The Dubai Thread [Merged]

Bluefoam

I have an opportunity to move to Dubai at short notice to work across the UAE. I've taken a salary hit in Ireland and my job prospects over the next few years are not good.

I could have worked in Dubai in the past and been able to double my salary. The current offer isn't huge, but is above average. What salary level would be needed to sustain myself well (to a reasonable standard) over there, while still servicing some debts over here.

Also, the job is located in Sharja. Would it be possible to live in the marina area of Dubai and commute. I'm told it is only 40mins by car.

I'd appreciate any insights...

Bluefoam

bump

gaf1983

You're right about Sharjah being only down the road... I worked in Qatar for a year in 2007 and travelled through UAE a few times, usually stayed in Sharjah... however during rush hour it took us 2 and a half to 3 hours to travel from Dubai to Sharjah. However a friend of mine recently came back from an 8 month work placement in Dubai, he said the road system has improved drastically. I'd say your best bet might be to try some UAE expat forums though.

Bluefoam

Thanks gaf, aparently it is against the rush hour traffic & apparently that is much reduced due to the recession.

London Irish

You don't say where exactly in Sharjah you'll be, but yes, 40 mins or so will take you to the general vicinity of Sharjah via the Sheik Khalifa road. I take that commute most days and it's generally 120 km/hr all the way. The opposite direction is bumper to bumper at rush hour though. I've only been in Dubai 9 months and have heard how much busier the commute was prior to 2008, but it's a pretty easy drive for me.
You should live in Dubai and commute - the rents are higher in Dubai, but there is nothing to do in Sharjah and alcohol is banned. Your social life will be centered on Dubai.
Regards living expenses, since I moved from London to here, any comparison I make back to Ireland will be a little skewed. But food prices here seem to be on a par with Ireland (i.e more expensive than UK). We save what we can can shopping in Lulu's or Carrefour, rather than Waitrose. Petrol is cheaper than water. Alcohol is eye-wateringly expensive in bars, but there are ways to buy alcohol for consumption at home, that is really affordable. Rent has come down a lot and continues to drop as residential space is wildly overbuilt. Still, rent is still expensive and you should see if your company will give you an accommodation allowance. Try http://www.bayut.com/rent.html as a starting place for apartments.

Bluefoam

Thanks for that London Irish. I'll be working in the Free Zone in Sharjah, near the airport. I have agreed the move now & will have a living & car allowance. I'm hoping the salaries have come down in general there as the salary offered is in sterling and on a par with London salaries - however, it is tax free, it'll be interesting to discover what standard of living I can achieve.

I'm looking forward to the move... Can you suggest good areas to live? I'm aware of the marina, but would like to look at areas that might offer access to good social life/activities etc... I'd like to look at getting a two bedroom so my family/friends can visit...

useruser

Don't live in the Marina if you're working in Sharjah, it's miles out. Look at Garhoud, Oud Metha, Zabeel, perhaps Jumeira 1. Dubizzle.com is the place to look. Depends what your needs are too, Mirdif might be worth a look.

London Irish

useruser wrote: »

Don't live in the Marina if you're working in Sharjah, it's miles out. Look at Garhoud, Oud Metha, Zabeel, perhaps Jumeira 1. Dubizzle.com is the place to look. Depends what your needs are too, Mirdif might be worth a look.

Dubizzle is good, I'd agree.

I live in the Marina, and yes, its almost as far as you're likely to live from Sharjah. The Marina does have access to a lot of social stuff. The other areas I would suggest to the OP are listed above - centered around the world trade and business bay areas. I can't say very much about them myself, from a social perspective - I just know the Irish Village in that part of town.

I actually have to travel to a client site in Ajman going up the SZR, so a commute from the Marina is doable (at least to me). Of course, the closer to work the better.

useruser

I suppose any commute is do-able but I certainly wouldn't want to have to do the Marina to Sharjah and back every day if I didn't have to. Rents have dropped sharply over the last 6-12 months so it should be possible to find something suitable in Dubai areas much closer to Sharjah these days. Taxis are numerous and cheap in Dubai so it makes more sense to base yourself closer to work. If you really want to save money you might consider living in Sharjah itself but beware the power cuts in the summer!

roryq

I recently made this move and I'm living and working in Dubai. I have seen stories about the traffic jams that happen in Sharjah and they seem to be pretty crazy. Altho everyone here says the traffic is a lot less than what it used to be.

