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EWmums

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Relocation + Salary

wonder007106398

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 13:46

Hi There

I am expecting a job offer from Abu Dhabi. I have never worked there so clue about the hidden costs. I have 2 school going kids.

Title: Network Manager (IT)

Included

Health Insurance
Kids Education Allowance
Family Air Tickets

Excluded

House Allowance
Transportation Allowance

I need to give them a salary expectations. What should be an approximate figure for an Irish Expat ?

Thanks in advance !!

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15

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 20:58

Just being nosy :) Have there been any developments? I think with two school going children you need to find school places then look for accommodation within travelling distance.

wonder007106398

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 June 2015 - 04:41

Thanks guys. I have a bit of an idea now. I need to figure out first from the company about the kids education allowance if it is fully paid or simply capped for certain amount. Are there any place near Abu Dhabi where accommodation would be a bit cheap. I have heard that people work in Dubai normally can commute to Sharjah if they want to save some money..

15

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 22:45

When we did our costings at Christmas (my husband moved out in March and we're following next month), I read somewhere that you needed the equivalent of £8-10k per month, so 45-55k AED per month all in, to have a decent lifestyle. I've no idea if that still holds true. Accommodation is very expensive, way over most people's allowance as far as I can tell. School fees, ours say 'full' for up to 2 children, but it's capped at the cost of BSAK and lots of the newer schools are dearer. Also, you might be limited on places at this stage - we've not heard from 2 of the three schools we applied to and we've been on the waiting lists since Christmas. Are you shipping your furniture etc out? If so, you'll need a relocation allowance. As other folk have said there are a lot of upfront costs, and a lot of unexpected costs - getting documents attested/translated for a start then you'll probably have to buy a cooker and curtains for your accommodation, hire a car until your visa is sorted, stock up your kitchen cupboards from scratch, etc.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 22:06

It's also factoring in things like car hire if go home on holiday. Have you family to stay with..I don't and have huge costs associated with trips to uk. Rental income on my uk property doesn't cover the mortgage once costs are taken off the rental income so I am always topping up. Other stupid things ie if kids need braces for eg then a lot of medical insurance don't pay for this or indeed any dental work. I think first step is to find out whether school fees are totally paid and for how many kids...some companies cap it at two. Once you know that you can then start to budget a bit better. Typically classes for kids out of school such as football etc START at AED50 but can easily be double...again all things that need considered.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 22:00

Might be tax free but school fees, high rent etc etc Is there chance your husband can get employment ?

wonder007106398

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 21:43

Thanks for the input our whole family will be moving over. Yes, hidden costs are a big factor for me. I don`t have means to pay everything in advance unless employer agrees to pay relocation expenses which we will see how it goes. Its crazy...you have a feeling that you can save some money but then it ends up with nothing but just frustration...you want to get away from taxes and then you know you have to pay the price for tax free income :)

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 20:46

Sorry if I am being nosey..are you coming on your own with the kids? I don't have a maid but I think a decent one is about AED2.5k a month plus visa costs plus flight home plus paying agency maid when they take holiday. I wasn't including transportation costs separately but it will def be more than AED1000 a month. Hiring a car is anything from AED1700 to around AED3000 for a decent family car and much more for a 4x4. You can probably buy a decent car for maybe AED1500 a month but then you have insurance and bills, cars need serviced more often out here. If you aren't coming out on your own then you will prob need two cars.. Electricity etc in a villa will probably be more than AED1500 a month...bear in mind that in with your electricity you pay a housing fee which is annually 5% of your rent. Ie I am in an apartment for AED120k so every year I have to pay 5% of 120k which works out at AED500 a month, this gets added to your electricity bill. The more expensive your accommodation is the more you pay. If you are going to be working full time you will need to decide what you are going to do with your kids in the holidays. Holiday camps are way, way more expensive than back home. I'm not trying to be negative but so many people come out here and don't factor in the extra costs.

wonder007106398

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 20:27

so if I have to sum up Housing allowance = 25K AED TV/Internet Bills = 500 AED Electricity = 1500 AED Kids Allowance = Fully Covered Health Insurance = Fully comprehensive Transportation = 1000 AED ________________________________________ Total = 28K AED (Just expenses approx.) If I might ask for at least 30K AED only then I assume we can have some saving but I am not sure if this package is enough or I should ask for more if they agree. Its only at initial stage. I have job so I am not losing anything at the moment. I`ll only move if I get any financial benefit out of it. Another factor is initial settlement and that itself requires handsome amount of cash in hand which I don`t have :( unles they provide some loan initially.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 19:57

You need to check the schooling allowance. Be aware that schools tend to hike their fees every year...we have had a 7% rise every year. Housing also tends to increase annually..salaries don't tend to. Secondary school will be more expensive than primary, in some cases almost double the cost. Childcare both for your youngest and after school isn't easy to get. A lot of people have maids at home who either taxi to school to collect the kids or kids go on school bus, again this is another expense. We live out here on a very tight budget and it isn't nice. If I had time again I would be looking for ALL school fees paid( some companies cap school fees and recently school fees have increased dramatically so even those getting fees paid are now having to top up), housing allowance of at least AED12k a month ( doesn't get you much) and probably at least AED25k a month. Re rent in advance, some companies will advance this and take from your salary ( only caution with this is that they if they let you go at end of probationary period you can be left owing money) School fees also get paid termly in advance. Most schools will want AED500 per child just to apply. Sorry, I can't help you with schools as we live in Dubai.

wonder007106398

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 19:13

Yes. Married. 3 kids Daughter 6 yrs, Son 4.5 yrs, Son 5 months AED30,000 + Accommodation ? or that includes everything. Housing is really expensive. I am not sure about the education allowance, I have to ask them. Also I don`t have resources to pay rent upfront for 6 months or years time frame. That`s scary. Any more thoughts... what about schooling. Any schools which I may start looking at ? Kids education is my biggest concern because eventually we have to come back if we can save some money to buy a decent house back home :)

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 14:21

I assume you are married? if so will you Husband have a job to come too or will he have to look for one? How much is the education allowance I would say a minimum of AED30,000 if it is just you working at present and slightly less if Husband is Accomodation for a 3 bed in Abu Dhabi ranges from AED170000 to AED350000 per year and bear in mind we pay in cheques of 1 or 2 a year ( four if you are lucky) plus a deposit of % and a finders fee if an agent assists you. Then you have internet and TV which costs around 400-500 per month, air con water and electricity which averages 500-1500 a month Taxis are cheap here compared to Europe however most will hire or buy a car

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