Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Kiaora!

We are a kiwi family of 4 considering a couple of years in the UAE. Our drivers seem to be a little different from the usual "make loads of tax free dosh", we are keen to show our 6 & 7 year old daughters the world. UAE seems to provide a "relatively" safe central haven where a reasonable income can be earned to fund expeditions into ME and Europe.

It sure would be great to meet other Expats taking a similar aproach to life in the UAE.

obligatory words of caution:

this place is HOT-- kids will be in doors most of the time (not the NZ lifestyle)

you'll need $ to get a 2 bedroom plus cover school fees

travel is also more expensive than you'd think, despite relative proximity to Europe, Africa, etc

think carefully before getting too serious-- other options might make more sense than dubai

Hey there, yes we picked up on the heat and cost issues from this and other forums. First offer is package around 780k for me - wifey considering work after 6mo to supplement income. Which looks like it should cover a basic 2 bed apartment and allow us to do a wee bit of travel.

The potential boredom issue for the kids is one of our biggest concerns, is it really that bad for expat kids? Spending all day stuck in a concrete apartment staring at tv/laptop? Surely there must be sports/ballet/dance/clubs for young kids in Dubai?

Sydneysider wrote:obligatory words of caution:

this place is HOT-- kids will be in doors most of the time (not the NZ lifestyle)

you'll need $ to get a 2 bedroom plus cover school fees

travel is also more expensive than you'd think, despite relative proximity to Europe, Africa, etc

think carefully before getting too serious-- other options might make more sense than dubai

There are lots of indoor activities for kids, educational and recreational. Ice Skating, Indoor skiing/snowboarding, school summer camps etc etc. Don't worry that won't be your biggest problem. 780k pa should be good for a decent lifestyle. Let me if you have any specific questions. I've been here only 5 months and not quite sure if I like it or not. I have decided to give it at least a year.

Cheers,

reassuring to know there is something for the kids to keep them busy - but skiing!??.

Someting that we enjoy here in summer is a daily morning swim with the kids. Can this be achieved in Dubai before the morning school run? I guess most folk have apartment shared pool or access to a "beach club" for rec swimming? Our girls are into swim training as well so a lap pool would be a bonus.

Do expats tend to cook at home or eat out?

Cheers,

K-Dog wrote:There are lots of indoor activities for kids, educational and recreational. Ice Skating, Indoor skiing/snowboarding, school summer camps etc etc. Don't worry that won't be your biggest problem. 780k pa should be good for a decent lifestyle. Let me if you have any specific questions. I've been here only 5 months and not quite sure if I like it or not. I have decided to give it at least a year.

you'll be good on that dough-- as for pools, yes, likely your building will have one

and yes, skiing--mall of the emirates! snow boarding too. a fun afternoon for the kids

as for eating, i think the dining is fine but it gets old (like anything). but plenty of oppty to hone your cooking skills too as the markets are fine (lots of kiwi lamb on offer too!)

i only point out the potential boredom factor for the kids because the weather here really is something you can never quite get your head around- but with enuf playdates adscatered activities, am sure they can get used to it, esp. if your wife will be around for a bit

good luck w/it- sounds like a family adventure is on the hoizon...

Right, well thats that then. Sounds like we will get more hours on the snow over there than we do here in New Zealand!

Another question that I can't seem to find answer is parking, both at home and at work. Do buildings have basement parking and in the case of the apartment, is this included with the quoted annual rent? When heading to the mall or dining out is it straight forward finding a park? Do folk park their expensive 4x4's in 50 degC heat to melt?

Sydneysider wrote:you'll be good on that dough-- as for pools, yes, likely your building will have one

and yes, skiing--mall of the emirates! snow boarding too. a fun afternoon for the kids

as for eating, i think the dining is fine but it gets old (like anything). but plenty of oppty to hone your cooking skills too as the markets are fine (lots of kiwi lamb on offer too!)

i only point out the potential boredom factor for the kids because the weather here really is something you can never quite get your head around- but with enuf playdates adscatered activities, am sure they can get used to it, esp. if your wife will be around for a bit

good luck w/it- sounds like a family adventure is on the hoizon...

parking is generally included, so no worries there-- but obv. ask!

work parking depends on where your office is. i'm in dubai media city and it is first in, best dressed, unless you have reserved pkg. most office towers provide indoor parking tho.

as for the malls, hotels (where you might go to dine), etc-- most have convenient parking (some even valet). only place that seems to be a nightmare for parking is city centre in deira

dubai ain't a walking kind of place so chancs are your big exerise will b the dash from AC'd car to AC'd destination!

Hey that sounds great. And yes I will certainly check apartment and work contract for parking - tks for the tip.

Sydneysider wrote:parking is generally included, so no worries there-- but obv. ask!

work parking depends on where your office is. i'm in dubai media city and it is first in, best dressed, unless you have reserved pkg. most office towers provide indoor parking tho.

as for the malls, hotels (where you might go to dine), etc-- most have convenient parking (some even valet). only place that seems to be a nightmare for parking is city centre in deira

dubai ain't a walking kind of place so chancs are your big exerise will b the dash from AC'd car to AC'd destination!

kia ora ruatoria!

great timing. we have been in london two and a half years but are just starting to evaluate a dubai opportunity. perhaps we can share learnings??? we are kiwi/oz couple with (almost) 4yr boy and 10m girl.

situation slightly diff from most as we'd be setting up a new office for an antipodean firm so we need to do a lot of the legwork ourselves. Fristly, if anyone has a starting point for what to ensure is part of package for director level it would be most appreciated, even minimum numbers for a young family as i wouldnt work. Also, any recommendations on relocation services too.

fyi, only online every few days esp as it's summer hols here so apologies if replies take a while

thanks in advance

Hi there northfields,

have sent you a PM, looking forward to chat.

northfields wrote:kia ora ruatoria!

great timing. we have been in london two and a half years but are just starting to evaluate a dubai opportunity. perhaps we can share learnings??? we are kiwi/oz couple with (almost) 4yr boy and 10m girl.

situation slightly diff from most as we'd be setting up a new office for an antipodean firm so we need to do a lot of the legwork ourselves. Fristly, if anyone has a starting point for what to ensure is part of package for director level it would be most appreciated, even minimum numbers for a young family as i wouldnt work. Also, any recommendations on relocation services too.

fyi, only online every few days esp as it's summer hols here so apologies if replies take a while

thanks in advance