Job Discussion Forums

[currentaffairs]

I have been reading the HCT thread and someone mentioned that rent was around 7-8,000 dirhams per month in Abu Dhabi for a one bedroom apartment. I suspect that this is on the low side, and also I guess that rent would be about 9-10,000 dirhams in Dubai for a basic place that was not in a compound.

As I would like to work in the UAE at some point I would be interested in hearing about the rent that people are paying in these cities..

Even with a big annual salary of 80,000 USD, if you are spending up to 25,000 USD on rent and adding in the living costs it doesn't seem as attractive!

[veiledsentiments]

[currentaffairs]

I would just like to get a feel for what the costs are from a few teachers.. And, if their allowances are covering them!

[nomad soul]

[Gulezar]

Nomad's advice on checking dubizzle is correct.

Abu Dhabi has changed over the last few years. There are many options for renting, depending on your "wish list": with or without car, parking, drive time, on island/off island, schools, facilities and the list goes on.

Make sure that any apartment is accepted by the municipality as a rental unit. About 8 years ago, the Emiratis made a mad rush to throw walls up in their huge, extra homes and created rental income out of those homes. A huge "mahilis" sitting room could become a studio, once a kitchen area and bathroom were installed. The numerous kid's bedrooms also became studios; after the walk-in closet had a sink and some cupboards put in, it was a kitchen. Such a home conversion could net $300,000 (yes, USD) in rent back then.

Since then, many towers have been built with the expat lifestyle in mind: pool and gym other facilities.

The lifestyle of Abu Dhabi has improved. There are many free lectures, films and events. Dubai has a lot to offer, but the traffic can be daunting. However, many folks plan their life around the Metro stops and live without a vehicle.

The Emirates beyond Abu Dhabi and Dubai have their advantages, too.

As far as cost of living, I would say that a single person can do well in the UAE. The squeeze is coming on the families, especially those with several children. There are several extra-curricular means of accumulating cash, for example tutoring and examining. However, if a parent has to hire child care, it might not be worthwhile for the parent to do this.

15 years ago, the norm was sponsorship of an employee. Housing, insurance, banking and utilities were handled by the employer and the employee just had to come in and set up his flat like an IKEA showroom with the generous "housing allowance". Now folks tend to get a "cost of living allowance". They are on their own as far as finding a place to live. The employer still might offer a "housing allowance" to new employees. That would be a one off, and must be paid back, prorated, if the contract is not completed.

[dragonpiwo]

I'd agree with the above. For the single person you can do really well regarding stashing cash. The oilfield gigs have free everything and you just head into town for 3 nights a week or stay on a 5* camp if you fancy a chilled weekend by the pool. However, when the family comes over, you have to rent. In AD a 1-bed is around 6-8k a month (can be less can be more).

The other thing you have to make sure of is the 'Tawtheek' rental contract. Get that and you can sponsor people. Someone told me you can't if you don't have it. The other bummer is that a lot of places demand the full year's rent up front, so you have to negotiate. I think if you have a wife, you want to be getting her a car, especially if she's a looker

Food prices are OK. You can eat pretty reasonably. Even the shop-bought booze is OK. The beaches are free and there are cycle paths for biking. It doesn't need to be a pimped up lifestyle.

The 5* life needs a 5* salary if you go down the nice hotel route you won't save owt.

Just guessing but a budget for a single person could look like this: Rent 6k, bills 1k, car 2k, food 3k+ what you spend on entertainment. For a couple the figure would't be that different.

However, add kids, more food, more entertainment, childcare, more flights home and it gets real-real quick.

[tennyson]

Dragonpiwo is spot on with estimates. I pay 6k monthly rent in AD for a 1 bed and that's considered cheap.
Btw dragonpiwo. Do you have any info on 'oilfield gigs' - where to start looking etc ?

[currentaffairs]

[tennyson]

Dubai is a much bigger city with more diversity in terms of rental markets. It depends where you live.. International city and discovery gardens are cheaper areas . However I think there is a rule that if you work for Abu Dhabi education authority [actvet/adveti ) you have to live in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to comply with rules Rez accommodationallowance

[rdobbs98]

Dubai rents tapped out last year because many moved to Sharjah and Ajman when Dubai removed the rent caps. Even in International City and Dubailand, the rents are still higher than Sharjah or Ajman, but traffic is horrible in Sharjah and Ajman now.

Rents in Dubailand and International City run around 65,000 to 75,000 AED yearly for a 2 bedroom and only a little bit less for a one bedroom. You can get a decent 2 bedroom in a nice area of Sharjah, Corniche, for around 42,000 to 55,000 AED yearly. Ajman you can find 2 bedroom from 38,000 on up yearly.

Abu Dhabi has high rents and is not as fun as Dubai is. Abu Dhabi is too spread out and only tries to copy what Dubai does. If you want an active place to live, live in Ajman or Sharjah and drive to Dubai when you are free.

Watch out for brokers who aren't licensed or are just gophers for the apartment managers. These guys will place ads and show you the apartments but in the end you have to pay the apartment management a commission and these guys will hit you up for commission too. It is illegal for them to do this.