved here much earlier.
Have a read in the Middle East section and ask in there anything specific you'd like to know.


Great lifestyle, weather lovely for 8 months of the year, and petrols cheap for the V8 you will enevitably buy....

[shirt]

same, wish i'd left a lot sooner than i did although i'm now looking to move on again [but not back!].

search through the ME section, most of us in there are in the emirates and there's been a few newbies over the past year so much to digest.

salary wise you should double uk earnings and pay no tax. housing is expensive but from there on your take home is governed by how much you enjoy yourself.

standard deal is basic + housing allowance, car allowance, travel allowance [or agreed no. flights home per year] and full healthcare. last two apply to spouse and kids and all school fees are paid.

[CrouchingWayne]

Yea sorry would have made more sense to post in the ME section!

Sounds like few have regrets, will need to think it through. How does it work tax wise if I wanted to keep my house here in the UK?

[shirt]

best speak to an accountant / tax expert about your affairs, your company should be able to provide this. i did it the easy way by stopping work before the end of the tax year and starting in the uae at the beginning of the new one.

re: your house i dont think anything is required unless you're renting it out, in which case there are new rules regarding expat landlords. i needto look at this myself actually as i've only been made recently aware.

[anonymous-user]

Great way to get your first oveseas post, but you will be lucky to get the right money from a transfer. Make sure you get housing, leave tickests, medical, schooling and tax advice on top of the money and you will be OK. If you only plan aytear or two then stick to that and don't get sucked into the expat life style. If you do like the life style then plan on having to move to another firm to get the money right.
If you are career minded then I assume from what you say you are moving to the head office so you will not suffer from being 'away from the action' which can be a major problem if you go overseas with a company you are planning your career with.
The middle east is OK if you like it, My dauther has lived overseas all her life, international schools, European Uni, she took a job in the UAE in Feb this year, against my advice, she left after a moonth because the working conditions were awfull, so its not for everyone, I hated the Middle East,

[Stylus]

Just completed a year in Abu Dhabi, moved out last February, and we are aiming for 3-5 years.

I love the place, obviously different than the UK but you adapt. I'm in the same industry and although it's not as good as it was 12 months ago, there's definitely more going on that the UK and for career progression I'd recommend it. My wife is working in the same industry and we're both happy.

As mentioned above just ensure the package is correct for you. If you are given cash to find your own property then check out Dubizzle which will show you the cost of leases.

There are things you'll miss, but the experience is just that, and if you don't like it you can always head home. Things I miss; changeable weather (never thought I'd say that), hills, greenery, scenery and great driving roads. I was an outdoors person living in Aberdeenshire however!

Oh, and I did buy the obligatory V8!

[shabbu]

For anyone relocating to the UAE, it is very important to find the right place to stay..
This online market place helps you to find rental properties ,buy pre-owned cars ,buy and sell your unwanted stuff..

https://www.sinbad.ae

Edited by shabbu on Thursday 31st March 11:38