Moving to Abu Dhabi in few weeks

The advice below is what I would have given...but a couple of things. You are coming from USA....the electrical system here is different....US electrical products will not work....we have the same system as UK. You could use a transformer but have not heard people having much luck with them. Re international calls....I use Skype and Facetime......download Skype before you come...and you can do computer to computer calls free, landline calls also available if you pay....you can of course, get international minutes on cell. My US friends have vonage phones...may be worth you looking into that and bringing it with you. I would also recommend getting a VPN set up on your computer which gives access to TV from your home country.....set up and download before you come.

Firstly I think you need to remember that no matter how much you love living here in the gulf, it will never be permanent. 1. I suggest you keep your bank account at home, change to a low fee option with internet banking for transfers and paying bills online. I do find that transferring money is cheaper through the local exchanges such as UAE Xchange or Al Ansari. All local banks offer similar services. I would advise wt you stay well away from HSBC. They tend to make life rather difficult here. 2. Shipping small amounts can be very expensive. I suggest you sell on or give away all your white goods. They don't store well and you can purchase anything here at what for me as an Australian! is a good price. I don't know how they compare in the UK. 3. All rental is done on an annual basis - usually one cheque although you can negotiate with the landlord for maybe 2/3 or even 4 cheques. 4. The first thing you have to do you get your visas processed. First your husband as the contract holder, then you and your kids. Then you can apply for the Emirates ID card. It is compulsory for everyone in your family and without it you can't do much, open bank accounts, electricity accounts get a telephone, landline or mobile, or purchase a car. 5. Etisalat and du are the two phone companies here. Both offer a variety of services - mobile, land line, Internet, TV etc. you should go and talk to them both and decide which offers the best package for you. Mobile phones are both poet and pre paid. I have a prepaid and am happy with host. You can buy credit for phones at all supermarkets, grocery stores, and petrol pumps. 6. Credit Card: when you open your bank account, you will also apply for a credit card. The big malls offer a debit or credit card system but in the markets, it is cash only. 7. Health insurance covers vary. In Abu Dhabi, it is compulsory for companies to give their employees basic health insurance? I am lucky and our contract included full health insurance including dental but most companies save money by not offering this extra service. Dental services vary in price and quality. In the big fancy dental hospitals etc, they are very expensive, but in the smaller clinics, they can be very reasonable in price. I have found over the past five years the cost of living here has hugely increased and rent is expensive. Are school fees included in your contract? Schools are also expensive here, especially if you are used to a free education system in your country. Finding a good school is difficult, especially if you want a good IB curriculum - depends upon the age of your kids. Many people complain about the schools here, but there are some good ones and those are not necessarily the most expensive ones so shop around and ask lots of questions to those you meet who have kids at school. However, if you live a "normal"life and not like you are on one big vacation, you should be able to save. Good luck!!!!!

Hi, welcome. Will try to answer a couple of your points: 1. We are from the UK and have kept our UK bank account open. We transfer from UAE account to UK and do online banking. I would keep at least the savings account, otherwise what will you do when you go back for holidays? 2. My guess is that it wouldn't be worth having your fridge shipped over. All sorts of brands and sizes are easily available here. Do send your personal things like the wedding photos though. 3. Most places want rent paid in one or two cheques. 4.You can't do anything here until your visa is processed. This then allows you to get your Emirates ID, which in turn allows you to open a bank account/driving licence etc etc.If your husband is the main job holder, his visa will need to be processed before yours can start. 5. You can get debit and credit cards here. 6.I am rubbish at the mobile phone deals, - won't offer any advice as I am sure I could get a better deal. I have etisalat and am billed monthly. You can also get pay as you go. Two companies - etisalat and du. 7. Yes, I think it is quite common for dental and optical not to be covered. We are lucky in that respect though and are covered, so not sure of prices. Hopefully you'll get some other responses with a bit more info.