Job Discussion Forums

[haopengyou]

I am considering living in the AD and am trying to find a good standard to gauge the cost of living. I have read many sites and they give costs of housing and other "big ticket" items but I haven't found anything on food.

How much does it cost to order a set meal in McDonalds? i.e. a big mac, fries and coke? not that I want to but I thought this might be a good way to compare the costs of living.

How much is:

rice

flour

chicken thighs? boneless?

yogurt

ground beef

tomatoes

apples

squash

chocolate chips - maybe one of the most important items

I would really be interested in looking at websites for supermarkets but all i have found when googling was street addresses for them.

Is it necessary when living in Abu Dhabi to buy a car?

[veiledsentiments]

I assume that you are North American. Food costs are about the same on average (some things more... some things less... some things the same). It is hard to compare as costs even vary dramatically in different US cities. The most expensive items tend to be imported US processed foods. Fruit and veggies tend to be cheap and high quality.

The necessity for a car depends on where you live and where you work. I considered it 100% necessary after about the 3rd day of standing outside for a half hour in the sun waiting for a taxi when it was 40/110+ with 90+% humidity as it is from May through October.

VS

[GlobalDawg]

Just returned from shopping at Carrefour. The list should give you an idea of food costs. The total came to approximately 260 Dirhams ($71.00).

Item Weight/Volume Price
Carrots Imported 0.620 Kg 3.05
Tomatoes 1.120 " 2.70
Eggplant 0.432 " 1.70
Cucumber 0.926 " 4.55
Lettuce 0.156 " 7.95
Potatoes 0.790 " 2.30
Garlic 0.158 " 0.25
Red Onions ???? 1.75
Chili Peppers Green 0.172 " 1.35
Capsicum Red Imported 0.266 " 3.45
Oranges Navel Egypt 2.510 " 10.65
Pear D�Anjou 0.922 " 11.95
Lemons 0.346 " 1.70
Nile Perch Fillet 0.784 " 29.75
Australian Beef Cubes 0.568 " 19.85
Australian Beef Stroganof 0.354 " 12.35
Chicken Breast Boneless 1.0 " 42.50
Sugar 2.0 " 7.10
California Tuna 6.25/can
Mayonnaise 500ml 9.95
Corn Chips (Tostitos Brand) 17.50
Low Fat Milk 2 liters 10.00
Wheat Bread 5.00/loaf
Mrs. Smith�s Blackberry Pie 780grams 31.65
Brown Eggs 18/carton 14.75

[Splitting Hairs]

Are you single, married, or married with kids and how many/age. Lots of shops - Spinneys, carrefour, Coop, Chiotems, LuLu, Giant. Depends how particular you are!

[anaxiforminges]

Thanks GlobalDawg. I assume that the prices must be more or less uniform across the UAE, for that supermarket category of course.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[GlobalDawg]

Must have been a moron in a different queue. I merely waited for the receipt printout--stupid.

Just kidding, Never.

[Tom Le Seelleur]

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/02/12/price.pdf

[Tom Le Seelleur]

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/02/12/price.pdf

[Tom Le Seelleur]

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/02/12/price.pdf

[15yearsinQ8]

lulu hypermart is cheaper than carrefore
lots of other places are too

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Wow! A TRIPLE post nonetheless! Thanks, Tom!

NCTBA

[uaeobserver]

The souks in Mina used to be the cheapest place to shop - although I'm guessing that's changing.

As I recall --- my grocery bill in the UAE was considerably cheaper (by about 10-15 percent) than my bill in the US (Midwest).

Learn to do without the American brands, and you'll enjoy measurable savings. The pork section is a little on the expensive side, too (that might be a moot thing, thanks to the swine flu scare).

You'll also be a little healtier --- regional food has less junk in it (although the Saudi Cheetos might prove me wrong on that assertion).


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[johnkg]

And what's more, supermarket food in Abu Dhabi is cheaper than supermarket food in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. I've never been to a supermarket in Ajman or Um Al Quwain, but I guess Abu Dhabi's cheaper than these too.

[Iamherebecause]

UAE observer said