DXB job offer, to take or not to take

tonyburbidge · #1 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 12:26 PM

Hi all,
I'm a British guy and I've been offered a job in Dubai, close to DXB international Airport..
I've read up on the standard packages that are offered and i'm not sure if i'm onto a good thing or not...

Basically the package is £30,000 (sterling) per year + healthcare, for 1. I tried to negotiate accomodation / allowance at interview stage but the company owners say that can get people from other parts of the world who would jump at this package, the new marketing manager (from the UK) wants to get a few more westerners in but is tied by the package the management are willing to offer.

I have no idea how much accomodation will cost, along with bills / utilities / food / or if i will require a car... bearing in mind i wil only be taking circa 13500aed per month. Of course, ideally, i'd love to bring my partner and her 7 year old son with me (and get married if we had to) but i don't reckon my wage will be anywhere near enough to support the two of us (she has little work experience.. although gaining excellent grades at school, she has spent most of her adult life as a single mum working in the school kitchen (which obviously suits the school, hours / childacre arangements).

I wouldnt like to make this big jump, move to Dubai and just manage to 'get by' on what i earn as i can do this here (i earn approx £29,000) in the UK.. i'd like to be able to put some money away each month...

I guess i just need convincing.... if there's anyone in the know then any thoughts would be great! Cheers!

Tony

Andy Capp · #2 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 12:35 PM

Well hello and welcome!

13500/month eh? It's not going to be pretty, but you can get a shared apartment that'll cost you say 2500/month (each) for a small 2 bed in Garhoud area (near Airport) or even (my preference) Bur Dubai check out Dubai Property Real Estate for Sale and Rent. Jobs in Dubai, Classifieds in Dubai with Dubizzle.com amongst others. Then you have around 2000 to run a car - you may as well cos it'll cost you that in cabs for a month, then the rest?

Basically yes it is doable, and really, what have you got to lose - if you go back to UK after a year or 2 it'll look great on your CV....

tonyburbidge · #3 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 12:58 PM

Thanks for your swift reply Andy....

I guess school fees would be the biggest thing and keeping wife(!?) / child as she was looking for employment... how would she go about looking? Tourist visa initially then look for a move once a job was secured?. Also, childcare would be another factor..... so many considerations! so grown up! damn!

Andy Capp · #4 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:13 PM

Sorry mate, you'll not realistically be able to manage that with wife and kids in tow. How about you take it, come here for a few months and suss the place out?

One thing that would worry me however is the line "wants to get a few more westerners in". Have you been interviewed here? Have you been here? If not, what does that say about the company?

sdh080 · #5 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Capp

Sorry mate, you'll not realistically be able to manage that with wife and kids in tow. How about you take it, come here for a few months and suss the place out?

One thing that would worry me however is the line "wants to get a few more westerners in". Have you been interviewed here? Have you been here? If not, what does that say about the company?

That would definitely set the alarm bells ringing for me as well.

tonyburbidge · #6 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:23 PM

Interview was in the UK (i know the marketing manger from his old job in the UK) the job is in newly set up department, he's looking for 4 people. The first position has been taken by an old aqaintence of mine (single guy, no baggage!), the 2nd postion is mine leaving only 3 / 4 to fill. The company has been established for 10 years and in year 1 was named one of the quickest growing companies in Dubai. Yeah, i too queried the 'westerners' remark, apparently someting to do with the 'yes sir, no problem sir' attitude used by some staff from other countries. He says it would be nice to have people who were a bit more vocal / expressionate and would voice any opinions... i cant really comment on that, having never worked in a multi-cultural environment (with the exception of a few months in Jeddah last year).... as you righly say, great for the cv... never thought i'd have to decide love over money! hehehe!

I guess, the missus would be able to find work tho......?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Andy Capp · #7 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:34 PM

What does the company do here? And what is the position that you're looking at?

tonyburbidge · #8 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:37 PM

Job is in aviation / ops control / flight planning (not airline)

Im more concerned about my partner finding something

Andy Capp · #9 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 01:41 PM

In that case you haven't got much choice but to come here first and then see what the market is for your partner. There are positions available for her, look at the recruitment links on the sticky thread to see what's going on.

But basically bud, with yearly school fees (In "UK" Schools) some AED45,000/year, it'll be tough!

Felixtoo2 · #10 (**permalink**) 10th July 2010, 02:02 PM

I`m with Andy, way too tight a budget for wife and kid, the only saving that you are making on your UK salary is the tax and that is not enough to cover life here.
If you are thinking of renting somewhere that you don`t have to share with a stranger you will be very lucky to find anywhere less than 6000dhs a month unless you want to live in Bur Dubai or International city. Don`t count on your other half finding a job that pays much more than pocket money.
You`ll need a car if you have family here and if you also have to pay the medical insurance for your family it looks like things will not be easy.