Salary/package advice

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it but if you want kids to participate in any activities/ sports, the prices are much higher than in the UK. Not sure how they would compare to Sweden. In addition, whilst you may be living on a budget, a lot of other people may not be. This makes socialising difficult. Unlike back home, I find that not many people entertain at home in Dubai but tends to go out more?

In a rush, so just a quick response. In your shoes , I would def have a look at some other cheaper schools. Although many people are happy with Gems school, I believe there are several schools providing just as good, if not a better education at a much cheaper price. The only advantage with Gems, is that if you got a job as a TA there, you get some of the school fees paid. Many other schools don't contribute to fees of the TA's. Typically TA jobs are around AED5 to AED6 k a month. Re a villa, again consider fact you will have higher utilities in a villa than an apartment. Don't rule out a ground floor apartment with 'garden' area. Good luck.

I drive a Mitsibushi Lancer, lol.

WhiteOrchid...def with you. I also think it means I ( and my kids) get a lot of pleasure when we do treat ourselves. Even if my DH earned mega bucks more we would prob stay in same place and I wouldn't spend much more than I currently do.

Unless life can be hugely improved in UAE for your family, both mentally and financially speaking, I would not move here on 30K. Being 'poor' here makes you feel awful as everyone else just seems to be much better off(even if they are not that what it seems like, the glamour is very hard to overlook here as its just in your face). Of course you can manage on smaller salaries, living in an okay villa, flat thats further out, no eating out that often, etc...if you dont mind starting out on the cheap but managable side go for it. Otherwise I would choose staying in my home country a zillion times over coming here. Friends, family are priceless. Wow. I admire your honesty, iveranodxb. But I am shocked that people value superficial things that much! I hadn't realised it but I guess I am a total reverse snob - I actually take pleasure in knowing that I don't need to keep up with the Joneses. Thankfully that also means that I end up saving more than average. Lol!

AnonDubai - he actually starts a new job this week with a different company so no need for Malaysia. It's a decision I never thought he would make ( and really surprised me as right up till decision day he was leaning towards KL) and he does seem to be trying at the minute. Whether it's too late, I'm not sure. I will see how next few months go before making any further decisions. Financially it's a bit of improvement as well. Thanks for asking and thanks for all the advice from everyone. Hi Feefmick! I am happy to read that things are going better and that your husband is making an effort. Maybe he realized that he'd risk losing his family if he made that move.I am also happy that you didn't have to move your daughters from somewhere where they were happy.

:) that is really good to hear Feefmick, have been thinking of you and wondering how it all panned out. If nothing else it has bought you time to finish your course and gain some financial security for you and the girls, hopefully it may even have brought you far more.

AnonDubai - he actually starts a new job this week with a different company so no need for Malaysia. It's a decision I never thought he would make ( and really surprised me as right up till decision day he was leaning towards KL) and he does seem to be trying at the minute. Whether it's too late, I'm not sure. I will see how next few months go before making any further decisions. Financially it's a bit of improvement as well. Thanks for asking and thanks for all the advice from everyone.

Hi Feefmick! Did your husband end up moving to Malaysia?

Cap1tal- reestablishing a career in UK with two kids and zero family/ husband to help out with child care is a well nigh impossible task. There's the small problem of the 12 weeks holiday a year that kids get. Without a husband or family to help out it makes re-establishing a career well nigh impossible. In another couple of years when they're older it will make sense ( if I'm not too old by then, lo) but at the minute it just wouldn't work. I envy friends who have family network to help out but the reality for me is that I would have sole responsiblity which makes things difficult.

If you are EK grade 9 with 3 children then I would advise taking the company accommodation - then at least you never have any bills for housing/dewa etc to worry about

Just to offer a different perspective - when we first moved to Dubai back in 2007 people were saying Dubai was a great place to be professionally because it was much easier to move "up" the corporate hierarchy as the demand was so strong that people were able to get hired into higher positions with less experience than would be required back in their home countries. I'm sure the truth is dependent on the sector you work in and the nature of your work but we do know quite a few people who have progressed substantially in their careers. Likewise, back home many people feel stuck at their current level due to the stagnant job market and that the baby boomers are delaying retirement and still occupying senior level positions. But there is some truth in that the longer you stay in the ME and the more ME focused your career becomes the harder it becomes to transfer into a comparable role back in your home country. There are exceptions, of course. DH has definitely progressed in his career while living overseas but then again he has a senior role with a major multi-national, not an unknown local company whose name wouldn't register with prospective employers in the US. Emirates is probably the only UAE based company whose name may have some impact back home and the company has a great, very professional reputation worldwide. As for coming to Dubai on the package offered to you, it will come down to your expectations. If you want a typical US suburban lifestyle with a comfortable house and good quality schools, it's really not sufficient enough. But if you are willing to compromise and find a cheaper apartment, it can be doable, but it will be tight.

