Moving to Dubai from Kuwait
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Due to unforeseen circumstances we have decided to leave Kuwait, my wife has a job interview in Dubai in Mirdif.
When i posted last year that I was moving to Kuwait I got loads of very helpful advice, as well as warnings (We should have listened) hoping you guys can help me with Dubai also?
How does it compare to the UK or Kuwait? Rent appears very expensive, my wife's package would include a rental allowance of 48000AED (Yet to be negotiated)
What are the job prospects for some like me, no degree, 6 years in sale, 2 years in large Tech company etc
Living costing? Cars seem cheaper than here in Kuwait, a decent enough used car should set me back 20k AED?
Due to unforeseen circumstances we have decided to leave Kuwait, my wife has a job interview in Dubai in Mirdif.
When i posted last year that I was moving to Kuwait I got loads of very helpful advice, as well as warnings (We should have listened) hoping you guys can help me with Dubai also?
How does it compare to the UK or Kuwait? Rent appears very expensive, my wife's package would include a rental allowance of 48000AED (Yet to be negotiated)
What are the job prospects for some like me, no degree, 6 years in sale, 2 years in large Tech company etc
Living costing? Cars seem cheaper than here in Kuwait, a decent enough used car should set me back 20k AED?
wolfy1988 said:
Hi Guys,
Due to unforeseen circumstances we have decided to leave Kuwait, my wife has a job interview in Dubai in Mirdif.
When i posted last year that I was moving to Kuwait I got loads of very helpful advice, as well as warnings (We should have listened) hoping you guys can help me with Dubai also?
How does it compare to the UK or Kuwait? Rent appears very expensive, my wife's package would include a rental allowance of 48000AED (Yet to be negotiated)
What are the job prospects for some like me, no degree, 6 years in sale, 2 years in large Tech company etc
Living costing? Cars seem cheaper than here in Kuwait, a decent enough used car should set me back 20k AED?
48k isn't enough to rent a 1 bed studio I'd say. 1 bed's in the Marina are 90k+, I'm sure Mirdif is a lot cheaper.Due to unforeseen circumstances we have decided to leave Kuwait, my wife has a job interview in Dubai in Mirdif.
When i posted last year that I was moving to Kuwait I got loads of very helpful advice, as well as warnings (We should have listened) hoping you guys can help me with Dubai also?
How does it compare to the UK or Kuwait? Rent appears very expensive, my wife's package would include a rental allowance of 48000AED (Yet to be negotiated)
What are the job prospects for some like me, no degree, 6 years in sale, 2 years in large Tech company etc
Living costing? Cars seem cheaper than here in Kuwait, a decent enough used car should set me back 20k AED?
20k AED won't get you anything in decent condition. 2/3 year old Toyota 86's are 50-70k for example.
All depends on how you want to live I guess!
Edited by Rich_AR on Tuesday 22 September 10:42
Rich_AR said:
48k isn't enough to rent a 1 bed studio I'd say. 1 bed's in the Marina are 90k+, I'm sure Mirdif is a lot cheaper.
20k AED won't get you anything in decent condition. 2/3 year old Toyota 86's are 50-70k for example.
I know 48 isn't enough for a nice place, she is yet to negotiate however. Seems to me that 70 is the minimum really.20k AED won't get you anything in decent condition. 2/3 year old Toyota 86's are 50-70k for example.
I don't mind a 10 year old car and there seem to be plenty around that price. I must state that our move to the Middle East was not a lifestyle choice, more of a savings plan.
wolfy1988 said:
I know 48 isn't enough for a nice place, she is yet to negotiate however. Seems to me that 70 is the minimum really.
I don't mind a 10 year old car and there seem to be plenty around that price. I must state that our move to the Middle East was not a lifestyle choice, more of a savings plan.
You can rent somewhere for that money, but it won't be palacial. A place called Skycourt towers has apartments from 45k the last time I heard.I don't mind a 10 year old car and there seem to be plenty around that price. I must state that our move to the Middle East was not a lifestyle choice, more of a savings plan.
A car is a car, and if you are moving here purely for the cash, then I wouldn't bother with anything at the moment, rent for a few months.
