Decent wage in Dubai/UAE

[Moominho]

Hi,

I've been offered a role in Dubai. It pays 55000AED a month, but doesn't include accomodation, schooling etc. My daughter is 5 and my wife is currently studying, so it isn't a bad time to take the job. But is it a liveable wage? It comes to around £10k before tax (and hopefully afterwards), but only includes medical insurance.

After accommodation, food/drink and bills, would we still be able to save a significant amount of money? I've tried looking on Expat forums but they aren't clear.

It's a very good opportunity, so I should be able to get a better job when I get back to the UK.

[JuniorD]

I think 55,000AED would get you a nice open plan patch of culvert, but you'd need to up the number for a decent bridge-arch or similar.

Just kidding, your question is asked a lot
https://www.quora.com/I-have-been-offered-a-job-in...

[dibblecorse]

Highly unusual not to have any degree of housing allowance or is all of that rolled up into the 55k AED they are offering you ?

Its an ok wage for the region but rent is ridiculous, you'll want something decent if taking a 5 year old and partner as they won't want to be stuck in a small apartment all day, nothing is cheap and don't expect to come back rich or lead a particularly lavish lifestyle once all your overheads are covered.

Its a cultural vacuum so unless you just want somewhere sunny to live, I'd do loads of research, I've hired into the region over the last 12 years and its no longer a 'hardship posting' and more an aspirational one when coupled with all teh development, you may not be paying tax directly but the cost of everything takes that into account.

[Moominho]

JuniorD said:

I think 55,000AED would get you a nice open plan patch of culvert, but you'd need to up the number for a decent bridge-arch or similar.

Just kidding, your question is asked a lot
https://www.quora.com/I-have-been-offered-a-job-in...

Had to google Advanced Engineering and Design and culverts - you learn a new thing every day!

[Moominho]

dibblecorse said:

Highly unusual not to have any degree of housing allowance or is all of that rolled up into the 55k AED they are offering you ?

Its an ok wage for the region but rent is ridiculous, you'll want something decent if taking a 5 year old and partner as they won't want to be stuck in a small apartment all day, nothing is cheap and don't expect to come back rich or lead a particularly lavish lifestyle once all your overheads are covered.

Its a cultural vacuum so unless you just want somewhere sunny to live, I'd do loads of research, I've hired into the region over the last 12 years and its no longer a 'hardship posting' and more an aspirational one when coupled with all teh development, you may not be paying tax directly but the cost of everything takes that into account.

It's allegedly all rolled up into the 55k. It's a new investment company, and their argument is that they will offer housing etc once they become more established. But the technologies and work I will be exposed to is pretty decent, and something I would like to be involved in.

[oilydan]

A decent School will set you back AED50k a year, ish.

Your villa or apartment will be priced according to how you pay, most will allow quarterly nowadays, but you will get a deal to pay a year up-front. A 2 bed in the Springs will be AED100k for the year. Plus utilities.

Living is expensive. I live alone and can carry 100 quid in a hand basket in the supermarket, easy. 6 slices of bacon is a tenner, as is a small block of cheddar. It amazes me when I go back to the UK, shop for a family of 4, and fit 100 quid in a trolley, with booze. When they were all here, we would do 300 a week in Spinneys. Thats GBP. Roughly AED70k a year?

Eating out was rare for us, not that we could not afford it, more that I just could not justify the cost. Its 10 GBP a pint.

Cars and fuel are cheap though. I paid about 3k GBP for a 2009 Golf R32 and, recently, 22k GBP for a 2015 F-Type R. If I get hungry I just drive around in that for a while. It costs 25 quid to fill it up.

You can live on a budget; small apartment in a not so nice area, local food in supermarkets (no imported European foods) etc, but if you want to live like you do in the UK it will cost you.

[Moominho]

Thanks oilydan, that really helps. I think the idea is that we'd do it for a year or two, for the experience as much as the financial benefit.

I know there are cons too, not least that the way people work and attitudes are not what I'm used to. And the traffic! But still willing to give it a go. The main thing is to find a school that Sarah (little one) will be comfortable with.

[Shaoxter]

We went to Dubai in Nov last year and visited a couple who were working there. While walking down the beach, they said it was the first time they had been outdoors since April... might be something to consider if you have a child that likes outdoor activities. Eating out was expensive even compared to London and that's not including alcohol.

Nice place for some winter sun and it's generally very child friendly but not sure I'd want to live there though.

[hotchy]

My friend done it for 2 years as a teacher. Everything paid though. Came home and paid off the remainder of his small mortgage and got a new car.
His end of term presents from the pupils though... dam. Think he owns about 5 iPads now.

[alorotom]

Very apt.

I’ve been discussing a Dubai based role today and that’s paying AED800k p/a

But they pay all accommodation (house) plus furnishing allowance, education for up to 2 kids and supply a car. Plus requisite health full insurance for the family and I.

Considering a low end primary school is AED45000p/a and rent in a semidecent apartment runs AED80000p/a you’d be pushing it IMHO

[Moominho]

alorotom said:

Very apt.

I’ve been discussing a Dubai based role today and that’s paying AED800k p/a

But they pay all accommodation (house) plus furnishing allowance, education for up to 2 kids and supply a car. Plus requisite health full insurance for the family and I.

