Anyone here live or lived in UAE
Discussion
Turning to the oracle of all things, Pistonheads users, I wonder if anyone has lived and worked in UAE, Abu Dhabi to be precise. I have been offered a position recently which would double my current take home pay and I am excited by the opportunity, but wonder what the expat lifestyle is like there. Does the money make up for the difference in cultural setting and climate? is there enough to do to stay interested (apart from cheap exotic cars)? Any info?
k, Abu Dhabi will be great in 5-10 years. At the minute I find it still very drab. I found myself spending most of my time in shopping centres. You may be able to get cheap performance cars and petrol but the traffic is very bad. It is an hours drive to dubai which is a lot better but is more expensive. It is very depressing seeing the workers being bussed to the building sites. The conditions the buiilders/workmen live in are disgusting.
Having said that some of the blokes I worked with absolutley loved abu dhabi and are still there!
My advice would be to go and visit. You may love the place or you may hate it.
Having said that some of the blokes I worked with absolutley loved abu dhabi and are still there!
My advice would be to go and visit. You may love the place or you may hate it.
I live around Dubai. Since the recession, all the Brits here have become very gloomy, and with some reason, however, you have to keep your head up.
The best advice would be to stop scouring the internet for guides, if they're written before the recession, they're hopelessly out of date.
1. Living costs:
There honestly just going up and up and up since the recession, petrol has gone up twice this year significantly, as well as food costs. I've only been to Abu Dhabi once but it's pretty much the same
There's a massive gap in living standards and salaries between the races. To a Brit for example, 20,000 Dirhams a month, is just a normal salary. To an Indian or Philipino it's really quite high, especially nowadays.
2. Jobs:
This is probably the best advice you'll ever hear regarding jobs in the UAE, ever.
It's an experience market.
Quite simply, those with a lot of experience, in a field, can find great, high-paying jobs.
For those without, especially graduates who typically haven't worked a day in their lives, it's extremely tough. Many graduates from UAE-based universities now struggle to get jobs paying even 5,000 Dirhams a month (£800), the reason being that companies no longer want to spend the time or energy training graduates who'll leave as soon as they have experience from you.
Job turnover in the UAE is very, very high. For many, it's the only way to get a salary increase because of different business culture and philosophy. Also, if you can't find a job, your visa will expire, meaning you'll have to leave the country, often forcing high-paying executives to work low-end jobs just to keep in the country.
Also, the difference from working in an indian-run and owned company vs an western one is massive.
AD is rather boring, all the entertainment is in Dubai.(Nearly all weekend activities here just involve doing what we do well -spending vast wads of cash buying what we don't need)
Overall, the UAE is still a nice place, (Although in terms of Salary, pretty much every other country in the gulf is better) but the only serious thing that you'll love at first and then start to hate is the materialism - work hard all week, work hard all weekend spending it.
The best advice would be to stop scouring the internet for guides, if they're written before the recession, they're hopelessly out of date.
1. Living costs:
There honestly just going up and up and up since the recession, petrol has gone up twice this year significantly, as well as food costs. I've only been to Abu Dhabi once but it's pretty much the same
There's a massive gap in living standards and salaries between the races. To a Brit for example, 20,000 Dirhams a month, is just a normal salary. To an Indian or Philipino it's really quite high, especially nowadays.
2. Jobs:
This is probably the best advice you'll ever hear regarding jobs in the UAE, ever.
It's an experience market.
Quite simply, those with a lot of experience, in a field, can find great, high-paying jobs.
For those without, especially graduates who typically haven't worked a day in their lives, it's extremely tough. Many graduates from UAE-based universities now struggle to get jobs paying even 5,000 Dirhams a month (£800), the reason being that companies no longer want to spend the time or energy training graduates who'll leave as soon as they have experience from you.
Job turnover in the UAE is very, very high. For many, it's the only way to get a salary increase because of different business culture and philosophy. Also, if you can't find a job, your visa will expire, meaning you'll have to leave the country, often forcing high-paying executives to work low-end jobs just to keep in the country.