The biggest thing for you is a job, obviously. I don't have a degree either and through contacts and a lot of luck, managed to secure a couple of senior roles, so it's not impossible. However, I spent a bloody fortune here getting set-up. Everything costs loads, visas, rent deposits, car rental...everytime I leave the house it seems to cost me loads....Just go through the sums again and again, is my advice.
Chilli said:
wolfy1988 said:
I know 48 isn't enough for a nice place, she is yet to negotiate however. Seems to me that 70 is the minimum really.
I don't mind a 10 year old car and there seem to be plenty around that price. I must state that our move to the Middle East was not a lifestyle choice, more of a savings plan.
You can rent somewhere for that money, but it won't be palacial. A place called Skycourt towers has apartments from 45k the last time I heard.I don't mind a 10 year old car and there seem to be plenty around that price. I must state that our move to the Middle East was not a lifestyle choice, more of a savings plan.
A car is a car, and if you are moving here purely for the cash, then I wouldn't bother with anything at the moment, rent for a few months.
The biggest thing for you is a job, obviously. I don't have a degree either and through contacts and a lot of luck, managed to secure a couple of senior roles, so it's not impossible. However, I spent a bloody fortune here getting set-up. Everything costs loads, visas, rent deposits, car rental...everytime I leave the house it seems to cost me loads....Just go through the sums again and again, is my advice.
Thanks for your advice Chilli!
Good luck too
If you don't mind older cars, then are a lot to choose from and all fine. In my experience so far, there is visible shock and horror when I say that I drive a 7 year old car. Means that I can deal with any dents, dings or the like in a much calmer manner than if driving a brand new car.
A few times I have come close to buying something a lot newer (and more expensive) but on reflection, decided to keep my smoker and put the money into school fees. And as of last week, Lego. For the kids of course :-)
If you don't mind older cars, then are a lot to choose from and all fine. In my experience so far, there is visible shock and horror when I say that I drive a 7 year old car. Means that I can deal with any dents, dings or the like in a much calmer manner than if driving a brand new car.
A few times I have come close to buying something a lot newer (and more expensive) but on reflection, decided to keep my smoker and put the money into school fees. And as of last week, Lego. For the kids of course :-)
My wife and I worked in Q8 for 3 years in the early eighties with the intention of saving to set us up financially in UK. It worked, allowing us to buy our first house outright. I remember the frustrations of daily life, the double standards, racism, and general monotony of the place. On occasion expats arriving and being cheated and duped by employers with all sorts of promises until of course they have ensconced their family and handed over their passports.
Thank god for the British embassy and Thursday film nights.
Out of interest why are you leaving?
Thank god for the British embassy and Thursday film nights.
Out of interest why are you leaving?
i honestly think you're pushing it at 20k unless you're happy with something like a fiesta/yaris equivalent. anything else will mean regular bills if used daily. i guess you could look at something like the old shape honda crv / ford edge as many of those will have been fleet vehicles.
what concerns me is the paltry housing allowance unless the rest of the salary package is overly generous to compensate. otherwise you'll struggle just to make it to the end of the month.
has to be asked why the sudden rush to leave? story?!
what concerns me is the paltry housing allowance unless the rest of the salary package is overly generous to compensate. otherwise you'll struggle just to make it to the end of the month.
has to be asked why the sudden rush to leave? story?!
My BMW Z3 is 17 years old and just needs a bit of TLC at service times but runs fine and is cheap on petrol. She cost me 16k to buy 3 years ago.
I pay 65k for a large 1 bed with a big terrace in Remraam.
I did look at shifting back more towards Barsha/Marina but when I saw the prices I decided to stay put for a bit longer. My current place is almost twice the size of my mates in Business Bay and nearly 30k cheaper! She hates me lol
Claire
I pay 65k for a large 1 bed with a big terrace in Remraam.
I did look at shifting back more towards Barsha/Marina but when I saw the prices I decided to stay put for a bit longer. My current place is almost twice the size of my mates in Business Bay and nearly 30k cheaper! She hates me lol
Claire
Chilli said:
Anytime. Might be worth expanding on your skills/experience to see if anyone on here can help with a role for you.
Good luck.
