Originally Posted by
BANANASBANANAS
Agreed. Unfortunately, the expensive prices apply to most everyday items too.
It's not a competition and we do see high prices around the world but Dubai does seem to kick it to the next level in my opinion - on all goods, luxury to basic needs. There is no escape from the high cost of living here unless you are prepared to live frugally - which defeats one of the purposes of becoming an expat for most people.
Potential new joiners really need to factor these costs in and not simply convert Dubai salary to their current currency and think they will become rich quickly.
It all depends where you live and to which supermarkets you go. Sometimes one item got a crazy price at Spinneys Downtown but at the next supermarket f.e. it’s less. If you order your food online bis InstaShop f.e. you ll get most of the times better prices than if you go by yourself, but it depends on the area you live and which supermarket you can trust to deliver good things.
My living costs are higher than before yes. Are they so much higher: no. Just Food and daily needed goods we spend round about 30% more than before a month. But that’s bearable.
If you go out: there are cheap restaurants with good food, there are expensive maybe more stylish places in s nice environment with good food. So it depends on your choice. But yes you can waste money easily .
The party bill which was posted above is no fake and that’s what you pay for in some clubs here in the VIP section where girls come easy...