Also, the difference from working in an indian-run and owned company vs an western one is massive.
AD is rather boring, all the entertainment is in Dubai.(Nearly all weekend activities here just involve doing what we do well -spending vast wads of cash buying what we don't need)
Overall, the UAE is still a nice place, (Although in terms of Salary, pretty much every other country in the gulf is better) but the only serious thing that you'll love at first and then start to hate is the materialism - work hard all week, work hard all weekend spending it.
awesome_welles said:
I live around Dubai. Since the recession, all the Brits here have become very gloomy, and with some reason, however, you have to keep your head up.
The best advice would be to stop scouring the internet for guides, if they're written before the recession, they're hopelessly out of date.
1. Living costs:
There honestly just going up and up and up since the recession, petrol has gone up twice this year significantly, as well as food costs. I've only been to Abu Dhabi once but it's pretty much the same
There's a massive gap in living standards and salaries between the races. To a Brit for example, 20,000 Dirhams a month, is just a normal salary. To an Indian or Philipino it's really quite high, especially nowadays.
2. Jobs:
This is probably the best advice you'll ever hear regarding jobs in the UAE, ever.
It's an experience market.
Quite simply, those with a lot of experience, in a field, can find great, high-paying jobs.
For those without, especially graduates who typically haven't worked a day in their lives, it's extremely tough. Many graduates from UAE-based universities now struggle to get jobs paying even 5,000 Dirhams a month (£800), the reason being that companies no longer want to spend the time or energy training graduates who'll leave as soon as they have experience from you.
Job turnover in the UAE is very, very high. For many, it's the only way to get a salary increase because of different business culture and philosophy. Also, if you can't find a job, your visa will expire, meaning you'll have to leave the country, often forcing high-paying executives to work low-end jobs just to keep in the country.
Also, the difference from working in an indian-run and owned company vs an western one is massive.
AD is rather boring, all the entertainment is in Dubai.(Nearly all weekend activities here just involve doing what we do well -spending vast wads of cash buying what we don't need)
Overall, the UAE is still a nice place, (Although in terms of Salary, pretty much every other country in the gulf is better) but the only serious thing that you'll love at first and then start to hate is the materialism - work hard all week, work hard all weekend spending it.
Fair play - a very thought out responce.The best advice would be to stop scouring the internet for guides, if they're written before the recession, they're hopelessly out of date.
1. Living costs:
There honestly just going up and up and up since the recession, petrol has gone up twice this year significantly, as well as food costs. I've only been to Abu Dhabi once but it's pretty much the same
There's a massive gap in living standards and salaries between the races. To a Brit for example, 20,000 Dirhams a month, is just a normal salary. To an Indian or Philipino it's really quite high, especially nowadays.
2. Jobs:
This is probably the best advice you'll ever hear regarding jobs in the UAE, ever.
It's an experience market.
Quite simply, those with a lot of experience, in a field, can find great, high-paying jobs.
For those without, especially graduates who typically haven't worked a day in their lives, it's extremely tough. Many graduates from UAE-based universities now struggle to get jobs paying even 5,000 Dirhams a month (£800), the reason being that companies no longer want to spend the time or energy training graduates who'll leave as soon as they have experience from you.
Job turnover in the UAE is very, very high. For many, it's the only way to get a salary increase because of different business culture and philosophy. Also, if you can't find a job, your visa will expire, meaning you'll have to leave the country, often forcing high-paying executives to work low-end jobs just to keep in the country.
Also, the difference from working in an indian-run and owned company vs an western one is massive.
AD is rather boring, all the entertainment is in Dubai.(Nearly all weekend activities here just involve doing what we do well -spending vast wads of cash buying what we don't need)
Overall, the UAE is still a nice place, (Although in terms of Salary, pretty much every other country in the gulf is better) but the only serious thing that you'll love at first and then start to hate is the materialism - work hard all week, work hard all weekend spending it.
I cant contribute anything to your question except if i was offered it - i'd jump at the chance...
Silent1 said:
You didn't think to post in the Middle East Section
No?
Sorry didn't think to post in the Mid East section. @Awesome welles, thank you for your detailed response. No?
