EK: Opting out
 

Hi fellow EK aviators!

Due to recent changes in my family situation I have decided to opt-out of EK company accommodation. Posting here to get some feedback on the process from those of you that have been in company accommodation to later opt-out. How long did you have to wait to get the allowance? Will you get it the day you are kicked out of company acc or when? Do you need to provide any documentation on the lease to get the allowance? etc etc...

All kinds of advice appreciated, trolls are ignored...

Thanks in advance!

/OptingOut

I believe it is fairly straight forward. You can get it in two checks or by the month. Not sure when it kicks in but I don't recall any problems, mind you that was a long time ago. Have been out for a while now, my 2 cents, if you are gonna have any kids soon stay. If you are alone or just partner, buy a flat and use that money as a morgate. Best of luck

Good luck,
Bare in mind, EK will not hike the allowance, as they didn't reduce it either when the market was low...
Good luck as the rents are going skyrocketing again...
My personal opinion is... Don't do it. And if, please don't cry after a couple of month and blame it on EK, that they are not hiking the allowance.
Good luck👍👍👍

OptingOut,

It is fairly straight forward, although what they don't tell you is the the "advance" is not actually in advance. It is a 6 month advance, but paid 1 month in arrears. This means that you have a gap of potentially 6 -7 weeks from the time that you move out until you see money in your account. This, in turn, means that you should make provision to pay your rent initially from some other source.

To emphasize what the other posters have said, I would suggest that you be looking to get into the market as an owner occupier rather than as a tenant. You need hair on your teeth as a tenant. At present the allowance will get you decent 2 bedroom unit but that will be down to a 1 bedroom unit in the next 12 months.

Hope it helps

ktk

I would think long and hard before buying in dubai. There are no good deals left and considering the core structural problems with the finances of the world super powers another global problem could bring the whole thing crashing down. Interest rates going up significantly, the China housing bubble bursting, or the US dollar tanking could send the local property market tumbling. As everyone learned a few years ago Dubai does not exist in a bubble.

Thanks for the info and warnings.

Basically wife and kids already moved back to Europe, didn´t like Dubai at all, so if nothing else it´s just depressing sitting alone in a villa. I am well aware of what´s going on in the rental/property market at the moment but just looking to get a cheap 1-bed apartment which should be covered by the allowance for some time.

what about when your kids come to visit? Surely nicer to be in a villa with a yard/space for them to have room than bunking in on the sofa? (guess it would depend how long they are here for)

Also on the co-acc side is that it's paid for, no need to worry about rent hikes and should your situation change in future you still have access to a villa. If you opt out and things change (best case wife wants to come back, worst case you part ways) you'll still be stuck renting and possibly the allowance would no longer let you to rent a villa if you so wished to get back into one for whatever reason.... very possible with the rents going up as they are...

(Just a view from someone who shuttled between parents' places as a kid and appreciated having my own room when visiting Dad!)

Single or married, FO or Capt, its a brave man/woman who opts out now. Rents are only going one way and once you're out theres no coming back.

givemewings: You have obviously not seen my company provided villa. Less outdoor space than life time convicts get... Same ambience though...

You could always ask them if you could swap your villa for a company apartment, I know that they done this in the past.
I personally would not opt out due to the nature of the property market here. Also depends on whether you're planning on staying here long term or short term.

They day the allowance does not cover for a lonesome (married or not) pilot in Dubai I doubt anyone of us will affort/want to live here.

And let´s get real about the increased cost of living. Sure there will be an initial adjustment of rental prices in the coming year. But the only way prices are going to continue to go up is if people are willing/able to pay so at some point the curve will flatten out. Even though some rulers would like to see Dubai as the centre of the world, it still has to adhere to the realities of the global economy and that has far more influence than an Expo 6 years from now.

Well obviously.

however something to consider is villa vs apartment IF your kids spend any deal of time in dxb. If they would be fine in an apt then go for it. Just that even being able to open the door and have any outside space is usually a bonus over an apt (in many you cant even uee balcony due idiot neighbours throwing cigs, trash etc....

can't hurt to ask around, just may be another FO waiting on (any) villa

Stay in the villa. Get a flatmate.

A little while back I opted out and left the delights of DSO, and the family left the UAE.
I am now quite happily living in another emirate paying 20% of what I'd pay in Dubai.
My advice would be to look outside of Dubai (to the north) as there are plenty of decent apartments available if you are prepared to look.
The downside is the 40 minute drive to my work pickup point, the general lack of "Dubai action" is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned, but that's just me.
It depends what you want out of life, or if you view dubai as a shining beacon in the desert, then I'd suggest you try and downgrade to a company apartment, otherwise, head north and use the excess you have in allowance to pay for the odd firm ticket you'll need to get back to DXB in time for your next trip :ok:

Just recently I flew with a guy who lives in the Northern Emirates. He mentioned he does his standbys in his car under a bridge on the Emirates Bypass Road, it's the only way he can be sure of getting to work on time if he's called.

He also mentioned worrying about getting a blowout, fog on the road for morning departures or just being a part of someones crash.

Rents are cheap though.

To each his own, but living overseas can be hard enough without living in isolation to save a few bucks. Amenities in the northern emirates are very limited and my personal opinion is that the chance of marriage problems would go up exponentially. For me, it wouldn't be worth the risk. Feeling integrated in society with options of movies, dinner, socializing with friends, sports etc. is far too important. A nice two bed is still well within the allowance, so you're obviously in good shape.

hi OptingOut

I rarely post anymore but my advice to you is to stay in company accommodation.
Don't get me, wrong I am not saying that living out is a bad thing or even buying is a bad thing. I own two apartments but I bought them cheap and won't buy anymore. Now is the time to seat and wait.
You are, in my mind, too late. Now play it safe and if your family situation has changed so much, like others have said, move to an apartment and just enjoy what's on tap for a while.

