Possible Move to Dubai, any help appreciated.....
Discussion
Can anyone offer some advice?
I'm potentially moving on Tuesday next week, need to get sorted.
I've got 5000 PCM for rent, it's been suggested that I look at Discovery gardens. Any other pointers?
I'm moving over due to not finding a job here, and 2 very good friends are there so shan't be all alone!!!
Any ideas/help/suggestions gratefully received
I'm potentially moving on Tuesday next week, need to get sorted.
I've got 5000 PCM for rent, it's been suggested that I look at Discovery gardens. Any other pointers?
I'm moving over due to not finding a job here, and 2 very good friends are there so shan't be all alone!!!
Any ideas/help/suggestions gratefully received
Hello mate,
Well, when you land, you'll get a 30 day visitors visa. To stay here for any length of time, you'll either need a sponsor (a job) or you'll need to keep popping over the border to get a new visa. This consists of a 90 min drive, an hour or 2 wait, followed by a fee.
When you say 5k a month for rent, I assume that's Dirhams? This completely depends on the location, but is do-able, depending on the type of place you need. If it is a studio or a 1 bed you need, then it won't be a problem. Saying that it would be good if you could stay at a mates for the first few weeks (or a month) till you get things sorted. Most landlords will require the money up front (for a year) by way of pre-dated cheques. Given that you won't have a UAE bank account you might want to ask your mates if they will write out the cheques and you give them the cash. Some landlords might be ok with cash every month, but they'll be hard to find, I'd guess.
I've found trying to do anything here is time consuming and frustrating. It generally makes services in the UK look fantastic. Do not expect anything to operate as smoothly as it could in the UK.
Driving. You can rent a car as long as your visa is valid, but it is expensive. When I arrived I hired a Honda Civic and it was about 500 quid a month.
What line of work are you in? Do you have any leads or people you know here that could help with a job? Also, are you coming on your own?
Good luck and keep us updated. Let the questions begin...
Well, when you land, you'll get a 30 day visitors visa. To stay here for any length of time, you'll either need a sponsor (a job) or you'll need to keep popping over the border to get a new visa. This consists of a 90 min drive, an hour or 2 wait, followed by a fee.
When you say 5k a month for rent, I assume that's Dirhams? This completely depends on the location, but is do-able, depending on the type of place you need. If it is a studio or a 1 bed you need, then it won't be a problem. Saying that it would be good if you could stay at a mates for the first few weeks (or a month) till you get things sorted. Most landlords will require the money up front (for a year) by way of pre-dated cheques. Given that you won't have a UAE bank account you might want to ask your mates if they will write out the cheques and you give them the cash. Some landlords might be ok with cash every month, but they'll be hard to find, I'd guess.
I've found trying to do anything here is time consuming and frustrating. It generally makes services in the UK look fantastic. Do not expect anything to operate as smoothly as it could in the UK.
Driving. You can rent a car as long as your visa is valid, but it is expensive. When I arrived I hired a Honda Civic and it was about 500 quid a month.
What line of work are you in? Do you have any leads or people you know here that could help with a job? Also, are you coming on your own?
Good luck and keep us updated. Let the questions begin...
Cheers for that, most helpful.
I have a job lined up- basically, I have a contract to sign, they organize the flight, and off I go.
So although going alone, I have 2 very good friends there that I will be working with.
You were right with the currency re rent too- I have found a couple of places, so am in a hotel for three nights whilst I get sorted.
I have a car hire allowance of 2000 per month, so will look to get the cheapest that I can- the whole object offend movevis to try and save some cash- I can't find work in the uk, so have little choice really as we are struggling financially.
I have a job lined up- basically, I have a contract to sign, they organize the flight, and off I go.
So although going alone, I have 2 very good friends there that I will be working with.
You were right with the currency re rent too- I have found a couple of places, so am in a hotel for three nights whilst I get sorted.
I have a car hire allowance of 2000 per month, so will look to get the cheapest that I can- the whole object offend movevis to try and save some cash- I can't find work in the uk, so have little choice really as we are struggling financially.
Cool, having a job and a waiting contract will make things much easier.
Where abouts will you be working? Have a look on www.dubizzle.com as there are a lot of properties (and a map) on there. Chances are your company will help with the rent so ask if that's possible.
If you know what you're looking at when it comes to cars, if may work out cheaper to buy a run-around for the time you are here...depends on the duration I guess.
You can live in Dubai pretty cheaply, so if saving is your goal, it should be relatively easy... although the temptations are there to spend a fortune, trust me.
Let us know if there's anything else you need.
Cheers.
Where abouts will you be working? Have a look on www.dubizzle.com as there are a lot of properties (and a map) on there. Chances are your company will help with the rent so ask if that's possible.
