Salary Package

[DYLANJAMAL]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Becca

Hiya Dylan,

Does that 15k a month include food, petrol, social outings, electricity etc?

Thanks
Becca

Becca,,
it is only four months for me .. here in Dubai... still have not got any electricity Bill,
the 15K for my case includes food, social outings, internet+TV (I am driving every day to abudabi... ~300Km every day.... petrol is cheap... (full tank is around 70 dirhams.. at least for my 2.4 engine camry car.....)

I see it this way: the fist year for every one is like A TEST YEAR... every one will do couple mistakes in choosing the place, may be schools even car...= and etc.....
so for me I consider it like my test year.. .and will consider every thing in couple months...at least was a good decision to live in Dubai and commute every day...

good luck..
Dylan

[Kiwi Becca]

Thank you Dylan for your reply.

Four months? Very new then. I hope you are enjoying your adventure so far.

You're absolutely right about the first year being a test year, I like your way of thinking. Lol. I am looking at teaching and it seems the average monthly salary is around 12k with accomodation and a few other provisions included.

Glad you made the right decision re living in Dubai and commuting each day, though it would make for very long days I'm sure.

Good luck to you too
Becca

Originally Posted by DYLANJAMAL

Becca,,
it is only four months for me .. here in Dubai... still have not got any electricity Bill,
the 15K for my case includes food, social outings, internet+TV (I am driving every day to abudabi... ~300Km every day.... petrol is cheap... (full tank is around 70 dirhams.. at least for my 2.4 engine camry car.....)

I see it this way: the fist year for every one is like A TEST YEAR... every one will do couple mistakes in choosing the place, may be schools even car...= and etc.....
so for me I consider it like my test year.. .and will consider every thing in couple months...at least was a good decision to live in Dubai and commute every day...

good luck..
Dylan

[nnox]

dylan,
I've been here for almost 2 years. never saw my electricity bill, but they do bill you. in dubai, as far as i know, exceeding 500 dirhams will cause disconnection. also for every late payment you will be paying some extras. you can check dewa's website, just fyi. (assuming that you are new and you did not pay anything yet)

[DYLANJAMAL]

Originally Posted by nnox

dylan,
I've been here for almost 2 years. never saw my electricity bill, but they do bill you. in dubai, as far as i know, exceeding 500 dirhams will cause disconnection. also for every late payment you will be paying some extras. you can check dewa's website, just fyi. (assuming that you are new and you did not pay anything yet)

many thanks..... for the info.. will check it..
:-)
Dylan

[Sleza]

Originally Posted by ilya

17500 AED per month is definitely not bad but not fantastic either if you don't get any housing allowance on top of it.

Education fees may also be quite significant.

Your question is very common among future expats. I've made a Dubai living cost calculator that makes it easier to understand what you salary should be. The forum does not allow me post links. Use the following, just remove the () brackets.



Let me know if it was useful!

Hello,

I am interested in such a calculater. I am also about to move to Dubai and would like to get as much information as possible.



Thank you

[Tiger]

Mate, I don't think it's nearly enough.

AED17,500 a month isn't enough for this place.

I'm Australian, although we don't get paid that well back home, we have a tremendous lifestyle. You have to put $ value to those little things. Living in a 1st world, where simple things work - like the banking, the Government laws and local council policies. Also be careful of the UAE labour laws, get in with the wrong company and you'll have a hard time. I came over to work for an Aussie company and they themselves took advantage of their employees, without paying for months on end. It was as if they enjoyed getting away with things that they'd be put behind bars in Aus.

I've lived in Dubai for 2 years and to be quite honest I hate it. I'm on a much better package than AED17,500 but still doesn't compensate for the things lost, like family and friends. Also remember, when you come here you cut business networks you had in the past and when you go back to Aus you'll have to start all over. I don't want to sound too negative but seriously sum everything up, including the appreciating AUS dollar which makes your very moderate package even less.

Rent up front (rip off for what you get), high school fees (bad tuition), food expensive....

I don't think there's $ left in Dubai. I lost my job I'd be quite happy to go home and start over. Aus economy faced the recession very well, it shows what an organised place it is. Business are lean and mean, unlike Dubai where all business run like back firing machines - you won't get international experience, you'll just take bad habits home.

An honest opinion....

[mrbig]

No money left in Dubai? You sure about that Tiger? Just another expat that couldnt make it so now you're bitter.

[Tiger]

Originally Posted by mrbig

No money left in Dubai? You sure about that Tiger? Just another expat that couldnt make it so now you're bitter.

Still working, and thankfully get a lot more than AED17500 a month.

Well, living here seeing what is going on you've gotta be crazy to think Dubai is a place to bring a family and have a stable life. This Aussie in reality could arrive here with his family, settle in, and then be laid off a month later. Not a risk I would take when life in Aus is pretty damn good.

[john stead]

17.5 k per month is sufficient to live off but you must ensure accommodation and schooling is included on employers account. Check and double check what they will pay for schooling Jum College for instance will be 60k dhs each child and they will want payment at half term the previous term!!

Cars and petrol are cheap but accommodation for tour family will be 150000dhs upwards.

Dubai is buzzing and if you are sensible you will love it. We do..john

[WannaGetOut]

Tiger,

I'm sorry but were you expecting a lot more when you decided to move to Dubai? I've read this much too often and just don't understand what sort of expectations people bring with them other than making boatloads and paying no taxes!

Perhaps I'm wet behind the ears since I don't live in the UAE but I'd like you to hear your expectations since this is certainly not Australia or any western country for that matter.

If you were truly bent out of shape about getting the short end of the stick (not financially), you wouldn't have lasted this long, you'd be back in Oz.