I am agonising a bit over the decision since it is a lot of money to turn down 671k Dhm package but on the other hand I work for a virtual monopoly employer in Australia and do like my job so am concerned about the possibility of burning my bridges here also.
I am going over next week for a quick tour to get a feel for the place, hopefully that will answer a lot of questions for me.
Thanks for all replys, pistonheads comes up with the goods again!
Mattt said:
I assume that rate is all inclusive?
Beware high prices here for housing, schooling etc. Still, not a bad package all said and done, but a lot of people arrive a bit surprised that their great offer isn't as great as it first sounded.
Yes all inclusive. I am basing my housing cost off what I have seen offered on the net. Seems to me that 130k to 170k gets something pretty decent at the moment, is that right? No kids, so no schooling issues, just me and wife.Beware high prices here for housing, schooling etc. Still, not a bad package all said and done, but a lot of people arrive a bit surprised that their great offer isn't as great as it first sounded.
I'm a bit out of touch, but yes that should sort you out.
You have a few options really, but the main split is - Villa on the Mainland, or Apartment in the City (Island).
You can get some nice places in the new developments, but you're going to pay a lot more than in Dubai.
A lot of people get a cheaper place in Dubai, then commute daily. Dubai Marina is a good place to look - check out Better Homes.
You have a few options really, but the main split is - Villa on the Mainland, or Apartment in the City (Island).
You can get some nice places in the new developments, but you're going to pay a lot more than in Dubai.
A lot of people get a cheaper place in Dubai, then commute daily. Dubai Marina is a good place to look - check out Better Homes.
awesome_welles said:
...Since the recession, all the Brits here have become very gloomy, and with some reason....
Disagree.I moved to a much bigger house, for much less money. When employing staff (which is not difficult as there are loads of people looking for work) you don't need to offer huge salaries and benefits packages. My lease car is now 30% cheaper and I traded in the Jap V6 for an Oz V8. There are more hotels/restaurants/bars than ever and nearly all the PITA road construction is finished meaning traffic flows freely (I guess the Metro has helped here too).
OK fuel is now 20% higher, groceries too, oh and booze is expensive but I certainly think that in no way has it made me gloomy!
Actually I think the UAE is a better place afeter all the speculators and estate agents left!!
+1 for me too. There seem to be fewer mouthy idiots here than there was before (get rich quick types with little to add when it all fell apart), there's less traffic, houses are cheaper, cars are still cheap, fuel is still very very cheap and the weather is about perfect at the moment.
Words of caution would be to be very very sure - you'd be leaving a very secure position from the sounds of it and the UAE labour law protects the employers more than the employee. Things can change very quickly.
I've been here 18 months and rarely look back. Hope is to stay here until we can move on somewhere permanant and be mortgage free.
Good luck!
Words of caution would be to be very very sure - you'd be leaving a very secure position from the sounds of it and the UAE labour law protects the employers more than the employee. Things can change very quickly.
I've been here 18 months and rarely look back. Hope is to stay here until we can move on somewhere permanant and be mortgage free.
Good luck!
Edited by Hitch78 on Wednesday 17th November 16:39
Edited by Hitch78 on Wednesday 17th November 16:40
Hitch78 said:
Words of caution would be to be very very sure - you'd be leaving a very secure position from the sounds of it and the UAE labour law protects the employers more than the employee. Things can change very quickly.
A very good point. In my experience there's no such thing here such as "Oh, we need to make a few cuts please put your hands up and here's a nice cheque" or "Sorry, but we're actually going to give you your 2 months notice, and if there's anything we can do to help you", etc, etc.The biggest difference I've noticed here since arriving is that they don't give a rat's arse about their employees. Maybe it's just my field, but they think ABSOLUTELY nothing of cancelling your employment contract, and also your visa. I guess the place is mainly built on people just passing through, or with a 3 year plan, or similar.
Thanks all for the words of advice, some good and bad observations so that is good. I am over there next week getting a feel for the place so hopefully that will shed further light on my choice.
