Living costs in Dubai
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Green and pleasant land
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Living costs in Dubai
Hi All,
Can any Dubai residents help please?
I'm being put forward for a job out there but before taking things further I'd like to know what the actual cost of living is like - flat for one, food, entertainment etc. The job's not with an airline or subsidised or anything so just what does it cost out there?
Also, the job is being advertised as tax free. Will that cause a problem with the UK taxman if I come home before / after a certain length of time? Not thinking of staying terribly long - maybe a year or two?
Any advice gratefully received & thanks in advance
CS
Can any Dubai residents help please?
I'm being put forward for a job out there but before taking things further I'd like to know what the actual cost of living is like - flat for one, food, entertainment etc. The job's not with an airline or subsidised or anything so just what does it cost out there?
Also, the job is being advertised as tax free. Will that cause a problem with the UK taxman if I come home before / after a certain length of time? Not thinking of staying terribly long - maybe a year or two?
Any advice gratefully received & thanks in advance
CS
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Middle East
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need to just let us know whether you are on a package i.e. are you getting housing allowance, school, medical etc.
The cost of living is about on a par with the UK. About 3 years ago the dirham/pound rate was 5.5 to the pound, now it is 6.7 or there abouts. There is inflation here but it seems to be not spoken about too much. Petrol is cheap, I have just filled 16 gallons for 11 quid.
The tax man status is hard to fathom. It depends on whether you are working in the UK for the present year. It has taken several years for me to finally get a tax rebate for the period I worked prior to me coming here. The fact also remains that whilst you have any ties with the UK visa vee property etc the tax man will still expect you to submit a tax return. A company to get hold of with reference to this is Wilfred T Fry in Worthing. They deal with many of the pilots here and their tax problems. There is one thing that you should do and that is maintain your NI contributions. This will put you in good stead if you return after a short term contract.
As far as salary is concerned, if you are paid in dirhams into a UAE bank, the tax man cannot touch you.........yet. There has been an article from Gordon Brown talking about taxing all UK citizens abroad. This is though only a thought and not fact yet. If it did happen, then the implications are vast. I wish him a very painful visit to a local proctologist.....
Give some brief info on what your package is (on pm if you like)
rgds
The cost of living is about on a par with the UK. About 3 years ago the dirham/pound rate was 5.5 to the pound, now it is 6.7 or there abouts. There is inflation here but it seems to be not spoken about too much. Petrol is cheap, I have just filled 16 gallons for 11 quid.
The tax man status is hard to fathom. It depends on whether you are working in the UK for the present year. It has taken several years for me to finally get a tax rebate for the period I worked prior to me coming here. The fact also remains that whilst you have any ties with the UK visa vee property etc the tax man will still expect you to submit a tax return. A company to get hold of with reference to this is Wilfred T Fry in Worthing. They deal with many of the pilots here and their tax problems. There is one thing that you should do and that is maintain your NI contributions. This will put you in good stead if you return after a short term contract.
As far as salary is concerned, if you are paid in dirhams into a UAE bank, the tax man cannot touch you.........yet. There has been an article from Gordon Brown talking about taxing all UK citizens abroad. This is though only a thought and not fact yet. If it did happen, then the implications are vast. I wish him a very painful visit to a local proctologist.....
Give some brief info on what your package is (on pm if you like)
rgds
Join Date: May 2000
Location: pay me I'll go there..
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cargo,
Small flat in reasonable part of town will cost you Dh40-50,000 per year. If you want to live a bit out towards Sharjah and put up with the traffic, then you'll get something for 25-35,000. Some agencies and landlords will take 2 cheques 1 every 6 mths. Plus 5% agency fee on top for finders fee.
All property is un-furnished so most companies provide an allowance to get set up with the basics. Utilities (water/elec) for a flat will not amount to much more than Dh200 a month.
Living costs depends on what you want to do, if you like to eat local/indian it would be cheaper. If you only eat Birds Eye Fish Fingers and imported products it will be double. Dh1500 a month should keep you alive.
Hope this helps
Small flat in reasonable part of town will cost you Dh40-50,000 per year. If you want to live a bit out towards Sharjah and put up with the traffic, then you'll get something for 25-35,000. Some agencies and landlords will take 2 cheques 1 every 6 mths. Plus 5% agency fee on top for finders fee.
All property is un-furnished so most companies provide an allowance to get set up with the basics. Utilities (water/elec) for a flat will not amount to much more than Dh200 a month.
Living costs depends on what you want to do, if you like to eat local/indian it would be cheaper. If you only eat Birds Eye Fish Fingers and imported products it will be double. Dh1500 a month should keep you alive.
Hope this helps
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Green and pleasant land
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for these replies and the pms guys.
I don't have exact details of package yet, just needed some ammo so that when I speak to the recruitment agency I can at least show I've thought about it some.
Thanks again
CS
I don't have exact details of package yet, just needed some ammo so that when I speak to the recruitment agency I can at least show I've thought about it some.
Thanks again
CS
