Please tell me all about it!!!
Discussion
Hi all, I am in the process of giving serious thought to moving to Dubai and will be out there from the 7th Oct to the 11th to see some possible employers etc.
Can you please give me your pro's and con's of living out there etc
I would be coming out with no relocation package etc so it would be off my own back and would be leaving a nice life behind here in order to roll the dice and try and make it nicer still. This includes leaving my lovely GF at home back here home alone to begin with also as we could just not afford for us to both up sticks without selling up everything here which I dont fancy doing straight away.
I am open to here anything anyone has to say including about cost of motoring etc etc
Is there anything you would say I simply have to do during my visit to get a taste of the real Dubai. I have been before for a week but on holiday and didnt leave the hotel etc all that much apart from to shop.
Thanks for all your time and efforts its very much appreciated.
Can you please give me your pro's and con's of living out there etc
I would be coming out with no relocation package etc so it would be off my own back and would be leaving a nice life behind here in order to roll the dice and try and make it nicer still. This includes leaving my lovely GF at home back here home alone to begin with also as we could just not afford for us to both up sticks without selling up everything here which I dont fancy doing straight away.
I am open to here anything anyone has to say including about cost of motoring etc etc
Is there anything you would say I simply have to do during my visit to get a taste of the real Dubai. I have been before for a week but on holiday and didnt leave the hotel etc all that much apart from to shop.
Thanks for all your time and efforts its very much appreciated.
Edited by Maverick_JDL on Thursday 25th September 20:32
I live in Abu Dhabi but also spent 18 months in Dubai. My list of pro's and cons below.
Pros
- Petrol is very cheap (approx. 19p / litre).
- Low crime.
- Only rains a few days a year.
- Excellent shopping.
- Excellent race track (Dubai Autodrome).
- Food and clothes perhaps slightly cheaper than the UK at the moment although not much in it.
- Plenty of nice restaurants.
- No income tax.
- No VAT (yet!).
- Stunning 'Manhatten' skyline.
- Opportunities to meet people from other cultures and countries.
- Good night life.
- Probably the most tolerant location in the middle east when it comes to other cultures and their customs although there are of course limits. Obey their laws, show resect to the locals and you won't have any problems.
- Opportunity to go off road driving, quad biking, motocrossing.
- Opportunity to go on a desert safari.
- Good standard of schooling.
- Cheap cars.
- Excellent air links available from Dubai International Airport.
- Plenty cinemas with all the latest films.
- All cars, houses, shopping malls, offices, etc are air-conditioned.
Cons
- Very hot in the summer months.(47-50 degrees)
- Standard of driving is terrible and there are plenty of accidents. Tailgating, not using mirrors and not indicating are common problems.
- Terrible traffic congestion in some areas during rush hour.
- Large amounts of construction in a number of locations across the city.
- Outside of the city is is mostly just desert.
- Gap between the rich and poor is huge.
- High inflation. (approx. 10% per annum)
- Plenty of red tape to get through when dealing with Dubai Municipality.
- Property (both buying and renting) is extremely expensive. A 1 bedroom apartment in say the Marina will cost between 100K and 110K per annum.
- Some people say that laws are applied differently for UAE nationals and expats. Not experienced this myself but others here will be able to comment further on this.
- Some businesses work 6 day weeks. I did this when working in the construction industry in Dubai in 2005 / 2006.
Please bear in mind that in order to buy a car or property here you need to have a residence visa. In order to get a residence visa you need to have a job as your employer will sponsor your visa application. Under current UAE law you cannot retire here. You can only stay as long as you are working.
Hope this helps.
Pros
- Petrol is very cheap (approx. 19p / litre).
- Low crime.
- Only rains a few days a year.
- Excellent shopping.
- Excellent race track (Dubai Autodrome).
- Food and clothes perhaps slightly cheaper than the UK at the moment although not much in it.
- Plenty of nice restaurants.
- No income tax.
- No VAT (yet!).
- Stunning 'Manhatten' skyline.