So basically, to OP, work out, truthfully, what type of a person are you and what do you want out of your move to the UAE. Neither a person who likes the luxuries a life here can offer, as opposed to one who is content with having the basic necessities and sunshine outside their window is wrong. Just different perspectives. But be truthful when you look inside yourself because, if you kid yourself that struggling on public transport, rarely being able to socialise with friends, worrying about paying for school trips and meeting unexpected costs, isn't a problem as it is sunny outside, you will soon end up very disappointed. The lure of the sunshine and the baech soon wanes when money worries come into play and you are constantly having to miss out on fun experiences due to cash.

Unless life can be hugely improved in UAE for your family, both mentally and financially speaking, I would not move here on 30K. Being 'poor' here makes you feel awful as everyone else just seems to be much better off(even if they are not that what it seems like, the glamour is very hard to overlook here as its just in your face). Of course you can manage on smaller salaries, living in an okay villa, flat thats further out, no eating out that often, etc...if you dont mind starting out on the cheap but managable side go for it. Otherwise I would choose staying in my home country a zillion times over coming here. Friends, family are priceless.

Part of the draw to DXB is the 'glamour' and BS if people say it is the culture - for most western people it is he assisted home help, the larger houses, the 4x4, the load of sporting activities, the luxurious hotel and beach clubs, the opportunity to travel to exotic destinations.. if you can't do that, why come if you have an option to continue with a comfy life in your home country? For *some* ppl this is the draw... it all depends on your value system. Imo all of those things lose their appeal after a few months! If the OP is materialistic and enjoys 'keeping up with the Joneses' then fair enough, she will find it tough... but that would also be the case on a bigger package as there would be a tendency to spend it all. If on the contrary she enjoys simpler things (e.g. walks on the beach, drives out to the desert, day trips, days at the park, at the pool, interacting with ppl of different cultures) then I'd say to the OP that she could easily manage on the proposed package. SalsB - you make valid points re: dewa. For that reason I would def recommend living in an apt where the costs are much more stable. I'm surprised at your sudden charge as that sort of increase is normally limited to villas. In my 9 years of living here, my dewa bill in apts has been very stable (about AED750 for a 2 or 3 bed). OP: it all depends on your current lifestyle in your home country. If you are scraping a living and fed up with cold, looking for a change of scene then yes make the move. If on the other hand you love your life then maybe stay put. I think it's important to look at the longer term. EK is a good company to work for with a lot of opportunities. Job offers made to ppl back in the west are now few and far between, so imo you this is an opportunity worth grabbing. I am assuming they would pay for your relocation and flights home which is great. They may also lend you money for the 1st 1 or 2 rent cheques (my employer did this when I first came out which was very helpful). As I said earlier, once you have been here for a couple of years there will be other opportunities. It is much easier to find a job once you have built up a reputation here. What is your field? You may be able to find work too once you have settled and your lo is in school. To put it into perspective: in certain communities here, 30k would be considered fantastic. And the main difference in their lifestyle is the schools they send their kids to. But you are getting an excellent education allowance (many companies have stopped paying fees altogether). So in the grand scheme of things, it's not all bad :-) Good luck x

Maybe looking at different schools would help. Maybe dess or Desc as they have a lot of emirates kids and are cheaper than the gems school. I would say 30k for a family of 5 would be too tight for my liking, especially as this includes housing.

Majority of people I know in UK are on tight budgets so it's prob not hugely different being out here on a low salary. . I don't buy it - a professional, who is offered a job in EK, will be able to get a well paying job in UK and add in fact the wife can work far more easily than she could out here, they would have more cash with the two of them working, even with paying tax, then coming here on one salary, having to pay school fees and high rents. I must admit Feefmick, other than the schooling benefits you perceived for your kids, I never got why you were so sure it was better to stay than than return to UK and build a career for yourself.

