Housing
The information provided on housing locations and costs is worth quoting verbatim:
"Those with generous company allowances tend to opt for the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim area of Dubai, which is close to the beach, near excellent schools and has some lovely villas. However, you pay for the privilege with prices upwards of Dhs160,000 (GBP1 = Dhs7 at time of writing). Next is Barsha (Dhs120,000 plus) and Mirdif where a three bedroom villa can be found from around Dhs100,000 if you hunt around. Apartments range from a two-bedroom at Jebel Ali Gardens (Dhs36,000) – although demand here is so high the waiting list is closed – to a Sheikh Zayed Road apartment for Dhs100,000 plus. Prices are cheapest in Bur Dubai and Satwa (Dhs70,000 plus for a two bedroom)." After the property ownership laws were changed for foreign workers in 2004, it is now possible to buy a property in Dubai. Prices are rising but a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the beach can be had for about two million dirhams. A three-bedroom villa in the Springs is about the same price.
The article warns that property laws are in their infancy and buyers should do some serious homework before taking the financial plunge.
Healthcare
For those wondering about healthcare; a government health card is issued to all residents and enables free emergency treatment at all government hospitals. There are private hospitals too.
Education
There are numerous schools, from nursery right up to university. Many are based on the UK National Curriculum and some are regulated by OFSTED. Private school fees are around Dhs14,000 per term .
Food and Drink
There is also lots of information on eating and drinking in Dubai:
“Pubs, clubs, beach clubs, country clubs. You name it, Dubai has it. The lifestyle here is second to none and it is possible to enjoy it, even if you don't earn a fortune. Alcohol can be served only in licenced premises and the best pubs and clubs are located in the five-star hotels. Eating out is very reasonable and you can have a slap-up meal at a nice independent restaurant (outside hotels, minus the alcohol) for Dhs 70 per person (10 pounds) or at a five-star hotel with a bottle of wine for three times the price."
Sport
There is a thriving expatriate sports scene with plenty of rugby, hockey, football, cricket, tennis, sailing and golf clubs.
Check out the whole article at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/mentors/dubai3.xml. It will give you a good handle on expatriate life in this part of the world.
1 comment:
Nice write up - although having been born in the UAE and spent over 20+ years here I've seen the country build up before my very eyes. Expatriate life isn't all that its cracked up to be though I'm afraid. Its pretty much a kind of battle for survival - you can't expect to stay for long here unless you ravenously try to climb the corporate ladder or do just about anything to increase your earnings with time. The good old days whereby a regular executive who would earn a fixed monthly salary and yet be able to support a wife and children in Dubai decently are unfortunately long gone :(
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