- Opportunities to meet people from other cultures and countries.
- Good night life.
- Probably the most tolerant location in the middle east when it comes to other cultures and their customs although there are of course limits. Obey their laws, show resect to the locals and you won't have any problems.
- Opportunity to go off road driving, quad biking, motocrossing.
- Opportunity to go on a desert safari.
- Good standard of schooling.
- Cheap cars.
- Excellent air links available from Dubai International Airport.
- Plenty cinemas with all the latest films.
- All cars, houses, shopping malls, offices, etc are air-conditioned.
Cons
- Very hot in the summer months.(47-50 degrees)
- Standard of driving is terrible and there are plenty of accidents. Tailgating, not using mirrors and not indicating are common problems.
- Terrible traffic congestion in some areas during rush hour.
- Large amounts of construction in a number of locations across the city.
- Outside of the city is is mostly just desert.
- Gap between the rich and poor is huge.
- High inflation. (approx. 10% per annum)
- Plenty of red tape to get through when dealing with Dubai Municipality.
- Property (both buying and renting) is extremely expensive. A 1 bedroom apartment in say the Marina will cost between 100K and 110K per annum.
- Some people say that laws are applied differently for UAE nationals and expats. Not experienced this myself but others here will be able to comment further on this.
- Some businesses work 6 day weeks. I did this when working in the construction industry in Dubai in 2005 / 2006.
Please bear in mind that in order to buy a car or property here you need to have a residence visa. In order to get a residence visa you need to have a job as your employer will sponsor your visa application. Under current UAE law you cannot retire here. You can only stay as long as you are working.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Ecosseven on Friday 26th September 06:32
Edited by Ecosseven on Friday 26th September 06:33
Edited by Ecosseven on Friday 26th September 06:36
Thanks for that, what you have said seems to reflect most peoples comments so far that I have spoken to.
Its going to be a tough call but we will see
Thanks again.
What sort of prices do the following cars sell for? does anyone know.
Dealer supplied:
996 C4S Cab - say 3/4 years old
AM V8 - Say 2005 Car
Early RS4 Cab
Thanks again
Its going to be a tough call but we will see
Thanks again.
What sort of prices do the following cars sell for? does anyone know.
Dealer supplied:
996 C4S Cab - say 3/4 years old
AM V8 - Say 2005 Car
Early RS4 Cab
Thanks again
I posted this up some time ago. Not sure if you managed to read it or not, but here you go:
I have been in Dubai for the last 3.5 years. It's true, the cost of living is forever on the up (no different to anywhere else), petrol is cheaper than drinking water (which you have to buy). Cars, esp the more top end range are relatively cheaper than buying in the the UK or Europe but you won't get the range you do there.
Ok, so to help you out: I will assume that you will be wanting say a 1 bed flat (just remember, you can not co-habit with your g/f here. Couples can only live together if they are married! but a lot of couples do live in "sin"!). These are pretty average costs
1 bed flat - AED90 - 110,000 per year to rent (may have parking/pool/gym)
2 bed flat - AED100 - 140,000 per year to rent (ditto)
2 bed villa - AED150 - 180,00 per year to rent (parking)
Utility bills (water/sewerage/elec) - for flats, average AED500-600 per month, 2 bed villas AED1,200-1,500 per month
Cable TV - AED400 per month
Internet - AED350 per month
Tel - depends on how many calls you make AED200 per month
Cars: to buy a Nissan 350Z/2.0l Audi TT (new) - AED150,000. Zero deposit and repayments over 4 years: AED3,688 per month
Insurance on cars: sports cars take 7% of the purchase price: AED10,500 per year,
Petrol: not really worth mentioning but is AED6.25/6.75 per imperial gallon,
Food per week for a single person: easily live on AED500 per week
Going out: tricky part (how long is a piece of string?)
