captain Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Just been offered a job in Dubai. The money is but it seems all too good to be true. If anybody has lived/worked there and can give me any advice it would be much appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 One of my Customers accepted a work placement (3 yrs) in Dubai, I have spoken to him a few times and although its very nice there , he gets the impression as he's an "outsider" he gets treated as one The only thing thats keeping him there is the money..... and TBH I think he can't wait to get back. I think it depends on what you do, he's in IT. If it was me, I would be eyes wide open at the decision. Well worth a trip to suss the place out and go from there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I wouldnt move there myself, but I have a family friend thats moved his family out there and appear very happy with it. If it were me and only a shortish stint (few months), I'd go for it, but any longer and I dont think I could take it. The money is very good out there but I think they work you for it. Assuming you are an expert in your field - hence them wanting you - you should be fine. All the better if its on contract so you know when you'll be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetsurfer2 Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Drug laws are very strict. 4 years prison for having illegal substances in your blood, That includes stuff like any opiate base pharma. My baby brother was there for 7 years and my baby sister has been there about the same time. As long as you behave and conform to their rules you will have no problems. If you deviate, life can be very unpleasant. Life is very much transitory Ex-Pat, lots of drinking(You will need a liquor license). There is no kissing/sex outdoors. Summer time is really hot (hot enough to melt the wax in your ears). Money is tax free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 My dad spent 2 years there working for Shell...he was 62 at the time! He earned megabucks as a refinery manager as a prelude to him retiring, in 1980 he was earning around $7,000 a month! He hated the heat though and rarely left the compound he lived in . Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Had a friend work in Abu dhabi as a teacher. Got offered a 1 yr contract but had to stay for 2 in order to qualify for tax exemption on his return due to a school year being less than "a tax year" He saved a load of cash as flights were free including holiday flights back to Blighty. No rent or bills (all included) just spent on food. He even said that in the "westerners" compound he soon got invited to numerous events laid on by the British embassy etc.......FREE FOOD AND DRINK Came back and paid off all his debts with money left over too. As a single bloke into triathalons etc he spent a lot of time in the gym and so had a lot to occupy/focus on but said he couldn't do more than a few years as the culture was so strict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Like all arab states you must abide by their rules, which are strict to say the least if you are prepared for that then you should have no probs, if your single then the dosh will be very handy, given the state of uk at the mo a couple of years away will save you all the crap thats going to come our way when the euro goes awol, and you come back with a great bank balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Being in the oil industry I know loads of people there. My Dad also has a middle east branch of his company based just outside so is regularly there. He's been going over for 20 years but was only allowed to actually officially set up his company there a couple of top years ago. Until he had to put all work through agents. Not as cheap as it used to be and a lot of expats have liquidisers there assets ready for a quick out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I wouldn't assume it's too good to be true....an utter no mark from our company got a job on 10k a month and he was just a monkey like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
U83R5Z Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 nobody is immune from what is to come... No matter what country... Heads up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 One of my Customers accepted a work placement (3 yrs) in Dubai, I have spoken to him a few times and although its very nice there , he gets the impression as he's an "outsider" he gets treated as one The only thing thats keeping him there is the money..... and TBH I think he can't wait to get back. I think it depends on what you do, he's in IT. If it was me, I would be eyes wide open at the decision. Well worth a trip to suss the place out and go from there Yes the Emiratieys(spelling) will treat any none Emiratiey as an outsider. Thats the way it is. Its very multicultural though. Yes its pretty safe as tourism is their business and they dont want to mess that up. agreed though I would go for a quick trip, you might love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I worked on a motor yacht in the Emirates for a while but it was some time ago. Its a very strange lifestyle and not cheap. Worth doing if the money and conditions are good but as ever, the money is good for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I could easily live there or Qutar. Petrol is cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 I wouldnt move there myself, but I have a family friend thats moved his family out there and appear very happy with it. If it were me and only a shortish stint (few months), I'd go for it, but any longer and I dont think I could take it. The money is very good out there but I think they work you for it. Assuming you are an expert in your field - hence them wanting you - you should be fine. All the better if its on contract so you know when you'll be done. I like that - expert in my field. The job is just as a an estate agent. THE MD says their lowest paid person in 2011 earned £70,000 tax free and the highest nearer £130,000. This month, he is just doing the pay run and one employee will be earning £40,000. The job is self-employed so no salary and you