39,750 AED salary per month enough in AD?

Hi Mark,

That is a good package. I would say it was about the average maybe slightly above for western expats, not including teachers and cabin crew. I pay 115,000 PA for a 1 bed in Etihad Towers, that is expensive in Abu Dhabi. For Reem island you're looking at 80,000 - 100,000 for a big 1 bed - So budgeting 10,000 PM should cover all bills as well. Car rental or purchase would be your next expense - Cheapest rental for a month is 1200 for a very basic car. I pay 2000 for a slightly bigger car. Alternatively just use taxis, for me it works out the same amount a month I just like the freedom of having a car. Etisalat is a rip-off, cheapest internet is 350pm and they may just charge you more for no reason on phone bills. If you want good channels on TV and you use your phone a fair bit, pessimistically I would budget 1000 for that. Food/drink, I probably spend 500pw in the supermarket and then the same again out, so 3000-4000PM depending if you like a few beers.
All in all, your calculations are pretty spot on. However, if you have a very active social life or do activities on weekends, that is what cost money in this place. Personally I could live on 5000 PM easy, but with zero fun - I budget 6000-7000PM and that covers enjoying life also.

Also - it is compulsory by law for your employer to provide medical/health insurance. My company does the bare minimum and I do my own Life and critical illness/disability - but there will be something from them.

Cheers

Andy,

Thanks for your reply- much appreciated and some good advice- In regards to apartments, are apartments provided furnished?

No problem at all you are welcome. The vast majority of them are not. When I first moved here I found an agent who rented on a monthly basis, fully furnished and all bills included + internet, phone etc. That was 130,000 PA and the location and quality of the place wasn't that good, so you can do it but you pay a premium.
Everywhere else will be unfurnished, some even don't have appliances which is why I chose to pay more for a place, as it has everything. I furnished my place on the relative cheap. I regret a few things like the cheap plywood desk as I will inevitably end up replacing it, but it was 100AED. I don't recommend IKEA at all, I think it is over priced and everything falls apart if you have to move as its chipboard. The best things I got were actually used, from 'dubizzle' or new from a shop in Abu Dhabi mall called 'the one', which is quite reasonable and nice. I also use Groupon a lot, they have mattresses, sofas etc .
The worst thing about the rent is you can't pay monthly, it's yearly, bi-annually or 3 payments if you are lucky.

has everything as in fridge, washer, oven etc, not furniture.... Also you will need to get curtains too, mine cost about 2000 AED which is cheap