As for the cost of living it is on a par with what it was in Ireland. Well apart from being out drinking. That is what you call Temple Bar prices after 1 in the morning.

Polleta

I'm really happy to read that people think the cost of living is on par with Ireland. I am moving to Dubai in a few weeks and am trying to figure out where to live. The address I have been given for my office doesn't seem to exist on google maps so need to talk to some future colleagues. I am getting a housing allowance with work so I will just have to verify what it is compared to what I need.

useruser

Polleta wrote: »

I'm really happy to read that people think the cost of living is on par with Ireland.

Hmm., not sure about that - I would say that it is significantly more expensive, generally speaking. The cost of rent has dropped a lot in recent months but the price of everything else continues to rise.

Polleta

Cool. I will be having some conversations before I sign my contract anyway on what I realistically need to live, do some travel and be comfortable.

Polleta

My friend in dubai sent me this link for cost of living comparisons. It is worth checking out for people to have a comparison point

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

I looked at the countries I knew prices for and it seemed about right.

leelaw17

Hi there!
I have been just offered a primary teaching job in Mamzar in dubai in a private school. Offering me 8000AED a month was wondering does anybody know if this is good salary wise and if I will be able to live fairly comfortabley with this amount in Dubai?
Also am female and heading on my own so any advice from fellow females there on how ye are finding it etc?

Oh also if anyone knows anything about the Mamzar area?

Such a big decision am a little stressed by it all!

Bluefoam

leelaw17 wrote: »

Hi there!
I have been just offered a primary teaching job in Mamzar in dubai in a private school. Offering me 8000AED a month was wondering does anybody know if this is good salary wise and if I will be able to live fairly comfortabley with this amount in Dubai?
Also am female and heading on my own so any advice from fellow females there on how ye are finding it etc?

Oh also if anyone knows anything about the Mamzar area?

Such a big decision am a little stressed by it all!

Hi leelaw17, I've just moved to Dubai & don't know Mamzar - from the map, it looks okay. Its on the far side of the old town, which is a bit run down, but it could be very nice. Jumeirah Beach is not far away - which is one of the better beaches & there is some nightlife nearby (Elegante nightclub isn't far). I would say that 8000AED isn't a huge amount. Do you get a living allowance & car allowance on top of that? Do they provide accomodation? Do they cover any other costs? Depending on where you live/work a car is a big asset here - but like I said, it depends on where you live & work. Taxis are cheap, so you can get around. A 25 min journey is about €9 & that will cover most areas you'll want to go - it should be allot less to get taxis around Mamzar. Its worth taking a trip over to see the place, before commiting. My company did that for me, although many won't. There's not much restrictions on girls here, you can wear what you want and do what you want (within the same limits as home). You aren't suposed to live/stay with fellas, but no one seems to enforce these things. No kissing in public... But that doesn't mean a life without affection, it is quite liberal here and the whole system is set up to let westerners live a normal life.

Before I moved out, I came over for a few days to check the place out. It was very worth while, but when I did move over I changed most of my ideas on where to live etc...

All in all its a great place, very easy to settle in. Easy to make friends, I have been taken in by a bunch of South Africans.

Polleta

Hi Leelaw17,

I'm a fellow female who has just moved to Dubai also. My first instinct would be the same as bluefoam. That is equivalent to about 1650E a month which is tax free but if you need to fund accomodation or you have any financial commitments back home I would say its not enough. I don't know much about shared accomodation costs but I know that for your own place most or all of that 8000AED would be gone on accomodation and bills alone.

As a young single female so far I like the place. I get looked at a small amount due to my paleness but that's life and I get that whenever I visit a warm place. The things people talk about like needing to be somewhat covered up all the time I haven't found a problem. I have a single female friend who is a teacher out here(not in your school) and she has be covered up while at school and by that I mean she must cover her shoulders and her knees at all times so really nothing crazy.

Best of luck with your decision!

P

useruser

Like the others said, it depends on your entire package but if you are not getting anything extra (flights, accommodation, transport, health insurance) then that will be a miserable amount to try to live on in Dubai (even with all of these it is still not great, Dubai is expensive).

