Are you moving to Dubai - this might help

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by Tiny

Thanks Elphaba

I appreciate the advice. We have booked our trip for October so will really get stuck in and see what is what.
Our son will be just over a year when we move so no need for schools yet. We do not know if we will still be in Dubai when school time comes though if it does the fees are part of the relocation package.

Areas i like so far, going by the advice in the explorer are Umm Suqeim, Mirdif, Jumeira and Emirates Hills.
I am not so keen on Oud Metha , Umm Harair as it looks to be quite built up and busy. We are not huge fans of hustle and bustle so if we can live in a *quieter* area then this would suit.
I appreciate Umm Suqeim is quite far out...it estimates travel to the airport is 25 mins....would you agree? My husband will be working shifts and this normally means travel is not at peak time...that is of course only beneficial if there is a 'non/peak time'
We are not yet sure what type of accomodation we will be looking for. A villa would be nice but of course it all comes down to money. I think our rent allowance is up to 210k a year.

Thanks Again
Tiny

For a budget of 210,000 dhs, the area to try will be Mirdiff, and you may get a small villa for that.Mirdiff is also close to the airport.
I doubt you will get one anywhere else for that...perhaps an apartment though.
Try looking at Dubai Property Real Estate ? Rent, buy or Sale Properties in Dubai, UAE Apartments and Villas with Better Homes. Manage or Invest in Dubai Property with us. for an idea of rental prices.
Its a definate no though, to a villa in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Emirates Hills for that amount.

[back2MidE]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

To rent any car you require an International Driving Permit (as mentioned many times previously).

just want to clarify... if you have a US drivers license and rent a car from Dubai just for a visit, as long as you stay within Dubai, you do not need an international Driving permit...the cops don't care...

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by back2MidE

just want to clarify... if you have a US drivers license and rent a car from Dubai just for a visit, as long as you stay within Dubai, you do not need an international Driving permit...the cops don't care...

Er, no! The law states that you need an IDP and on this site I wish to ensure that people recieve the correct information. It may well be that certain rental agencies are not asking for an IDP and the police are not checking, but the fact is that they are a legal requirement.

It really is not a good idea to be cavalier about legal requirements. You only need one police check that you fail and there can be serious consequences. It really isn't hard to sort out an IDP, so failure to do so is pointless and potentially a problem.

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[dubaibound1]

This forum has been very helpful, please respond to my queries below. Your responses are much appreciated.

I'm moving from Las Vegas, NV to Dubai.....I will be working in the commercial real estate sector.

I have been offered AED 50,000 Per month which includes housing allowance, is this a good offer? I'm pushing for AED 60,000 per month is this a good start?

Other than housing which is expensive, what about the rest of the expenses such as utilities, food, entertainment?

My wife wants to live in an urban environment where all ammenities are within a walking distance and by the water.

What are the best areas where there is water, shopping and restaurants? What will a 100 - 150 sq mt apartment cost to rent?

I'm considering importing my car from the US to Dubai, how difficult is the process?

I'm applying for dual citizenship, can I use my other citizenship other than the US to avoid paying tax and claim tax free compensation?

[Padyg]

I've read through this forum and I am not sure whether or not to pursue. I suppose a simple question is "would you consider giving up a $125,000 job in US/Canada for $250,000 tax free in Dubai?

[dubaibound1]

Originally Posted by Padyg

I've read through this forum and I am not sure whether or not to pursue. I suppose a simple question is "would you consider giving up a $125,000 job in US/Canada for $250,000 tax free in Dubai?

That is the question I'm most bothered with. For US citizens it is not TAX free, we still have to pay tax unlike the brits and other nationals. We dont have it TAX free, though the $87,000 exemption exist, we still have to pay on the other income. Given the high cost of living does it make sense to make the transition?

I live in Las Vegas, we dont have State income tax, the cost of living compared to other states likes CA or NY is relatively cheap. Comparing Dubai's cost of living it is pretty drastic.

US economy now is in the toilet, it will only get worst before it gets any better, even when things start to pick up we will not see the same growth we enjoyed last few years, it will be another 18-24 months before we see stabilization....the question is do we wait?

I'm tired of waiting, I'm strongly considering a move to the UAE, one has to only look at what the growth plans are for Abu Dhabi & Dubai to realize the long term benefits and opportunities.

Abu Dhabi is only now on the cusp of development explosion compared to what Dubai has been doing for the last 5 years.

I'm basing my decision to make a move now due the long term prospects that are available in these two cities.

This is a career opportunity, getting in now is like planting a sapling in the ground, when it grows, you will grow with it to bear the fruits at maturity and I intend to be there when the tree bears fruit.

[SuzB]

Originally Posted by EMAD75

As so many have said already thank you very much to everyone, specially Elphaba and Geordie.

We've been considering a job offer in Dubai for the last month and I've found all the information on this forum extremely helpful with salary negotiations, what to expect, etc. As I think we all have very similar questions!

I'd recommend everyone thinking of moving to also buy The Complete resident's Guide to Dubai - worth every penny!

Where do I get hold of the complete residents guide to Dubai, I tried Amazon with no luck. Thanks

[SuzB]

Hi
I have just registered with the forum as my husband is in the process of securing a job and hopefully we will be moving soon.
I have a senior position in the charity world in the uk and have been trying to find charitable organisations within Dubai that I could either work or volunteer for, so on reading your email I wondered if you could help ?
Many Thanks

Originally Posted by Elphaba

okos12, I am well aware of the downsides of life in Dubai and am heavily involved in a charitable organisation that helps the worst off here.

My point is that negativity breeds negativity. The city is far from perfect but there are many good things about life in the UAE, if you focus on that.

One of my reasons in getting involved with this website (for which I am not paid) is that too many people move here with insufficent knowledge of the cost of living. Rent is stupidly expensive for those now moving here. Many posters have been advised not to move here as they will find it too costly and others have been made aware of the real cost. Sadly, too few listen to the advice given to them. Surely you did some research regarding the cost of living before moving here, so if it was, in your opinion, too expensive, why did you move? If you really dislike JBR, why rent there? There are other places to live and many aren't that far from the Marina.

Driving here is dangerous, and has been mentioned many times on the forum, but other crimes are low compared to major conurbations around the world.

Personally, I do have a good income - for which I work very hard- but I did my research before moving to Dubai. You cannot blame Dubai, or JBR, for making you miserable. That responsibility rest solely with you.



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[MichaelJ47]

Hey Dubaibound1, a quick question about lightening your tax burden...could you not incorporate in say Delaware a small management business and use that as a vehicle for your income. Delaware is a tax haven if your income does not come from within that state and you are then eligible to pay only a $200 "tax franchise Fee" per annum ?

You can then offset your offshore contract expenses ( Dubai) to that business and still save on Tax ..maybe ? Yes / No ?

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by SuzB

Hi
I have just registered with the forum as my husband is in the process of securing a job and hopefully we will be moving soon.
I have a senior position in the charity world in the uk and have been trying to find charitable organisations within Dubai that I could either work or volunteer for, so on reading your email I wondered if you could help ?
Many Thanks

Here are just some of the charities in Dubai (there are more though)

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