Considering a Move to Abu Dhabi: Can We Maintain Our Current Lifestyle on 22 KWD?

My husband recently got an offer in Abu Dhabi. They are ready to pay 22 KWD. My husband's pay package is 9 lakhs, and since I am also working, our pay package comes to 13 lakhs per annum. I would like to know whether we can have the same level of standard of living or a better standard of living with his current offer. Also, I would appreciate if someone can share the differences in living and culture. Thanks in advance.

Dear Hima,

A similar sort of question was asked a few days ago, but you are talking about Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai. Yes, you must avail of this opportunity because:

1. Abu Dhabi is much cheaper than Dubai in all aspects.
2. You can get an apartment on rent at very reasonable rates.
3. The cost of living is not on the higher side.
4. The culture is almost the same as the majority of the population belongs to South Asia.
5. For international career projection, it's a very good chance.

Tell me one thing more clearly, your package is 1,300,000 Rs. per annum in India and 22k dinars or Dirhams annually?

Regards,
Hassan

Hello,

Please find the attached PowerPoint presentation on Dubai labor camps. Dubai has two different pictures. Kindly go through it and let me know your feedback on the presentation.

Regards,
Ravi

Hi Yaa Hima,

That's right, the UAE is a good place for work. I would suggest trying to obtain citizenship in the UAE as it is a tax-free zone.

Regards,
Ravi

Dear Hima,

I am living in Abu Dhabi, so I think I can give you a good picture of this.

22K dirhams is a good salary, and since you are also working, I guess you will work here too. So, you can add your income to your husband's income.

Let me tell you a few things about here. First of all, there are no studio flats or one-bedroom flats in Abu Dhabi. Even if they are available, it is very rare to find one, and if you do find one, it is very expensive.

The average cost of finding a flat as of today is as follows:

- One bed: around 40K-70K dirhams
- Two bed: 50K-120K dirhams
- Three bed: 70K and above

These would be annual charges, but it depends on landlords. They may require the entire month in advance or bi-annually. You have to pay in advance. If you get a central AC flat, your water and electricity bills will come up to 150 dirhams per month on the higher side. But if you opt for a window AC flat, it will be around 350-400 dirhams per month.

If you are lucky, you may find cheaper flats. It is better to go for central AC flats since most window AC flats are under demolition. Finding accommodation in Abu Dhabi at present is like winning a million-dollar lottery.

A lot of flats are shared, where for a room, it is 2000 dirhams per month, paid monthly, and the kitchen is shared. This is the best way to live, save, and find a good flat.

Abu Dhabi has a matrix of 3 vertical and 3 horizontal roads, which are the main streets:

- Horizontal: Khalifa, Hamdan, and Electra
- Vertical: Airport Road, Passport Road, and Najda

There is no entertainment in Abu Dhabi, only shopping malls as entertainment. For example, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, and Al Wahda Mall are the biggest malls, and there are many smaller malls.

Taxis are run by Pakistani Pathans, starting at 2 dirhams, with every km costing 1 dirham. However, it is being privatized, and soon the fares will go up. It is best to have a car, and on average, a car will cost you 50-70K dirhams (e.g., Camry is around 80K, while Nissan Sunny is around 50K).

Abu Dhabi is becoming very expensive due to inflation caused by the weak dollar. However, you get the choicest food and the best. They are very particular about the expiry dates of food items.

I think on average, for two people living the best life, you can spend around 1200 dirhams per month on food, groceries, and even if you plan to eat out.

There are many Indian restaurants here and a large Indian population. I would say that if you share a flat and live moderately, you can live leisurely for 5000 dirhams per month - 5000 dirhams can provide a luxurious lifestyle.

If you have any queries, you can write back, and I would be pleased to guide you.

Regards,

Marina

22K AED is too good to begin with. I am sure it's a lucrative offer. Let him go ahead. I am sure you will get an equally lucrative offer under his visa.

May I know what field he is into?

Thanks and wishing you both success in your endeavors!!

In oil and gas, what HR practices are bad here? There are no proper HR practices in most companies, and even if they have them, the priority is for Arabs and Western-educated individuals. In fact, ads placed in newspapers always mention Arabs and Western-educated individuals. There is no free zone here, and there is no way to obtain citizenship even if you stay here for 100 years.

Which oil and gas company is he joining? I can provide you with insights regarding this.

