Job Discussion Forums

William. · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 35

I've heard that for those interested in saving money teaching english as a foreign language, the middle east is the place to do it (saudi arabia in particular). is this true? any countries other than SA that pay well?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Hmm. I first came here in 1970. I am still only one paycheque away from bankruptcy. There must be a moral there somewhere.

Mind you I am surrounded by the Brotherhood of 300 and the 500 Club who have probably salted away millions.

William. · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 35

ick... well this sounds like a distant idea I won't be entertaining for very long...

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

Well... that was one competitor for the jobs that was easily gotten rid of. Laughing

There are also those of us who went to the Gulf and managed to save enough to retire in our early 50s. Though as a woman, I avoided Saudi Arabia. Plus it was my second career.

It depends on your credentials and lifestyle. Scot47 and I are about the same age, but chose different lifestyles. And both of us are relatively happy with our choices. (right Scot?)

VS

boonie pepper · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

You can save quite a bit here depending on your lifestyle. The UAE is a nice balance of salary and livability. I am spending more on entertainment and food; however, the money is growing in the bank.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Salaries tend to be lower in Oman than in neighboring countries, but I'm doing fine. I send home half of my salary every month (about $1200 or so) and live very comfortably on the other half. Granted, there's not much to spend your money on in humble little Nizwa, but I do make frequent trips into Muscat.

d

margaurina · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 14

If I was making a decision on that, I would take Oman. Students are great - well in the main - still a little innocent and unspoiled. Different to UAE, in particular Dubai. Just my experience. But the money is higher in the UAE, but so too are the costs involved. What do you want - livability or great students?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Swear a solemn vow of chastity and obedience and you might save a few riyals, or dirhams. If you have dependants or expect to lead a reasonable, sensible and half-sane life, you will not save much.

Sanity in the Middle East COSTS MONEY. If you doubt this look at local members of the Fellowship of 500. Not a sane one amongst them !

rocketchild · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 96

[quote="scot47"]Swear a solemn vow of chastity and obedience and you might save a few riyals, or dirhams. If you have dependants or expect to lead a reasonable, sensible and half-sane life, you will not save much.
Sanity in the Middle East COSTS MONEY. If you doubt this look at local members of the Fellowship of 500. Not a sane one amongst them ![/quote]

so true so true...i have met teachers who do nothing but work, eat at home, and sleep.

they seem to the most anti social animals i have ever met. Even when i invite them to the beach you can see they are worried about some hidden costs. LOL.

It costs to FEEL normal in the ME.

Health club membership ranges from 1000 to 2000 dollars per year. Car, 400 to 800 dollars per month, and if you don't have a vehicle you can cut your sanity by 75 percent or more.

It is very boring for the person with the car to drive 100 kilometres to pick up their cheap friend who won't pay for the bus or a taxi or petrol. I have had too many of these free loaders who think that somehow because I have wheels it means a FREE ride for them, while I shell out 600 dollars per month plus petrol and insurance. Well, it doesn't take long to stop visiting with these people, till they are left alone at home, sleeping in the dark A/C room, sinking into deeper and deeper depressions.

While the rest of us, are out at the sports club, driving out to the desert or wadis, going to visit other nearby villages etc... yes saving less but living.

Shell out boys/girls...it isn't FREE to live in ME.

ADSL, for watching much missed programs on youtube etc....wait i think it is going to be BLOCKED soon, so...count more unhappiness.

Satelite tv, not cheap.

mobile calls expensive
skype blocked by the gov't.

western magazines and newspapers triple the price.
drinks 10 to 15 euros per drink in a hip bar.

how much is the UNI or SCHOOL offering ...think again.
the US DOLLAR has killed working in the Middle East for teachers in most places.

it was never AMAZING, but now it is hardly worth it. I think teachers in low paying countries like ITALY are saving more and enjoying their lives 100 percent more.

What does life mean to you. This is the first question you need to answer.

If you are a happy normal person who likes to go out and do things...than maybe you need to not be in the Middle East while the dollar is dying.

Money has a funny way of affecting our lives. Yes we need to save. But at what costs?

007

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

pat blake · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kuwait

I work at Kuwait University. With our last pay rise, I make about 60,000 a year and can save a lot of that and I am not a miser. I am not getting rich, especially since the pay rise has just been in the last couple of years. However, someone youngish starting out now would do pretty well.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

Where in the ME have you lived, rocketchild? It certainly isn't KSA.

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

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

You're right - USAnians tend to refer to 'cell' phones.

I was thinking more of the poster's constant references to US dollars as a guide - except when buying drinks in a 'hip bar' (?) BTW while we're on the subject of drinks in hip bars, I'm no expert but I can say that drinks would be that price and sometimes more in 'hip bars' in major European cities.