Mamzar is nowhere near Jumeirah by the way - it's nearly in Sharjah, pretty rundown and industrial with a a lot of construction and very heavy traffic. Not that great a place IMO but it would at least be cheap to live there.

Dubai has a liberal veneer but scratch the surface and you find something quite different, it's not Kuwait or Saudi Arabia but it's definitely not a Western liberal state either. People regularly get themselves into serious trouble by forgetting this.

leelaw17

Hi guys!
Thanks so much for all yer help! teh contract is 8000 AED per month- they supply shared accomodation and rent is paid for( though i have not seen this acomodation) the 8000 Aed is made up of rent allowance, transport cover and what they describe as "other" on the contract. There is basic medical care.

At the moment most people seem to be saying that 8000 AED wouldnt be quite enough to live quite comfortabley, from what i can see teachers salary is often more. Howver i applied through and agency that told me the wage last minute before the intervieww and sai if i was not happy with it they would cancel the interview...i went ahead as did not expect to get the job and put it down to experience...the 8000AED is now quoted on my and i have to let them know by thursday. I feel that if i ask for a raise on that thy may not be happy at all!...butalso sounds like im getting paid at the lowest scale....any advice would be great on this?
I have also been advised that i am within my rights to ask them to send me on an email of photos of the accomodation?

useruser

Sounds dodgy to me. I suggest you post on the Middle East forum on britishexpats.com and on http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/ you could name the actual institute there and hopefully some people will know them and be able to advise accordingly.

8000 AED is very very little in Dubai and shared accommodation could mean anything - 6 to a room in Deira or 2 rooms in a lovely apartment in the Marina. My instinct would be to walk away, there must be better packages available than this.

Bluefoam

Don't sell out. It would be very difficult to get by here on little money as there is a cost for everything. Keep applying, I believe there are teaching jobs available here. Remember that its not as easy to change jobs here as it is at home. Your visa is linked to your job.

Also, I have witness some of the accomodation compnaies provide here. Some is great, such as that provided for Emirates Crew, but some is awful... block after block of nondesript apartments - some withouit even balconies and often in crappy areas...

There are two types of employer here... those who will offer a reasonable package and make sure their staff are well looked after, in order to get the best and most motivated people & those who don't, their employees are then somewhat trapped, because its not easy to change job...

It used to be a case that you could come to Dubai, double what you earned at home & live tax free... Those days have changed and salaries are more realistic.

My advice is to make sure the package is right before making a decision. Good luck with it, whatever you do...

roryq

I would agree with Bluefoam.. 8000AED is not a lot to live on here. And as said shared accmodation could mean anything here.

I would hold out for more to be honest with you.

Polleta

Leelaw17 there are better jobs for you out there I think. Personally I couldn't sign something that said shared accomodation provided as I am rather picky about who I would live with esp when as the others say you are in that job for the long haul if you move.

Just for your own comparison I get a housing allowance from my company of 85k a year. I get a decent salary on top of that as well as health insurance and a flight back to Ireland once a year and one or two other company specific benefits.... My job is a regional manager position and I have several years experience but I don't think I could live on less over here(granted that I've been living alone too long to go back to sharing!).

My friend who is a department head teacher gets a two bed apt of her own, a decent salary(I would work it out as maybe double your salary offer) and health benefits in her school. The thing I have learnt about Dubai is you must ask every question under the sun about everything or you will get no where! Even ones that in Ireland would be irrelevant you are better to ask!

Best of luck

Fun times

Leelaw17 im moving to the same school in Mamzar, wit less of a salary (7000) , but I think with accomodation and air fare paid , it should be ok . Im not going in order to save a huge amount of money but i definetly think it is enough to live on . I think a lot depends on experience, and with less than two years experience it seems a lot tougher to get a job paying more than this .

leelaw17

Hiya! wow small world!do you know when you are starting?they havent given me dates yet, nto much info at all really! where are you from?

