Job Discussion Forums

Jaheebus · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Chicago

Hi All,
My family and I are considering a move to Al-Ain. I received an offer and I am curious about any input you might have. In particular, I am wondering if this offer seems adequate for a family of four (two infants), and if this seems a reasonable offer for the position. In addition to knowing about the cost of living in Al-Ain--with a possible commute to Dubai several days a week--we are also concerned about initial expenses (shipping, furnishings, etc).

The position is as Assistant Professor in a language Dept. at UAEU, for which I am well-qualified with a PhD and several years of US collegiate teaching experience along with several publications.

Offer details:
Salary: 262,944 Dirhams per annum (21,912 AED per month)
Housing: Provided by University
One-time Furniture Allowance: 40,000 AED
Educational Allowance: Max of 15% of salary per year (39,441 AED)
Relocation Allowance: 2,000 AED

I should add that we would need childcare five days a week, and that between my spouse and I we carry a large student loan debt towards which we would still need to be making payments. We are excited about the possibility, but hesitant about the move for any number of reasons. Any help folks could provide about living on this salary would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks much!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

education for children is a big expense and all the extras add up quickly. You say you need full time child care? Then you have to add on the cost of a nanny as most day care centres don't run 0600 to 1800 hrs as they might do in the West.

The education allowance IMHO will make or break your decison to (a) come or (b) stay.

Do more research on reasonable educational instititutions for your kids.

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

survivable in Al Ain --- but you're not going to be striking it rich.

Salary - 25,000 would be more adequate (still not great)
Housing -- be careful - there's some slimey housing arrangements.
(when I was in the UAE, the head of housing was questionable)
Furniture - adequate ---- in fact - if you're shrewd with money, it's plenty.
(buy USED furniture!)
Education ---- marginal
Relocation Allowance: 2,000 --- hardly generous - but adequate - You'll need to leave your book collection at home.

You didn't mention travel ---- check for that.

There's worse places than Al Ain on this planet - but beware that as a much smaller town, they're a little more conservative than Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain offers decent access to Oman - if you like exploring the outdoors (weekend trips to Muscat or summer trips to Salalah).

They have a huge mall if shopping is your forte (designed to lure money in from Oman).

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Jaheebus, you mentioned that you'd need child care five days a week for your two babies; however, you didn't state if that would be from 9-5. Is this because your wife will be working too?

Jaheebus · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Chicago

Thanks for the replies and input thus far. Yes, Nomad Soul, the hope is that my wife would be working also. Because of our current work schedules, our twins are in daycare in the US from 0700-1700 m-f. We are sincerely hoping to use her income to pay out loans and build up savings, which is why I did not factor her income into my original question. Any further input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

alsysgo · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 25

That is a good salary. It doesn't get too much better than that in the UAE.

alsysgo · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 25

That is a good salary. It doesn't get too much better than that in the UAE.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I have found most families love Al-Ain... the weather is better than the cities on the shore and it's a bit quieter. It is certainly more scenic around there.

Just a couple notes to Jeheebus:

... When you are calculating the finances, remember that this is all non-taxable income... ie... take-home pay. That is $6000 in your pocket with no housing costs, free or cheap health insurance, and travel tickets every year to fly home for your two month's off... not to mention when you complete the contract, you get another month's pay for every year worked. A couple contracts could send you home with a nice down payment for a house. (downside... no chance of tenure... contract to contract with no guarantees)

... You didn't mention your wife's profession. Have you checked into the availability of work for her in Al Ain?

... Most education allowances only pay for K-12 and nothing for day care for the smaller kids.

VS

Kally Wally · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 49

The education allowance is way low, even for Al Ain, you can say what you like about HCT but their allowance was recently raised to 120,000 per family (for up to 4 rug rats)......you may have to pay out of your own pocket

Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject:

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

It's a fine offer.

I'd say it beats a off-track offer at some mid-western Po-dunk college.

At the same time - unless you know how to live like Mother Theresa (I've met a few folks who could), money doesn't go very far in the UAE.

Just saying - if you have visions of grandeur about striking it rich in the UAE (around half of the folks I've met did) ---- think again.

If you're purposeful, patient, and tolerent, go for it.

Jaheebus · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Chicago

Thanks again, folks, for all your helpful replies. Let's try this another way:
Given the importance of my wife's career here in the states, and that this is only a temporary, contract position, we are thinking about making it work like an overseas deployment. In other words, she and the children stay here, while I go to Al-Ain and teach out the contract.

This would save a bunch of money there, and with the vacation and roundtrip airfare back home allow me to still spend almost 3 months back in the states with my family.

I would need to send money back home to cover student debt, additional childcare (nanny instead of daycare) and assorted other things. But I would have a surplus from the monthly gross payment and would ONLY have myself to provide for. I have crunched the numbers, and this is what I come up with:

After I send money back to the states, I have just slightly over 10,000 Dirhams each month. Given that housing is provided, my question is would AED 10K per month be enough for one person to live on? I do not expect to live like a king, but I would like to be able to pay my utilities, have a drink at the expat hotels once in awhile, and not starve.

Any input on this scenario would be especially beneficial. Thanks!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Just do some due diligence on utility payments (if you're in a flat they should be fairly low even if the AC is running 24/7 which it will do soon and for 4 or 5 months of the year - you won't be here in summer, but the A/C should run during that time anyways to avoid mold problems - but it wouldn't have to be at the same temp you find comfortable).

What about transport? You will probably want a car - either rented or purchased especially if you are travelling to Dubai several times a week - last time I checked that could run you 2000/mo for a reliable rental possibly less if you purchase when there are "special offers" for new and even less if you buy used (which is a good possibility as HCT and UAEU faculty are selling a reliable used car). Be sure to get it checked thoroughly.

I would say 10,000 is certainly a fair sum to live on as you say you would like and have a couple of frills a few times a month. You might even be able to do OK with less.