[QUOTE=wisernow]
Thanks to Desert Nomad who has done an excellent job in answering questions on Dubai.
I have a job offer from Dubai paying 14000AED per month as a Project Manager in IT. Is that enough or is the recruiting agency shortchanging me?
As an aside here is another site that has some information on Dubai though I am not sure how recent and valid it is.
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14000AED is low, but you could probably squeak by. You will need 6000-6500 AED/mo to stay in a room in a shared villa in a good part of town (Jumeirah). Also 1500AED for a long term rent/lease on a car. That leaves 6000 for food, fun and savings.
If you eat in local places it is easy to have a meal for two for 50AED. Most Western chains will be in the 80-120 range and any hotels could be upwards of 300.
Just for other’s reference 1 USD = 3.6 AED
I knew some people doing landscape architecture making around 17000AED and they thought it was adequate, but were not able to save much.
[QUOTE=Sophistry and Illusion]
Thanks; this is helpful. But if you don’t mind a follow-up, what counts as ‘boring’? My wife and I are pretty boring. We don’t go to bars or nightclubs. We like living in a place that encourages frequent social interaction among one’s friends and neighbors (which the US doesn’t), and which offers opportunities for travel, and where our daughter would be able to continue doing things like soccer and gymnastics. That’s really the stuff we care about.
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The Doha Corniche (waterfront) is very nice in the winter when it is possible to walk the full 3 miles or so around the crescent. We don’t go to nightclubs either, but when compared with Dubai, Doha doesn’t have the same quality of beaches and restaurants and it’s malls seem to have no life (too many vacant shops) etc.
As to soccer, you do realize that outdoor sports are only really possible for 4-5 months of the year? Mid-Nov to mid-March are the only time it can really be considered comfortable outside (all over the Gulf).
There are good travel opportunities… Yemen, Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka.
I would not mind a year or two in Doha, I just think Al Ain would be slightly better. If I had to rank the best quality of life in the Gulf, it’d be(personal opinion here):
Muscat - Without a doubt.
Dubai
Kuwait
Doha or Bahrain (tie)
Anywhere in Saudi… could be higher if you are prepared for the lifestyle there.
2 and 3 could swap soon… Dubai’s inflation is unreal. Al Ain comes in near Dubai, maybe slightly lower.