Fun times

No, I havent heard anything back really after i signed. A bit worried about that ! cos that was a few weeks ago. anyway the guy in the teachin agency assures me its all good , they jus take a while to sort it out. Im a bit worried , the school isnt on google which is weird, like it doesnt have a website. I was thinkin of just applying for some new jobs bbut someone told me that because your job is linked to your visa and i have already signed, that I wont be able to change. Anwyay I tink im jus gunna take it and hope for the best !

roryq

Basically you can come to Dubai for 30 Days on a tourist visa and gain a job. Although it can take a month for a visa to be processed here. Well that is if they are processing the visa before you get here. Took me a month and a half to gt mine when I got here.

They are making some changes to the visa laws but nothing really major. What is the name of the school I can have a look around and see if I can found out anything here for you.

And if it is thru and agency you gained the job is it an irish one or a UAE if it is a UAE one what was the name of it.

lollipoplady

leelaw17 wrote: »

Hi there!
I have been just offered a primary teaching job in Mamzar in dubai in a private school. Offering me 8000AED a month was wondering does anybody know if this is good salary wise and if I will be able to live fairly comfortabley with this amount in Dubai?
Also am female and heading on my own so any advice from fellow females there on how ye are finding it etc?

Oh also if anyone knows anything about the Mamzar area?

Such a big decision am a little stressed by it all!

Hey! I have actually just returned from dubai in the last 3 weeks i was teaching in a local private school in Mamzar.8000 is fairly standard. Generally teaching contracts cover accom, yearly flights, visa so really your only worry is food and drink!! we used to save about 300-500e a month (but its possible to save a hell of a lot more by doing grinds and not going out all the time!!) I lived in a place called Al Nahda 2, its about 15minutes from the school, teachers in Mamzar generally live here. There is very little to do in Mamzar as its very "working class" but there is a beautiful beach there and a shopping centre (deira city centre) nearby. Teaching out there is seriously tough work. In Mamzar schools are generally local arab, Indian or pakistani. I dont know of any international expat school in the area.
if you have any questions anyway just ask!! Good luck:)

Captain Commie

my wife has just accepted a teaching job in Abu Dhabi for 13,000 AED a month inc accommodation for us both and flights as well. Also being given an allowance to furnish our accommodation once we get there.

Anyone else any experiences of Abu Dhabi?

ca3nie

Hey, boyfriend is after being offered a job in Dubai and he is taking it, he is heading over in the next 2 weeks and I will hopefully follow him over once he is settled. I will be heading over augist some time with the dog :rolleyes:

I will be going over on a tourist visa and will be looking for work, does annyone no do I need to have a return flight book since I will be on a holiday visa

Bluefoam

Its best to book a return flight.

When I fist moved over, I was still traveling around the UAE quite a bit before getting my Visa & had a return flight booked just in case I got stopped going through the airport.

ca3nie

Bluefoam wrote: »

Its best to book a return flight.

When I fist moved over, I was still traveling around the UAE quite a bit before getting my Visa & had a return flight booked just in case I got stopped going through the airport.

Thanks for the info, will book a return flight.

Captain Commie

ca3nie wrote: »

Hey, boyfriend is after being offered a job in Dubai and he is taking it, he is heading over in the next 2 weeks and I will hopefully follow him over once he is settled. I will be heading over augist some time with the dog :rolleyes:

I will be going over on a tourist visa and will be looking for work, does annyone no do I need to have a return flight book since I will be on a holiday visa

I assume you will not be living together. you may or may not know, but it is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in UAE, even in Dubai where it is more liberal compared to others.

Still waiting on the dates for the wife to head out, but coming up soon i think.

roryq

You technically don't have to leave the country on a flight.. You can travel across the border to Oman get a stamp and return again. I know some people who have been doing this for a number of months. It is about an 90min drive to where you need to go.

In relation to the whole not being married thing. Myself and my wife now did this for 3 months. Ya do kinda have to keep the head down. And it only really becomes an issue in my opinion in an area populated by a lot of muslims. So you have to be careful where you live. This is the same for the dog also. I live in an area where it is alright to have a dog. But it sounds like a lot of areas around Dubai are kinda enforcing a no dog rule.

ca3nie

Thanks for all the info As my boyfriend will be in company accommodation for the first couple of months and I will be getting my own apartment. Hopefully there wont be a problem with him then moving in after a few weeks.
He will be looking out for a pet friendly complex before I head over, but if anyone knows of any please fell free to drop a few names

roryq

It all depends on where you boyfriend is going to be working. I live in The Greens which is near Dubai Internet City and close to the mall of the emirates. Lot of people around here have dogs.

