Job Discussion Forums

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Hello all,

I just have to let you know that finding this blog has been so fantastic and really informative. Thanks all for the wealth of information.

I am relocating to Dubai in June and wondered if you had suggestions regarding a place to live near the above university. Am looking for a 3 bedroom place and my limit is UAD 110K. I have never lived there before and it sounds insanely expensive.

Also I have two young Children that I will need to enrol in primary school. Any suggestions on schools with a good reputation will be really helpful.

Any other tips you may have would be very appreciated.

Regards

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Never heard of the school. Therefore, don't know where it is. AED110,000 probably won't get you anything decent in a good area with 3 bedrooms but perhaps that has changed with the recent exodus.

Schooling is going to be even more of a headache. Hope your benefits cover the fees - good schools are probably about AED40,000 per child plus extras (like buses). There are usually waiting lists for the good schools too. Get your children's names on those lists NOW if you expect to have any chance of admission for September.

It appears this school only started this past January?

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Thanks so much helenl. Can you recommend any schools? No my schooling fees are not covered- so that should be interesting. I have read up to 30,00UAD per child-now I will panick Confused

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

I haven't heard of this place before either and not having either housing or school fees included would make me very, very wary of accepting a position with them. You could find yourself living in a shoebox and sending your kids to a very low level school. You need to do a reality check before going further.

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Many thanks. This used to be eTQM College and has only recently changed status to a university. I should qualify by saying that I get a portion paid towards accomodation. I have done thourough research and it is legititmate

Thanks for advice though.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Which curriculum do you want your kids to follow? American, British, Australian, International Baccalaureate, etc.?

The American School of Dubai has the following fees for the past year posted on their website.

K1 Tuition
29,900

K2 Tuition
36,500
+ Annual Assessment Fee for User Companies 5,510 OR
+ Seat Rental Fee for Non-User Companies 11,020

Grades 1 - 12
54,800
+ Annual Assessment Fee for User Companies 5,510 OR
+ Seat Rental Fee for Non-User Companies 11,020

And I would imagine the other desireable schools would be similar (perhaps slightly less).

Without accomodation fully covered plus 70 -80000AED in school fees - in your position I'd be rethinking this carefully.

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Thanks so much,

My lord that really is stiff!! Shocked

AM think Australian curriculum or International .
Does anyone else have experience iin schooling or some insights into current accomodation prices.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Here's a current ad for flats in Karama - It's not a bad area, but some blocks are better maintained and of better quality than others. There is no place for kids to play outside and the traffic and parking are horrendous at most times of day.

The 1 bedroom starts at AED100,000

1, 2 & 3 B/R, apt. with maid's room, full
AED 100,000 p.a.
1, 2 & 3 B/R, apt. with maid's room, full facilities, C.A/C at Karama, Bur Dubai & Lamcy, Rent Dhs 100K & 120K & 150K. Call Sunshine R/E 04-3491811 / Ref: MM330.

Go the the www.gulfnews.com classified section for more info on rentals but be aware that the real estate companies often do a "bait and switch" where they'll tell you one thing and then when you go to look at it - it's already rented, here's one at 20 - 50% higher rent.

Also, many landlords insist on a full year's rent in advance, although I have heard some are willing to take 2 payments and a few will take monthly payments.

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

You are a star! Can you clarify for me what 1, 2 & 3 B/R, apt. mean as I have had a look at the gulf news and there is a lot of referencethat is listed like that. Does that they have 3 bedrooms or they have apartments up to 3 bedrooms? What are some other areas we could consider that is children's friendly?
Many thanks

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

a 1 bedroom flat starts at AED100K, a 2 bed flat at AED120K, and a 3 bed AED150K.

This means your allowance of AED110K will not cover a 3 bedroom flat in a very crowded and older part of Dubai. The ad does not state if utilities are included which can also be an important factor. In my experience they're not included but in a flat they're not usually horrendously high either.

In newer blocks near to parks etc. these prices will only get higher.

Highly recommend you look again at your offer and benefits and look at the prices in Dubai for accomodation & schooling

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Thanks so much for your help. My package is AED300K+ and my husband will be seeking work (IT/KM industry) once school starts. What do people think?
cheers

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

Do you mean that your total compensation package is 300,000 dhs? Total? Or is this the salary plus you get some allowances? For comparability, we normally give salary amount plus benefits (free housing? housing allowance? furniture allowance? school fees? medical?)

If this is the total, it will cover rent and tuition for the kids and leave you with barely enough to buy food.

Also... you will need to furnish this flat. Are you getting a furniture allowance? Most universities pay you about 30,000 for this. And, if you really want to know if this is a fair compensation package, we need to know your credentials. BA? MA? PhD? years of teaching experience?

VS

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Many thanks

300,000 + and also free airfare travel once a year for all family, shipment cost of furniture, medical insurance for all, allowance for rent (5000uad per month)-no support for fees.

My husband will also be looking for work. I have read that rents are down by about 15% and more places on the market because there has been big exodus.

MA with 15 years experience.

Cheers

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

Thanks... assuming that your MA and experience are related to what you will be teaching, you should be near the top of the scale. If you add your housing and salary that would equal 360,000 Dhs. I have never heard of a furniture shipping allowance and wonder how much that will be. (almost no one ships furniture in...)

From what has been posted here lately, MA+15 would be an annual salary of 200-225,000 Dhs. So to compare:

212000 Salary (average of above range)
150000 (rent cost shown above - most universities provide free housing)
140000 (primary school fees for 2 children given above)
30000 Furniture Allowance

532000 - approximate usual salary/benefits

I'm using numbers here to compare your offer to an employer like HCT, ZU, AUS...

I think your offer seems very low.

VS

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Integrity - be aware! Your excitement about taking up this position comes through in your postings, but it's blinkering you from seeing what you'll be confronted with on arrival. A miserable lifestyle in the middle of the desert at best. The posters who have responded to your inquiry on this forum are well informed. Look elsewhere, or if it's an e-University, why can't you stay where you are and offer the courses from home and get paid what they're offering you?