What to bring?

Author
Discussion

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Sunday 11th January 2009
quotequote all
I'm starting to pack to move over to the UAE now, and wondered if there was anything you think I should bring over with me that is either cheaper here, or impossible to get there.

My new boss said he brought his coffee machine and toiletries. I don't like coffee, so before I buy 6 tonnes of shavers & shower gel - do any expat PHers have any thoughts?

Another one - perhaps Asterix is the man for this - is about watches. How does say a Tag F1 (or other of that ilk) compare in cost here/there?

Mark.H

5,746 posts

213 months

Sunday 11th January 2009
quotequote all
alcohol from duty free, you can bring 4 litres...DO IT!...also white lasagne sauce, i cant find it anywhere,lol... wine gums...erm...everything else you can get that i know of. Watches are about the same price as the uk but im not sure as i aint looked into it in all that much detail.

yorky500

1,715 posts

198 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
Walkers Crisps - where the feck have they all gone?

Luxury goods i.e. watches, bags etc tend to be cheaper as they have little or no tax on them.

To be honest, only bring what you really need. You can buy just about anything here. No need for huge quantities of shaving foam and razors etc, they can be all got here. Its a little chilly at the mo (nowt compared to UK mind) for us here, so something warmish would be OK.

Are you are having stuff shipped?

Mark.H

5,746 posts

213 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
yorky500 said:
Walkers Crisps - where the feck have they all gone?

Luxury goods i.e. watches, bags etc tend to be cheaper as they have little or no tax on them.

To be honest, only bring what you really need. You can buy just about anything here. No need for huge quantities of shaving foam and razors etc, they can be all got here. Its a little chilly at the mo (nowt compared to UK mind) for us here, so something warmish would be OK.

Are you are having stuff shipped?
Id be inclined to agree there, id say no need to bring winter coats or anything but id bring a jumper or 2 at the most. Nintendo Wii's are expensive here as are the other games consoles compared to the uk.

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
Nothing shipped, all in my suitcase!!

yorky500

1,715 posts

198 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
Good point and +1 on the cost of Games etc.

Bring your music with you as CD's, DVD's etc can be expensive.

Are you moving straight into an apartment or are you being put up in a hotel fopr the first month or so until you find your feet?

If an apartment, is it furnished and with what?

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
I think the luxury goods (watches etc...) can really depend on the brand.

Bearing in mind that the last time I bought anything, Sterling was a lot stronger - Rolex was about the same as the UK, Glashutte Original was stupidly overpriced and JLC were a bit cheaper.

One thing you will find is that for certain specialist/less common items is that they may simply not exist here and will either have to be ordered in at a premium or not available at all.

Nothing to worry about for the day to day goods - just pop down to Waitrose!




Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
I'll be in a hotel initially, and probably for a while. Then perhaps move to a serviced apartment, or a shared villa/apartment with colleagues if I decide to stay beyond my initial posting.

oilydan

2,030 posts

278 months

Monday 12th January 2009
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I'll give you 50 dirhams for an uncensored FHM magazine!!! If you can get it through customs!!

I think Spinneys and Waitrose do just about everything else, don't they?

Oh, apart from 5ex toys; they are not allowed, so leave your 'Fleshlight' at home hehe

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Monday 12th January 2009
quotequote all
That's good to know. 1 week to go! smile

jezzaaa

1,890 posts

266 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
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Mattt said:
I'll be in a hotel initially, and probably for a while. Then perhaps move to a serviced apartment, or a shared villa/apartment with colleagues if I decide to stay beyond my initial posting.
Be aware of the co-habiting laws here...blokes sharing can be dodgy according to some people...while others think it only really applies to Muslim residents (although the law is presumably applicable to anyone in theory). I've been in Abu Dhabi for 4 days, so don't know what's what yet...people say different stuff!

Edited by jezzaaa on Tuesday 7th April 19:26

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Where are you staying in Abu Dhabi?

Ron Fellows

1,517 posts

255 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
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jezzaaa said:
Mattt said:
I'll be in a hotel initially, and probably for a while. Then perhaps move to a serviced apartment, or a shared villa/apartment with colleagues if I decide to stay beyond my initial posting.
Be aware of the co-habiting laws here...blokes sharing can be dodgy according to some people...while others think it only really applies to Muslim residents (although the law is presumably applicable to anyone in theory). I've been in Abu Dhabi for 4 days, so don't know what's what yet...people say different stuff!

Edited by jezzaaa on Tuesday 7th April 19:26
Its not just Arabs. I had a good sized Villa (on my own no sharing) I got accused of sharing and was issued a enter and search warrant by DM. They checked over everything, didn't find any evidence of me sharing or renting my rooms out and I still got served notice and had to move out! We tried to fight it but lost. This was when the rents were at there highest last year so imagine my anger when I had to move in to a smallish apartment for 50k more!

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Ron Fellows said:
jezzaaa said:
Mattt said:
I'll be in a hotel initially, and probably for a while. Then perhaps move to a serviced apartment, or a shared villa/apartment with colleagues if I decide to stay beyond my initial posting.
Be aware of the co-habiting laws here...blokes sharing can be dodgy according to some people...while others think it only really applies to Muslim residents (although the law is presumably applicable to anyone in theory). I've been in Abu Dhabi for 4 days, so don't know what's what yet...people say different stuff!

Edited by jezzaaa on Tuesday 7th April 19:26
Its not just Arabs. I had a good sized Villa (on my own no sharing) I got accused of sharing and was issued a enter and search warrant by DM. They checked over everything, didn't find any evidence of me sharing or renting my rooms out and I still got served notice and had to move out! We tried to fight it but lost. This was when the rents were at there highest last year so imagine my anger when I had to move in to a smallish apartment for 50k more!
Mate, the sharing issue was a complete smokescreen to get you out and for them to triple the rent.

At least you're laughing now.