Job Discussion Forums

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Hi all, I've found some interesting info on this website and I was hoping that I can get some questions answered.

I would like to know if 10k+, with housing provided, tickets home for whole family, health insurance for family and free schooling is a good package? Can a family of four survive comfortably on that?

Also, can I bring my domestic helper with me from another country? Does anyone happen to know what the procedure for that is?

Lastly, we have a dog and would like her to come with us.... any advice on that?

Thanks,
Nicki

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

Nicki
We live in Al Ain and the salary you have + the benefits is OK to live on. You could save a few 000 a month once you get settled. Make sure the schooling is fully covered otherwise this can eat into your salary. Getting a domestic helper is quite possible so I suggest you contact your embassy for details. Same with the dog. Be aware that dogs are not much liked here. How many kids do you have? Which school have you chosen to send them to? Mine are at AAESS.
Tom

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Thanks for the reply and the info.

Yup we want the kids to go to AAESS.

While I have you on here.... one more question Smile

How much are cars (4x4) big enough for 1 booster seat and 2 car seats (7 seater?).... we're fine with 2nd hand.

Thanks!

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

Nicki
Anywhere from 20,000 dhs and up. The closer to the summer (when people leave) the better the deals.
Tom

Iamherebecause · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

AAESS is oversubscribed, especially the primary school, so get the children's names on the list a.s.a.p and be prepared to look at other schools. I know people who have started off with children in 2 different schools for a year until they could get them all into AAESS.

AAESS is also going through a period of flux, to put it politely, but is probably still the best option. And they are planning to open more classes in both primary and secondary school. At least they try not to compromise on class size - if a class is full, it's full.

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

Hi Nick.

I'm not sure about where to look for cars in al ain online. but you could try to look at www.dubizzle.com and see what cars are selling for in dubai.

I got my land rover second hand from dubizzle for 10,000 durham and it runs beautifully... but like with buying any used car, buyer beware.

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

I would be very careful of used cars right now because of the many cars damaged in the cyclone in Oman. Best to buy from another western expat if you can. I would rent until I found something that I could trust.

VS

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Thanks everyone for all that great info! We will be heading out in around june/july so maybe we will catch those exoats leaving in the summer and get us a good deal.

Thanks for the tips on AAESS too I will look into it.

Any other info about Al Ain that anyone wants to offer up would be great too Smile

Cheers!

Iamherebecause · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

Have you found the yahoo group, alainexpats at yahoo something something? Sorry can't remember the link. One of the better sites with info about Al Ain is in French - so if you speak French, try to find Ici Al Ain. There's also quite a bit of info on the UAEU web-site if you follow the links about employment, though some of it is rather out of date.

June-July is not a great time to arrive though. University term ends early June, HCT a little later, and the international schools also all close sometime in June. Most expats try to head out. It's hot! But at least nowhere near as humid as Dubai etc.

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

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

we live in a country now where the weather is 32-38 degrees C everyday with 90% humidity! so we're not worried about the heat Smile

Our dog is pretty good, she's not bothered with ppl too much unless they come to the house otherwise on the street she wouldn't approach ppl.

Are the rules different in Al Ain compared to Dubai regarding regulations and rules etc? Are you able to buy property in Al Ain?

Also, does anyone know the procedure on getting a driving licence there? I haven't needed one where we are now but I want to get my licence when I'm in Al Ain.... will that be possible?

thanks again!

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

Al Ain gets hotter than 32-38 degrees C, but it is a dry heat and more bearable than humid places. So, you should be able to adjust well for sure!

Right now, property cannot be bought by expats in Al Ain. But, I was talking to someone about this a few weeks ago who seemed to think that the rules might change soon(ish), where expats can buy anywhere in the country. But, I am not sure if this is true.

Do you have a license from your home country? If so, you should be able to just show it at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles here, pay a small fee and take a little eye test and they will give you a UAE license. That's what I did,. the whole process took about 10-15 minutes and was very efficient (in Al Ain). But, if you do not already have a license, you could get one here...but I have no idea what the rules and procedures are on that one.

A couple more things about driving I wish I had known before coming:

1) you cannot get a UAE license until you have your work visa

2) I was told I could rent a car without an International Drivers License when arriving (just my US license), but that is only true once you have your work visa (which takes some time). If you want to rent a car immediately upon arrival, make sure you bring an International Drivers License with you.

I think you will like Al Ain. It's pretty quiet here, but easy to get around and very pleasant to live in. My husband and I have been here since August and really like it. It certainly grows on you! Very Happy

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:08 am Post subject: Driving licences

If you have no licence at all try to get one before you come - e.g. if British, could you fit in one of those intensive courses in the UK? Presumably there are intensive courses in other countries. They are tightening up a whole load of traffic regulations at the moment which includes the driving test - not sure that people who pass drive any better but it takes longer. And learners can only legally drive a driving school car, and the instructor decides whether or not you are ready to take the test. If you have a licence already whether or not you have to get it translated into Arabic or do a road test depends on what country the licence is from.

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Oh bummer, I was really hoping it was gonna be really easy out there! I only have a provisional licence from the UK haven't got my actual licence yet.

I'm not living in the UK and there are no intensive courses where I am now and the waiting period for tests is months... you have to pass one basic theory test, then a final theory and then have lessons and then pass the practical test. In order to get each of those tests done you have to wait about 3-4 months. It's ridiculous and I've never had the patience to do it.

Was hoping that it would be more straight forward in Al Ain being as small as it is...

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I know a couple of people who have transferred a UK provisional licence. Not in Abu Dhabi emirate, though, and rules may be different there. Worth a shot, though.