A pint of lager will set you back AED20 - 30 (depends on timing i.e. happy hour)
Ciggies: feck me, these are cheap - AED6.00 per pack of 20.
wes: if single, a must - Chinese & Far east, East Euro and African ladies are here in abundance and can be had anywhere from AED500 - 2000 per night (depends on where you go and what night. Weekends are more expensive)
Taxis are numerous and relatively inexpensive and is a must if out drinking.
Drugs: BIG NO NO.
There are NO income taxes here. Yes, there are taxes on booze and some other goods, but you don't see it.
Basically, what you get in your hand each month is yours to do with as you please.
Right, add all that lot up on a monthly basis i.e. multiply all the costs by 12, once you get a total, divide further AED7.2 to get you into pounds and that should give you what you can expect to spend on a monthly basis (remember to add a few extra pints in and some allowance for taxis (avg fare AED25))
Any further info, give us a shout.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Would not say there is lot to do outside of work. Sure, there are pubs and clubs, not to mention restaurants and tons of shopping malls, but if thats not your thing, you are pretty limited. Watersports are plenty, plus other sporting activities, but not for the summer months. If cars are your thing, you are sorted, but it is not cheap, esp modding and attendance at track evenings and motorsports events.
As most have said, the roads are good, when they are clear of construction, but they are few and far between, but the standard of driving makes you go mad. So many times you want to show "the bird" but you cannot, if caught, you are gone, history!
Its a tough call TBH, inflation here runs at more than 10%, more like 20% but they "claim" it is only 13%. Rent is your biggest headache.
I have been in Dubai for the last 3.5 years. It's true, the cost of living is forever on the up (no different to anywhere else), petrol is cheaper than drinking water (which you have to buy). Cars, esp the more top end range are relatively cheaper than buying in the the UK or Europe but you won't get the range you do there.
Ok, so to help you out: I will assume that you will be wanting say a 1 bed flat (just remember, you can not co-habit with your g/f here. Couples can only live together if they are married! but a lot of couples do live in "sin"!). These are pretty average costs
1 bed flat - AED90 - 110,000 per year to rent (may have parking/pool/gym)
2 bed flat - AED100 - 140,000 per year to rent (ditto)
2 bed villa - AED150 - 180,00 per year to rent (parking)
Utility bills (water/sewerage/elec) - for flats, average AED500-600 per month, 2 bed villas AED1,200-1,500 per month
Cable TV - AED400 per month
Internet - AED350 per month
Tel - depends on how many calls you make AED200 per month
Cars: to buy a Nissan 350Z/2.0l Audi TT (new) - AED150,000. Zero deposit and repayments over 4 years: AED3,688 per month
Insurance on cars: sports cars take 7% of the purchase price: AED10,500 per year,
Petrol: not really worth mentioning but is AED6.25/6.75 per imperial gallon,
Food per week for a single person: easily live on AED500 per week
Going out: tricky part (how long is a piece of string?)
A pint of lager will set you back AED20 - 30 (depends on timing i.e. happy hour)
Ciggies: feck me, these are cheap - AED6.00 per pack of 20.
wes: if single, a must - Chinese & Far east, East Euro and African ladies are here in abundance and can be had anywhere from AED500 - 2000 per night (depends on where you go and what night. Weekends are more expensive)
Taxis are numerous and relatively inexpensive and is a must if out drinking.
Drugs: BIG NO NO.
There are NO income taxes here. Yes, there are taxes on booze and some other goods, but you don't see it.
Basically, what you get in your hand each month is yours to do with as you please.
Right, add all that lot up on a monthly basis i.e. multiply all the costs by 12, once you get a total, divide further AED7.2 to get you into pounds and that should give you what you can expect to spend on a monthly basis (remember to add a few extra pints in and some allowance for taxis (avg fare AED25))
Any further info, give us a shout.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Would not say there is lot to do outside of work. Sure, there are pubs and clubs, not to mention restaurants and tons of shopping malls, but if thats not your thing, you are pretty limited. Watersports are plenty, plus other sporting activities, but not for the summer months. If cars are your thing, you are sorted, but it is not cheap, esp modding and attendance at track evenings and motorsports events.
