Are you moving to Dubai - this might help

[okos12]

Hi Liz, We been using the Universal Currency Converter to see how the money is exchanged, and all it is the same. The bank did not give a bad rate, it gave the exact rate as the converter. I been doing this money transfer from the U.S. to Hungary also, and they do not charge any more then the official exchange rate. I also pay Dubai water/electricity and DU (cable, internet) fee on Master Card, and the only fee added is the 3% forign fee. I have zero problem with transfering money from or to Dubai bank, and when you pay in the grocery store with other then AED that is the official rate also. Keep it simple. Try it.

[stephy_skl]

Hi everyone, I've read on numerous sites that you are not allowed to live in a commonlaw relationship in Dubai. My boyfriend and I are planning to move there in February '09 and we have a friend over there who we are planning to live with for a while. Are men and women not allowed to live together even as roomates? Please if someone can help me with this, it would be wonderful.
Also I read that 25% of the world's crane population is in Dubai, does anyone have any more info on this? My boyfriend has his crane operators lisence in the U.S. and is planning to get it in Canada before we leave (we're currently located in Canada).
Anyone have any useful info for us?
Thanks!

[Ogri750]

If you are not married, it is illegal for a man and a woman to share a property, even as roomates.

There are plenty of men and women who are not married sharing, but discretion is the key. Easier to tell people you are married.

As for the crane issue, I would have thought that there was more than 25% here in Dubai. The problem your boyfriend would have, is most of the "manual" type of work is carried out by Indian labour and the salary would be far lower than a westerner would consider working for

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by stephy_skl

Hi everyone, I've read on numerous sites that you are not allowed to live in a commonlaw relationship in Dubai. My boyfriend and I are planning to move there in February '09 and we have a friend over there who we are planning to live with for a while. Are men and women not allowed to live together even as roomates? Please if someone can help me with this, it would be wonderful.
Also I read that 25% of the world's crane population is in Dubai, does anyone have any more info on this? My boyfriend has his crane operators lisence in the U.S. and is planning to get it in Canada before we leave (we're currently located in Canada).
Anyone have any useful info for us?
Thanks!

Correct - it is illegal to live together if you are not married, and will not be able to put housing etc in 2 names.
Yes some people do it, but there are consequences if caught.
Males and females SHOULD NOT share unless they are married or related.

Lots of cranes here, but as Orgi750 said, most crane drivers are from the sub continent and many workers earn less in a day than your partner would earn in 1/2 hour.(or less)

[lily]

hi

i find uae one of the best places with its multi cultural environment and affectionate emiratis i feel at home in uae

[Fearns]

I am looking at at job in Dubai, the salary including allowances is around 37,000 - 42,000 AED a month. Is that enough to live on and save a little for a family with 2 children 4 and 5.

[Jim Wilde]

I guess it depends on how much you have to pay for your accommodation. But I would say that the figures you quote should afford your family a comfortable living/lifestyle.

[okos12]

This is a message to FEARNS. Below are some apartment prices for Dubai from today's paper. I do not even think that Dubai is a suitable place for children. About 5 month out of the year the heat is terrible. In the apartments they will stay inside all day. Maybe they can go for a swim, but the heat is really bad.
That seems to be the problem all over in Dubai. No place to walk. Either you drive or pay the cabs, and good luck with that also. Schooling children I hear is very expensive. Look into that. I would not even consider going to Dubai with little kids. And it is a very friendly place if you like to go out at night and have a few drinks and $. But where do you go on the weekends? No places to walk. I lived JBR and they have all kind of rules for children. I am not as impressed with Dubai as a lot of other people. In the 1 bdr. apartment at JBR there is no window to open. Why? Because that is how it was built. The tiny balcony has about half bucket of send in most mornings. I took the laptop out to work, but it was not a good idea. No shelves to store things. Lots of space wasted in the apartment. The quality of work is really not good. Ugly brown bathroom counters, and small refrigerator, small washer. No place for dryer. That would be o.k. if it was not for the send. Think twice, before you go to Dubai with little kids. Think of quality of life.
Rents in Dubai 2008
Studio apartments
Dh40,000-Dh42,000/year (International City)
Dh85,000-Dh95,000/year (Dubai Marina)
1-bedroom apartments
Dh60,000-Dh64,000/year (International City)
Dh130,000-Dh140,000/year (Dubai Marina — South Ridge)
2-bedroom apartments
Dh90,000-Dh95,000/year (International City Central Business District) Dh190,000-Dh220,000/year (Jumeirah Beach Residence)

