Job Discussion Forums

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Interested to know if anyone here has made the move from KSA to the UAE?
If so, how has the ability to save changed? Obviously, this will depend on personal circumstanes, lifestyle, what the employer provides, etc.
I have heard people say you would need to earn double the KSA salary to save the same amount. Is this a fair assessment or stretching it a bit?
I know the quality of life and opportunities to do more are far better in the UAE but it would be nice to know, from people with experience, at what financial cost. Though money is not everything, it would be good to know what to expect before making any changes. Thanks for any feedback.

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

Ixnae · Joined: 31 May 2009 Posts: 16

I just did it. I suppose it depends on what you end up making at the new job, but all in all, I think we're doing a bit better all around.

VS is right about the new stuff deal. We have diverted money to household items that hopefully will last us a bit.

PM me if you want more info.

U.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I was in Saudi from 1992 to '96, the UAE from 1997 to 2002 and 2005-2007, and have been back in Saudi the past two years. No, you certainly don't have to earn twice as much in the UAE to save the same amount. There should be little difference. A Westerner may be tempted to go out on the town more in Dubai or Abu Dhabi than in KSA...but that's hardly a requirement. In the KSA, on the other hand, Westerners tend to take three or four short international vacations from the miserable place just to stay sane. That gets expensive. I know a reasonably thrifty couple who nevertheless spend $20,000 a year on vacations because sometimes the (non-working) spouse needs to get out while the other is working and sometimes, of course, they go together.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

Twice as expensive as Saudi? No way.

Yes, housing in the big cities such as Dubai is a lot more expensive than in any Saudi city, but most employers include housing as part of the deal. Everyday living costs, are somewhat higher in the UAE but not twice as high, by any means. Sure, if you want to go out clubbing you'll get through the cash quickly, but that's a choice you make, it's not obligatory.

In summary, if you managed to save money in Saudi you should also be able to do so in the UAE.

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Many thanks for the feedback. It certainly makes the UAE look more attractive. The problem now is finding a good employer. Even with qualifications, experience, etc. there doesn't seem to be many places with a good salary and reputation!

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

For the good jobs with good pay in the UAE (depending on how you define those, of course), one needs a related MA and a few years of experience.

It seems to me that jobs meeting your criteria are getting slimmer on the ground every year in the Gulf. Crying or Very sad

VS

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

If you have a high school teaching certificate or PGCE and have experience you don't need an MA to teach in Abu Dhabi as the government continues to hire teachers to raise standards in the schools - check out ADEC for more information - pay and benefits are good. IAT, Kaplan and ABU are also recruiting.