Another thing that I won't get to savour though is the summer. By all accounts it is absolutely oppressive, I come from a hot place anyway (Brisbane) but nothing like UAE I think. How do you deal with it? I have read that there is no relief apart from going to a shopping mall. is it really that bad? Aren't houses designed to deal with it a bit?
Another thing that I won't get to savour though is the summer. By all accounts it is absolutely oppressive, I come from a hot place anyway (Brisbane) but nothing like UAE I think. How do you deal with it? I have read that there is no relief apart from going to a shopping mall. is it really that bad? Aren't houses designed to deal with it a bit?
Everything is air conditioned here so it just becomes a case of minimising your time outside. It isn't great that's for sure and in reality it is probably 'too hot' for four months of the year, but for me being from blighty it's no more oppressive than winter used to be.
The upside is that for the rest of they year the weather is perfect - though being from Brisbane I guess that's pretty normal for you.
What field of work are you in? Might put a spin on it.
The upside is that for the rest of they year the weather is perfect - though being from Brisbane I guess that's pretty normal for you.
What field of work are you in? Might put a spin on it.
Package sounds pretty good for the two of you, and it will be tax free. The exchange rate at the mo is a real killer, however, hopefully this will go down and you will be better off when sending money home (if you have to).
Your biggest expense other than the Mrs going out shopping, will be rent. AUH ain't cheap and as others have said, lots of folk live in Dubai and do the daily commute. I know of a lot of Aussies who come here and hate it when they were hoping for the expat villa lifestyle (gib house and garden) and hated it when they had to live in an apartment. With a villa comes large utility bills.
Cars - take your pick really. The one good thing about here is that you do not dream about the car you would like to own - if you have cahooners, you can actually buy it. Car finance is around 3.99 - 4.5%, however, if I was you, I would buy a car that is 1 year old, or close to it, where the previous owner takes the depreciation hit.
Going out to eat and drink is expensive, food shopping is getting worse and worse (costs) with poorer quality and smaller offerings (so I have noticed).
When you come over, have a really close look around, especially for basics - its those that creep up and bite you in the ass.
Your biggest expense other than the Mrs going out shopping, will be rent. AUH ain't cheap and as others have said, lots of folk live in Dubai and do the daily commute. I know of a lot of Aussies who come here and hate it when they were hoping for the expat villa lifestyle (gib house and garden) and hated it when they had to live in an apartment. With a villa comes large utility bills.
Cars - take your pick really. The one good thing about here is that you do not dream about the car you would like to own - if you have cahooners, you can actually buy it. Car finance is around 3.99 - 4.5%, however, if I was you, I would buy a car that is 1 year old, or close to it, where the previous owner takes the depreciation hit.
Going out to eat and drink is expensive, food shopping is getting worse and worse (costs) with poorer quality and smaller offerings (so I have noticed).
When you come over, have a really close look around, especially for basics - its those that creep up and bite you in the ass.
I moved to Abu Dhabi 2 weeks ago with a large global company from the UK on a full expat contract, I wouldn't of done it any other way. I only thing I need to worry about is my Internet and what I spend on food and enjoyment!. I have a wife who has just arrived and is keen to work as well so between us we hope to save a few £.
I spent a few days in Dubai but felt more at home in Abu Dhabi, not sure why, back in the UK I lived in Cambridge and used to travel an hour to London and I see Dubai as the same, something to do at the weekends when we become bored of the beach and the club. Saying that there is a club here for every interest possible!.
I am struggling with the lack of urgency with my Visa's etc, but still have a few days on visitor visa before getting another 30 day stamp.
Feel free to message for any advice, but I'm still very much finding my feet!.
I spent a few days in Dubai but felt more at home in Abu Dhabi, not sure why, back in the UK I lived in Cambridge and used to travel an hour to London and I see Dubai as the same, something to do at the weekends when we become bored of the beach and the club. Saying that there is a club here for every interest possible!.
I am struggling with the lack of urgency with my Visa's etc, but still have a few days on visitor visa before getting another 30 day stamp.
Feel free to message for any advice, but I'm still very much finding my feet!.
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff