What Trader said.
We bought a used car, and one kid was in the "You pay for it." school year. I figure it was about 3.5 years until we were at a break even to move back home. One car and company housing. It is the little things. Curtains, garden, etc., that added up. Food is pricey about 2-3 times what we spent in US. With a 5 year bond you now have to include that cost if you decide you don't like it here. The thing here is they are killing us with the schedules. I mean it. They have been for years. You are giving up your health coming here. It will get worse not better. Welcome aboard though. Best of luck. The Staff Mart and dubizzle.com are good. Filter the stuff to include expat communities only and you should find almost everything you need in good shape. Lucky's in Sharja is good for wood furniture.