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I have been offered AED30k per month, return tickets and medical by an well-respected MNC in Dubai. We're a family with two school-going kids. Currently we're in Hong Kong and love it here. My salary here is ok, enough to live comfortably but we don't save a more than 3-4k. I might another possible offer from a company in HK but on the same salary. Do you think it's worth moving there? As I said earlier, we love it here and a little apprehensive about the move to Dubai. thanks very much.

PS. Sorry almost forgot: my office will be in Burj downtown. What are the good quiet areas for apartments or villas. And how much will they cost? Thanks.

peace7 wrote:I have been offered AED30k per month, return tickets and medical by an well-respected MNC in Dubai. We're a family with two school-going kids. Currently we're in Hong Kong and love it here. My salary here is ok, enough to live comfortably but we don't save a more than 3-4k. I might another possible offer from a company in HK but on the same salary. Do you think it's worth moving there? As I said earlier, we love it here and a little apprehensive about the move to Dubai. thanks very much.

PS. Sorry almost forgot: my office will be in Burj downtown. What are the good quiet areas for apartments or villas. And how much will they cost? Thanks.

Defenetily not. Stay in HK. Come and visit if you like. There are a few posts in this forum that breakdown 30K (rent, at leat 10K/month, car 2K/M, School ??/ flights home, living expense,). That's just the money part.

50K+ maybe! 80K+ yes.

Single guy/gal on 30K yes.

Both spouse working (then other should make 20K to 30K minimum).

Sorry about the double post. Will need to know how to delete it.
FLights are paid by the company, so is medical. I have been told by some people there that this is good pay. Just wanted to confirm from other expats here. How are the living standards different from Hong Kong or say Singapore? I read that it can be culturally shocking there as some people can be rather blunt to the point of being rude. It's different here in HK and SE Asian countries as people are more polite and respectful. I dont mean to offend anyone but that's just what I have read here and on other forums.

is that salary all inclusive? if so it might not be a good idea. housing and schools for your 2 kids will eat up alot of the 30K a month. its like concord said, for a single guy it might be worth it, but you'd need at least a 2 bedroom apt and with school costs, it'll eat up your salary.

It's all inclusive. I'd put 10k for rent, 5k a month schooling for both kids. Still left with 15k. Will that be not enough?

peace7 wrote:It's all inclusive. I'd put 10k for rent, 5k a month schooling for both kids. Still left with 15k. Will that be not enough?

It will be enought to survive. But why just do that if you love it HK.

surely many people live on lot less than that. But their situation is different: No work at home, they don't love it there, etc.

i think if u love it in HK better stay

I'm actually in the same scenenario. And getting contradicting opinions. Some people I spoke to living there think it's a decent offer, in fact quite good. While people here think otherwise. Just curious: How much do you guys make, in what region? Do you have families and kids with you?
Thanks.

Concord is correct

GOTTAHAVEFAITH wrote:I'm actually in the same scenenario. And getting contradicting opinions. Some people I spoke to living there think it's a decent offer, in fact quite good. While people here think otherwise. Just curious: How much do you guys make, in what region? Do you have families and kids with you?
Thanks.

It is a good offer. I just depends on how you are currently living to figure out if the move is justified. "Surviving" is much easier here than some of these snooty folks make you believe.

Thanks, GT. After reading the responses here, it seems to me that people go to Dubai if/when they are not happy in their current country/city, no competitive jobs there, very little money (not that it seems you can save a lot in Dubai these days), or you're desperate to get out of a place.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

GOTTAHAVEFAITH wrote:Thanks, GT. After reading the responses here, it seems to me that people go to Dubai if/when they are not happy in their current country/city, no competitive jobs there, very little money (not that it seems you can save a lot in Dubai these days), or you're desperate to get out of a place.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

As I said, it depends in how you are living currently. You can read some of the older posts to figure out how much each expense will set you back. Then figure out if your lifestyle here will be better or worse. For example, if you already live in a big 10-bedroom plantation in your country, Dhs 30k here is a downgrade. But if you are currently in a 1-bed flat driving a small car, then 30k in Dubai will improve your life.

You see, some people think of surviving as getting three full meals a day, a small apartment and a small car. Others think of not being able to afford weekly dinners at the Burj Al Arab as "unsurvivable." You can live very comfortably for 30k, if you like the moderate lifestyle.

