PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - EK F/O - Cost of living in Dubai
View Single Post
Old 28th Feb 2016, 06:54
  #5 (permalink)  
pumpkin
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: dubai
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you shop at Co-op or Aswaaq or Maya etc, you will save at least 50% on your food bill. And the new Co-ops have everything that Spinneys has, except of course Pork products. So groceries actually don't have to be that expensive to be honest. If you take company housing you will not pay anything for power, water etc, (although they have a ceiling- I don't know anyone reasonable who has reached the ceiling). Your internet /tv services and phones etc are quite expensive- I think our plan that covers internet and tv is about 900 dhs a month. Arguable if we actually need the tv.
It is the children that cost- school fees, transport,all the extra fees etc. Even preschools are stupidly expensive and they will have to enroll at a ridiculously young age like 3 or 4. Over the years the kids will see their friends with iphones, personal drivers, mega birthday parties, mansions etc - you will have to refuse to bow down to the pressure- or if you do it will cost you a fortune.
And as mentioned above, holidays will cost a fortune. Car rentals, restaurants etc. Unless you have a home to go to each time in a nice locale. But living here long enough you will want to see Africa or Asia or Europe etc etc. Petrol is cheap. Maintenance is a bit pricey but not prohibitive unless you get a high end vehicle. Car insurance 2500 dhs a year for a 2015 sedan.You can survive on FO salary but highly unlikely you will save anything.
You won't see your family much until they get this staffing issue sorted out- if ever- so you need an independent wife. Good luck on your decision.
pumpkin is offline