Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

It is "illegal" for the landlord to pay the electric??? Anyone have a theory concerning why that is a problem for the government? Yes, it would be odd and seldom seen... but so? Is it because this would mean that you are only renting a room in another flat and thus don't really have your family with you at all?

VS

[Mushakil]

Owners are cutting up villas into apartments, and government is deeming them illegal.

[Gulezar]

The entire process has undergone some changes and tweaking:

Starting June 7, 2012, when a utility bill and land-line were required to renew a visa:
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/visa/rules-change-for-residency-renewal-in-abu-dhabi-official-says-1.1032584

"Residents of Abu Dhabi who wish to renew their residency permits are obliged to submit a valid tenancy agreement in addition to their recent residency�s utility bill. The resident should also list the landline phone number of his or her residence at the time of application."

I would say that you should check with your employer as to the most current ruling when renewing or negotiating a lease.

[veiledsentiments]

One is required to have a land-line? Sounds like the Sheikhs who own the phone company have specially high wasta. I wonder how many current teachers have a land line...

Definitely check with your employer on this... of course most education employers do all of the visa renewals for their teachers. In all of my years in the Gulf, I was never involved with anything related to my visa renewal other than handing over the passport and/or card.

VS

[genericusername]

My experience was it was very hard to save money and that is on a six figure income (USD). There us just so much to do and so much to buy there. If I had been frugal, I could have save at least 30-40k but there was always something to do or some need back home. You must go into it predetermined to put money away as soon as you are paid. That is what I am planning to do at my new job in KSA.

[bin There]

I save close to $40,000 a year and that isn't being so frugal - 2 overseas trips a year, nearly the top Internet package, own 4WD, the ocasional stay at a 5-star hotel...

I think you'd need to eat at 5-star hotels several times a week, shop at Louis Vuitton, and holiday in the Galapagos Islands and Bahamas for it to be hard to save anything less than $20,000 a year.

generic - You must have a house full of expensive goodies:-)

[genericusername]

The truth is my job ended early due to a situation beyond my control, and I was just at a point to start saving when that happened. I would only go for a furnished apartment or buy cheap used stuff.

My point is to do what Warren Buffet says, "pay yourself first."

[Gulezar]

[veiledsentiments]

There are those well-priced carpets. I don't know if the US is outlawing them these days, but I managed to get the maximum back home that they allowed at that time.

That is basically all I schlepped out... and about all I found interesting in the shopping there. (ok... and a bit of gold jewelry)

VS

[genericusername]

I bought my carpets over 20 years ago and actually brought them TO Dubai.

There is always something to spend money on in Dubai, so just get an off-shore account and deposit a set amount as soon as you get your paycheck.

[genericusername]

Gulezar, KSA is our next stop. Luckily, I found a job that, not counting the housing allowance, pays the same as I made in UAE, so I expect to save at least 50-60k /yr there.