Is it worth moving to Abu Dhabi?

Baxtrax

I've got a job offer for a big company in Abu Dhabi. The package sounds OK to me about 17500 AED basic and the housing and travel expenses separately.

Is this considered good? Will I be able to save a couple of grand on this salary?

SupaCat95

About e1000 a week, no income tax, no pressure to find a place, no junkies in the streets, no rainy days. Why are you posting, what is keeping you?

screamer

You’ll pay income tax here if you return sooner than 3 years, and every year you have a 3 year wait till you can bring that money back tax free. Just check into that side of things before making your decision if saving is your goal.

Baxtrax

Do you think it'd be the same if you move to the UK say after 3 years?

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120655870#Comment_120655870

Do you think it'd be the same if you move to the UK say after 3 years?

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120655722#Comment_120655722

I'm hearing things like there is toxic politics there in that company, bad environment. People not letting certain nationalities progress etc. But on the other hand some people saying they haven't seen that

SupaCat95

Most of that stuff is beyond your control. Most people fail in life because of fear and refusal to take chances. If I was finished my degree I would be gone as I intend to go when qualified. This country is Rome, anyone can see it with every day that passes. Over taxation, celebrated mental illness, unashamed drug use, over education, unwillingness to do military service, hyper inflation, all the signs are there. Don't be here on the day the Vis goths take over.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120655722#Comment_120655722

How many weeks are there in a year?

SupaCat95

Same number as there are here but you get more holidays over there because of the climate.

uptherebels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656164#Comment_120656164

Well you managed to get 1 out of 6 at least.

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656164#Comment_120656164

Over education, yet you want to stay until you qualify?

Go figure.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656399#Comment_120656399

aaaaaand 1000 x 52 is?

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058298426/is-it-worth-moving-to-abu-dhabi

Unless the housing and other stuff equates to like 50 grand I wouldn't be leaving my friends and family behind for less than minimum wage. Honestly I had to check a few times if I was missing a 0 there.

If your female maybe chat to a few ladies you know or know of who have gone before - last I heard its pretty restrictive in that regard - could just be hearsay but ask around yourself.

Zardoz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120655870#Comment_120655870

When you say return, you mean return to live in Ireland for more than 183 days per year is it ?

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656005#Comment_120656005

Complaining about toxic culture in a company based in a country where most workers are treated little better than slaves!

enricoh

I misread too, I thought 175k. You'd be better off working for E11 an hour here!

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058298426/is-it-worth-moving-to-abu-dhabi

Flip it on its head, why would you want to go live in Abu Dhabi? Their culture, history, social scene, language, raving night life, climate and so on? If the only answer is cash, then the probability is hight that it is not for you.

Over the past three decades I have seen plenty of expats arrive here in Switzerland, a much closer environment to the one they came for and everyone one of them without exception that came for the cash had a very unhappy time! Its not that there was not cash to be made, it's that they forgot they'd have to live there as well. Everything from the lack of their favourite foods at reasonable prices to the locals attitude were challenges.

Earning a couple of extra thousand is not going to cut it for you, that will be consumed in living the expat life, unless you are going to adapt and integrate into the local environment...

Surely a new job in Ireland would get you the extra couple of thousand you are seeking...

Baxtrax

I mean 17500 AED which is about 4500 euro basic here add allowance and its easily 8 grand euro

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120658610#Comment_120658610

I'm actually not in it just for the cash. The environment suits me much much better! The cash is a bonus 😀

James Bond Junior

That's not bad. If living a fairly normal life, socialising and enjoying yourself, you'd not be long burning through 8000 per month. If your housing and bills are being paid for you and you've no dependents, it's a fairly decent package. What kind of job? Education or otherwise? 17500 plus benefits is quite a generous package if going as a teacher.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659088#Comment_120659088

8 grand a month? Or a year??

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659113#Comment_120659113

Per month!

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659092#Comment_120659092

Well if its not about the money and it gets you were you want to be then go for it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120655870#Comment_120655870

Is that based on ordinary residence?

