Moving to Abu Dhabi
Discussion
Hello Pistonheaders of the Middle East!
I'm currently living in Mauritius and have done for a while. I have the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi. I'd like to have some opinions on the place - what is it like living there?
What is there to do?
What is the cost of living?
What's the expat community like - size, etc?
Any tax on anything - cars?
What about alcohol?
What would you say are the biggest negatives & positives about the place?
For those of you that live there, would you move back to Blighty for the same salary?
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently living in Mauritius and have done for a while. I have the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi. I'd like to have some opinions on the place - what is it like living there?
What is there to do?
What is the cost of living?
What's the expat community like - size, etc?
Any tax on anything - cars?
What about alcohol?
What would you say are the biggest negatives & positives about the place?
For those of you that live there, would you move back to Blighty for the same salary?
Thanks in advance!
I can only compare to living in the UK...but some thoughts / answers.
menguin said:
Hello Pistonheaders of the Middle East!
I'm currently living in Mauritius and have done for a while. I have the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi. I'd like to have some opinions on the place - what is it like living there?
What is there to do?
there is loads between AD and DxB there is pretty much anything you can think of, although not as much choice. Its a pretty cosmopolitan place, although its a lot smaller than typical cities in UK and there isn't as much variety of choice.
What is the cost of living? that's a tough question. You need to work out what you get in your package. Housing can be pricey, bills can be pricey. Food shopping is OK, unless you crave UK / euro products all the time. Other items may be more expensive, or you can get them shipped in from UK / US. Cars are slightly cheaper, insurance is about the same.....On the whole we find it cheaper than the UK, although that is starting to change a bit.
What's the expat community like - size, etc? Expat community is large both AD / Dxb are only about 20% ish locals. However, if you mean western / UK expats, its smaller, but still large enough. You will not be a minority, and its very multicultural.
Any tax on anything - cars?
What about alcohol? - you can buy it, if you have a license, easy to get one. All hotels etc. serve it, Not as many places outside of hotels are licensed but its not such a big issue. It is pricey but again not bad compared to London.
What would you say are the biggest negatives & positives about the place? I really like it, its a chance to do a whole host of things I wouldn't have otherwise. And I can still race cars. I like the people, the weather and the lifestyle. Its got a very relaxed vibe to it.
For those of you that live there, would you move back to Blighty for the same salary? I assume you mean Net salary :-). Everyone is different, but we moved out for the tax break, but stay because of the lifestyle.
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently living in Mauritius and have done for a while. I have the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi. I'd like to have some opinions on the place - what is it like living there?
What is there to do?
there is loads between AD and DxB there is pretty much anything you can think of, although not as much choice. Its a pretty cosmopolitan place, although its a lot smaller than typical cities in UK and there isn't as much variety of choice.
What is the cost of living? that's a tough question. You need to work out what you get in your package. Housing can be pricey, bills can be pricey. Food shopping is OK, unless you crave UK / euro products all the time. Other items may be more expensive, or you can get them shipped in from UK / US. Cars are slightly cheaper, insurance is about the same.....On the whole we find it cheaper than the UK, although that is starting to change a bit.
What's the expat community like - size, etc? Expat community is large both AD / Dxb are only about 20% ish locals. However, if you mean western / UK expats, its smaller, but still large enough. You will not be a minority, and its very multicultural.
Any tax on anything - cars?
What about alcohol? - you can buy it, if you have a license, easy to get one. All hotels etc. serve it, Not as many places outside of hotels are licensed but its not such a big issue. It is pricey but again not bad compared to London.
What would you say are the biggest negatives & positives about the place? I really like it, its a chance to do a whole host of things I wouldn't have otherwise. And I can still race cars. I like the people, the weather and the lifestyle. Its got a very relaxed vibe to it.
For those of you that live there, would you move back to Blighty for the same salary? I assume you mean Net salary :-). Everyone is different, but we moved out for the tax break, but stay because of the lifestyle.
Thanks in advance!
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