Thanks Chilli, I will do that later in the thread but first I need to wait 1/2 weeks and see what the full outcome is.Good luck.
e600 said:
My wife and I worked in Q8 for 3 years in the early eighties with the intention of saving to set us up financially in UK. It worked, allowing us to buy our first house outright. I remember the frustrations of daily life, the double standards, racism, and general monotony of the place. On occasion expats arriving and being cheated and duped by employers with all sorts of promises until of course they have ensconced their family and handed over their passports.
Out of interest why are you leaving?
Saving for a house is exactly our intention too, we are both late 20's and plan on starting a family in 3 or so years, just having a very small mortgage would be a very fortunate help.Out of interest why are you leaving?
Sounds to me that Kuwait hasn't changed much in the past 20 years e600, however, our leaving Kuwait is not necessarily a desire to do so more that its employment and profession licence related.
XB70 said:
Good luck too
If you don't mind older cars, then are a lot to choose from and all fine. In my experience so far, there is visible shock and horror when I say that I drive a 7 year old car. Means that I can deal with any dents, dings or the like in a much calmer manner than if driving a brand new car.
A few times I have come close to buying something a lot newer (and more expensive) but on reflection, decided to keep my smoker and put the money into school fees. And as of last week, Lego. For the kids of course :-)
I appreciate the luck! Older cars do not bother me, Of the 30 odd cars I've had, only one has been remotely new (2009 Golf GTD) and I hated having that much money quietly depreciating away and when a woman who was texting at the time, reversed her tow bar through my front bumper it was the final straw. As you say, I feel calmer with a car that's not worth much.If you don't mind older cars, then are a lot to choose from and all fine. In my experience so far, there is visible shock and horror when I say that I drive a 7 year old car. Means that I can deal with any dents, dings or the like in a much calmer manner than if driving a brand new car.
A few times I have come close to buying something a lot newer (and more expensive) but on reflection, decided to keep my smoker and put the money into school fees. And as of last week, Lego. For the kids of course :-)
Besides Lego is a worthy investment for the 'kids'
I still regret selling a huge chest of Lego that I had collected over 7 years for the equivalent of 20 pounds when I was a kid 
shirt said:
i honestly think you're pushing it at 20k unless you're happy with something like a fiesta/yaris equivalent. anything else will mean regular bills if used daily. i guess you could look at something like the old shape honda crv / ford edge as many of those will have been fleet vehicles.
what concerns me is the paltry housing allowance unless the rest of the salary package is overly generous to compensate. otherwise you'll struggle just to make it to the end of the month.
has to be asked why the sudden rush to leave? story?!
Like I said already, I don't mind cheap cars. Would rather save the cash now and get a nice car when In settled in a few years. I agree on the housing allowance, does appear paltry but we will have to see how the interview negotiations go. Not sure what you class as a generous salary package but it will be between 120k AED (Base) and 240k AED (with low targets).what concerns me is the paltry housing allowance unless the rest of the salary package is overly generous to compensate. otherwise you'll struggle just to make it to the end of the month.
has to be asked why the sudden rush to leave? story?!
There is a story but I wont divulge anything just yet until I know whats going on and where we stand, Its not nearly as bad as some of the story's I have heard in Kuwait however.
Gaffer said:
My BMW Z3 is 17 years old and just needs a bit of TLC at service times but runs fine and is cheap on petrol. She cost me 16k to buy 3 years ago.
I pay 65k for a large 1 bed with a big terrace in Remraam.
Claire
Thanks Claire, your Z3 and apartment sound perfect, we would be most content with that. I'm glad its possible.I pay 65k for a large 1 bed with a big terrace in Remraam.
Claire
I bought a 2009 Ford Focus, not exciting at all but it cost 20k a year and a bit ago. Has had one minor fault which actually didn't cost anything to fix.
Other than two services and insurance its cost nothing at all and have done 25,000kms in it. Fortunately its too slow to get speeding tickets which is a bonus.
Other than two services and insurance its cost nothing at all and have done 25,000kms in it. Fortunately its too slow to get speeding tickets which is a bonus.
Is the housing allowance separate to the salary?
240 is 20 a month, 120 is 10, 2 of you will struggle to live on the top end although living somewhere like Remraan (a long way out) will help, it's a decent cab ride anywhere from there.
Don't see how you can save on those figures, Dubai must be expensive compared to Kuwait I'd imagine, no one wants to live in Kuwait, half the world wants to live in Dubai.