If you know what you're looking at when it comes to cars, if may work out cheaper to buy a run-around for the time you are here...depends on the duration I guess.
You can live in Dubai pretty cheaply, so if saving is your goal, it should be relatively easy... although the temptations are there to spend a fortune, trust me.
Let us know if there's anything else you need.
Cheers.
The deed is done.
I fly at 9ish on Tuesday night, so arrive 8ish Wednesday.
Will be staying in a hotel for a few days until I pick somewhere to live.
Car looks like being a yaris for now- hired until ive saved a bit.
Other than that, it's an emotional weekend with jnr, as it's the last time I shall see him for a while, getting packed, and having a f
king good drink on Sunday afternoon!!!
Will catch up for a beer when settled though for sure.
See you soon
Ems
I fly at 9ish on Tuesday night, so arrive 8ish Wednesday.
Will be staying in a hotel for a few days until I pick somewhere to live.
Car looks like being a yaris for now- hired until ive saved a bit.
Other than that, it's an emotional weekend with jnr, as it's the last time I shall see him for a while, getting packed, and having a f
king good drink on Sunday afternoon!!!Will catch up for a beer when settled though for sure.
See you soon
Ems
I was in a similar situation 16 months ago, came out here leaving family at home and knowing nobody. It's not easy and I can guarantee that parting from the kids when you leave will be heartbreaking. When I left I thought it would be for 4 months max but I'm still here. I would recommend signing up to skype so at least you can have reasonable face to face conversations with the family without it costing a fortune.
If I can give one bit of advice based on my experience it is to make sure that your family have a good support network. It's not easy being 4000 miles away when something goes wrong at home and having that support in place will make things easier for your wife and your sanity. I didn't. Even things like making sure that phone numbers for plumber/electrician/odd job man etc are saved in the phone. Unless of course your wife is a builder.
As other posters have pointed out, don't expect the level of service that you enjoy in UK, it will drive you bananas at first but once you have 'tuned in' it becomes merely infuriating and you will find yourself seething with impotent rage depressingly often.
Good luck with the move, I love Dubai and visit as often as I can to get away from the mind numbing tedium here. There is much to enjoy about the place, but it can suck your money out of your wallet like no other place I have been to. Perfect.
Enjoy the weather, it's great at the moment.
If I can give one bit of advice based on my experience it is to make sure that your family have a good support network. It's not easy being 4000 miles away when something goes wrong at home and having that support in place will make things easier for your wife and your sanity. I didn't. Even things like making sure that phone numbers for plumber/electrician/odd job man etc are saved in the phone. Unless of course your wife is a builder.
As other posters have pointed out, don't expect the level of service that you enjoy in UK, it will drive you bananas at first but once you have 'tuned in' it becomes merely infuriating and you will find yourself seething with impotent rage depressingly often.
Good luck with the move, I love Dubai and visit as often as I can to get away from the mind numbing tedium here. There is much to enjoy about the place, but it can suck your money out of your wallet like no other place I have been to. Perfect.
Enjoy the weather, it's great at the moment.
Well, I only see jnr every other weekend at present anyway-Friday he arrives after school at about 6.30, due to the distance.
I have him all day Saturday, and set off to take him back at 2 on a Sunday afternoon.
Just broken the news to him- not easy, but it's done now.
Christmas will be tough too I guess, but it's a case of getting stuck in, to attempt to save some cash and get things back to equal for now.
Will catch up for a beer when settled!!???
I have him all day Saturday, and set off to take him back at 2 on a Sunday afternoon.
Just broken the news to him- not easy, but it's done now.
Christmas will be tough too I guess, but it's a case of getting stuck in, to attempt to save some cash and get things back to equal for now.
Will catch up for a beer when settled!!???
Welcome to Sandland. We've all been in the same spot so whenever you get stuck just post a question and you'll get a load of shared experiences and maybe even some useful advice!
On the places to live front you should check out Al Barsha near the Mall of Emirates and if you can stretch a little, Dubai Marina. 'Disco G' is cheap, but it is getting a fair bit of bad press as firms are able to hire whole buildings and move loads of staff in. Sure you'll get something in Al B or the Marina for your 60k now.
Good luck with the Yaris - there's nowt as fast as a hire car and all that!
On the places to live front you should check out Al Barsha near the Mall of Emirates and if you can stretch a little, Dubai Marina. 'Disco G' is cheap, but it is getting a fair bit of bad press as firms are able to hire whole buildings and move loads of staff in. Sure you'll get something in Al B or the Marina for your 60k now.
Good luck with the Yaris - there's nowt as fast as a hire car and all that!
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