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Hello All from London

Here is my situation:

I am a civil Engineer specialising in Water, and I have recently been on a job interview in Dubai with a local Water Authority. I was very impressed with Dubai, Sharjah and the whole thing. I obviously got the job, and now am thinking of taking it. My concerns are as follows:

1- The job offers DHS. 18,000 per month with no benefits except ticket for me and medical insurance for the whole family.(forget about 45 days anual leave and so on).

2- I have a family of three boys, 4, 2,5 years and 3 months baby.

I asked around how this wage would compare to the expenses, and most of the people say it's a bit tight, meaning that I would be able to live ok without being able to save much. (Schooling for two for now, accommodation, car, etc.)

I am on stable job here in London, with a normal above average wage, but my problem is that I have to move from Kent to West London, and I am sure you imagine how the house prices are there.

So, the question is:

Is it worth for me to go? using this as a stepping stone for a year or so before moving to another company (better offer) bearing in mind I have the professional and language skills for my type of work? If so are there any visa implication? I hear you have to spend a year with a company before being able to move on.


I really would appreciate your valuable advice on this, and drinks will be on me in Dubai

Much appreciated and many thanks.


Zino

Is vrey difficult for me to write this post.
I have been thinking of several things that lead to my advice: No go.

But the toughts come from my perspective. Family back home (eastern europe) My Job Base in Dubai but traveling alot in MEA. I fly home every month. I am on salary similar to yours + daily allowance + accomodation + flights home.

Think it over: are you an "adventure" family?, you looking for a change?, how easy is for you to go back tu UK?, (think about the relocation cost to dubai)

I dont think that your package will set you and your family "above average" lifestile

I have wrote a post about costs the way I see them

Robert

RobertS wrote:Is vrey difficult for me to write this post.
I have been thinking of several things that lead to my advice: No go.

But the toughts come from my perspective. Family back home (eastern europe) My Job Base in Dubai but traveling alot in MEA. I fly home every month. I am on salary similar to yours + daily allowance + accomodation + flights home.

Think it over: are you an "adventure" family?, you looking for a change?, how easy is for you to go back tu UK?, (think about the relocation cost to dubai)

I dont think that your package will set you and your family "above average" lifestile

I have wrote a post about costs the way I see them

Robert

I have to agree with Robert, 18,000Dhs per month is NOT a lot. An apartment in Dubai with three rooms is about 70-90kDhs (average 6,700/month), and Schools... I am not married and don't have children but understand it is NOT cheap (12-20k per year per student). Transportation, you come from a westernized life style so this means you wife will want her own car, so that is 50k each (and that is used and NOT special!) so there is 100k over a three year loan 2,800 PLUS interest, shopping here about five years ago was cheap but now they match EU/UK prices, just without VAT on clothing and fashion items.

Now as Robert mentioned, how easy is it for you to get back to the UK if it doesn't go right... did they mention you working six days or five and a half a week?

In my personal opinion, simply based on the above and considering the high rate of the pound you will only be taking home about £1k... Is it worth relocating you family for that? Oh and that is only one flight home a year, if you plan on going back again well that £1k will be gone for that month. It is only worth the move, if they are providing accommodations at minimum.

Just my two cents.

Stainless