Rents are going higher and this is not a rational market so you can be out priced pretty quickly.
As for living away from DXB.. Sure, it is cheap but if you are on your own, what are you going to do in RAK or wherever ? I lead a quiet life and would probably enjoy the country lifestyle in my own country but I never came to DXB to live like a hermit.

We are for years, let's not make it worse than it needs to be.

My 2 fils.

Good luck however with your choice.

Up north is the answer
 

I agree re fog, blowout, etc, etc. But the 611 is much safer than the other roads in the area, still FOGGY, but less idiots.


No need to enter BRDGE holding.


Pick your coffee shop, in your favorite mall, and read paper, pprune, and drink a coffee. If called out, find a phone booth....


We know how to live in the north.


Glf

The guy who does his standby under the bridge should read the OM-A sometime, unless his residence is actually under the bridge.

I call BS on that story as well

It's a brave chap that gives up company accommodation at the moment imho.

new rental calculator is out as of JAN 14 on the news….

Yeah I'm screwed. Saving a buck now, losing much more when it comes to contract renewal…

I guess for some supporting the career of your other half only happens when it comes with trips to the mall for expensive shoes..:ugh:

As for living out of Dxb, one would hope they don't decide to enforce the "live where you have your visa" thing...

Stranger things have happened at sea givemewings, but I'd say it's very unlikely as the local property market doesn't need any artificial help, unlike down the road.....

EK: Opting out
 

A question for incumbents for the benefit of new joiners taking the company accommodation:

Thoughts on taking the furnished package or unfurnished? Is it correct that the furnishings provided are of quite good quality and value? If you went unfurnished and took the 45K furnishing allowance to select your own decor, could you expect to be able to get a suite of equivalent value?

Thanks in advance.

I took the company provided furniture just over a year ago and it's fine.

skytops

If you're already the owner of decent furniture in your home country and it's likely to fit the dimensions of your new pad, whether it be 2/3 bed apartment or villa, take the allowance and use the money to ship your own stuff. Likewise, using the allowance to fit out a small 2 bed apartment would also work...just.

A 3 bed apt or 3/4 villa with 45k will not come close, unless you want it looking like a cheap mini IKEA showroom. Going for the company provided furniture would work better for the first 3-5 years (you may not decide to stay longer anyway). Quality is passable for short term but it will mean groundhog day as you visit all your other EK friends.

Putting the 45k into perspective, I've just forked out over 70,000 for a dinning table, 10 chairs and a side unit. I'm hoping that's going to last slightly longer than 4 years!

70,000 for a dining table and chairs???! Did you fly the Versace team over for a bespoke dining room? I guess whatever it takes to keep the wife happy. I wish I had enough discretionary income to blow 70k on a table:)

Just my opinion but I would choose Ikea over the company provided furniture. To me it all looks a bit dated. But when you interview you can decide for yourself. You will see a set when they give you a tour of the 2/3 bedroom apartment option. If you want an easy transition and minimal hassle then go with the company furniture.

dubizzle.ae and some new stuff will be more to your liking. Lots of people leaving Dubai so you can find nice, more fitting, furniture.

Either you've been robbed or - I hate to say it - been a sucker!!!!!!!!!

Big table made of teak, inlaid with diamonds?

EK: Opting out
 

Thanks for the replies, very useful to hear opinions.

I chose the 45K, a colleague chose the fully furnished, on reflection i am pleased with my choice, the money doesn't go that far but at least you can buy what you like rather than basic stuff.

To give you an example how far my cash went, i bought a good bed, fridge freezer, washer dryer, dishwasher, cooker, crockery and blinds for the villa, just a couple of dirhams left.

If you go for the fully furnished option, it far simplifies moving in but you don't get a choice, the quality looks ok but not what i would choose.

WK

Really? Not sure what your idea of quality is but it's obviously different to mine. Marina, Homecentre, IKEA and the like will offer something but it's hardly top drawer.

It amuses me when people will quite happily spend 150-200k on a car they rarely use and only spend 4k on a bed and mattress they spend a third of their time in. Buying good quality, classic style furniture will never date and will last you a life time.....unlike the car.

BananaAir…

Pretty much just had my milk come thru my nose I laughed so hard…

Note to Self: Don't be drinking anything reading BA's posts!

Kap

BA

Did you have to buy her a rake to lash to the bicycle or do those cost extra??

170

US$19,000 for a table and chairs, or £11,500?!?!

Do you get to keep the delivery truck?

PC

Correct on both! Which is why the delivery truck was not one of those white open top versions with furniture sticking out the top and slatted rails down the side. I think some people have spent too long being exposed to cheap indonesian sourced, Indian made furniture here in Dubai. Go to Europe and the US, visit a reputable department store and see what $20k buys you. Hardly a figure to warrant so much shock and awe

Anyway, the table needs to be long and strong to support the naked Japanese lady that I intend eating my sushi off each night. Freshly prepared by a professional Michelin star chef and Washed down with vintage champagne, all of the above was included free for a whole year with the purchase. I'm now looking for 9 volunteers to join me each night..... as long as you leave the strategically placed crispy seaweed for me! :E