Moving to Dubai from Kuwait

[yorky500]

wolfy1988 said:

Right then, the salary is 10k pcm with an additional 4k for rent, OTE is going to be over 20k pcm. From what I can see, we can get by OK on that money but we are not going to save so I really need to see if I can find work over there now.

With that in mind, is anyone looking for a 27 year old chap, excellent people skills, technically minded, honest and discreet. Due to travelling a lot my whole life, I have jumped jobs more often than I'd like and subsequently have varied job experience without specialising in anything.

My own career plan was to stay with the job I have in Kuwait for 5+ years whilst studying (this will be the Dubai plan also), I am currently doing an Advanced Diploma in Management (Distance Learning), once I have completed that I plan on doing an MBA. Instead of going to collage when I was 17, I went to work for Mercedes Benz for 3 years and since then have held various sales and customer service roles. Most recently with Apple Inc where I worked from home dealing with IOS, Fraud and Cloud issues. Currently I have a IT/Admin role, I really enjoy this job, lots of hats to wear.

I kind of waffled on there a bit didn't I? Being honest,I'm a bit demotivated at the prospect of job hunting again. I just want a job I can work hard at and work my way up, I want to learn,I want to do well.

Seriously, on that kind of money for the two of you, you will NOT save unless you never, ever go out (restaurants/bars etc.) and only eat bread and jam (butter would be a once a month luxury). Even if you do manage to save, it will not be a lot.

Yes, you will defo need a job.

I do wish you both well and hope it turns out OK for you.

[shirt]

i was going to write something similar but deleted as it sounds harsh. but then i guess you need to hear that. the salary is a pisstake. it may be fine for a 'bachelor' in a roomshare but 10k a month is not going to support 2 people outside of very basic needs.

i'd question your need to leave kuwait quite so urgently. ok you want to leave, but this seems to be leave at any cost.

[wolfy1988]

shirt said:

i was going to write something similar but deleted as it sounds harsh. but then i guess you need to hear that. the salary is a pisstake. it may be fine for a 'bachelor' in a roomshare but 10k a month is not going to support 2 people outside of very basic needs.

i'd question your need to leave kuwait quite so urgently. ok you want to leave, but this seems to be leave at any cost.

10k basic but there's something very wrong though if she doesn't earn over 20k per month with commission. don't know how much you guys earn but that equivalent too 5k euro to us, we would save 4 of that a month in Kuwait, its pretty clear if we just had that income that we wouldn't save as much in Dubai but we would haldly be collecting milk tokens would we??

Or do i have Dubai completely wrong?

[shirt]

commission should never be viewed as money in the bank and i can't think of any decent employer who would make up 50% of the salary package with bonuses. even the indian sales guys i know get a better deal than that. you need to be comfortable that you can survive on the minimums.

i'm not on fantastic money but i'm single, flatshare and work away a lot. i do know a few couples in financially precarious positions and its not nice to see. my advice to you would be to make sure your mrs is on the pill and double bag until you find a job

would it not be possible in the short term at least for you to remain in kuwait and then join your mrs later? at least stops you killing your savings whilst you look for work in the uae.

[GT03ROB]

Sorry to hear it's not worked out for you. Reading between the lines I think I can work out why, I know they are on bit of a clampdown on various professions.

I've been out of country for most of the last 6 weeks but if you want to grab a metaphoric beer let me know.

[dxbtiger]

Is the 4k just paid monthly or will they give you a lump sum of 48k upfront to rent?

If the former then do you have circa 100k aed tucked away from your accomodation year 1?

Landlords will ask for anywhere between 1 and 3 cheques for rent, 1 cheque should get you a better deal. Also 5% agency fee, 5k deposit, DEWA (water and electric) deposit is 1k on a apartment iirc, so it adds up quickly.

[Rich_AR]

dxbtiger said:

Is the 4k just paid monthly or will they give you a lump sum of 48k upfront to rent?

If the former then do you have circa 100k aed tucked away from your accomodation year 1?

Landlords will ask for anywhere between 1 and 3 cheques for rent, 1 cheque should get you a better deal. Also 5% agency fee, 5k deposit, DEWA (water and electric) deposit is 1k on a apartment iirc, so it adds up quickly.

2100 AED I paid for my Dewa deposit in August (2 bed apartment). Not sure if it's cheaper for 1 beds/studios? My first bill was just short of 700 AED as well, I live alone and hardly use the AC.

[velocitas]

OP, I agree with the previous comments, it seems like very little to live on.

I won't go into my salary but an idea of costs are:
Rent 1bd: 5,000- 8,000 per month
DEWA: 800 per month
DU Internet/ TV: 300 per month
Car: Midsize Rental 1,600 per month or 80k loan @ 2,000 per month
Shopping Food & Household: 1,000 per month

Your monthly earnings would meet the minimum expenditure I would imagine for monastic living in Dubai and without counting the ruinous cost of any entertainment.

[After_Shock]

The going out and entertainment is realistically your biggest expensive after rent, if you like to go out.

Its scarily easy to spend 1k on a night out.

As has been mentioned forget about kids here, education fees are ruinous for most.

Anything commission related at the moment beware, I know most of my salary is based on it and I know many others in the same game, its been a tough year here nothing like the last few years and no ones earning the money this year, especially anything linked to retail or real estate.

