Originally Posted by
Trader
Buy ONE car and buy it used off one of the many expats that are leaving. You can get GREAT vehicles for next to nothing! You get driven to work so avoid the second car. Furnish your place via Dubizzle etc as well. Lots of beautiful furniture for sale (again expats leaving) that is almost new. Make a plan and stick to it. But if you think you are going to move to DXB and enjoy the high life AND save you are sadly mistaken. It is a VERY expensive place if you want to play. You can still enjoy life and have some fun but, like back home, you have to be reasonable. Too many come here, buy two cars, a motorbike or boat (or both), have wives who spend lavishly etc etc. Ten years later and they still have nothing to show for it.
You can also write off the first year in terms of savings - moving and setting up is expensive.
It was good when the upgrades were 3-4 years. Now at over 5 years and climbing it becomes far less of a draw to come to EK. Plan on 7 years to the upgrade and you won't be disappointed. If you believe the hype and base your finances on a 4 year upgrade you'll be sorely disappointed.
Upgrade letters, at least on the tractor, now down at 3 1/2 years.