Information that everyone needs about Dubai. Updated July 2009. Read before posting.

[ConsideringDubai]

This was really useful info!

Myself, my hubbie and two friends are considering a move to Dubai for a year and having done some research I'm really confused as to whether it's a good or a bad plan. Some threads / websites are saying that things are really bad there and others say it's brilliant!

I basically would love to hear from people living there now what it's really like to live, work etc. in Dubai. My husband is in IT and has seen a few jobs he could apply for. I would love to work in radio / music (as that's where most of my qualifications and experience are) but also have marketing/admin experience so would be happy getting a job in marketing or as a PA too. Are those kind of jobs around at the moment for expats coming in?

Also, is it best to get a job, accommodation etc. sorted before going over? It would be very risky to pack everything up here and move over with no job secured.

When people are talking about the Dubai situation being bad at the moment, is that pretty much just around the property market / industry?

Sorry for all the questions but I have one more (for now!). If my husband gets a job and we decide to go, will it be ok for me to go over with him and then look for a job?

Thanks a mill!

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by ConsideringDubai

This was really useful info!

Myself, my hubbie and two friends are considering a move to Dubai for a year and having done some research I'm really confused as to whether it's a good or a bad plan. Some threads / websites are saying that things are really bad there and others say it's brilliant!

I basically would love to hear from people living there now what it's really like to live, work etc. in Dubai. My husband is in IT and has seen a few jobs he could apply for. I would love to work in radio / music (as that's where most of my qualifications and experience are) but also have marketing/admin experience so would be happy getting a job in marketing or as a PA too. Are those kind of jobs around at the moment for expats coming in?

Also, is it best to get a job, accommodation etc. sorted before going over? It would be very risky to pack everything up here and move over with no job secured.

When people are talking about the Dubai situation being bad at the moment, is that pretty much just around the property market / industry?

Sorry for all the questions but I have one more (for now!). If my husband gets a job and we decide to go, will it be ok for me to go over with him and then look for a job?

Thanks a mill!

Everyone's experience is different. Some adjust to life here easily and enjoy it, others never settle and are unhappy. Ideally, everyone would come over for a few days orientation to get a feel for Dubai before making a decision.

In the current climate do NOT move here without having a job secured. Without a job you cannot obtain a residency visa, rent a home etc. There are IT jobs but for a 'Western' salary your husband will have to be senior management level or above. Radio/music is probably one of the hardest areas to get into so be warned. Stations are run on a shoestring and music is a fledgling industry compared to many places.

Whilst construction & property have been the worse hit, there have been knock on effects in many areas. The UAE has been hit by the global recession as has just about everywhere else.

If your husband gets a job, he can sponsor you so that you also get a residency visa. Not so easy the other way around.

Do your research and keep asking questions. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

-

[Amtobi]

Great info!

I am a female physio coming over in Oct, does that count as one of the professions that can bring over their husbands on a residency visa?

Thanks!

[TheKos]

"Accommodation

Accommodation is still expensive, despite the drop in prices over the past few months. Ensure that you get a big enough housing allowance to cover your rent, or factor this in with your basic salary. Fewer people get hefty housing allowances these days. Ralism is finally creeping in and it is now more common to pay quarterly, six monthly, or even more frequently in a few cases. Many employers will advance rent from salary.

The area where you choose to live should largely be dictated by where you will be working. Rush hour traffic can be very bad, so best to minimize journey times. Prices vary between areas and the type of development you choose.

One bed apartment – from AED 70K
Two Bed apartment – from AED 110k
Villas - 3 bed - AED 200k average
Villa 4 bed - AED 300k average
Villa 5 bed - AED 400k average "

Unlike in many other countries it is common to live in apartments. Most decent buildings have a pool and a gym.





Good Morning/Afternoon from Florida, USA ~
About a year ago the hubby & I were considering an offer & 'chickened out'. Well, we're back now & couldn't be more excited/nervous/anxious . We should be Dubai way in about a month.
Question regards to renting Apt or Villa: Are utilites included in the listed annual rent amounts or are utility bills additional?

Thank you for your time & assistance~ I'm sure we will have oodles more questions in the coming days

[Nickel]

Hi - from one American to another!!

To answer your question - No, utilities are not included in the rental price though "chiller" charges might be (air conditioning). DEWA (Department of Electricity and Water) is a separate bill though not nearly the price in the States.

In addition, you will have internet/cable and phone charges. Depending on where you live, you might have the choice of either Du or Etisalat (where I live it is only Etisalat). I think the internet charges are outrageous (compared to home) and not as reliable as at home (the internet seems to wax and wane).

