Dubai job offer ... worth relocating?

alankew said:

Pepperoni there was a thread a couple of days ago about dream car or something along those lines.One of the people that had written a response was currently working in Dubai,give them a try

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pepperoni said:

Ive been negotiating an offer with a company in the UAE and now have a draft offer with medical insurance booklet etc.

Basically its 30k US equivalent tax free per month (confirmed by PWC). Includes relocation costs, medical, 3 months hotel, 2 flights home, 6 weeks annual leave, bonus etc.

Im also told I can invest my cash in singapore in aus$ at aus rates tax free perfectly legitimately (Ill be UAE resident) which is a bonus.

Im meant to accept by 23 July but Id be leaving great money in Aus and am not to sure about Dubai as a home.

Anyone with experience in the area?

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Julia said:

I'm a bit surprised to hear that. Friends recently spent several days there and found the people very polite and friendly. No dirt, dust etc. Said it was very clean and attractive. Very, very hot, though.
The tourist experience might be different from living there I guess.

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Aargh! said:

Hi Pepperoni, nice offer mate

I recently took a job offer for a company in Dubai. I've only been here a few weeks but my experience is as follows.

If you're a single man you will most likely stay single. The number of men in the population I'm told is in the order of 70%. If a woman talks to you there is a good chance she is a prostitute. Mingers have unbelievable selection power it's quite depressing! It's a sausage fest. You can almost forget getting into a bar if you are in a group consisting of just men.

If you in any way get hot under the collar with other drivers don't come! They are ridiculous here, swerving without warning, cut you off deliberately, speed etc etc. The speed cameras do not go off until you go over 140 km/hr. There are an unsettling number of accidents and deaths on the roads there is pressure on the government to do something about it.

Accomodation is very expensive however on your salary I doubt that will be a problem! Your most basic studio apartment starts from 90,000 dhriham/year (500 AUS a week). One bed from 130,000 (725/wk).

It's quite hot in summer so make sure you have decent a/c!

There are so many things wrong with the place but I find it an exciting place to be. If you love the aussie lifestyle and cant do without keep your job in Aus. Three years is a decent stint over here.

Any more Q's I'm happy to help.

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Eddyl said:

I've been considering a move to dubai next year because of the lucrative pay. However, I work in finance and all the indemand jobs in dubai seem to be in property.
I don't mean to sound rude in saying this, but what are you guys professions(pepperoni and arrgh)? And what are the professions of the expats you know?

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Aargh! said:

Most of the "third class' citizens are the friendliest people you will ever meet. Lately it has been very very dusty due to heat and wind. It is generally attractive but the entire city is a construction site.

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pepperoni said:

Cheers - I also just pmed you on alan's advice.

I have heard nothing will prepare you for the traffic ... I am a bit of a hot head but am more worried about constant bingles and dieing frankly.

Is discovery gardens, Gardens, or dubai investment park OK to live if I work out that way? Bad traffic out there?

Ill probably get the most basic and tough it out as a saving exercies.

Any leads on getting property out there?

Thanks for the single tip - the co making the offer is part govt owned and whilst they know Im longer term defacto not wanting to ruin it with a wedding ;-) they insist that I pretend Im single and look after her myself. Which is fine, except Ive also heard I can get arrested for living with her there!

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pepperoni said:

I have an unused finance degree and a law degree Im trying to use less and less ha ha.

From what I hear investment banking pays 70000-100000 aed easily a month which is over 20k a month. One of the only jobs gteed to pay well.

Lots of building jobs sure but many with crap pay.

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Aargh! said:

Be careful about not p!ssing off a local on the road. I know a guy who flipped off a local. His car was stolen from his house, he rang the police and they told him to come to the station. They threw him in jail. His car had been impounded. You HAVE to be careful and keep your cool.

I would reccomend living close to where you work due to traffic. Discovery Gardens and the Gardens are nice indeed and little traffic, I live in the Gardens at the moment but will need to move in the coming months. They are expensive villas though. I will go and live in the marina, many high rises so apartment living, lots of expats.

Check out the site Dubizzle, lots of property advertised. Also look at GulfNews, lots of info about living here. Go and buy the book Dubai Explorer: The Complete Residents' Guide (Living & Working for Expats) very valuable and lots of info. There's lots of red tape here, you need constant stamped letters from your employer.

It's illegal to have relations with someone you're not married to but do it in your own place and they wont mind. You need to get married QUICKLY if you get her pregnant!

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pepperoni said:

GARDENS? NO WAY. I thought it was a long waiting list. In a villa or what. How much?

Ill take it off you when you go or we can be roomies ha ha.

I heard JBR and and Marina are half enpty and cheap.

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son of baglimit said:

http://calculators.ato.gov.au/scripts/axos/axos.asp?CONTEXT=&KBS=residency_leaving.XR4

use this first to determine your tax status, as length of stay, tax payable in UAE & tax paid on any aust income can all be affected.

and then theres the CGT issue.

http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/IND00135932n41510608a.pdf

see pg 16.

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Aargh! said:

Yes its nice ;-)

Yes in a villa. Ridiculously expensive but work paying ;-)

I know marina is half empty, they are the prices I quoted. I think I have a pic....

First is my villa, second looking from Garden View to the Marina in the background.

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