Who has your wife been offered a job with, can you say? It's a small place chances are someone will know them as an employer
Degree isn't essential here, I'm the second person after chilli in this thread that doesn't have one although I had/have a lot of connections here ( I grew up in Dubai).
ETA if you can't name the employer, what industry? 10k pcm base is literally f
k all in dubai
240 is 20 a month, 120 is 10, 2 of you will struggle to live on the top end although living somewhere like Remraan (a long way out) will help, it's a decent cab ride anywhere from there.
Don't see how you can save on those figures, Dubai must be expensive compared to Kuwait I'd imagine, no one wants to live in Kuwait, half the world wants to live in Dubai.
Who has your wife been offered a job with, can you say? It's a small place chances are someone will know them as an employer
Degree isn't essential here, I'm the second person after chilli in this thread that doesn't have one although I had/have a lot of connections here ( I grew up in Dubai).
ETA if you can't name the employer, what industry? 10k pcm base is literally f
k all in dubai Edited by dxbtiger on Thursday 24th September 16:14
Edited by dxbtiger on Thursday 24th September 16:18
dxbtiger said:
Is the housing allowance separate to the salary?
240 is 20 a month, 120 is 10, 2 of you will struggle to live on the top end although living somewhere like Remraan (a long way out) will help, it's a decent cab ride anywhere from there.
Don't see how you can save on those figures, Dubai must be expensive compared to Kuwait I'd imagine, no one wants to live in Kuwait, half the world wants to live in Dubai.
Who has your wife been offered a job with, can you say? It's a small place chances are someone will know them as an employer
Degree isn't essential here, I'm the second person after chilli in this thread that doesn't have one although I had/have a lot of connections here ( I grew up in Dubai).
ETA if you can't name the employer, what industry? 10k pcm base is literally fk all in dubai
Hi240 is 20 a month, 120 is 10, 2 of you will struggle to live on the top end although living somewhere like Remraan (a long way out) will help, it's a decent cab ride anywhere from there.
Don't see how you can save on those figures, Dubai must be expensive compared to Kuwait I'd imagine, no one wants to live in Kuwait, half the world wants to live in Dubai.
Who has your wife been offered a job with, can you say? It's a small place chances are someone will know them as an employer
Degree isn't essential here, I'm the second person after chilli in this thread that doesn't have one although I had/have a lot of connections here ( I grew up in Dubai).
ETA if you can't name the employer, what industry? 10k pcm base is literally f
k all in dubai Housing would be separate from the basic, she is going through interviews at the moment, wildly different figures are discussed, She wants minimum 240k salary and 80 Housing.
I wish to keep specifics of industry and names out of it until she has accepted a job offer, besides Kuwait is not 100% over... just 99%
We are good at saving, well my wife is anyway. We will be looking into the figures and try and figure it out, :/
OT: We are right this second booking a hotel for a couple of days next month to have a look around the place, I will hire a car too
Whats the consensus on the 'Hyatt Regency Creek Heights'?
Other things to consider:
1) Utilities: DEWA (water and electricity will cost you ~1,000 AED a month + housing tax)
2) The wife will have to sponsor you (new visa every 2 years)
3) Basic internet, tv & landline will cost you AED 600 per month
4) AED 80,000 for housing will get you something very small or very far away
1) Utilities: DEWA (water and electricity will cost you ~1,000 AED a month + housing tax)
2) The wife will have to sponsor you (new visa every 2 years)
3) Basic internet, tv & landline will cost you AED 600 per month
4) AED 80,000 for housing will get you something very small or very far away
IanUAE said:
Other things to consider:
1) Utilities: DEWA (water and electricity will cost you ~1,000 AED a month + housing tax)
2) The wife will have to sponsor you (new visa every 2 years)
3) Basic internet, tv & landline will cost you AED 600 per month
4) AED 80,000 for housing will get you something very small or very far away
Not necessarily. Ok I am only me in the apartment but DEWA is max 500 including housing and my Du is 300 for the basic package. Remraam is getting closer now with all the new developments going on.1) Utilities: DEWA (water and electricity will cost you ~1,000 AED a month + housing tax)
2) The wife will have to sponsor you (new visa every 2 years)
3) Basic internet, tv & landline will cost you AED 600 per month
4) AED 80,000 for housing will get you something very small or very far away
Ps, no degree for me either.
