Job Discussion Forums

ifychris · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 39

Is a CASH PACKAGE Of (350,000 AED) a year in an American institution, WITHOUT USUAL expat BENEFITS, i.e. housing, settling in, education assistance, end of contract gratuities a good offer?
Please advise.

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

It would depend somewhat on the Emirate... But, housing is a serious issue... as is whether you have children in school and have to pay their tuition.

VS

ifychris · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 39

Thank you, VS, for your prompt response. Will consider leaving the kids in the U.S, and probably rent a one br apt or studio. Can this scenario enable some savings?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:19 am Post subject:

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

That's $95,000, of which $82,000 or more is tax-free in the USA right off the bat (and of course all of it is tax-free in the UAE). So if you have children, keep them in public schools in the U.S. unless you want to go broke.

If you can apply child and mortgage and other tax deductions in the U.S., your entire salary can be tax-free.

Your housing in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, as a conservative estimate, might reach the neighborhood of $30,000 to $32,000 annually for a half-decent one-bedroom apt., unless I am way outdated here.

I would get a two-year-old Toyota Camry (for you WILL need a car in the UAE) for about $14,000. Well worth the cost in comfort, top resale value and the best reliability.

Furniture up front, including TV--$8,000 to $10,000.

Monthly expenses including satellite TV and eating out twice a week and once-weekly outside amusements, car repairs, $1100 = $13,000 (approx) a year

That still leaves you with $26,000 in savings at the end of your first year. In subsequent years you should easily save $50,000 as a single person. Subtract another $7,000 if there are two adults.

NOTE: If you're really completely on your own in regard to housing, be aware that your landlord will want 6 to 12 months of rent in advance. Welcome to the Gulf Middle East. Well...in Ras al Khaimah my property manager accepted 4 months in advance.

ifychris · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 39

Sheikh N Bake: Thank you very for the comprehensive info. Because I am basically on my own with respect to housing, I am willing to go for a short lease (6 months) furnished studio. Can I find such short lease for studios, and how much do I expect to pay on a studio in Abu Dhabi? Would the landlords be willing to rent for 6 months in the first instance, with the 6 months paid up front?

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

I'll stand by my figures for a one-bedroom apartment until someone who still lives in AD/Dubai corrects me. Your lease will normally be one year. I don't know whether you can pay only 6 months in advance in AD or Dubai. My colleges in both cities always had to pay by the year, as far as I know, but in Ras al Khaimah they paid every 4 months. That's all I know.

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

There is a HUGE housing problem in Abu Dhabi right now and finding a one-bedroom place can be nearly impossible for any price. Because of the shortage, I doubt that landlords will do any negotiation on anything.

VS

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

double posted

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

Friends just got a 2 bedroom in AD for 250,000 a year (their school pays for it, but they had to find it). They found it after MONTHS of looking.

One bedrooms and studios are hard to come by in AD.

There are some local families that rent out seperate rooms (like their driver room - if they don't have a driver) but the rooms are very small.

I wouldn't take a job in the UAE unless housing came with it or unless I had a friend of the same sex who I could stay with.

Google some places and see what you come up with:
http://www.sublet.com/area_rentals/uae-abudhabi/abudhabi_rentals.asp#

ifychris · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 39

Like2Answer:

Thank you for your input. I have accessed the link you included, and it appears the going rate for 1 room/bed space is right around 10,000aed. This company known as SUB-LET is in New Jersey, and has no additional information on their postings/listings other than limited information on their web-site.

Do you know other local AD site(s)? Thanks again!

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

Yes, apparently I was outdated. That's $68,000 for the two-bedroom. Even if you could find a one-bedroom, I imagine it wouldn't be that much less. Looks like you would not be able to save any money the first year and not much after that. If we're going to be poor, let's go to Hawaii and be poor...not Abu Dhabi.

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

I'll bet it's $10,000 a month, not 10,000 aed. The default currency at sublet.com is US$ and I don't see any AED there. There is no way you'd get a three-bedroom spacious apt. in AD for 10,000 AED.

ifychris · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 39

Sheikh N Bake: It appears that even with an up-front payment of salary advance of (110,100AED), it could still be quite a challenge to secure an efficiency/studio/1bed for six months. I appreciate your frankness!
Looks like I might take along a sleeping bag, with the desert heat, I wonder?
Cheers!

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

I bet it is 10,000 dirhams a month because the sublease is 1 to 3 months.

Many people get housing from companies. Some people hook up with others that have housing. If you are hooking up with someone who has housing, why not move all your clothes over and pocket 10,000 more a month?

That's why the lease is so short. If one breaks up with their hook-up, one needs to move back home. (see how it says "fully furnished")

I love this country.