The way I live currently is this: I live in a 3-bed apartment about 1650sf ft (they are much cheaper here), drive a second-hand wagon, watch my expenses but still manage to go out drinking once in fifteen days, shop for stuff during sales, eat at not-so-expensive restaurants and go on a holiday within the country once or twice a year. Basically live like a upper-middle class expat rather than someone who's counting pennies every month.

GOTTAHAVEFAITH wrote:The way I live currently is this: I live in a 3-bed apartment about 1650sf ft (they are much cheaper here), drive a second-hand wagon, watch my expenses but still manage to go out drinking once in fifteen days, shop for stuff during sales, eat at not-so-expensive restaurants and go on a holiday within the country once or twice a year. Basically live like a upper-middle class expat rather than someone who's counting pennies every month.

It seems you're already living well, muh'man. It won't be much different here at that salary, except for the modern scenery.

Stay put in HK. There's no way you can live comfortably with two school-age kids on that salary, unless your spouse also works full-time and earns the same (and even then you won't be saving much). If you put my name into the search function you'll find another post I made to someone in a similar situation, which breaks down the costs of living.

gtmash, I can assure you that I've never had a meal in the Burj Al-Arab, though I do splurge at Ravi's from time to time. I'd be interested to know (a) whether you have two school-age kids, and (b) whether you're paying rent at current rates (as opposed to being locked into a deal from a year or more back). I think that people who've been here a while really don't understand quite how much rental costs have risen recently and how expensive it can be to move to Dubai now and live a moderate lifestyle, especially if you have kids.

Concords original post is spot on - Stay, the school fee's alone will eat up 30% of your salary.

jayzed wrote:Stay put in HK. There's no way you can live comfortably with two school-age kids on that salary, unless your spouse also works full-time and earns the same (and even then you won't be saving much). If you put my name into the search function you'll find another post I made to someone in a similar situation, which breaks down the costs of living.

gtmash, I can assure you that I've never had a meal in the Burj Al-Arab, though I do splurge at Ravi's from time to time. I'd be interested to know (a) whether you have two school-age kids, and (b) whether you're paying rent at current rates (as opposed to being locked into a deal from a year or more back). I think that people who've been here a while really don't understand quite how much rental costs have risen recently and how expensive it can be to move to Dubai now and live a moderate lifestyle, especially if you have kids.

Actually, my father makes much less than that and paid for me and my brother's American college education right up to last year, while I stuffed my previously minor earnings into a bank account to pay for a freehold studio flat. Even then, we had 3 used cars in the family that we bought years ago and can afford all the latest gadgetry crap that we might need. We have a lot more money now thanks to my rising income, and I'm going to splurge on 2 more cars, but we already know how to live comfortably without the extra money.

That said, the dude in HK is already living well and doesn't need to come here.

In many cases like this, I'd have to agree with GT.

"Comfort level" is too broad. Some people live happily with 15K a month, some people don't live happily with 50K a month with the same situation.

It's like if one will not be able to afford living in multi bedrooms villa with two big SUVs and so-ridiculously-expensive-called Westernish school, one shouldn't step in Dubai in the first place. There are so much more options and one has choices.

Now, on the other hand the original poster should also mention in details about how the current life quality and situation there. How much they currently earn and spend for each expense posts. How much they will earn in Dubai. What are the expectations.

After then, we could suggest if one should come or not. Or at least, give them options.

would concur w/previous posters recommending staying in HK. i am a western ex-pat on a good salary but my family is back home. it works for me only because of this. a western school tuition will hit you between the eyes and the weather most of the year means an indoor life for the kids. think twice, esp. if you enjoy HK. 30k is brilliant for a couple living on 1 income, but not a family of 4

gtmash wrote:

jayzed wrote:Stay put in HK. There's no way you can live comfortably with two school-age kids on that salary, unless your spouse also works full-time and earns the same (and even then you won't be saving much). If you put my name into the search function you'll find another post I made to someone in a similar situation, which breaks down the costs of living.

gtmash, I can assure you that I've never had a meal in the Burj Al-Arab, though I do splurge at Ravi's from time to time. I'd be interested to know (a) whether you have two school-age kids, and (b) whether you're paying rent at current rates (as opposed to being locked into a deal from a year or more back). I think that people who've been here a while really don't understand quite how much rental costs have risen recently and how expensive it can be to move to Dubai now and live a moderate lifestyle, especially if you have kids.

Actually, my father makes much less than that and paid for me and my brother's American college education right up to last year, while I stuffed my previously minor earnings into a bank account to pay for a freehold studio flat. Even then, we had 3 used cars in the family that we bought years ago and can afford all the latest gadgetry crap that we might need. We have a lot more money now thanks to my rising income, and I'm going to splurge on 2 more cars, but we already know how to live comfortably without the extra money.