As most have said, the roads are good, when they are clear of construction, but they are few and far between, but the standard of driving makes you go mad. So many times you want to show "the bird" but you cannot, if caught, you are gone, history!
Its a tough call TBH, inflation here runs at more than 10%, more like 20% but they "claim" it is only 13%. Rent is your biggest headache.
Thats the problem you will face.
If you can get paid in GBP, then you take away the additional worry of exchange rates, esp when you have to transfer cash back to the UK every month. The currency here is pegged against the US$.
If I could do this all again, I would get the company to provide accommodation up to a certain standard i.e. a 1/2 bed flat for a single guy etc, it takes a lot of headache away from you.
If you can get paid in GBP, then you take away the additional worry of exchange rates, esp when you have to transfer cash back to the UK every month. The currency here is pegged against the US$.
If I could do this all again, I would get the company to provide accommodation up to a certain standard i.e. a 1/2 bed flat for a single guy etc, it takes a lot of headache away from you.
Maverick_JDL said:
But if I can get the job and get good at it the income potential is mind blowing.
I wouldn't think about relying on bonuses or commission. Especially in the finance/property sectors. They might be able to lure you with great figures at the moment but, with the global situation as it is, you might be a bit tight in the near future....Maverick_JDL said:
Yorky - any regreats?
A few i.e. I should have bought that porka GT3 when I first came here. I should have invested in property rather than buying and modding cars! hahahahahahaha, but thats life.Dubai has changed in the 4 years I have been here. Like anywhere else in the world, things change. It's not as nice as it used to be or perceived to be.
We are all 3rd class citizens, we will never be classed as an "Emerati" irrespective of how long you live here, unlike moving to US, UK, HK etc where after a period of time, you become a citizen of that Country. There most certainly are rules for them and us here.
But Dubai is a vibrant, fast moving city. The things that happen here is incredible to say the least. Its a very safe place to live (except for the roads), fairly decent standard of living, quality of life is what you make it. You can certainly spend money here!
Overall, no regrets to be honest, its all part of the learning experience and life.
Ahhhh the if, buts and maybes.... we all have those..
I booked my hire care for next week yesterday - the joy of a yaris here i come.
Thanks again for all your help.
Where would you suggest is a nice place to live for a 26 year old guy in Dubai?
What line of work are you in if you dont mind me asking?
I booked my hire care for next week yesterday - the joy of a yaris here i come.
Thanks again for all your help.
Where would you suggest is a nice place to live for a 26 year old guy in Dubai?
What line of work are you in if you dont mind me asking?
Maverick_JDL said:
Ahhhh the if, buts and maybes.... we all have those..
I booked my hire care for next week yesterday - the joy of a yaris here i come.
Thanks again for all your help.
Where would you suggest is a nice place to live for a 26 year old guy in Dubai?
What line of work are you in if you dont mind me asking?
Oh dear, a Yaris = like a lamb to the slaughter on the roads! ahahahahahahahahahaI booked my hire care for next week yesterday - the joy of a yaris here i come.
Thanks again for all your help.
Where would you suggest is a nice place to live for a 26 year old guy in Dubai?
What line of work are you in if you dont mind me asking?
I would suggest you find out where you will be working first and then try and find a place fairly close. It can take 45mins to do 5km's here, if the roads are really bad.
Al Barsha, Jumeriah Beach Residence & Jebal Ali are pretty decent places to live. A 1 bed apartment, approx 1,000sq ft is going for around AED100-120K per year.
I am in Construction - Commercial & Contractual.
Maverick_JDL said:
Yeah again echos what others have said.
Not looking forward to the Yaris at all... got anything I can borrow?!?!? lol
Make sure the A/C works before you drive away from the rental firm!!Not looking forward to the Yaris at all... got anything I can borrow?!?!? lol
As Yorky has said it is important to live close to yopur place of work enless you want to spend a long time commuting.
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff