Hi Guys,

I'm not sure if a friend of mine is telling me the truth?

He lives in Dubai and states that the cost of living has gone up so considerabley that he is struggling to make ends meet.

For instance.... my friend said that when he and his wife go grocery shopping
(especially for meat) all they seem to be able to afford these days is a sheeps head He says they even ask for the eyes to be left in so it will see them through the week!!

Is this true?

Ricardo

PMSL! you are taking the piss aren't you?

As always

__________________
For photos of European Cities visit my homepage

he sounds like Balushi !

Ricardo,

I guess it's relative to the individual's expectations and lifestyle. For example, if you are an expatriate on short term (2-3 years) assignment on full cost support, I would not consider it expensive.

However, I have two nephews of Arabic origin who have been there for over ten years, so this is how the conversation went 2 years ago over dinner in Dubai:

First guy ran his own cloth retailing shop. I have been here for 10 years, and my shop rent has increased 500%, but the rates and other government fees have increased more. In all, the cost of presence renting a small premises has increased 800% in ten years (and that was in 2005 before the rent hikes in Dubai!)

Second guy used to work for his brother, has been there for 8 years, and is now employed to manage two retail outlets in the malls (clothing). He is probably more frugal than his older brother, but manages to save between 15% and 25% of his income per year. He is single, works hard, and is happy in Dubai, but acknowledges that costs are accelerating quite quickly most recently (after 2006)

I hope this is of some use. I have been there six times in 15 years, but keep an eye on the market with respect to business opportunity and property. We have a free zone company registered there, but it's only brass plate. All our trade is outside the UAE. Admin and legal costs are comparable with other similar jurisdictions, and for our business, it's a great place to be registered.

Hi Gerry & Welcome

Can I introduce you to our resident wind up merchant, Ricardo Blue

__________________
For photos of European Cities visit my homepage

LMAO

It was mention of the sheep's eyeballs that got me. I've had many a sheep meal in the desert where they were fighting over who got the eyeballs.

But at least we got meat there. I had to survive on a rig in Northern Luzon once for six weeks, where the only diet was leaf soup and fish heads. I opted for the soup.

Ricardo does sound familiar !

Hi

Dubai living is not cheap. In fact I am originally from London and my rent is more expensive here than in central London.

Tax-free sounds appealing but all the extra expenses means you are paying much more.

the biggest expense is rent, that is what is pushing up the cost of living in Dubai. Grocery shopping is cheaper then the UK, and dining out too, way cheaper than London. And you have to remember to fill up your car it won't cost any more than ten quid, a packet of fags is a quid and and a bottle of vodka a fiver, I suppose it all balances out in the end.