Thanks for the insightful guidelines given by Ravi and Marina about Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

I am new to Dubai and even in this short period of one month, I found that what was said by Ravi in his PPS is true. It's a pleasure for some and pain for more here.

22K is a lump sum pay. An engineer with 8+ years of experience in Dubai itself gets the same amount. That too only for selected personnel. It's a new start... All the best!

Let me put down some of my points for the Dubai wishers!

In labor levels, the people from other countries suffer a lot here. Even though their work is for 8 or more hours, they have to get ready very soon. Laborers are given accommodation in labor camps and the PPS is an example to show their condition. They have to wait in queues from their brushing to bathing. Public transportation is also very poor here. Since almost all laborers are working on construction sites, they find this to be a problem. But the private buses from their companies take them to the sites. When in leisure, it's a big trouble for them.

For professionals, a car is a need here. It's a basic need. Petrol cost is less here at approximately 12 to 17 Indian rupees per liter. So it's better to own a car than to rent it. Food ranges from normal to expensive. But if cooked by self, it will not cost more. Rent for a house is a big headache here and hence the situation of "dumping" men in rooms as shown in the PPS. Fresh Engineers are paid from 2K to 3K AED and others are paid according to their experience and profession. So, 22K AED is never less.

Welcome to UAE...!

Cheers :D

Hi,

22K dirhams a month is a reasonably good salary. It works out to approximately 2.3L per month. You need to secure a complete house or apartment if you are moving as a family, and it would cost roughly between 5K to 10K Dirhams depending on your budget.

Also, the salary would be tax-free, as you might already know. Additionally, most companies reimburse for medical expenses and partly for children's education. Some homemakers take up jobs as school teachers, so you can explore those options if interested.

I personally believe it is a good offer and worth considering for relocation. At 22K dirhams, I am sure your husband is not at a labor level; he would be at a supervisory or managerial level, so a good range of benefits should also be applicable.

Regards,
Arun Prasad V

ADNOC is a very good company. It is a state-owned firm. Plus, the oil and gas companies are better than most in terms of facilities, etc.

Also, is the job location in Abu Dhabi city or sites away from Abu Dhabi like Ruwais, Bab, Bhuhasa, etc.? I have stayed in Ruwais, and if there, the company might allot a house for the family if the employee is sanctioned for family accommodation.

Regards, Arun Prasad

Hi Hima,

I totally agree with Marina. I was also there for a year or so, just shifted back. I think you must explore. All the best!

Are you also looking out for a job? Let me know because I was working there for a recruitment firm. Maybe I can help you.

By the way, which oil and gas company has your hubby got an offer from?

Dear Hima,

Sorry, I had a weekend here so could not reply. Is your husband on direct contract with Adnoc? What is his specialization? Will he be on-site or in the city?

Generally, if you are a direct employee of Adnoc, apart from salaries, there are many benefits like housing, complete medical anywhere in the world, interest-free car loan, education for children, etc. If you are getting 22K with this, it's the best offer. But as I told you, if you are getting only 22k, think about it again because many people are going back due to high inflation and, as I said, the dollar is weakening.

If you join any company in HR, note that you will end up with visa, travel booking, and hotel booking. Primarily, HR is more considered as Admin here.

There are very few select companies that are into HR activities, and you should be really lucky to get into them.

But trust me, Adnoc is the best company here to work for, and all aspire to work in this company.

Adnoc is the parent company for oil and gas, so it has all set policies and procedures in the company. Once again, all the best, and if you have any queries, do let me know. If you plan to come here, also let me know, and I will give you my contact no. so that I can help you settle down once you are here.

Well then, take care.

Goodbye,

Marina

Hi Archana,

Things are fine. I got a personal ID so that I can write to you there. How is Sujit? Please give my regards to him.

Thank you.

Thank you, Marina and Archana, for your inputs.

May I ask for some more information? How is education there? Are there good schools, as I have a 2.6-year-old child? If I want to work, are there baby care centers available?

I am an MBA in HR. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Manager in PMS. Could you please provide information on my job prospects over there?

Thank you in advance.

Hello,

What is your husband's job profile? Abu Dhabi is a nice place to live. Also, ensure that the scope of work should have rational growth here in the UAE. If it is anything in O&G, or petro products refineries, career growth will be there. But as far as IT is concerned, there is no boom in the UAE.

Regards,
Rajeshwari