Claire
I think the minimum you will get an acceptable 1 bed apartment is 65k in either Remraam or Ghoroob (Mirdif). Remraam is nice and not really that far out. Madinat is a nice place to go and a short cab journey straight down Umm Suqeim. Can't comment on DEWA for an apartment. My bill for a pretty big villa is currently 2.5k per month as the AC is always on. Need to look into this as it seems very high!
The problem with saving in Dubai is that there are so many distractions. When you are surrounded by a culture of spending and consumerism, living modestly will make you feel like a square peg in a round hole and may make it more difficult to settle. Based on the figures you stated and with you picking up a job at say 10k per month, you would be able to save quite a bit compared to the UK but you'd have to find a balance. Factor the cost of travel into your savings plans as trips home cost a small fortune, in my experience. You could probably live off 10-15k per month as a couple and then save the rest if you were restrained.
Cheap cars are pretty rough out here. Best option may be a fesh Japanese import as they can be quite cheap and will have been looked after in Japan. Probably not going to be reliable or that cheap to run but there is a lovely Alfa 155 2.5 V6 on Dubizzle at the moment with 113km's for AED 8k. VW's seem cheap here so you could get your wife Golf or Jetta.
The problem with saving in Dubai is that there are so many distractions. When you are surrounded by a culture of spending and consumerism, living modestly will make you feel like a square peg in a round hole and may make it more difficult to settle. Based on the figures you stated and with you picking up a job at say 10k per month, you would be able to save quite a bit compared to the UK but you'd have to find a balance. Factor the cost of travel into your savings plans as trips home cost a small fortune, in my experience. You could probably live off 10-15k per month as a couple and then save the rest if you were restrained.
Cheap cars are pretty rough out here. Best option may be a fesh Japanese import as they can be quite cheap and will have been looked after in Japan. Probably not going to be reliable or that cheap to run but there is a lovely Alfa 155 2.5 V6 on Dubizzle at the moment with 113km's for AED 8k. VW's seem cheap here so you could get your wife Golf or Jetta.
wolfy1988 said:
Hi
Housing would be separate from the basic, she is going through interviews at the moment, wildly different figures are discussed, She wants minimum 240k salary and 80 Housing.
I wish to keep specifics of industry and names out of it until she has accepted a job offer, besides Kuwait is not 100% over... just 99%
We are good at saving, well my wife is anyway. We will be looking into the figures and try and figure it out, :/
OT: We are right this second booking a hotel for a couple of days next month to have a look around the place, I will hire a car too
Whats the consensus on the 'Hyatt Regency Creek Heights'?
You won't even share it via pm? Housing would be separate from the basic, she is going through interviews at the moment, wildly different figures are discussed, She wants minimum 240k salary and 80 Housing.
I wish to keep specifics of industry and names out of it until she has accepted a job offer, besides Kuwait is not 100% over... just 99%
We are good at saving, well my wife is anyway. We will be looking into the figures and try and figure it out, :/
OT: We are right this second booking a hotel for a couple of days next month to have a look around the place, I will hire a car too
Whats the consensus on the 'Hyatt Regency Creek Heights'?
There are some habitually bad employers here that I wouldnt wish upon my worst enemy!
You admittedly should have listened to all the advice about Kuwait and didn't, at least come to Dubai with as much relevant info as possible to make the right decision.
Google says Hyatt Regency Creek Heights is in DHCC, which is bur dubai, not where I'd choose to stay but I assume its cheaper than the top end, Marina etc.
Another thing to consider, where will the wife's office be if she accepts?
Gaffer said:
Not necessarily. Ok I am only me in the apartment but DEWA is max 500 including housing and my Du is 300 for the basic package. Remraam is getting closer now with all the new developments going on.
Ps, no degree for me either.
Claire
Agree with that, 2 of us in a one bed in sports city, DEWA 600 max, AC around 300, and du 400 with good internet, landline, but no TV. Ps, no degree for me either.
Claire
P.s - No degree here either
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.
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.
Edited by wolfy1988 on Tuesday 29th September 20:37
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