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Jaheebus
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 4
Location: Chicago
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 Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:14 pm Post subject: Input on Job Offer |
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Hi All,
My family and I are considering a move to Al-Ain. I received an offer and I am curious about any input you might have. In particular, I am wondering if this offer seems adequate for a family of four (two infants), and if this seems a reasonable offer for the position. In addition to knowing about the cost of living in Al-Ain--with a possible commute to Dubai several days a week--we are also concerned about initial expenses (shipping, furnishings, etc).
The position is as Assistant Professor in a language Dept. at UAEU, for which I am well-qualified with a PhD and several years of US collegiate teaching experience along with several publications.
Offer details:
Salary: 262,944 Dirhams per annum (21,912 AED per month)
Housing: Provided by University
One-time Furniture Allowance: 40,000 AED
Educational Allowance: Max of 15% of salary per year (39,441 AED)
Relocation Allowance: 2,000 AED
I should add that we would need childcare five days a week, and that between my spouse and I we carry a large student loan debt towards which we would still need to be making payments. We are excited about the possibility, but hesitant about the move for any number of reasons. Any help folks could provide about living on this salary would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks much! |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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education for children is a big expense and all the extras add up quickly. You say you need full time child care? Then you have to add on the cost of a nanny as most day care centres don't run 0600 to 1800 hrs as they might do in the West.
The education allowance IMHO will make or break your decison to (a) come or (b) stay.
Do more research on reasonable educational instititutions for your kids. |
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uaeobserver
Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 236
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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survivable in Al Ain --- but you're not going to be striking it rich.
Salary - 25,000 would be more adequate (still not great)
Housing -- be careful - there's some slimey housing arrangements.
(when I was in the UAE, the head of housing was questionable)
Furniture - adequate ---- in fact - if you're shrewd with money, it's plenty.
(buy USED furniture!)
Education ---- marginal
Relocation Allowance: 2,000 --- hardly generous - but adequate - You'll need to leave your book collection at home.
You didn't mention travel ---- check for that.
There's worse places than Al Ain on this planet - but beware that as a much smaller town, they're a little more conservative than Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Al Ain offers decent access to Oman - if you like exploring the outdoors (weekend trips to Muscat or summer trips to Salalah).
They have a huge mall if shopping is your forte (designed to lure money in from Oman). |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: Input on Job Offer |
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| Jaheebus, you mentioned that you'd need child care five days a week for your two babies; however, you didn't state if that would be from 9-5. Is this because your wife will be working too? |
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Jaheebus
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 4
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:19 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the replies and input thus far. Yes, Nomad Soul, the hope is that my wife would be working also. Because of our current work schedules, our twins are in daycare in the US from 0700-1700 m-f. We are sincerely hoping to use her income to pay out loans and build up savings, which is why I did not factor her income into my original question. Any further input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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alsysgo
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:47 am Post subject: Input |
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| That is a good salary. It doesn't get too much better than that in the UAE. |
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alsysgo
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:56 am Post subject: Input |
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| That is a good salary. It doesn't get too much better than that in the UAE. |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:41 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Educational Allowance: Max of 15% of salary per year (39,441 AED) |
As far as education goes for your kids that amount is perfect.
At your kids ages the normal rate per month is around AED2000 so if you calculate a ten month school year it will end up being about AED 40 000 although I stand to be corrected.
Check out Sunflower Nursary. I know a few people with kids there and they all seem to be happy. They also offer daycare.
The new Al Ain International School, which some say is the best in the city, is about AED4000 a month per child though so that would be half of what you would need if you send your children there at a later stage.
Manor Hall is another popular international school which charges about AED2000 a month per child so if you sent your kids there that amount would be fine.
Of course the amounts above include buses to school (they have school buses) but not books and uniforms etc.
| Quote: |
| Salary: 262,944 Dirhams per annum (21,912 AED per month) |
25% to 75% more than ESL teachers with MA's or less. That amount is on the high end of the scale these days.
| Quote: |
| Housing: Provided by University |
I was recently in a single teachers's apartment and it was huge and in a fantastic location so I can imagine as a family you will get something even better. For example the villas behind Abela which are very nice.
| Quote: |
| One-time Furniture Allowance: 40,000 AED |
That is double what other places pay. There are loads of ADEC teachers leaving all year round so you can join the UAE Swap and Shop Facebook Page and pick up furniture that has hardly been used and pay much less than you would buying brand new furniture. They have IKEA in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and IKEA delivers so if you aren't here forever and aren't planning on shipping your furniture back home IKEA should be great.
| Quote: |
| Relocation Allowance: 2,000 AED |
I recently read about a relocation allowance of $750 for a college in Qatar so what you are being offered is on the higher end of the scale. |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| They have a huge mall if shopping is your forte (designed to lure money in from Oman). |
Al Ain isn't as small as some people would like to depict.
It doesn't only have one mall it has two huge malls (Bawadi Mall and Al Ain Mall) and Jimi Mall which I consider a small mall as is has no cinema and fewer restaurants. These malls have every brand imaginable even British chains like Marks and Spencers.
Not to mention Spinneys, Abela, Lulu Hypermarket, Carrefour and Choithram for everyday food and household goods. Abela and Choithram have pork rooms if that is your thing.
I am not sure if you are American but Al Ain has numerous chains which you may be familiar with like Chillis, TGI Fridays, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, MacDonalds, KFC, Fat Burger, Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery, Subway, Caribou Coffee, Starbucks, Costa, Gloria Jeans, Ponderosa Buffet, Fuddruckers (opening soon), Applebees (opening soon) and On the Border (opening soon although I haven't seen the sign recently so hope they haven't backed out as there is no Mexican place in Al Ain).
It has Hili Fun Park which they have been doing up and can be fun for the kids (bumper cars and loads of rides), the Al Ain Zoo, the hot springs at the Green Mubazzarrah and Jebel Hafeet, one of the tallest mountains in the UAE. It also has Wadi Adventure which is the Middle East's first man made whitewater rafting, kayaking and surfing facilility.
Not saying that Al Ain is 'all that' but it is growing quickly and there will soon be a time where people won't be saying things like 'there are worse places on the planet'... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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I have found most families love Al-Ain... the weather is better than the cities on the shore and it's a bit quieter. It is certainly more scenic around there.
Just a couple notes to Jeheebus:
... When you are calculating the finances, remember that this is all non-taxable income... ie... take-home pay. That is $6000 in your pocket with no housing costs, free or cheap health insurance, and travel tickets every year to fly home for your two month's off... not to mention when you complete the contract, you get another month's pay for every year worked. A couple contracts could send you home with a nice down payment for a house. (downside... no chance of tenure... contract to contract with no guarantees)
... You didn't mention your wife's profession. Have you checked into the availability of work for her in Al Ain?
... Most education allowances only pay for K-12 and nothing for day care for the smaller kids.
VS |
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