Hope this helps a little!!

Originally Posted by TheKos

Accommodation

Accommodation is still expensive, despite the drop in prices over the past few months. Ensure that you get a big enough housing allowance to cover your rent, or factor this in with your basic salary. Fewer people get hefty housing allowances these days. Ralism is finally creeping in and it is now more common to pay quarterly, six monthly, or even more frequently in a few cases. Many employers will advance rent from salary.

The area where you choose to live should largely be dictated by where you will be working. Rush hour traffic can be very bad, so best to minimize journey times. Prices vary between areas and the type of development you choose.

One bed apartment – from AED 70K
Two Bed apartment – from AED 110k
Villas - 3 bed - AED 200k average
Villa 4 bed - AED 300k average
Villa 5 bed - AED 400k average

Unlike in many other countries it is common to live in apartments. Most decent buildings have a pool and a gym.





Good Morning/Afternoon from Florida, USA ~
About a year ago the hubby & I were considering an offer & 'chickened out'. Well, we're back now & couldn't be more excited/nervous/anxious . We should be Dubai way in about a month.
Question regards to renting Apt or Villa: Are utilites included in the listed annual rent amounts or are utility bills additional?

Thank you for your time & assistance~ I'm sure we will have oodles more questions in the coming days

[TheKos]

Hi Nickel~ Thank You for the reply & info!

Disappointed to hear that the internet is expensive & unreliable...kinda bites, doesn't it? Not that I know much about it, but I've heard they've banned VOIP over there as well~ there goes trying to save on calls back home....
Are the utilities (& extra's like internet, etc.) paid monthly like here in the U.S, or is that to be paid in advance, multiple checks or ???

Any other things we may need to be aware of that you found as surprising when you first went to Dubai, in just day to day 'living'? Do you feel comfortable socially as an American there? I've heard that the smallest percentage of Westerner's are American~ just curious~ going thru those old 'new school jitters' I guess~ lol

Thanks again!

[Nickel]

Awh, it really isn't so bad. Just think of the US about 15 years ago (in terms of the internet)!! Yup, utilities are paid monthly (I am pretty sure) as my company pays it for me and it is taken out of my paycheck. Presently, I have a large 1 bedroom flat and I think this bill is for May and it was for 180 Dhs (~$50 for water, electricity and sewer).

Download Skype before you come as you cannot access the download site here. I have also used Yahoo Messenger for calls (they have a call in and call out) and my computer has a US "phone number" so my family can call me without the overseas call rates.

Let's see - day to day living. Ummm........... Buy clothes you want while you are still in the States. Here - too expensive and downright ugly unless you are into designer stuff which will cost an arm and a leg. I also brought over Tylenol and Motrin in the big Walmart bottles - the 500 count ones. Don't have such large quantities here. Supermarkets -both large and small - are everywhere. If you bring over electronics, you can get the transformers to convert the electricity down to 110 here, so that isn't a problem.

My parents lived here in the '80's and there were many more Americans than there are now. But I just read an article that states there are about 20,000 here. Not sure where because I am definitely a minority where I work. But it is so fascinating listening to all the accents!!! They say I have an accent but that just isn't true!!

Do you know where you will be living? Anything else I can answer, just shoot the questions my way!

I love it here. Was here from Oct-Feb but got laid off. Came back in May hopefully for the full 3 years of my companies contract.

Originally Posted by TheKos

Hi Nickel~ Thank You for the reply & info!

Disappointed to hear that the internet is expensive & unreliable...kinda bites, doesn't it? Not that I know much about it, but I've heard they've banned VOIP over there as well~ there goes trying to save on calls back home....
Are the utilities (& extra's like internet, etc.) paid monthly like here in the U.S, or is that to be paid in advance, multiple checks or ???

Any other things we may need to be aware of that you found as surprising when you first went to Dubai, in just day to day 'living'? Do you feel comfortable socially as an American there? I've heard that the smallest percentage of Westerner's are American~ just curious~ going thru those old 'new school jitters' I guess~ lol

Thanks again!

[TheKos]

Originally Posted by Nickel

Awh, it really isn't so bad. Just think of the US about 15 years ago (in terms of the internet)!! Yup, utilities are paid monthly (I am pretty sure) as my company pays it for me and it is taken out of my paycheck. Presently, I have a large 1 bedroom flat and I think this bill is for May and it was for 180 Dhs (~$50 for water, electricity and sewer).

Download Skype before you come as you cannot access the download site here. I have also used Yahoo Messenger for calls (they have a call in and call out) and my computer has a US "phone number" so my family can call me without the overseas call rates.

