Living in Abu Dhabi, living cost and generally the life

Long time lurker, and I just signed up to answer this query.  As someone who will begin an academic job soon in AD after living in Kuwait for a few years, I feel somewhat qualified to answer.

First, what are your qualifications and what is the position?  For instance, PhD and Assistant Professor of Engineering?  Also, is 18000 the gross salary?  For an assistant prof, 18000 AED gross is very low.  Keep in mind AD is the 2nd most expensive city in the Middle East--maybe a *bit* cheaper than Singapore--and housing isn't cheap.  Although rents can vary wildly depending on location/size, you should expect to pay at least 5000 AED/m for a one-bedroom place (please correct me if I'm wrong, folks). 

For context, I've accepted a position as an assistant prof in the humanities and my gross salary is almost double yours.  Most schools in the region stink but Khalifa has a pretty good reputation.  Hope that helps.

Its a research engineer  position in robotics without PhD. Not assistant prof. And its not a gross salary its a total monthly salary , means basic salary is 10800 plus living cost 7800 brings 18 000 plus one month of Basic Salary after completing one year of service. 5000 AED/m for one bedroom apartment is still cheaper then Singapore (here we have government houses called HDB that dont have extra facilities like swimming pool, gym etc and private apartment condo which are resort style with all facilities and one bedroom condo is over 2000 SGD/m)

I have master by research in robotics and more then 5 years experience in robotics field.  Is it 18000 AED good salary for research engineer without PhD?

Don’t come to Abudhabi as living cost is high. You can save only 5 to 7 thousand on monthly basis.