That said, the dude in HK is already living well and doesn't need to come here.

Well, with my current salary I have a modest lifestyle. Save about 2-3kHKD per month. Not a lot of savings in the bank. Drive a used car. Go out and eat when I feel like and have a beer or two as it's quite cheap to eat out here. Fly low cost airlines and travel once a year but don't stay at 5 stars. Wear branded clothes but don't like to splurge on clothes anyway. My wife wears branded too. Kids attend piano and swimming classes.
So a decent but not extravagant lifestyle. And I'm looking at a similiar or perhaps slightly better lifestyle in Dubai. Possible on 30k? Or rather 15k after putting aside 10k for rent and 5k for school.

peace7 wrote:

gtmash wrote:

jayzed wrote:Stay put in HK. There's no way you can live comfortably with two school-age kids on that salary, unless your spouse also works full-time and earns the same (and even then you won't be saving much). If you put my name into the search function you'll find another post I made to someone in a similar situation, which breaks down the costs of living.

gtmash, I can assure you that I've never had a meal in the Burj Al-Arab, though I do splurge at Ravi's from time to time. I'd be interested to know (a) whether you have two school-age kids, and (b) whether you're paying rent at current rates (as opposed to being locked into a deal from a year or more back). I think that people who've been here a while really don't understand quite how much rental costs have risen recently and how expensive it can be to move to Dubai now and live a moderate lifestyle, especially if you have kids.

Actually, my father makes much less than that and paid for me and my brother's American college education right up to last year, while I stuffed my previously minor earnings into a bank account to pay for a freehold studio flat. Even then, we had 3 used cars in the family that we bought years ago and can afford all the latest gadgetry crap that we might need. We have a lot more money now thanks to my rising income, and I'm going to splurge on 2 more cars, but we already know how to live comfortably without the extra money.

That said, the dude in HK is already living well and doesn't need to come here.

Well, with my current salary I have a modest lifestyle. Save about 2-3kHKD per month. Not a lot of savings in the bank. Drive a used car. Go out and eat when I feel like and have a beer or two as it's quite cheap to eat out here. Fly low cost airlines and travel once a year but don't stay at 5 stars. Wear branded clothes but don't like to splurge on clothes anyway. My wife wears branded too. Kids attend piano and swimming classes.
So a decent but not extravagant lifestyle. And I'm looking at a similiar or perhaps slightly better lifestyle in Dubai. Possible on 30k? Or rather 15k after putting aside 10k for rent and 5k for school.

It seems you already live a moderate lifestyle, hehe. If you forego the "expensive for no reason" schools here, you could actually live better here. 5K per month rent would get you at least a 2-bd flat if you stay out of the expensive areas. Your 15K spending money would cover payments on two Hummer H3s easily if you take a loan, as well as all sorts of electronic gadgets, clothes and furniture, once you get settled.

If I'm not mistaken, 2-3K HKD per month equiv 1-1.5K AED per month. That's a piece of cake, you can save a lot more than that in Dubai, IF you don't expect much and consider these options...

- Accommodation is the ultimate (biggest in your expense). If your children can share a room, you can take decent 2 BR apt for 70-120K/year (depends on area).
- There are good international schools with British curriculum starts about 700-1K per month per child. Apple Intl, Oxford, to name a few. Forget about ridiculously expensive GEMS schools and other "Westernish" schools which cost you 5-6K per month.
- Buy a car, or renting would cost 1.7K and up per month.
- As long as you don't eat outside everyday, foods & weekly entertainment/eating out would roughly cost you 5K per month.
- As long as you don't live in a villa where you need plenty of water for keeping the grass green, utilities (elect+water) would roughly cost you 1K per month.
- Entertainment like Internet & satellite/cable TV would roughly cost you 500 per month.

In total, monthly you'll spend about 15K to 20K. You'll end up saving at least 10K a month. I think it's good.

Others:
- Travel: normally you'd be given annually paid tickets for vacation back to your home country.
- Medical insurance: normally you (and family) would be provided by company

Things to consider:
- Up front money registrations (schools, utilities), deposits (utilities) & rent (about 4 months rent + 5% + 5%, depends on the apt).
- Up front money for furnishing your apt. About 15-30K.

Those are about money and benefits. However there are some others to think about which sometimes are important like lifestyle, environment, weather, security, plan (how long you'd stay). That would be for you only to judge.