Considering a low end primary school is AED45000p/a and rent in a semidecent apartment runs AED80000p/a you’d be pushing it IMHO

It's a strange one. I'm (just) on a 6 figure salary here, so get around £5650 after tax here. 55000AED is around 11,500 a month. So it sounds like it should be enough. But everything I have read, including your comments say otherwise. I'm not as tempted as I was.

[oilydan]

Moominho said:

Thanks oilydan, that really helps. I think the idea is that we'd do it for a year or two, for the experience as much as the financial benefit.

I know there are cons too, not least that the way people work and attitudes are not what I'm used to. And the traffic! But still willing to give it a go. The main thing is to find a school that Sarah (little one) will be comfortable with.

I came to the Middle East for a couple of years to earn some cash to set me up for back home.

I'm now in year 18 and have just about saved up for my bus fare home...

Dont expect to save anything unless you have cast-iron discipline.

[alorotom]

Moominho said:

alorotom said:

Very apt.

I’ve been discussing a Dubai based role today and that’s paying AED800k p/a

But they pay all accommodation (house) plus furnishing allowance, education for up to 2 kids and supply a car. Plus requisite health full insurance for the family and I.

Considering a low end primary school is AED45000p/a and rent in a semidecent apartment runs AED80000p/a you’d be pushing it IMHO

It's a strange one. I'm (just) on a 6 figure salary here, so get around £5650 after tax here. 55000AED is around 11,500 a month. So it sounds like it should be enough. But everything I have read, including your comments say otherwise. I'm not as tempted as I was.

And it might be enough but some living expenses that you don’t necessarily have in the UK will eat a large proportion of that £11500 before you even turn around if they aren’t part of your package.

Even silly things like a bar of dairy milk can be the equivalent of several £s rather than 40p etc...

Have you spent much time there upto now?

[Moominho]

alorotom said:

And it might be enough but some living expenses that you don’t necessarily have in the UK will eat a large proportion of that £11500 before you even turn around if they aren’t part of your package.

Even silly things like a bar of dairy milk can be the equivalent of several £s rather than 40p etc...

Have you spent much time there upto now?

My wife has. I’ve only been once, and found it a little flash and false. But I’ve worked abroad before, in possibly worse places (India and Central Europe) and can handle that side of things. But it’s the living expenses part that is putting me off. If I’m looking at 4-5 grand a month on just basics (not even including food) then it doesn’t make as much sense than it did in my head. Which is a shame, as I love a bit of sun

[Thales]

You're only here once.. do it!

[alorotom]

Moominho said:

My wife has. I’ve only been once, and found it a little flash and false. But I’ve worked abroad before, in possibly worse places (India and Central Europe) and can handle that side of things. But it’s the living expenses part that is putting me off. If I’m looking at 4-5 grand a month on just basics (not even including food) then it doesn’t make as much sense than it did in my head. Which is a shame, as I love a bit of sun

Surely as long as you’re not worse off that’s the main thing. Granted it be nice to be banking a load of wedge but it’s not the end of the world surely. That’s my criteria, it just happens they’re offering more. It’s probably worth adding that the package I discussed earlier in this thread may not be “typical” either.

[Moominho]

alorotom said:

Surely as long as you’re not worse off that’s the main thing. Granted it be nice to be banking a load of wedge but it’s not the end of the world surely. That’s my criteria, it just happens they’re offering more. It’s probably worth adding that the package I discussed earlier in this thread may not be “typical” either.

Very true. I think I’ve talked myself out of, and then back into the idea during this thread. Just wish I got offered a package including accommodation and schooling as it would then be a no brainer. Your offer sounds amazing by the way! Must be a tough decision.

[cossy400]

Moominho said:

alorotom said:

Surely as long as you’re not worse off that’s the main thing. Granted it be nice to be banking a load of wedge but it’s not the end of the world surely. That’s my criteria, it just happens they’re offering more. It’s probably worth adding that the package I discussed earlier in this thread may not be “typical” either.

Very true. I think I’ve talked myself out of, and then back into the idea during this thread. Just wish I got offered a package including accommodation and schooling as it would then be a no brainer. Your offer sounds amazing by the way! Must be a tough decision.

Can you not go back and ask for one or the other to be included?

I know you said earlier in the thread that, its just the begining etc but you dont ask you dont get blah blah

[Thankyou4calling]

Accommodation needn’t cost anywhere near 100,000 AED a year.

There are plenty of nice 2 bed apartments for a quarter of that. Granted they aren’t frontline on the palm but nowhere in Dubai is dreadful.

Likewise shopping, filling your trolley with Kellogg’s cornflakes and McVities digestives won’t be cheap but try some local markets, individual shops and it needn’t break the bank.

As for eating out, that can be anything from street food to Michelin star and there are plenty of reasonable chain places.

In summary I’d say the salary you are being offered would give you plenty to have a great time and in addition if it’s a start up you may be onto something huge.

[Moominho]

cossy400 said:

Can you not go back and ask for one or the other to be included?

I know you said earlier in the thread that, its just the begining etc but you dont ask you dont get blah blah

I’ll certainly try. But my gut feeling is that they won’t. I’ll keep you all updated