pay for your own flat, car and mobile - about £1500 per month out goings before food/drink etc. He has said that I should be expected to rinse £7-!0k before earning a penny. High risk but high reward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I wouldnt move there myself, but I have a family friend thats moved his family out there and appear very happy with it. If it were me and only a shortish stint (few months), I'd go for it, but any longer and I dont think I could take it. The money is very good out there but I think they work you for it. Assuming you are an expert in your field - hence them wanting you - you should be fine. All the better if its on contract so you know when you'll be done. I like that - expert in my field. The job is just as a an estate agent. THE MD says their lowest paid person in 2011 earned £70,000 tax free and the highest nearer £130,000. This month, he is just doing the pay run and one employee will be earning £40,000. The job is self-employed so no salary and you pay for your own flat, car and mobile - about £1500 per month out goings before food/drink etc. He has said that I should be expected to rinse £7-!0k before earning a penny. High risk but high reward. Now that sounds more risky. Isnt the property market on the bones of its arse after the initial years of booming in Dubai. Plus re the wages you've got to bear in mind that he is an estate agent so he'll be lying though his teeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Now that sounds more risky. Isnt the property market on the bones of its arse after the initial years of booming in Dubai. Plus re the wages you've got to bear in mind that he is an estate agent so he'll be lying though his teeth Couldnt agree more, I'd do your homework and be careful that you are actually likely to get that sort of money. When I was offered work out there it was at least on a contracted day rate that I knew I would get and I still wasnt comfortable enough with it to go out there. Not saying you shouldnt, far from it, just make sure you know exactly what you will be getting and what the tax situation will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 If they were paying for your place (including water) then it's be worth the chance. Paying for everything yourself???? Not so sure. Check the rates out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 If they were paying for your place (including water) then it's be worth the chance. Paying for everything yourself???? Not so sure. Check the rates out. The apartment is serviced/cleaned - like a hotel. AFAIK the only extra cost on top of the rent (£1000 a month) is broadband if you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I place aircraft engineers out there and I have to say, that money doesnt sound too amazing to me for the area. Theres a lot of competition in Real Estate out there too, I can probably get you a contact who is already doing it if you are interested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Mate i'd get scouring linkdin or something to find an ex-pat estate agent out there and just ask him/her if they mind you asking a few questions about working out there. Certainly wouldn't take this chimps word for it re the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Mate i'd get scouring linkdin or something to find an ex-pat estate agent out there and just ask him/her if they mind you asking a few questions about working out there. Great minds eh?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 I place aircraft engineers out there and I have to say, that money doesnt sound too amazing to me for the area. Theres a lot of competition in Real Estate out there too, I can probably get you a contact who is already doing it if you are interested? If you could find somebody I can get in touch with via Linkedin or Facebook that would be great. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Im on the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayhoop Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 a) you will have to spend more than 1 complete tax year out there to qualify for tax free status in most arab countries, if you rent a house/flat, you have to pay all your rent up front.... alternative is expensive hotels c) expat lifestyle is expensive - espc if you drink alcohol or desire to socialise with other expats, as you can only drink in certain places which are always expensive... and as all your expat mates will be there, no doubt you will end up going quite often too.... A friend of mine is a Corporate Lawyer in Doha (being worked to the bone). He has been there 3 years, and is likely to be there another 2 (original plan was 2 years tops then back home). It is not too bad for him, as he has little family in the UK to miss (all/most are in Hong Kong). He is a sensible guy (not extravagant), but even he says it is expensive. Plus side... Brimmed the tank with petrol in his V8 BMW X5 for about £6 when I went last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 a) you will have to spend more than 1 complete tax year out there to qualify for tax free status in most arab countries, if you rent a house/flat, you have to pay all your rent up front.... alternative is expensive hotels c) expat lifestyle is expensive - espc if you drink alcohol or desire to socialise with other expats, as you can only drink in certain places which are always expensive... and as all your expat mates will be there, no doubt you will end up going quite often too.... A friend of mine is a Corporate Lawyer in Doha (being worked to the bone). He has been there 3 years, and is likely to be there another 2 (original plan was 2 years tops then back home). It is not too bad for him, as he has little family in the UK to miss (all/most are in Hong Kong). He is a sensible guy (not extravagant), but even he says it is expensive. Plus side... Brimmed the tank with petrol in his V8 BMW X5 for about £6 when I went last. Thanks for the info: a) very useful flat is a serviced appt - monthly rent c) yep - the MD for the company said "drinking" will be my 2nd biggest expenditure........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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