Bluefoam

roryq wrote: »

It all depends on where you boyfriend is going to be working. I live in The Greens which is near Dubai Internet City and close to the mall of the emirates. Lot of people around here have dogs.

I hear there is a plan to ban dogs in the greens, after a child was bitten. I don't know how as theres loads of dogs there.

roryq

I didn't hear anything about that. There is a fairly big dog owner community down here. The only problem is that there is a lot of dog owners that don't clean up after their dogs and that is causing problems with Emaar from what I heard.

quinn1

Hey Everyone,

I have a telephone interview for a school in Sharjah soon. What is Sharjah like? Any one had a telephone interview and have any tips on what they might ask?

Also, am I reading correctly, 8000 UEA is not enough to live on? even with accomadation paid for by school?

What do people do for fun over there? Do irish/ expats not get together?
Also, last Q, what is the average age of expats/irish workers there? I'm 35 (female) and will be coming on my own (if I get the job!) is everyone else in their early 20's???

London Irish

quinn1 wrote: »

Hey Everyone,

I have a telephone interview for a school in Sharjah soon. What is Sharjah like? Any one had a telephone interview and have any tips on what they might ask?

Also, am I reading correctly, 8000 UEA is not enough to live on? even with accomadation paid for by school?

What do people do for fun over there? Do irish/ expats not get together?
Also, last Q, what is the average age of expats/irish workers there? I'm 35 (female) and will be coming on my own (if I get the job!) is everyone else in their early 20's???

Sharjah is the most conservative of the emirates, and is a dry emirate, no alcohol. http://www.dubaifaqs.com/sharjah.php

8K AED isn't very much - do you have to buy and run a car out of that too? The accomodation will be in Sharjah?

Dubai has plenty of great places to each and drink. There appears to be a good irish community centered around the GAA (http://www.dubaicelts.com/) and the Irish society (http://irishsocietydubai.com/) - though I don't get to interact with either due to work.

I suggest reaching out to the Dubai Celts for advice - I understand most of the players are teachers, so you should get some practical advice.

Tom Dunne

quinn1 wrote: »

What is Sharjah like?

I was recently offered a job in Sharjah and while doing research (talking to people who worked there and on the internet), it appears that there isn't a whole lot going on in Sharjah. The general consensus was not to live there.

quinn1 wrote: »

Also, am I reading correctly, 8000 UEA is not enough to live on? even with accomadation paid for by school?

It does seem very little, to be honest. That is approx. 1600 Euro a month. Ask if you have to pay utilities (water/electricity/internet/tv) - this could take a chunk out of your salary.

quinn1

Thanks London Irish and Tom D, for replying...

I know €1600 is a bad salary over here but thought the cost of living might be cheap over there. Take it thats not the case then?

I doubt i'll be driving over there, will that be a problem? i.e is it possible to get buses/trains/trams or even walk, from e.g., Sharjah for example?

rusty_racer94

I grew up there, it's quite good. You'll love it!

Polleta

roryq wrote: »

I didn't hear anything about that. There is a fairly big dog owner community down here. The only problem is that there is a lot of dog owners that don't clean up after their dogs and that is causing problems with Emaar from what I heard.

Dogs aren't banned yet in the greens but there have been several incidents with children from what I've heard. I live in the greens too and frankly i think the larger dogs shouldn't be allowed. There is no way these apts are big enough for some of the dogs here. It is cruel to keep an alsation and other large dogs in this accommodation! Better off looking in Arabian ranches where you can get a reasonable priced villa with garden. It's a bit far out but I have friends living there and they love it!

roryq

Yeah you see a lot of big dogs around here alright. It had me wondering how the hell they have them in there apartments. Even the two beds are not that large for that like.

Even with a garden that is alright in the winter in the summer ya can't do anything with the dogs during the day cause of the heat.

rusty_racer94

My Neighbours in Dubai used to leave their dog alone at home while they used to be at work, the dog used to sit in the window and look outside. And when they'd come home, the Dog went for a run outside with the owner.

Polleta

roryq wrote: »

Yeah you see a lot of big dogs around here alright. It had me wondering how the hell they have them in there apartments. Even the two beds are not that large for that like.