Gulfnews: Tenants in Dubai villas live rough

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by okos12

This is a message to FEARNS. Below are some apartment prices for Dubai from today's paper. I do not even think that Dubai is a suitable place for children. About 5 month out of the year the heat is terrible. In the apartments they will stay inside all day. Maybe they can go for a swim, but the heat is really bad.
That seems to be the problem all over in Dubai. No place to walk. Either you drive or pay the cabs, and good luck with that also. Schooling children I hear is very expensive. Look into that. I would not even consider going to Dubai with little kids. And it is a very friendly place if you like to go out at night and have a few drinks and $. But where do you go on the weekends? No places to walk. I lived JBR and they have all kind of rules for children. I am not as impressed with Dubai as a lot of other people. In the 1 bdr. apartment at JBR there is no window to open. Why? Because that is how it was built. The tiny balcony has about half bucket of send in most mornings. I took the laptop out to work, but it was not a good idea. No shelves to store things. Lots of space wasted in the apartment. The quality of work is really not good. Ugly brown bathroom counters, and small refrigerator, small washer. No place for dryer. That would be o.k. if it was not for the send. Think twice, before you go to Dubai with little kids. Think of quality of life.
Rents in Dubai 2008
Studio apartments
Dh40,000-Dh42,000/year (International City)
Dh85,000-Dh95,000/year (Dubai Marina)
1-bedroom apartments
Dh60,000-Dh64,000/year (International City)
Dh130,000-Dh140,000/year (Dubai Marina — South Ridge)
2-bedroom apartments
Dh90,000-Dh95,000/year (International City Central Business District) Dh190,000-Dh220,000/year (Jumeirah Beach Residence)

Gulfnews: Tenants in Dubai villas live rough

I have to disagree with you regarding Dubai being a bad place to live with children. I speak as one who has been here several years and whilst I don't have children very many of my friends do. I also have a few friends who have been here most of their lives.

Yes, it is hot in the summer, but most of us manage to be outside for most of the year. It is really only in July & AUgust that we stay inside during the day. It will however, take you a little time to get used to the heat.

Relatively speaking Dubai is a safe city and that is something appreciated by many parents. For 10+ months of the year they can go swiming most days, there are numerous nationalties and more activities than you can imagine. There are a number of parks across the city and every mall has a children's play area. It just means an adjustment to the way you live.

I wouldn't say that JBR is a great area for anyone to live, and have advised people against living time and time again. There is a good reason why I give certain advice but some people, after a few days in the city, think they know better. There are many other areas where people can choose to live other than the newish developments you have mentioned. Perhaps people should venture out of new Dubai to get a real flavour of the city?

My final comment for this post: A negative attitude means a person will have a negative experience of this city.

-

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by okos12

This is a message to FEARNS. Below are some apartment prices for Dubai from today's paper. I do not even think that Dubai is a suitable place for children. About 5 month out of the year the heat is terrible. In the apartments they will stay inside all day. Maybe they can go for a swim, but the heat is really bad.
That seems to be the problem all over in Dubai. No place to walk. Either you drive or pay the cabs, and good luck with that also. Schooling children I hear is very expensive. Look into that. I would not even consider going to Dubai with little kids. And it is a very friendly place if you like to go out at night and have a few drinks and $. But where do you go on the weekends? No places to walk. I lived JBR and they have all kind of rules for children. I am not as impressed with Dubai as a lot of other people. In the 1 bdr. apartment at JBR there is no window to open. Why? Because that is how it was built. The tiny balcony has about half bucket of send in most mornings. I took the laptop out to work, but it was not a good idea. No shelves to store things. Lots of space wasted in the apartment. The quality of work is really not good. Ugly brown bathroom counters, and small refrigerator, small washer. No place for dryer. That would be o.k. if it was not for the send. Think twice, before you go to Dubai with little kids. Think of quality of life.
Rents in Dubai 2008
Studio apartments
Dh40,000-Dh42,000/year (International City)
Dh85,000-Dh95,000/year (Dubai Marina)
1-bedroom apartments
Dh60,000-Dh64,000/year (International City)
Dh130,000-Dh140,000/year (Dubai Marina — South Ridge)
2-bedroom apartments
Dh90,000-Dh95,000/year (International City Central Business District) Dh190,000-Dh220,000/year (Jumeirah Beach Residence)

Gulfnews: Tenants in Dubai villas live rough

I have to disagree Im afraid.
We have 3 children, and the children are really enjoying their time in Dubai.

Yes, it gets hot, but at this time of the year, they head out early for a play, and then head out again late afternoon.
Yes, its warm for a LOT of the year, but only really hot for a couple of months...and during that time you tend to be inside in the air con, in the car, in the air con...or shopping etc..in the air con.

We have found Dubai to be a safe place for the children.
There are lots of activities for them (such as swimming, tennis, football, dance, art etc).They have made so many friends from different countries, which they never had the chance to do before.


Sure, perhaps not as easy to walk places, but there is still heaps to do (museums in each emirate, picnics, drives to the mountains etc)

I have to say, JBR (or actually any part of the Marina) is not my cup of tea, but each to their own.

Also, yes, Dubai is expensive (especially housing and schooling), which is why we urge people to do their homework 1st, as to whether they will be able to live here, without it being a real day - to- day struggle.