[dxbtiger]

After_Shock said:

Anything commission related at the moment beware, I know most of my salary is based on it and I know many others in the same game, its been a tough year here nothing like the last few years and no ones earning the money this year, especially anything linked to retail or real estate.

Fair comment, I (thankfully) moved out a of sales/commission based role in April this year, had been doing sales of one sort or another since I moved back here in 2007.

Speaking to ex colleagues still in the same role they are having their worst year by far this year and are all very capable at what they do.

OP, I know you won't say who the offer is with, what industry is it?

ETA - Do a reasonable brunch and 1k is done before the sun has set......

[After_Shock]

dxbtiger said:

Fair comment, I (thankfully) moved out a of sales/commission based role in April this year, had been doing sales of one sort or another since I moved back here in 2007.

Speaking to ex colleagues still in the same role they are having their worst year by far this year and are all very capable at what they do.

OP, I know you won't say who the offer is with, what industry is it?

ETA - Do a reasonable brunch and 1k is done before the sun has set......

Good timing for you to get out then! Anyone who bigs up the sales/real estate game at the moment has either got stupidly lucky with a big deal or is talking bks as every thing is on its ar*e in this sector.

[dxbtiger]

After_Shock said:

dxbtiger said:

Fair comment, I (thankfully) moved out a of sales/commission based role in April this year, had been doing sales of one sort or another since I moved back here in 2007.

Speaking to ex colleagues still in the same role they are having their worst year by far this year and are all very capable at what they do.

OP, I know you won't say who the offer is with, what industry is it?

ETA - Do a reasonable brunch and 1k is done before the sun has set......

Good timing for you to get out then! Anyone who bigs up the sales/real estate game at the moment has either got stupidly lucky with a big deal or is talking bks as every thing is on its ar*e in this sector.

Yup, it worked well, I essentially took a step sideways late 2013 to be able to engineer a route out of sales, was tired of living forecast to forecast and could see the writing on the wall.

I know a few guys who are creaming it in my sector (recruitment) but they are leveraging relationships mainly out of KSA in order to do so.

[wolfy1988]

GT03ROB said:

Sorry to hear it's not worked out for you. Reading between the lines I think I can work out why, I know they are on bit of a clampdown on various professions.

I've been out of country for most of the last 6 weeks but if you want to grab a metaphoric beer let me know.

Hey Rob,

Your quite right, that's exactly what it is. Although still not final so everything is still in air.

That metaphoric beer is over due, send me your number and we'll arrange something

[wolfy1988]

dxbtiger said:

Is the 4k just paid monthly or will they give you a lump sum of 48k upfront to rent?

If the former then do you have circa 100k aed tucked away from your accomodation year 1?

Landlords will ask for anywhere between 1 and 3 cheques for rent, 1 cheque should get you a better deal. Also 5% agency fee, 5k deposit, DEWA (water and electric) deposit is 1k on a apartment iirc, so it adds up quickly.

They can pay upfront, after which they will deduct it from the salary. I was looking last night on Dubizzle and it does seem possible to get a acceptable apartment for 50k, sure they are small but its a roof etc.

Thanks for all the examples for rates, its handy for us to get an idea.

I get what you are all saying, we are (potentially) moving an expensive city, with what turns out to be a low wage in relation to living costs. Nothing is set in stone yet. More interviews will be had, I will start seriously looking for work and our options will be examined.

[wolfy1988]

After_Shock said:

Anything commission related at the moment beware, I know most of my salary is based on it and I know many others in the same game, its been a tough year here nothing like the last few years and no ones earning the money this year, especially anything linked to retail or real estate.

My wife is a Healthcare professional, so its not sales commission etc its performance bonus. It is directly tied to number of patients seen a day. The quoted 20k salary is given when seeing X number of people a day (Very Minimal, half of what she is seeing now)

I must state also, that we would not make the move unless I got a good job with at least the same wage, PH is kindly pointed out that it would be less than comfortable to share

Edited by wolfy1988 on Wednesday 30th September 10:39

[dxbtiger]

wolfy1988 said:

They can pay upfront, after which they will deduct it from the salary. I was looking last night on Dubizzle and it does seem possible to get a acceptable apartment for 50k, sure they are small but its a roof etc.

Thanks for all the examples for rates, its handy for us to get an idea.

I get what you are all saying, we are (potentially) moving an expensive city, with what turns out to be a low wage in relation to living costs. Nothing is set in stone yet. More interviews will be had, I will start seriously looking for work and our options will be examined.

What areas have you seen on Dubiz that appeal and we can help with location etc, that will also depend where the wife will be based?

If it is the Dentistry part of Healthcare then Rachie on here is in this field (but not an actual dentist iirc, sorry Rachie if I am wrong), also Gentlemen Geoff (he is a dentist) although I've not seen him post for ages.

PM Rachie for industry specific advice if so.

In terms of you looking for a job, it's a catch 22 in so much that it is A LOT easier to get one when here.

Gulf Talent would be the best place for you to start as you don't have a specific specialisation, register asap, Linkedin is used more and more by employers here as well.

If the job on GT is advertsited by an agency, get on the phone to them and speak to the recruiter handling it directly if possible.

Roles get literally thousands of applicants, you'll need to get your profile to the front of the queue.

[wolfy1988]

I have created a GulfTalent profile, let the hunt begin!