Let's see - day to day living. Ummm........... Buy clothes you want while you are still in the States. Here - too expensive and downright ugly unless you are into designer stuff which will cost an arm and a leg. I also brought over Tylenol and Motrin in the big Walmart bottles - the 500 count ones. Don't have such large quantities here. Supermarkets -both large and small - are everywhere. If you bring over electronics, you can get the transformers to convert the electricity down to 110 here, so that isn't a problem.

My parents lived here in the '80's and there were many more Americans than there are now. But I just read an article that states there are about 20,000 here. Not sure where because I am definitely a minority where I work. But it is so fascinating listening to all the accents!!! They say I have an accent but that just isn't true!!

Do you know where you will be living? Anything else I can answer, just shoot the questions my way!

I love it here. Was here from Oct-Feb but got laid off. Came back in May hopefully for the full 3 years of my companies contract.

Thanks Nickel~ you've been SO helpful!
At the moment, the 'tentative' plan is that the hubby will come first, then the daughter & I later actually. So, we've been looking for relatively inexpensive studio's & 1 bedroom's for him~ Discovery garden area (????). If & when the entire family comes together out there, then we've been looking at the Springs area for a reasonable villa. Do you know anything about any of these areas?
His company has just relocated this past week from Dubai to Sharjah, so we're not really sure until he gets there where the best place to live would be~ we all love the beach & would like to be close, but don't want his commute to be insane for work (he's up against that here in Florida!) And we have the added concern of the schools, so our daughter's not on the other side of the emirate for high school, while we live the opposite. Soooo, still trying to sort all that one out!
As to the internet, 15 yrs ago eh? So, sort of the old 'dial up & then wait for each page to come up' routine ? :S I guess it's better than nothing at all...Hubby looked up the Skype, it actually says on the site from here, that it's not banned there~ so I guess it is a matter of making sure it's already loaded on his laptop & here at home before he leaves.
Thanks again for all your help!

[Nickel]

You are very welcome!!

If your husband is working in Sharjah - Discovery Gardens is all the way on the other side of Dubai. While the commute last October would have taken him hours to get to Sharjah, with the economic downturn I find the traffic here not even close to NYC/Chicago/Miami! Quite pleasant though the drivers are insane.

The Springs would still be on the other side of Dubai from Sharjah but it would also depend on where in Sharjah he would be working on how he would get there and how long it would take. Why not live in Sharjah? Less expensive........... oh, but if your husband comes out first he could really "scope out" the place.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the schools as my children are old and grown. I have been told there are reportedly good schools here (Repton, JESS (I think it is still called that)....... for some reason I can't remember some of the other names) but what I find appalling is the school fees!!! No public school here!! LOL!!

The internet truly isn't that bad but not like at home. At least they have wireless routers and Etisalat just put in fiber optic cables!!

Keep asking questions and hopefullly you will get good answers!! I will help all I can or see if I can find out for you.

Originally Posted by TheKos

Thanks Nickel~ you've been SO helpful!
At the moment, the 'tentative' plan is that the hubby will come first, then the daughter & I later actually. So, we've been looking for relatively inexpensive studio's & 1 bedroom's for him~ Discovery garden area (????). If & when the entire family comes together out there, then we've been looking at the Springs area for a reasonable villa. Do you know anything about any of these areas?
His company has just relocated this past week from Dubai to Sharjah, so we're not really sure until he gets there where the best place to live would be~ we all love the beach & would like to be close, but don't want his commute to be insane for work (he's up against that here in Florida!) And we have the added concern of the schools, so our daughter's not on the other side of the emirate for high school, while we live the opposite. Soooo, still trying to sort all that one out!
As to the internet, 15 yrs ago eh? So, sort of the old 'dial up & then wait for each page to come up' routine ? :S I guess it's better than nothing at all...Hubby looked up the Skype, it actually says on the site from here, that it's not banned there~ so I guess it is a matter of making sure it's already loaded on his laptop & here at home before he leaves.
Thanks again for all your help!

[TheKos]

As always, "Thank You" Nickel!
Thankfully, we just have the one left & with only a couple more years of school to go~ the other two are 'old & grown'
Are you familiar with any areas maybe not quite so far from Sharjah, that may be suitable? I looked into the living in Sharjah thing~ my hubby's a Brit & he likes his occasional guiness or beer~ the only one allowed to lash him is ME (lol) So, that definitely won't work. Initially he can do with a studio or 1 bedroom. After reading a particular article, I'm not sure the daughter & I would come out permanently until we come for a visit first to scope things out...
Again, thanks so much~ you've been wonderful to answer my posts!