Even with a garden that is alright in the winter in the summer ya can't do anything with the dogs during the day cause of the heat.

Yeah I have no idea! I've been in the bigger two bed places and I wouldn't even keep a small dog in them without feeling like it was cruel! I guess tho people must manage it somehow or they wouldn't have them. Also a crazy amount of cats but its a lot less cruel to keep them I feel. Not that I'm.tempted myself!
Will stick to trying to keep myself hydrated!

nocanoesue

Irish Teacher in Mirdif!!!! Advice Needed!!

Hey guys... so Ive signed up with a recruitment agency for teachign jobs in UAE and have just been told I have an interview for Mirdif Private School Dubai on Wednesday coming !!!!! Anyway I feel like I have a good chance of getting this job so does anyone out there know anything about this school or work there or have any info in general about the Mirdif area..I know from my countless hours spent researchign that its about 20 mins by cab to downtown Dubai and its a rather family oriented area which is fine for me as I am not hoping to go to Dubai to party. But is there anyone out there who can share their experiences with me!! Ill a 29 year old single teacher so Id be literally going by myself knowing nobody out there so any help will be appreciated xxxx

Bluefoam

nocanoesue wrote: »

Irish Teacher in Mirdif!!!! Advice Needed!!

Hey guys... so Ive signed up with a recruitment agency for teachign jobs in UAE and have just been told I have an interview for Mirdif Private School Dubai on Wednesday coming !!!!! Anyway I feel like I have a good chance of getting this job so does anyone out there know anything about this school or work there or have any info in general about the Mirdif area..I know from my countless hours spent researchign that its about 20 mins by cab to downtown Dubai and its a rather family oriented area which is fine for me as I am not hoping to go to Dubai to party. But is there anyone out there who can share their experiences with me!! Ill a 29 year old single teacher so Id be literally going by myself knowing nobody out there so any help will be appreciated xxxx

Dubai is a place to party (whatever your variation on partying is) so come here with the attitude that you need to enjoy it. Otherwise you will find it a lonely place. Mirdiff is a fine place to live, it has a good mall, places to eat (chain restaurants) a cinema etc. (no pubs or clubs). It has very little public transport, but is not too far from other places to go out - 20-30 mins taxi ride. Taxi's are cheap relative to the likes of Dublin. Make sure that the pay package you get is reasonable, as teachers salaries vary from very good to very poor, most veering towards the latter.

Its a great place, but don't think its like a European city where you can enjoy the city lifestyle cheaply... There are parks and outdoor amenities, but you pay to use them, there is no city centre so malls are considered places of recreation... a pint of beer is the equivalent of €9. I'm not trying to put you off, just trying to give you a realistic perspective. Its a great place, but be prepared to put in what you want to get out of it...

wuffly

Like bluefoam said mirdif is grand, but quiet there's tons to do in Dubai and you may as well do it, as all work and no play would drive you mad! if your here to save there wont be two much to tempt you in Mirdif. There's bound to be other international teachers like yourself probably a few even a Irish. I've had friends working in Sharjah which is a dry emirate next door so mirdif is bound to be better than that. Your licence will transfer if you want to drive here, its not as scary as it looks at first. Find a friend and invest in an entertainer book (big 2 for one book) everyone uses them, handy for dinners and the water parks etc... Dubai can be lonely so make sure to join a club or something to get to know some people.

FURET

I live down the road from Mirdif in Silicon Oasis. Mirdif is a lovely clean place, and Mirdif City Center is the focal point - it's not actually a city center, but rather a huge but very nice mall with loads of great restaurants, a cinema, clothes shops, and a great gym. I go there several times a week with my wife - usually to the gym, but more often to Gazebo (excellent Indian food), Chili's (very decent American food), La Creparis (for outstanding strawberry nutella crepes), or to The Butcher Grill or Texas Roadhouse if we fancy some steaks (all of which limit the effectiveness of the gym, but we soldier on!).

I also moved to Dubai without knowing anyone - I've met very few Irish people since being here. Wife and I are sticklers for savings, so we don't party - but we do like to head to the beach fairly often.

If you need any help or tips when moving to Mirdif or Dubai in general, feel free to send a PM. I'll be happy to help as I remember how daunting a solo move to Dubai seemed to me a couple of years back!