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659116#Comment_120659116

Ah yeah, then get the hell out of here. Hot this time of the year, but there's nothing like going for a swim on a rooftop swimming pool in December.

SupaCat95

52 x 1000 is 52,000 approximately. Then there is your free medical insurance approximately e5k and private school fees for two kids another 10k. Housing allowance probably 20k and 0% income tax is probably 15k and 5% Vat (15k @ 5% rather than 23%) that is a saving of 2.75k in tax.

So you are over 50k a year better off. That is only one aspect.

SupaCat95

You don't get why over education is bad? A few years ago you could go teaching with a higher diploma and an ordinary degree. It costs money to be in college and it costs money while not making you necessarily a better professional. Helping you further into debt.

You also are unhappy if you are over educated and forced to work at a lesser job than you are qualified for. The UAE is a very young country offering many many opportunities in sectors like retail, finance, IT engineering, medical, education.

One of my friends had an engineering masters 15 years ago and was offered an assistant lecturers position by the Alma mater on graduation for about 650e a week, no pay during holiday pay. The university of Ras Al Khima offered him an assistant head of department job. The was blank cheques for engineering projects, petrol was 5c a litre, as a petrol head muscle cars could be ordered from the states in 6 weeks. His previous car was a Toyota Starlet. Apartment paid for, sports club paid for and an hour from Dubai. This was considered a poor job out there. Which do you think he chose?

SupaCat95

Yes I am over educated for what I do. Yes it is frustrating. We have a defence forces struggling to maintain service, don't get me started on the price of living, you can't walk up O'Connell Street without stepping over 20 junkies, mental health is a massively rampant, yep we are well on the way to societal collapse. There are loads of signs on the way.

Baxtrax

You'd think there would be plenty of engineering jobs in the UAE. A friend of mine is looking for an electrical engineering job and all the jobs online are saying 6-8K AED pay per month and that too for 5+ years experience. That's surely much less than what you'd get in Ireland. What's the story here

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659492#Comment_120659492

I feel this pain

SupaCat95

Your buddy wants to get ahead in his career go take a job with an NGO on a third world infrastructure project, that will get him hero points on his CV. You do know that people do embellish their CVs out there. The Islamic business center stamps and translates your paperwork. It does not guarantee what it actually says is true. Arab countries are not a perfect society, learn to play the game.

Sir_Name

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656830#Comment_120656830

Have to disagree is not restrictive at all. No one bats an eyelid unless you are being disrespectful, by which i mean swanning around a shopping centre in hot pants, which i'd safely assume most wouldnt do at home.

OP, depending on the package, ie housing, gratuity, insurance etc its very easily doable to have a good quality of living however things are more expensive here than home and rent is going up. There can be challenges in more government entities to progress career wise but outside of that industries like finance are booming and constantly looking for staff and willing to pay a premium. Always advise to push a little on the initial package as thats the only time you will be able to do it. Any questions happy to assist.

Sir_Name

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659495#Comment_120659495

Plenty of nationalities willing to do it for less - would advise your friend to pitch for the more senior roles where they prefer expat experience.

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120660728#Comment_120660728

OP 100% take someone’s advice who’s actually been there! All I want you to do is get some first hand info.

Id only heard from friends that they had to be escorted too and from work etc and every outing was similar with minders. Then again I could have the countries mixed up!

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659116#Comment_120659116

Well that sound much better!

feckin go!

stargazer 68

Definitely have the countries mixed up! A great lifestyle can be had in the region..bars, restaurants, different social societies etc. I lived un the region for 10 years. OP give it a go. If you don't like it come back!

James Bond Junior

I was there last weekend for a short trip. I live across the border in Oman but we regularly go to Dubai. My wife and I will be neglecting our Dubai trips for a while in favour of AD. It has a lovely atmosphere, it's super chilled and reminds me of a large US regional city in a lot of ways. Go!

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120660728#Comment_120660728

Yes I will push them on that. To be fair, it's about 4500 eur after all your housing and accommodation is paid for. Since you are there do you think that's enough for costs, and saving?

