The cost of Living in Dubai

Dear all

Im new to this site, and only found it yesterday but it is addictive.
In any case, whilst the reason i came to the site was personal to do with property bought in IC, professionally, I am a recruiter for senior architectural, design and engineering staff with my own business. I regularly place people in the Middle East , mainly Dubai and Abu Dhabi in positions that pay far less ( and much more) than the 30k figure quoted.
As a responsible recruiter (!!) It is my responsibility to ensure I advise my Candidates when they get a job with my clients, as to costs, standrads, dos and donts etc - which I do. As my father still says ... you cut your garment according to the cloth you have (he is a tailor!) - in other words - you spend according to your pocket.....
For example - a young architect graduate i just placed in a role in Dubai just recieved 18000AEDhms per month all in ( equiv of about £28k tax free in the UK) , when in the UK she would have had little chance of achieveing over £23k(taxed) in London - she is set up in a nice little flatshare in a beautiful plush brand new aptmt on the sheikh zayed main drag (6000p/month) ....has gotta long term hire on a little nissan runaround for 1500AEd per mth .... it si possible - depends what your comfort level in life is ....

Can I recommend to those of you that have used a recruiter - go and challenge them to assist you. If they cant , or you didnt use a recruiter, please PM me with your email/phone number.... I will be happy to set you right.

Some of the info on this string is correct, other bits very misleading ....
I will try and spend some time this weekend putting my Information Pack on here for all you happy sunseeking souls to benefit from .....

all the best and good luck....

CM

[Bart59]

I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. Housing is not cheap here but from what I can tell still quite a bit cheaper than central London. The problem here is that getting a private villa or flat requires 1, 2, or sometimes three checks at contract signing for the entire year. The second or third check if available are post dated. So you actually have some time before the money needs to be in your account. Oh yea you can't open a checking account or sign a tenancy contract with out your residency which comes with your labor card from your employer which can take some time for sure a month maybe 2 or 3.

What you are pretty much left with is subletting from someone and paying on a month by month basis. My girlfriend and I just found a nice two bedroom apartment in Al Barsha near Emirates Mall that we are subletting for two months. 10,000 aed per month. (2,700 US$) We just moved out of a flat that we had an ensuite bathroom and were paying 2,200 US$. You can rent a room in a villa in a decent neighborhood for 1,350-2,000 US$. Everything goes up from there.

Restraunts I think you will find less on average than London or New York. Of course the expensive places are here also. Going out to the clubs drinking at night is very expensive. Some places will charge you 30 US$ a drink.

I would suggest come and give it a shot. It is a crazy place. You will meet some neat people and have a good adventure. If you need more let me know.

Bart

Originally Posted by hunter

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for some help.

I have a job offer to go and work in Dubai and am very keen. However, I'm getting conflicting information regarding the cost of living over there. My potential employer says that the cost of living is about a quarter of the cost in London. Several others have told me this also. However, I went to the UAE embassy in London last week and they gave me information that suggested it was the same, if not more. I realize that it depends on what your buying and if its imported or not, but could anyone give me an idea of the relative cost of living? How much is food and clothes and so on? What about the accommodation? How costly is the rent of a house over there? The more information the better.

Thanks in advance.

[Ellen]

Hunter,
I have been in Dubai provided you have a ver good income you are fine. Accom is MEGA expensive and would be the most exp. part of living, I do know people who are paying at least 50% of the salary on accomodation. That is not hearsay its personal knowledge. Good hunting. Pardon the pun!!!

[mohitmathur01]

Hi Cheassmaster, Bart 59,

I have an admit from Hult Business School which is opening in Dubai this September. I am getting mixed responses from people whether to take up the offer or not. Do you think it will be a good option to do an MBA from there because of the demand for mnagement talent or should I do an MBA from Manchester B School or Cranfield. According to you, which one is better perceived by recruiters.

[stylinexpat]

I'm looking for something in Dubai as well and I doubt I will consider living or working here if I don't pull in 30K minimum per month. I would be wasting my time anything under that. Dubai may be cheap when compared to London but Dubai is no cheap place to live. Everything is imported from food to labor and local rents are extremely high for businesses so the cost of goods has gone up extremely high.

