Job Discussion Forums

Justateacher · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 24

Hi Gang,

I will be interviewing for a job in Multi-Media Training and the use Graphic Design Software in a UAE. I have a nice life right now in Guangzhou China. I live fairly comfortable and I am not sure whether I should even consider making the move if offered the position. I was asked how much I was willing to accept for a salary and I answered $65,000 a year. Later that afternoon they called asking for an interview for this Monday. Can anyone write to me and send me what their understanding of how much it takes to live in UAE? I am not a big spender and was wondering how much of this money I would be able to save!?? How are expenses on the average broken down? What is the biggest expense? Oh yeah one more thing What is the dating scene like there? I would like an occasional evening with the ladies. Any other factors worth considering would be appreciated. Thanks.

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

You didn't mention the employer, and that certainly matters... but...

Along with that salary, if you plan to save, I would say that you require the normal education benefit package too. That would include free furnished housing (or significant allowances to pay for both - check out the rents, and furniture allowances at the better places are around $8000). You should also get paid tickets - one a year for summer leave. In education, we normally get 6-8 weeks paid vacation. Medical coverage should be supplied and there is normally a gratuity of one month's pay for every year worked.

The availability of women will depend on your age... there are many more single men than single expat women. The local women are off limits, but there are plenty of hookers.

VS

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

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

Actually 15K AED is $4087 a month or $49K a year. It's OK to start as long as decent housing is thrown in.

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

SNB. Thanks. I was just doing very quick and dirty conversion... (it was off...)

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

Having lived and worked in both China and the UAE, I'd say stay in China. Yes, your salary in the UAE may be higher, but there's a bunch of stuff you have to pay for here (car, insurance, utilities, Internet, rip-off rates on cell service) that you don't have to pay for in China - and you have a hell of a lot more freedom and options in your free time. We managed to send as much savings home while living in China as we did living in the UAE - but we had a much better life in China. You don't appreciate things like being able to wear whatever the hell you want or having pork/booze on demand until you live in the Gulf.

Of course, we were making American-scaled wages in China, not Chinese-scaled wages. There are a whole bunch of kids fresh out of college teaching English for $1000 a month, plus housing, and they're happy.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Stay in China! What's the point moving to the Middle East for more or less the same salary. I have worked in Saudi and China, made more and saved far more in China than in Saudi. Life in the major cities of eastern china is far more dynamic and far less stifling than anything the UAE can offer.

TABING · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 123 Location: right behind you

If you have a "nice, comfortable life", why subject you and your family to the trauma of such a big physical and cultural change. I'd stay in China.

GypsyKat · Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

If you had to negotiate your housing allowance, what would you ask for?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

If I had to take an allowance I probably wouldn't take the job unless it was 3 - 5x the going rate for a reasonable accomodation.

Housing prices can change overnight here, and even if you have a lease unscrupulous landlords played silly buggers with tenants in order to get low paying renters out and then immediately turning around and renting at the higher prices to new people.

Right now, the market is relatively quiet - but as said, it can change VERY quickly

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

GypsyKat · Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

Sorry I should have been more specific. I would be looking in Abu Dhabi. I'm open to living off the island, but I don't particularly want to live in Sharjah or Dubai. I'm looking at the Khalifa City's and Al Raha Gardens and something called the Desert Communities. Are these very far out?

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

As of now, the housing situation in Abu Dhabi is the worst compared to Dubai, Sharjah, or Al Ain.

The areas you mentioned aren't only 'very far out', but also dead.
IMO, that is.

Good luck!

GypsyKat · Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

Dead in what way? As in quiet? No worries to me I currently live in Simaisma in Qatar which is 30 minutes outside the main city in the middle of nowhere. Quiet is good.