Urgent advice - job offer and cost of living

The package is very good, your family can have a comfortable life.  You can easily get a good 2- or 3-bedroom apartment in a good locality for your allowance.  School fee may vary depending on type of school, but be prepared for up to AED 8K per month for the two children.  Residence area should be dependent on an optimum location between your work and the school; however Abudhabi as a city is quite small, just a few main streets and cross streets.

Hi Thomo1,

My name is Aizad. First of all I don't work in Abu Dhabi but in Dubai instead. Your package is quite good especially on the housing allowance. For AED 12,500 per month (i.e AED 150,000 per year) you can get a 2-bedroom 3-bathroom apartment in Dubai Marina (exclusive area). I'm not sure about Abu Dhabi though. But yesterday's bloomberg news mentioned that housing rentals in Abu Dhabi is more expensive in Dubai and the landlords are not willing to reduce the rentals despite lack of demands.

For meals I spend about AED 1,500 to AED 2,000 per month. But you can save more if you cook. You will feel that the groceries are expensive but don't worry it's because they sell in larger packaging and quantity. For transportation, you can afford to buy a mid-size luxury sedan around AED 70,000 to AED 80,000 (mazda 6, corolla altis etc). I'm single so i dont have any schooling kids but i heard american or british international school in Dubai is very expensive. A year could reach up to AED 200,000. But since you're covered for 70% of the school fees, that leaves you about AED 60,000 per year (i.e AED 5,000 per month).

But don't worry you'll be fine because you have your families with you. I'm here alone and it's been very tough for me.

My advice is once you reach the local airport immediately get a prepaid sim card. Just show your passport. You can't get a postpaid sim card because in Dubai you must have a 6-month active number to get a postpaid. Im not sure how it is in Abu Dhabi.

You can contact me at +971563606699 (Dubai Etisalat mobile number) or aizad.dzulkifli@gmail.com (personal email). Just give me a call or email me if you need any help.

I hope this is useful. Good luck and all the best.

Best regards,

Hi... I have a question.. are you getting these benifits on a monthly bases.. or are you getting it in total..for instance the housing allowance will they give you 150k upfront?

Hi J.

I'm not sure to be honest. The contract they have sent through has everything documented as monthly so guess that this is how it will be paid.  The company are very accommodating and would most likely provide upfront, quarterly payments if I requested them. I understand that most landlords will take post dated cheques though.

The over all yearly package for everything come to about 498.480.000 per year. Which sound quite a lot providing that the cost of living is not too steep.

Any thoughts or advice you have would be most helpful.  Thanks

Hello Thomo1,

For pet relocation I can highly recommend DKC.

They delivered my cat safe and sound the following morning direct to my villa www.dkc.ae

Good luck!

Hey Niki. That's very useful and encouraging. Our cat is very much a part of our family group. Thank you

You are most welcome!

How do you find the lifestyle in the UAE. Better than the UK?

Absolutely

My only regret is not moving here earlier!