[Roshan]

Originally Posted by scarletfan

Hi eyeC

We are moving to Dubai in January.
Package on offer is salary of circa 34,500AED per month, accommodation allowance of 130,000AED per annum, utility bills etc paid, fully expensed company car.
From what you were saying above, would you consider this is a good package, and we will survive comfortably, after all we only have to consider purchasing food, clothing, leisure etc etc.
Also, we do not have children, only a dog!
Any advice gratefully received.

The package you have indicated is very good. You should be happy that the accomodation and car is taken care of. The biggest hit is on the rent for which you are covered.

If you are getting accomodation allownace of Dhs 130,000 per year. You should think of buying an apartment and direct the rent allowance to the monthly EMI's.

Regards

Roshan

[Roshan]

Originally Posted by Chessmaster

Dear all

Im new to this site, and only found it yesterday but it is addictive.
In any case, whilst the reason i came to the site was personal to do with property bought in IC, professionally, I am a recruiter for senior architectural, design and engineering staff with my own business. I regularly place people in the Middle East , mainly Dubai and Abu Dhabi in positions that pay far less ( and much more) than the 30k figure quoted.
As a responsible recruiter (!!) It is my responsibility to ensure I advise my Candidates when they get a job with my clients, as to costs, standrads, dos and donts etc - which I do. As my father still says ... you cut your garment according to the cloth you have (he is a tailor!) - in other words - you spend according to your pocket.....
For example - a young architect graduate i just placed in a role in Dubai just recieved 18000AEDhms per month all in ( equiv of about £28k tax free in the UK) , when in the UK she would have had little chance of achieveing over £23k(taxed) in London - she is set up in a nice little flatshare in a beautiful plush brand new aptmt on the sheikh zayed main drag (6000p/month) ....has gotta long term hire on a little nissan runaround for 1500AEd per mth .... it si possible - depends what your comfort level in life is ....

Can I recommend to those of you that have used a recruiter - go and challenge them to assist you. If they cant , or you didnt use a recruiter, please PM me with your email/phone number.... I will be happy to set you right.

Some of the info on this string is correct, other bits very misleading ....
I will try and spend some time this weekend putting my Information Pack on here for all you happy sunseeking souls to benefit from .....

all the best and good luck....

CM

WOW, well said. Thanks for the words of wisdom. You are right, people can budget around the salaries they get. You have to just cut down on your exepnses, lower your standard of living. In other words you stretch your legs depending on how big your bed is.

But as human beings when you see that the money you have saved is not worth the efforts that you put in, then the demotivation sets in and you start looking for options. But then, you start looking for better opportunities.

Tht's the circle of life isn't it.

We look forward to more wisdom from your end and hope you will post regularly.

Thanks for the efforts.

Regards

Roshan

Well it can be done , I agree
Just talking to some friends today who were asking 'is it worth going to the UAE' to work.
My answer is it can be, depends on what ur expectations are , and how you mange yourself .
I can say this much - if you work in architecture, design, construction, engineering or real estate in the Middle East, and are considering relocating there, please get in touch, i can advise you based on your own circumstances and expectations what is realistic.
I wont tell you what you want to hear but rather about how real people live.
all the best
CM

[Roshan]

Originally Posted by Chessmaster

Well it can be done , I agree
Just talking to some friends today who were asking 'is it worth going to the UAE' to work.
My answer is it can be, depends on what ur expectations are , and how you mange yourself .
I can say this much - if you work in architecture, design, construction, engineering or real estate in the Middle East, and are considering relocating there, please get in touch, i can advise you based on your own circumstances and expectations what is realistic.
I wont tell you what you want to hear but rather about how real people live.
all the best
CM

The truth is always the winner. A consultants job, be it in any line is to give clean and impartial advise. That's how they build a reputation.

What you are doing is a kind service without any ulterior motives. Sometimes that would cost you your bread & butter. However people would still come to you because of your impartial and good advise.

Regards

Roshan

[Roshan]

Originally Posted by mohitmathur01

Hi Cheassmaster, Bart 59,

I have an admit from Hult Business School which is opening in Dubai this September. I am getting mixed responses from people whether to take up the offer or not. Do you think it will be a good option to do an MBA from there because of the demand for mnagement talent or should I do an MBA from Manchester B School or Cranfield. According to you, which one is better perceived by recruiters.

You are better off doing it at the UK campus than in Dubai. Degrees done at the main campus generally carry more weight.

Regards

Roshan