gj18457
Once I read an article about real state and expats, and I remember some questions that you must ask before moving to dubai or any place, this can be used as a guide:

It is the right place for your family? Safety, education, etc. If yes
You get a housing allowance or company provided housing?
How much is the housing allowance, in this case for FO and CAPT?
Can you pay a mortage to buy a house/villa/apartment with that allowance?
When you finish paying the mortage, what happen with the housing allowance, you keep it or loose it? Important issue to me.
If Loans are available for expats in dubai?
How many years you need to be working in dubai to get a Loan?

This questions can help you to plan for your future.

From an outsider point of view, and reading this topic and other ones. It is easy, If you stay for less than 3 to 5 years, use company provided house and not spend your money. If you stay for longer term, try to buy a place, use the allowance and pay the mortage. Nothing to loose. Even if the place loose 60 to 70 percent of the value because The alignment of Jupiter and Neptun with the sun are not correct, you will be able to collect some cash. Just use it as a second provident fund. Payscale, your opinion on this?

I have been told the villlas are very much like a midsize villa in the medows. You can look the up under Emaar dot com or ae.

I have bought in a place called Arabian Ranches, just down the road. I dont want to live with all my co-workers, that why I moved out some time ago.

Company accomodation is included curtains, carpets where needed and such.

I dont know how the other fellow paid 10-20000 dhs for the move. I paid 2500 Dhs with EuroMovers 2 years ago.

I think the most realistic thing to do is, if you plan to move your family til Dubai, to come down and see for yourself. Then you wont be one of your unhappy friends.

Dont read to much into the contract, but ask and find out how it actually is on a day to day basis.


Mig21

Your point of view was valid 1-2 years ago. Prices have increased 50-100% since, so buying today wont give you very much, if the allowance is to cover it.

Thanks for the info guys.I assume some of the of the relocation costs included more than just the the cost of the removalists.Like transfer of carpets,curtains,painting,internet,gardens etc as I imagine not all accomodation is identical in dimensions etc.I will check out the sites from the developers however I wouldn't like living amongst loads of other guys I work with either especially 500-600!!. As for buying like payscale has said with the gains made and the prices of any descent accomodation using the housing allowance to pay a loan doesn't seem viable at the moment.Anyway more research to do.Cheers GJ.

Paycale, the problem is thats how most people see it, one big frustration as in this envionment they can not seperate one issue from another even if they wish too. Command is linked to accomodation as Dubai is to work as your location is to the availability of adequate infrastructure and schooling etc etc.

One big frustration at having the goalposts changed monthly, ridiculous rules imposed without reason, and micro management unable to take an overview of whats going on.

The point is, the threat exists that many pilots with established lifestyles will be moved to save a few bucks again. This imposes untold stress on the family unit and it is once again to do everything possible for short term financial gain with little in the way of long term forsight. I am not frustrated by DEC's it does not effect me but it does many others and after all EK is the Overall, people do not join for just the one aspect.

Please dont infer to new joiners that these villas are just 10 minutes to facilities. If you could show me the selection of schools at World Trade Centre I would love to see them.

Secondly Arabian Ranches are a development that includes infrastructure, silicone city has none that I am aware of , Arabian ranches has schools and shops, silicone city none.

EK has to be viewed on the whole and this is just one aspect, others are spread all over this web site.

EK is not the worst job, but is going downhill, the safety culture is being eroded as is the lifestyle. Its a choice, but guys have to know the full facts.

My opinion is just one but if you come here for interview ask these questions, ask to see the plans for this place, and ask every other question you think of, get the answers in writing because once your here its too late.

No doubt the villas will be nice and new, look great etc etc. If I came to Dubai because I could live in a new house then I would be in need serious therapy. For new joiners, there will be schools right next door at Academic City, infrastructure will catch up (eventually). But consider this, your kids will be at the same school as your neighbours, you will shop at the same place, walk the same streets, swim in the same pool and then go to work and fly in the same jet. If that is your idea of a life style you desire then good for you. The only other option is follow Payscale's lead and go it alone.

For established players, a move will involve possible school transfers (again) paying for your removal (less the company furniture). Your furnishing allowance will be paid minus the cost of your new curtains/carpet even though you were due new ones in your old place. Your new Villa will be built in the middle of a hole that will require sand, grass, plants etc so add that to your costs. Oh and you will have the standard two weeks notice to organise the move!

But lets not get to worked up, a lot can happen between now and next September, maybe the rents will collapse, it snowed once remember...

it also depends from which country you came from. If you are from countries like mine, Argentina, 3rd World, were a wide body captain made around 4000 us a month in hand with overtime and per diems after 25 years of flying, where unions are not unions, just clubs to drink a beer, crime is a concern, pensions are state regulated at 1000 usd per month max, so if you dont save anything, forget it, emirates, qatar, Ethihad are a good options. If you are from serious countries, like OZ, NZ, from the states or Europe, where lifestyle is better, unions are better, Jobs are available (I know ryan or easy are not the best options, but at least are options, here 2 companies, some biz jets and thats it), where crime is not a problem, where the state gives you at least something of what they steal you from taxes, maby emirates is not as good option. For someone from the thirld world, saving 500 or 1000 us a month, paying a mortage for 10 years (in our countries a 10 year loan is not an option as the country economy will probably colapse every 8 years), even for a house that will loose value, and been able to do all this and send the kids to a private school is almost imposible to do in our home countries.

mig that's great mate...so can I put you down for a corner Villa or one that backs onto the Industrial Park?

Migs,

Don't fall for the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence logic. You might come from a 3rd world country but it is your country and you can not put a price on that. Here you will always be a red headed step child with nothing or no one to back you up. Think long and hard about uprooting your family to come to another 3rd world country.

I am not going to dubai right now but I will posible try to apply to emirates in a future as I am single and my situation is different to guys with family, but I am happy here for the moment exept for money :O :mad:.

I just wanted to post how the 3rd world really is and how that 3rd world conditions can influence a desicion about dubai been the right place or the wrong place to live. Just that.

To know if dubai is the best place or the worst place, the answer is easy but expensive: take the family with you and feel the place. Every person and every family is a small world and what is fine to you or your family may not be fine to other guy family. :ok: