Employment Choices (UK v UAE v AUS)
Discussion
I am currnetly working between the UK and the UAE (Still paying UK tax as i dont meet the criteria for a non-resident yet). But i have just been contacted about a position in Australia.
I am now in a bit of a 3 way struggle of what to do.
Option 1. Stay as i am 50:50 worksplit in UK and middle east. Uncertainty on job after dec 2011 another round of redundacies on the cards, but i feel reasonable safe this time around. I believe 2 other will go before i do.
Option 2. Relocate to Abu Dhabi on a perminant basis to get the short term tax advatages. Increased salary (2.75 times real salary increase compared to my current take home.) But negatives will not be seeing the wife and kids very often (2 weeks xmas, 2 weeks easter and 6 weeks in the Summer).
Option 3. Relocate to Aus with family. 2x current take home salary, but i will be able to take the family and kids with me.
Option 1 seems to be the safe option only have a 5 to 10 minute commute to the office and clear a salary that gives us a good standard of living, but it would be nice to have that bit more. Option 2 is the greedy option but would mean i would be able to clear 80% of my mortgage in 3 yers time. Option 3 is a good lifestyle choice but the additional salary would get used up travelling around Aus rather than clearing the mortgage here in the UK.
Im stuck between the 3. Head saying one thing heart saying the other.
I am now in a bit of a 3 way struggle of what to do.
Option 1. Stay as i am 50:50 worksplit in UK and middle east. Uncertainty on job after dec 2011 another round of redundacies on the cards, but i feel reasonable safe this time around. I believe 2 other will go before i do.
Option 2. Relocate to Abu Dhabi on a perminant basis to get the short term tax advatages. Increased salary (2.75 times real salary increase compared to my current take home.) But negatives will not be seeing the wife and kids very often (2 weeks xmas, 2 weeks easter and 6 weeks in the Summer).
Option 3. Relocate to Aus with family. 2x current take home salary, but i will be able to take the family and kids with me.
Option 1 seems to be the safe option only have a 5 to 10 minute commute to the office and clear a salary that gives us a good standard of living, but it would be nice to have that bit more. Option 2 is the greedy option but would mean i would be able to clear 80% of my mortgage in 3 yers time. Option 3 is a good lifestyle choice but the additional salary would get used up travelling around Aus rather than clearing the mortgage here in the UK.
Im stuck between the 3. Head saying one thing heart saying the other.
Option 2 doesn't sound like much of an option. As for option 3, how old are your kids? Does your wife work, and how does she feel about moving to aus?
I have a fair few friends that made the jump and haven't looked back but you don't want to be doing it if everyone isn't on board with the idea.
The extra money wont be much of a consolation if you end up having family problems.
I have a fair few friends that made the jump and haven't looked back but you don't want to be doing it if everyone isn't on board with the idea.
The extra money wont be much of a consolation if you end up having family problems.
Moving to Aus is something that we have considered and the wife is happy to do for a max of 3 years. I have 4 kids 2 are to young to worry about it the other 2 are at school age (8 & 9), 1 is not bothered and the other doesnt want to because of his friends. But the school has gone down hill bbadly and his freidns are all moving away, other the the last term 22 out of 90 kids in the year left for other schools.
Option 2 is the one my wife a favouring at the moment. As she is able to keep the solid base here for the kids etc while i work my backside off. My wife does not work, but is studying for a Post Grad degree for when the youngest go to school full time.
Option 2 is the one my wife a favouring at the moment. As she is able to keep the solid base here for the kids etc while i work my backside off. My wife does not work, but is studying for a Post Grad degree for when the youngest go to school full time.
GeraldSmith said:
Where in Australia?
The exchange rate it is seriously screwed at the moment, although it is 1.56 you need to think at leastt 2, so divide your salary by 2 to get an idea of what it will buy you in Australia.
The job is based in Melborne the salary is between 160k and 180k AUD. If i go i will be taking my car to Aus with me. As i can see that Used cars in Aus demand a premium. Already checked with an import agent that my car would get through with a few minor mods costing around £400. The exchange rate it is seriously screwed at the moment, although it is 1.56 you need to think at leastt 2, so divide your salary by 2 to get an idea of what it will buy you in Australia.
Mattt said:
Presumably you've not been there long? AUH - airport code for Abu Dhabi.
People usually type AUH/DXB as it's shorter.
Bit Bit of brain failure at the moment can add 2+2 together due to things spinning around in my head! People usually type AUH/DXB as it's shorter.
I will go out alone to start with but the wife and kids will do a trial visit. If they like it then i will plan to bring them over once everything is sorted. If they dont like it then the same arrangement will be in place the wife and kids will stay in the UK but with my MIL helping out at home.
stevieb said:
The job is based in Melborne the salary is between 160k and 180k AUD. If i go i will be taking my car to Aus with me. As i can see that Used cars in Aus demand a premium. Already checked with an import agent that my car would get through with a few minor mods costing around £400.
You would live quite comfortably in Melbourne on that sort of salary. Great city too I am in a very similar situation, I am based in DXB but my mrs lives in the uk, I dont pay uk TAX so thats a bonus.
May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
JoeRRS said:
I am in a very similar situation, I am based in DXB but my mrs lives in the uk, I dont pay uk TAX so thats a bonus.
May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
I am only protecting my income really as my industry has contracted by 70% over the last 2.5 years. I am still in a job (which i am thankful for), but i had an increase of £400 this year which is nothing once you take of Tax, NI, Pension etc May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
I had a job offer go pear shaped for Queensland but that was withdrawn due to the flooding at the time. The company was honest and considering contract etc were all signed, we agreed to terminate contract so that the comapny could rebuild the business. They have now expanding again and have contacted me about the position. So it was an unexpected twist in an already hard choice.
Its basically Family v Money.
JoeRRS said:
I am in a very similar situation, I am based in DXB but my mrs lives in the uk, I dont pay uk TAX so thats a bonus.
May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
You also have to beware of any potential changes to non-dom legislation - what with the recent legal cases brought by HMRC about substantial life in the UK, even if you visit within the permitted periods.May have the option of moving to OZ early next year more money etc but not by much after OZ tax tbh the middle east is far overate and it will be OZ for us next year taking my car with us and hopefully the new dog.
Dont compare UK/AUS salaries based on the exchange rate - 3 years ago you could get 3:1, at which point your $150k salary doesnt look quite so good as it does now. Also, have you been out there to see whether or not you like it? Big decision to move and then find that for whatever reason you dont like the Aussies, or whatever. Its a nice city - and a good salary to be on, but Aus in general doesnt have the same culture (or indeed, some would say any culture) as the UK, certainly in terms of music and arts. Its not a petrol head place to live, there are far too many unmarked cars, unmarked speed cameras and stupidly severe punishments for relatively minor offences. At times doing 30kph over the limit can get you banned! That said, Melbourne is probably the most cultural place in Oz, the weather is generally pretty nice, it has a decent beach - or as decent as it can be considering the city has 3m people living there - and if you live towards the centre then the public transport is very good.
My thoughts are going more a more with moving to Abu Dhabi. we are expecting a big contract win in Kuwait. So if that comes off in the next few weeks then that a job sorted for the next 3 years in AUH. But this is thinking with my selfish head on, my wife is in full support of the idea!
Australia has a lot going for it, it's easy to talk about the negatives (as I am about to) but there are a lot of positives particularly if the climate appeals to you.
On the down side $150k is not that great a salary in Australia, it's OK but it's easy to think of it being about £100k when really it will buy you more of a £60k lifestyle.
As for living here, well it's OK but a lot of the day to day stuff is frustrating, even things like internet access are a bit behind both in speed and cost, cars are ludicrously expensive and roads are poor, wherever you live in the UK your local Sainsbury, Tesco etc is light years ahead of anything here. And the bureaucracy is ludicrous.
Bringing a car is a good idea but not easy, firstly unless you are are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you don't have the right to do it, although if you are on a 457 (which you probably would be - employer sponsored 4 year visa) you can apply but you are supposed to show intention to stay in Australia indefinitely. Actually bringing the car here will cost you $10,000-$15,000 (or more, depending on the value) and a lot of hassle, it's not just about having it modified to Australian standard. Then your car will be an import and will be harder to insure and not worth as much as one imported by the manufacturer. Having said that it may still be worthwhile.
As for the Middle East? Not for me, I'd pick Australia in preference although my choice is to live in the UK and travel.
On the down side $150k is not that great a salary in Australia, it's OK but it's easy to think of it being about £100k when really it will buy you more of a £60k lifestyle.
As for living here, well it's OK but a lot of the day to day stuff is frustrating, even things like internet access are a bit behind both in speed and cost, cars are ludicrously expensive and roads are poor, wherever you live in the UK your local Sainsbury, Tesco etc is light years ahead of anything here. And the bureaucracy is ludicrous.
Bringing a car is a good idea but not easy, firstly unless you are are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you don't have the right to do it, although if you are on a 457 (which you probably would be - employer sponsored 4 year visa) you can apply but you are supposed to show intention to stay in Australia indefinitely. Actually bringing the car here will cost you $10,000-$15,000 (or more, depending on the value) and a lot of hassle, it's not just about having it modified to Australian standard. Then your car will be an import and will be harder to insure and not worth as much as one imported by the manufacturer. Having said that it may still be worthwhile.
As for the Middle East? Not for me, I'd pick Australia in preference although my choice is to live in the UK and travel.
I've had a long chat with wife and family, we have decided that it would be best for me to relocate to Abu dhabi. It fits in with our timescale to become mortgage free in 3-4 years and allows us to send our twins to private school in the uk.
It's a short term sacrifice to give our youngest the best possible chance to succeed in life. Maybe money/greed is a key factor here but I want to give my kids the best I can.
The Aus lifestyle maybe good and bad, but we are not looking to relocate permanently so Aus is not the right choice for us.
It's also a new challenge for me to develop the existing business in the middle east further. Something I can't do in the UK as we have downsized our uk team by 70% in the last 12months. And government spending has reduced by 80% in our sector. When the UK Market picks up there will be another skills shortage and I will return but until then I see no future for me in the UK.
It's a short term sacrifice to give our youngest the best possible chance to succeed in life. Maybe money/greed is a key factor here but I want to give my kids the best I can.
The Aus lifestyle maybe good and bad, but we are not looking to relocate permanently so Aus is not the right choice for us.
It's also a new challenge for me to develop the existing business in the middle east further. Something I can't do in the UK as we have downsized our uk team by 70% in the last 12months. And government spending has reduced by 80% in our sector. When the UK Market picks up there will be another skills shortage and I will return but until then I see no future for me in the UK.
stevieb said:
I've had a long chat with wife and family, we have decided that it would be best for me to relocate to Abu dhabi. It fits in with our timescale to become mortgage free in 3-4 years and allows us to send our twins to private school in the uk.
It's a short term sacrifice to give our youngest the best possible chance to succeed in life. Maybe money/greed is a key factor here but I want to give my kids the best I can.
The Aus lifestyle maybe good and bad, but we are not looking to relocate permanently so Aus is not the right choice for us.
It's also a new challenge for me to develop the existing business in the middle east further. Something I can't do in the UK as we have downsized our uk team by 70% in the last 12months. And government spending has reduced by 80% in our sector. When the UK Market picks up there will be another skills shortage and I will return but until then I see no future for me in the UK.
Good luck, I hope it works out well. Being mortgage free is a great place to be, it was one of my financial objectives and it's great when you get there. Similarly my parents gave me the best education they could and I don't think there was anything they could have done for me that was more valuable. It's a short term sacrifice to give our youngest the best possible chance to succeed in life. Maybe money/greed is a key factor here but I want to give my kids the best I can.
The Aus lifestyle maybe good and bad, but we are not looking to relocate permanently so Aus is not the right choice for us.
It's also a new challenge for me to develop the existing business in the middle east further. Something I can't do in the UK as we have downsized our uk team by 70% in the last 12months. And government spending has reduced by 80% in our sector. When the UK Market picks up there will be another skills shortage and I will return but until then I see no future for me in the UK.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff