Job Discussion Forums

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

Integrity
Your salary and benefits are fine VS has miscalculated on a number of items. May I also suggest that you look in Sharjah for property if Dubiai turns out to be too expensive. Around airport road/academic city you can rent a 3 bedroom villa/bungalow (with garden) starting around 80,000. Primary school for two primary school children at Sharjah English school costs 54,000 per year (not 140,000). You can get to Dubai on the ring road (611) in case people say that Emirates Road (311) is a nightmare (it is). Sharjah is mostly dry but not far from most places. I have friends who commute every day to Dubai and save a lot on costs, (accommodation) which you put in the bank rather than give to someone else to spend.

as you are bringing over some of your own furniture, the amount you spend will depend on how long you want to stay after you have settled in. Carrefour and Home Centre are two decently priced shops for furniture that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Be minimist on furniture, get white goods here and perhaps some cushions. (10-15,000) People tend to spend well beyond their means when they first come and realize after 6 months how much they didn't need to spend!

With your Hubby finding work - then decisions but which car to buy etc.. can be worked out. Hertz (of many) rent a car for about 1700 dhs per month.
Hope this helps

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Just be careful if you do decide to rent in Sharjah. You would want to be as close to the ring road as possible (which might mean you're in the flight path for the airport) as the airport road traffic is getting miserable too.

If you have to commute to Dubai, the time it will take will depend a lot on where your "office" will be located. It may mean upwards of 80 -90 minutes depending (on a good day) each way.

I'm still not clear on your package - your salary is 300,000AED + 60,000AED for housing (you say 5000 per month)?

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

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

I agree with VS; in my opinion this is a poor offer.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

The numbers for education at the Dubai American School are per child, not doubled.

Sharjah English School may have lower tuition but I doubt the standard and especially the facilities are equal. Another consideration with living in Sharjah is the commute to school for the children. I've often seen small children (5 or 6 years old) standing by the side of the road as early as 6am waiting for their bus which will take 60 - 90 minutes minimum to wind its way through Sharjah to school. Of course, if her husband is not working - he could probably only spend 30 - 40 minutes each way doing the school run each day.

I'm still not clear on what her offer actually is - especially the accomodation allowance, which in the original info was AED110,000 and now appears to be only AED60,000 per year?

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

OK VS and Helen1 I understand your misgivings about living in Sharjah and not knowing SES (Sharjah English School).

Integrity was hoping for an Australian school - there is one next to the SES - my friends send their kids there but are in two minds about it.

I live in Sharjah near the airport road and my kids go to SES. It is as good as most of the best in the UAE - facilities, standards, qualified staff etc.. including any of the American Community schools. For primary year/grade KG1/nursery to year/grade 6 it costs 27000 perchild or less for this academic year. It takes me 15 minutes to take the kids to school. We leave around 6.45. I then drive to work. I work in Sharjah. If I worked in Dubai it would take me a further 20 minutes to get to Dubai Academic city via 611) If I lived closer to the school then it takes less time. We live nearly under the flight path. You rarely notice it even with the big Antonovs. We have a bungalow for 80,000 and a large yard.
If integrity finds no joy in Dubai then sharjah is an excellent alternative

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

300,00 per year AND accommodation that is nearly double what I get. Go for it integrity!!

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Dear all,

I am so absolutely humbled by all of your willingness to share your knowledge and experience. A big thank you. Tom, I apprcite yoour input as I appreciate veiledsentiments thoughts. Its just fantastic to hear the differing perspectives-really valuable.

Apologies about confusion re salary. Just over 300.000per year and 5000 UAD contribution towards rent per month, cost for a whole container to ship furniture there and back, annual airfaire for all member of family. Bonus at the end of each year in accordance with govt. legislation.

My research suggests schooling in dubai is around 30,000 per child with the acception of the 'elite' schools.
Cheers

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

So starting from a total of 360,000 (salary + accomodation allowance)
Your budget for accomodation 110,000
School fees averaging by your research 60,000 for both children
leaves your salary at 190,000 or about AED15,800 per month.

What about medical for the whole family? That can set you back a couple of AED1000 per month too.

I still believe that this offer is one I would not consider given your qualifications and experience - ZU, HCT, AUS, etc. all offer a better starting salary plus accomodation, education allowance, annual tickets, medical, and a furniture allowance. Plus, they will get the accomodation for you, it's not the slog you will probably face.

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

Integrity

you also left out if
1. the employer pays for ALL of your visas
2. if your employer is paying for your temporary housing until you find a villa/flat (because hotel stays can be long and expensive)
3. if the employer will help you get the kids into school
4. decoration allowances.

The biggest problem I see with the housing is two fold. First finding housing near enough to where you work (given that sharjah is a rats warren and driving in it, dubai, or AD is a massive pain in the rear), and second is that what will you do when the rent goes up 20% the second year you are there? (it can and does happen, which is why so many people say take an employer who provides housing, not a housing allowance)

I'm of the opinion that you have... ZU, HCT, ECAE, and UAEU all offer better packages, and usually they have their own housing you can choose from. IMHO

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

With your husbands salary and benefits (private sector I imagine) you will be laughing to the bank with 30,000 every month. Good luck

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

That's if hubby can land a job - there's a lot of redundancies being made out there. Also, if he's a local hire, there won't be many benefits probably - even if he does get them, her employer will not double up (i.e. pay housing allowance if he's getting housing).

Integrity · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

mmm, possibly- However, I would like to say that my little experience with UAE employment is that it actually pays to negotiate the type of package one wants. So for example, if they will not pay my husband housing allowance, they may increase their base salary. I was recently made three offers and I found this to be the case.

Cheers