Different experiences, broadening of horizons, beaches, different opportunities for the kids than back home, better schooling here( I know that doesn't apply to everyone but mine certainly get better education), kids do more sport out here which they love( peer pressure at home was reducing eldest's interest). Majority of people I know in UK are on tight budgets so it's prob not hugely different being out here on a low salary. Summer in UK is fab but the cold, dark, winter days......!! Re feeling like poor relations out here - I agree with what you say but there are more and more people out here living on tight budgets which makes it easier for the kids etc. Can only add that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith for a career boost. Half step back to make a major leap forward. That's 99% of the reason we're here.

You are absolutely right. We are looking into Gems World Academy http://www.gemsworldacademy-dubai.com/ Ps. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Gems American school was in Abu Dhabi not Dubai?? Hello, I would say that is more than enough. It depends on how much you spend on things not related to the basics. If the housing and medical is included (plus an allowance for the kids) then you should be fine. Keep in mind that GWA costs about 25,000aed more per kid for tuition (per year) than the max on your allowance. That is an extra $20,000usd out of pocket yearly or about almost 20% of your husband's monthly take home. They also do not let you make monthly payments and will try to talk you into a GEMS credit card to cover the expense, or you have to come up with it on your own. Personally? I do not suggest going to that school unless you have to. I think the school is totally overpriced and the quality of the education is not as good as other schools (IMO). The DEWA bill in a villa will be closer to 5,000aed per month (just to be realistic,) especially if you have a place big enough for 3 kids. Cars can usually be purchased for a fair price as so many expats are leaving. I wish you the best of luck and enjoy your time here if you do move to Dubai!

We are a family of 5 attending a GEMS School and are very careful with our pennies also. Im sorry but I really think that there is no way that you can live on that much per month with out causing huge amounts of stress and heartache. Let alone be able to save anything or contribute to a retirement fund which we should all be doing anyway. I have friends who attend cheaper non-Gems schools, have the same budget but are always saying how hard it is and they have no money. To the point where they cannot meet for coffee.

Different experiences, broadening of horizons, beaches, different opportunities for the kids than back home, better schooling here( I know that doesn't apply to everyone but mine certainly get better education), kids do more sport out here which they love( peer pressure at home was reducing eldest's interest). Majority of people I know in UK are on tight budgets so it's prob not hugely different being out here on a low salary. Summer in UK is fab but the cold, dark, winter days......!! Re feeling like poor relations out here - I agree with what you say but there are more and more people out here living on tight budgets which makes it easier for the kids etc.

You are absolutely right. We are looking into Gems World Academy http://www.gemsworldacademy-dubai.com/ Ps. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Gems American school was in Abu Dhabi not Dubai??

The question I always want to add to these types of threads, are 'of course it can be done, but why would you live so frugally if you could stay in your home country and not have to penny pinch?' Do you really want to come here and monitor evey dirham you spend??? One of the huge negatives about DXB is that so many of your peers and your kids peers will have far more disposable income and constantly feeling like the poor cousin and having to continually refrain from exciting activities and fun (not talking about brunches) is tedious and will soon be a drain on your family satisfaction with your new life. Part of the draw to DXB is the 'glamour' and BS if people say it is the culture - for most western people it is he assisted home help, the larger houses, the 4x4, the load of sporting activities, the luxurious hotel and beach clubs, the opportunity to travel to exotic destinations.. if you can't do that, why come if you have an option to continue with a comfy life in your home country?

Only have two kids but managed last year. Even had seven weeks in UK this summer albeit did spend a good few nights in a £17 a night Travellodge. It won't be easy but if they avoid Gems schools and are aware that money will be tight it is possible. They just won't be able to chuck money about.

I just cant see a family of 5 living on 30k per month. We all have to allow for rent increases, Dewa, cost of food, Ive seen quite big increases since 2008 on all these above. It was only recently we were given a 13,000 cooling charge bill, and this was for a 3 bed apartment, but never worked in 2 bedrooms. The initial outlay can be huge, and gave us lots of sleepless nights. I would not come and live in Dubai with 3 kids on 30k a month.

Thanks Feefmick :-) OP - here is a list of all the school fees: http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_school_fees_6135.aspx And as for rental accommodation, I would do a good few searches on Dubizzle. For 100k you can easily get a 3 bed apt in Motorcity.