What things are more expensive? Fuel is cheap and I've heard the food etc is much cheaper too....

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659558#Comment_120659558

What do you mean by this?

The Islamic business center stamps and translates your paperwork

Friend has been looking online and couldn't see anything like that.

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120660733#Comment_120660733

The senior roles are saying 10+ years experience and he has about 5 years

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120662402#Comment_120662402

10 years is a long time! Hopefully I will like it.

Coming back isn't so easy though is it? Finding a new job and a place to rent!!!!!

stargazer 68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120663595#Comment_120663595

If we thought like that we would never do anything or go anywhere

Positive thoughts OP. It's a new adventure, meeting new people and trying new things. You never know what could happen. I gave the same advice to a friends son a few years ago and he came home 4 years later with a wife! :)

endacl

Great place to live if you’re a fan of the Flintstones OP. Most of the Emirates don’t broadcast it, but stations in Abu Dhabi do!

Baxtrax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120663972#Comment_120663972

Good points that's very true. Sometime you have to just take the leap and go for it thank you 😊

SupaCat95

Find out before you go, it's easier. The Islamic business center take your degree and translate it on the back and stamp it. I think it costs about e80. I am not sure where it is in Dublin but the mosque in Clonskeagh/Blanchardstown will be happy to advise.

So where am I getting my information from? I always wanted to go after college when I was younger, I wanted FIRE, life didn't happen that way. I was interested in Saudi. Qatar is a less developed option and better for the longer term. I followed Kalid Al Americani for years. I imagine by the time you have done a few years Ireland will not be a place worth returning to. Find out about citizenship by investment in a second world country to retire to.

I am well aware that the middle east is not a perfect place. Don't try to change it just be a good house guest, drink the tea and nod politely, when you are done be on your way. I have known many people to go out there come home after 3 years with the price of a house others to be retired at 50.

KSA, Qatar and Dubai have made massive leaps forward in the last 20 years. It's not perfect but it could be perfect for you.

Sir_Name

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120663567#Comment_120663567

In all honestly it would be but it also depends on the kind of lifestyle you would like to live. ie if you live in Saadiyat and wanted a two bed apartment you wouldnt have much change out of the equivalent of €50k a year, Khalifia or Reem you could have a two bed from anything from €15-25k. Some people house share, or teachers/nurses can have the accommodation provided for them.

Food is cheaper however note that most recognisable brands for instance Hellmans are imported so they are more expensive. Fuel is cheaper, cars/insurance etc. Utilities are cheaper but internet is a lot more expensive and the provider is essentially a monopoly. Clothes/Perfume/Skincare shops are more expensive however shop and ship is is an excellent way around that.

Some roles here have return flights as part of the package to your home country, might be worth checking that as living abroad otherwise you should factor in travel costs to your budget.

As for the Islamic translation, i think what supacat is referring to is getting your degree/education certificates attested. its quite possible your work will do that for you but also if its not a government entity maybe not. Also get your drivers license translated into arabic aswell - makes getting a drivers license here much easier. Copies of everything and passport pics.

BorneTobyWilde

17500 AED is 4420 Euro

Op does say if it's a week, year, month, who knows

Baxtrax

You guys are brilliant. Thanks supa and sir name for the points. Really good points and the employer did mention them and that they'd support. I'll let you know how I get on!

SupaCat95

I am guessing it's a a month and he is working as a teacher for Sabris (private school) in UAE teaching the Laurent Baccarat (international high school diploma). Don't forget to teach your tax free grinds.

If you are qualified and still living at home after a university education and can't afford a car and your own accomodation, it's time to move on.

Baxtrax

I can afford it all here and I'm not a teacher. Thanks

Mars Bar

I'm 5 years in Abu Dhabi and I love the place

I pay for my accommodation out of my salary and my salary is less than yours, OP, and I still save quite well. Saying that, I am not in to the brunch and socialising scene and I work 6 days per week so I don't have time to spend.

If you're single then you will live very comfortably on that salary.