Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Groceries

If you are interested in the COL here in Dubai here are a few indicators from my shopping list:
1 litre milk DH5
1 loaf white bread DH3 to DH7
2 litre juice DH10
24 cheese slice DH10.50
1 litre of cream DH 12
Australian Lamb chops DH 28 per kg
Australia beef mince DH 18 per kg
Chicken breast fillets DH26 to DH30 per kg
Australian Rib eye steak DH 32 per kg
2 litre tub Baskin Robbins icecream DH30
1.2 kg fresh whole chicken around DH15
30 fresh eggs DH12
watermelon Dh2.90 per kg
bananas Dh3 per kg
carrots Dh3 per kg
apples around Dh4
ya/ nashi pears Dh2 to DH3 per kg
Potatoes DH1.75 kg
Eggplant DH2.25 kg
Pasta Sauce Dh10 per 750g jar
Dried pasta DH 2.15 (500g bag)
Tomatoes DH2.25 kg
Pawpaw/papaya DH5.95kg
Strawberries DH 5.50 250g punnet
Bananas DH 2.95
Arabic bread large Dh 2 small Dh 1
Croissants box of 6 Dh8
Cheese DH8 per 250g block
Sausages DH28 per kg
5kg short grain white rice DH11

Fish seems to be cheap and around the DH30 per kg up but Hammour is especially nice and considered to be a "local" fish. Overall fruit and veg varies in price according to the season and also according to it's origin.

Eating out
Local bakeries and small restaurants without alcohol are cheap as are fast food places like KFC, Hardees, McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut which all deliver. If you eat at Hotels some have buffets plus all you can drink ( INCLUDING alcohol) for LESS than DH150 per person and these are really nice places.

MacDonald's cost of living index
Value meal (drink, chips, burger) DH14
Kid's meal DH10

Publications
Get hold of a Dubai Explorer, The Connector free book and What's On and Time Out magazines.

Cards that give me something

Wafi City advantage card
Air miles card
McGrudy's card
Privelege Card (centrepoint etc)

Coupons

Book stores have an Entertainer books full of coupons for restaurants, eateries and activities ie Ski Dubai, Arabian nights tours in Dubai-they have a 3 book offer out at the moment-I think the last one is for spas and stuff-loads of two for one offers.

Activities

karting
fishing
flying
football
horse riding
kite surfing
dune bashing
sailing
golf
diving(www.7seasdivers.com ,www.alboomdiving.com ,www.diversdown.tk , www.emiratesdiving.com , www.jumeirahinternational.com etc)
shooting
(Jebel Ali Shooting Club 8836555, www.jebelali-international.com and Ras Al Khaimah Shooting Club, 07 2363622, and Hatta Fort Hotel 8523211, www.jebelali-international.com)


Cars
Hire of small car around DH1300 to DH1800 per month
Petrol around DH6.50 per gallon

Electricity
Your DEWA bill will shock you. Families expect bills over DH1300 per month.
Electricity is 220-240V, plugs are three prong square.

Do I win the plasma tv for the longest post?????

GAB,

Very useful post... but you've forgotten that essential cost for the 40inch Sony LCD tv (12,000 Dhs), satellite tv costs and cost of adsl internet connection..

But seriously, good to see the cost of the staples you've listed.

Cheers,
Shafique

shafique wrote:GAB,

Very useful post... but you've forgotten that essential cost for the 40inch Sony LCD tv (12,000 Dhs), satellite tv costs and cost of adsl internet connection..

But seriously, good to see the cost of the staples you've listed.

Cheers,
Shafique

Sony Bravia SUCKS!!!!

Go for the Samsung LCDs.

make this sticky Liban

Ok, but now that you have mention it... how much is the cost of adsl connection?

cheers

Jim

Thanks for the useful info have been looking for this for a while.Thanks once again.
I will be moving to Dubai in march.Any suggetions for single accomadation around WTC shiekh Zaheed rd.

Shafi Wahid

ya dudes thanx for the info well appreciated, look forward to being a part of forum going for a visit next fortnight looking at property wanna live there

Photonico wrote:Ok, but now that you have mention it... how much is the cost of adsl connection?

cheers

Jim

Dhs 200 per month, for a 1mb connection, with unlimited access.

yorky500 wrote:

Photonico wrote:Ok, but now that you have mention it... how much is the cost of adsl connection?

cheers

Jim

Dhs 200 per month, for a 1mb connection, with unlimited access.

Yorkie

Which provider DIC or Etilistat?

Al Shamal, thru Etisalat.

There is a 2mb connection, but it is slightly more expensive, not sure how much it was now.

yorky

BB is soooooooooo expensive in dubai. I have a 2mb connection here UK for equiv 180Dhs. Cable in the UK is offering 8mb for equiv 350Dhs

Arnie,

If you think UK is cheap, try Hong Kong! 10mb connection (broadband) runs at around Dhs90 per month for unlimited usuage!

yorky500 wrote:Arnie,

If you think UK is cheap, try Hong Kong! 10mb connection (broadband) runs at around Dhs90 per month for unlimited usuage!

Eeeeekkkkkkkkkkkk that is cheap

prob going off topic, the problem in Dubai, is the total lack of "competition".

this is good data, there is another spreadsheet that I posted about and available at http://www.grapehisha.com

Is it possible to upload the file here so everyone can see it?

Hi,

can someone post the costs for:

monthly costs for small Car (e.g. Toyota Echo); insurance e.g. no rental
average monthly costs for small apartment (1 person) near Internet City

How does it work with health insurance?


Thanks,
Sebastian

Try www.gulfnews.com classifieds for todays market prices.

Health Insurance-most companies provide coverage with quite often dental being not included-try Goodhealth for info or BUPA.