Job Discussion Forums

[holbrook]

As another poster said "have you thought about Korea or Japan. With current exchange rates a teacher with a BA in just about anthing can easily make the same money or better with lots of opportunity for extra money on the slide.

I've be in RAK for a few years and to tell you the truth it is a great place but it is not for the socially active. There is a new highway to Dubai that now make the trip in less than a hour so the social side is improving.

There is lots of local cultrure here. It's fun to drive around in the desert, up in the mountians or out into Oman. The beaches are nice but, there really aren't any open (public/free) where you can just go read a book and have a beer. Most public beaches here are full of quad bikes and people who will stare at you all day if your a western lady. You have to pay to join the hilton beach and that'll cost you a months salary. Also if you want to see the mountains or the desert you'll need a good 4x4 which will cost money. In fact there is no way to live in RAK without a car.

MONEY: Bottom line..... If you can get by eating at home everyday, spaghetti, sandwhiches and the like you'll save maybe a $1,000 a month, assuming that you don't do to many weekends in Dubai, and you just go home for the summer break. If you plan to explore, take trips to Oman, eat in the thousands of hotel resturants in Dubai then you will not save anything. Many teachers here making 10 or 11 thoushand barely end up saving 1 thousand a month. I can't manage to save much here at all and I'm making 12,000, although that is also because I have a wife and two kids as well.

Seriously if you just want to teach english, make some coin and travel (and you have no special intrest in the MiddleEast) then you'll get a better deal in Korea. I worked there for 5 years, traveled more, made more money, and had a better time. I only came here for the better housing and schooling for my kids. Without kids in school there is very little advantage to living here.

[veiledsentiments]

So Holbrook,

How are the schools for expat kids in RAK? People ask me and I don't know. It would be great if you could note it here for any who might be interested. What is available and what are the fees these days?

VS

[ecl]

[/i]But as my co-workers tell me every chance they get "there is only one reason people come here, and you are lying to yourself if you think otherwise. $$$

Hear hear. I've managed to save about 50-55% of my salary over the past 9 years. Being single helps. To do so you have to establish a strict budget and adhere to it. As soon as you get paid it's a good idea to send your savings out of the country without delay. NOt that I am enticed by the so-called enticements here. Saving and the consequent frugality it requires is a way of life wherever you happen to live.

[veiledsentiments]

Well, yes... but isn't that true everywhere in the world for almost all of us? How many of us would work if we hit the lottery and didn't have to? Most of us have as our goal to make as much as we can in as pleasant a place as possible.

I think RAK fits the bill for many...

[ecl]

Very good....the apologist sticking up for her RAK buddies.

[veiledsentiments]

[younggeorge]

[holbrook]

As stated before. I am very happy in RAK. Life here is good. Great camping in the mountains, lots of open dessert to drive around on, a rent free beach front villa. I don�t complain too much. The only thing is that it's not an easy place to save big money. If money is ALL you are after then don't come here. You can make 2 to 3 times this salary in Korea or Japan. Moreover if you�re into nightlife and meeting lots of people and seriously interacting in a new culture, learning a new language or exploring new delicious foods, don't come here. Go to Korea or Japan. This place is usually pleasant enough and a lot of fun at times. You're not going to save a lot unless you look yourself up everyday just reading books and eating lots of basic foods. And you don't have children, or at least you don't buy your kids toys, books, new clothes or other niceties.
I only have one life and it can't be extended. I personally would not want to live like sh*t for a few years just to save some money. I would take a job on an oil rig for 3 months at a time if that is what I wanted.

About the 50% savings business: I've met two people who save that much and I can tell you that they do live terribly. Everyone has different standards. These people would save money anywhere. Get a job teaching in the states and live in live in a trailer park. Eat a lot of canned tuna and jarred pasta sauce. Bottom line is I wouldn�t live in a voluntary prison, nor force my kids to live in one for an extra thousand dollars a month. But that�s just me.

[younggeorge]

[veiledsentiments]