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Veedub wrote:Hi All

I have just signed up to this very informative forum and found out answers to a number of my queries, but one thing I haven't found is an up to date and definative list of living expenses. I would love answers/confirmation on a postcard to the following!

Rent - 9-10k? Do apartments exist whereby you can pay monthly? Also a heads up on nice areas to live... yes but it will cost you 15,000

What should I budget for other bills such as water, elec, apartment tax, air con, telephone/internet and tv? at least 1000 per month

I am assuming that all healthcare is private and something I will be negotiating for both me and my girlfriend, but what are the costs worse case? healthcare should be provided by your company and you can't get it for your girlfriend cos she is not your wife

Food bills - I'm going for 1500 here? won't need that much in groceries. but if eating out is include add more

Car rental for something half decent - 2k? that's the minimum for a bottom end car

Also visa query - I will be getting a work visa through my employer but what about my other half as we are not yet married? she can't come on your visa. Don't even mention her to your employer

Another concern is shipping our little cat out and if anyone has done similar... give your cat to a good home where you are from. Then when you come here help out a local cat and adopt one through feline friends

If the offer is all good we should be coming over in a month or 2 and I think I will earning 23-24k with my girlfriend finding work once we have relocated - Is this enough to live on. Oh and how much to ship out from UK to Dubai from a smallish 2 bed apartment? it is enough to have a good lifestyle. Don't bother shipping stuff - buy it here. it's cheap and hassle free
Any help is much appreciated!

Veedub wrote:So what is the score with co-habitation then, we're not married at the moment? Would it be better if we were engaged!?

scarlet wrote:

Veedub wrote:Hi All

I have just signed up to this very informative forum and found out answers to a number of my queries, but one thing I haven't found is an up to date and definative list of living expenses. I would love answers/confirmation on a postcard to the following!

Rent - 9-10k? Do apartments exist whereby you can pay monthly? Also a heads up on nice areas to live... yes but it will cost you 15,000

What should I budget for other bills such as water, elec, apartment tax, air con, telephone/internet and tv? at least 1000 per month


I am assuming that all healthcare is private and something I will be negotiating for both me and my girlfriend, but what are the costs worse case? healthcare should be provided by your company and you can't get it for your girlfriend cos she is not your wife

Food bills - I'm going for 1500 here? won't need that much in groceries. but if eating out is include add more

Car rental for something half decent - 2k? that's the minimum for a bottom end car

Also visa query - I will be getting a work visa through my employer but what about my other half as we are not yet married? she can't come on your visa. Don't even mention her to your employer

Another concern is shipping our little cat out and if anyone has done similar... give your cat to a good home where you are from. Then when you come here help out a local cat and adopt one through feline friends

If the offer is all good we should be coming over in a month or 2 and I think I will earning 23-24k with my girlfriend finding work once we have relocated - Is this enough to live on. Oh and how much to ship out from UK to Dubai from a smallish 2 bed apartment? it is enough to have a good lifestyle. Don't bother shipping stuff - buy it here. it's cheap and hassle free
Any help is much appreciated!

Veedub wrote:Many thanks Scarlett, these answers are very helpful!

So what is the score with co-habitation then, we're not married at the moment? Would it be better if we were engaged!?

The Major wrote:

scarlet wrote:

Veedub wrote:
Another concern is shipping our little cat out and if anyone has done similar... give your cat to a good home where you are from. Then when you come here help out a local cat and adopt one through feline friends
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Any help is much appreciated!

Cats are not disposable items to be given up and replaced, it's because of attitudes like this why there are so many abandoned pets in Dubai.

PM me and I can give you info on transporting pets to the UAE.

mbwa shenzi wrote:As far as cars are concerned, you can get a 1.6 Mitsubishi Lancer for 1400 per month on a lease deal. Don't think I can mention the name of the lease company on here, but it's attached to one of the 4 large japanese auto companies. What about buying? Ford Focus works out about 900 a month, other similar deals abound.