A ‘living in Dubai’ question

[dxbtiger]

Fair ask on the kids, I had none when this thread appeared and seem to have acquired two now, one of which is in FS1 (he's 3).

That's 10k sterling a year gone before we get to Nursery fees..

[shirt]

Porridge GTI said:

Has his young pinay friend moved in yet?

He’s lording it up in other ways. 2 motorbikes so far and looking at a 3rd

[Porridge GTI]

A man can get lonely during lockdown.

[JiggyJaggy]

Can anyone guesstimate the additional costs for a large-ish 1 bedroom apartment, ie:

Wifi
A/C
Electric / Water = DEWA I believe
Any other taxes or additional items worth accounting for?

Just trying to see how much should be accommodated in addition to rent for a say 900 sq ft apartment.

[Porridge GTI]

If you can’t afford Dubai now you never will. It’s on its knees and so are landlords. If you want to come, now is the time - subject to career risk, viral exposure and little things like that.

[shirt]

Porridge GTI said:

A man can get lonely during lockdown.

Thanks for the update on your personal situation

[shirt]

JiggyJaggy said:

Can anyone guesstimate the additional costs for a large-ish 1 bedroom apartment, ie:

Wifi
A/C
Electric / Water = DEWA I believe
Any other taxes or additional items worth accounting for?

Just trying to see how much should be accommodated in addition to rent for a say 900 sq ft apartment.

Wifi: 280 a month minimum package.
AC: if standalone there’s a Standing monthly charge of around 190 iirc and then usage on top. Varies depending on season.
Dewa: most of this is taken up with housing charge (tax) so around 500 a month for an apartment.

The cost on the previous page includes all the above and is a sea facing 900sqft 1 bed on a rolling contract with parking. Bear in mind that housing laws mean the landlord can’t increase the rent for year 2, so this is an utter bargain.

I believe My old place is still up for rent. 1600sqft townhouse on the palm with private triple garage. I paid 100k a year plus bills. I’d say 80 tops would take it now

[Porridge GTI]

You talking dirhams? That's far cheaper than most flats in Abu Dhabi.

[JiggyJaggy]

shirt said:

Wifi: 280 a month minimum package.
AC: if standalone there’s a Standing monthly charge of around 190 iirc and then usage on top. Varies depending on season.
Dewa: most of this is taken up with housing charge (tax) so around 500 a month for an apartment.

The cost on the previous page includes all the above and is a sea facing 900sqft 1 bed on a rolling contract with parking. Bear in mind that housing laws mean the landlord can’t increase the rent for year 2, so this is an utter bargain.

I believe My old place is still up for rent. 1600sqft townhouse on the palm with private triple garage. I paid 100k a year plus bills. I’d say 80 tops would take it now

Good advise there, cheers. Looks like 1,000 Dhms will cover additional costs in effect.

Any link to the townhouse, it genuinely sounds interesting.

[shirt]

It’s dirhams. Dubai is generally cheaper than the capital.

It’s not advertised. There’s only 3 like it on the palm. Has its downsides (no garden, deco’s a little tired) but plenty of ups (unlimited parking, close to everything you could possibly want or need, that garage, no neighbours as to the left is the landlords holiday home, the right is a shop, above is an office, landlord is great)

Living area’s a duplex, double height living area with mezzanine bedroom/full size bathroom. Stairs off the dining area lead to the garage. If/when you get here I can pass on the landlords details. I’d still be there if it wasn’t for a change of contract forcing me to move into company provided accom.

[Porridge GTI]

Still working at the airport?

[shirt]

me? only time i work at airports is during long layovers when the bar is closed.

[CitySlicker]

Habibi style

[BFG_1992]

Hi Guys, long time lurker -

What are people’s experiences with there wifes/partners Moving abroad with them ?

We have agreed that I can start looking/applying this time next year for Civil Engineering roles (any advice duly welcomed !) In Dubai/Bahrain.

We’re there any immediate things which stood out ?

We will have a 12 month baby.

[jontysafe]

That’s a very broad question, any particular areas of concern?
Any (decent) company you will work for will either have a department that deals with all this of a good PRO to do the same.
I wouldn’t worry about that side of things until you’ve accepted an offer.
I moved my family to Dubai 14 months ago.

[BFG_1992]

I’ll be at work and make “friends” with colleagues, I’ll be busy 5/6 days a week, although strange for me at first I’ll make the effort and get on with it.

My wife will be moving to a new country knowing no one, no routine etc... and with a 12 month baby..


Maybe I should ask - how/what did your partners do whilst they got use to the new way of life

[jontysafe]

Everyone is in the same boat. Wherever you choose to move to there will be community Facebook groups, coffee mornings, if junior goes to nursery she will meet other mothers there.
There is a huge fitness community in Dubai if she's into that or any other hobby she may be into. I'm guessing with a 1yr old there's not a lot of time for that.
I heard something the other day here, "your friends become your family", to a degree it's true.
Drop me a pm if your wife would like to email/message my wife.
Bear in mind a year is a long time out here and if you're not planning on moving everything could have changed!

[BFG_1992]

We’re 99% certain it’s going to happen (I.e we’re both in agreement) itll come down to the finances as per.

Thank you for the offer I will certainly take you up in it in the future !

[JiggyJaggy]

Anyone with an update to how they are finding it living in Dubai? What's it like these days?

[captain.scarlet]

JiggyJaggy said:

Anyone with an update to how they are finding it living in Dubai? What's it like these days?

I've been here 2 months now having never previously seen or set foot in the place. DM me if you need specifics or need a chat, but my experience has been different to what's being presented on here as it being extortionate. It's far from that.

Generally I'm able to live off £2,000 to £2,500 per month (3k would be really be OTT), but then again my job influences my free time and I don't drink, so there's a massive 'expat image' cost that I don't need to play up to (not that anyone should) or worry about. Also I know what's essential to me and what isn't: some want to enjoy the finer things - either for themselves or to maintain an image in front of others - and that's their prerogative, so they'll spend more to fulfil that.

I do still have a life though, have immersed myself pretty well in life here regardless of demographics (working as opposed to holidaying) I would say, and am still exploring, meeting new people, trying new places to eat and things to do etc, but whilst there are some pricey places (and others that are on par with UK prices), there are some absolute bargain places to eat and drink, rent, do your grocery shopping and so on (groceries often a bit dearer than in the UK if things like dairy). Taxis, petrol and car ownership are pretty cheap, too. I get my hair cut for £1 or a cut and hair dye for £4.

Brilliant food scene, plenty of choice, and if you like a good Ruby Murray then they'll blow you away here without costing the Earth.

As an example, the other day I ordered a set platter of charocal grilled items with ample sides from an Afghan place (turns out it was meant for 4 people) for 65 dirhams including free delivery. That's roughly £13 only. Went to a curry house with a colleague and we had 5 rotis, two curries, water, salad and two teas for 55 dirhams (roughly £11).

If you're on a tax-free salary as opposed to a commission-only (real estate brokers cough cough) then it's feasible to save well, which has been my goal (working so far!).

Main downside for me personally is that walking places isn't really a thing as the car's the star in the Gulf, so things like pavements don't exist in places or they end suddenly or are blocked by a 16-lane motorway.

Like I said, drop me a DM if you want to talk in greater depth.