Advice on job offers and cost of living in Abu Dhabi

Hi Valentina,

The cost of living in Abu Dhabi is high. If your boyfriend is only earning AED 8,850 this alone is pretty low salary in the UAE. But you should see if there are any other perks to his employment package (e.g. health insurance, accommodation allowances, flights, etc.)

EUR 5,000 is approximatley equal to AED 24,500. This is a very good salary. It is hard to tell you which job to choose without knowing the renumeration for the recpetionist position.

So between the two of you you;; have around aed 33,350 per month. 

Rent will be your biggest expense in Abu Dhabi. A one-bedroom property will set you back around AED 10,000 per month. If you decide to rent a car it will cost you about AED 2,500 per month and you will require some form of transportation. Food can be expensive but if you shop locally you will save a lot of money. 

Finally, much of your additional expenditure will depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle. 

I suggest taking a look at our Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi page for more information. 

Hope this information helps you. Do let me know if you have any more questions.

Hi Shantalie, in my boyfriend package is only included medical insurance (the flight is not included). I've made a mistake: I will be earning 5000 AED (not EUR). So the total amount of salary will be 13850 AED a month. Do you think is a good idea to go living there? Sorry for the mistake. Valentina

Hi again Valentina,

I honestly feel that you might be a little stretched on a budget of AED, 13,850. Around AED 10,000 will be absorbed by your accommodation, leaving you with less that AED 4,000 for additional expenses.

It certainly wouldn't allow you to enjoy the lifestyle in Abu Dhabi or save much at the end of the month.

It might be a good idea to go back to the employer and negotiate a higher salary or at least an accommodation allowance. This page on Contract Negotiation in Abu Dhabi may include some useful tips.

Best of luck with the negotiation.

Shantalie

Our employer assured us that on a basis of 13.000 AED we can find apartments and live properly. Have you lived there? How do you know about these prices? Are you sure rents are so expensive? Do you know a site which can be trusted about prices? Thanks. Valentina

Hi Valentina,

Check out propertyfinder.ae for list of rentals in Abu Dhabi. There are some one-bedroom apartments available for around AED 85,000 per year but on average the prices seem to fall between AED 100,000 and AED 120,000.

Also bear in mind that your employer could have connections with agents that source rental accommodation for expats so maybe that can assist you in finding more affordable accommodation.

Hi Anonymous,

A salary of between AED12,000 and 14,000 is fairly good for a single person but it might be difficult to support your family and save on that amount. 

Does your wife also plan on working? I think an additional income will give you more scope to save. 

A one-bedroom property property costs between AED 8,500 and AED 10,000 per month. That will be your biggest expense. After that your expenses will depend on your lifestyle.

Another thing you would need to consider if the cost of schooling for your daughter. School fees at international schools in Abu Dhabi average at around AED 50,000 per year.

Again, I would suggest going back to your employer and trying to renegotiate your salary package. Many employers will include an accommodation allowance or schooling allowance, especially if an expat has sought-after skills.

Take a look at the Expat Arrivals pages on Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi and Contract Negotiation in Abu Dhabi for more information.

This page on Employment Packages in Abu Dhabi might also be useful for someone in your position.

Wish you the best of luck.

Shantalie 

I'm not sure that property finder is a great resource for property prices, anyone that lives in UAE will tell you it is way over the market price, you can get a 2 bed villa in Al Reef for approx 85k per annum and 1 bed apt on Reem island coming in around the 80k/month some landlords accepting 4 cheques. There are of course many areas in AD which depending on your work location could be even cheaper, for instance properties off the island. Very few employers (if any) want to get involved in the search for accommodation with you, that was maybe the case back in 2007/2008, but there is far more supply now and accommodation is not hard to find.

hi, I am from india. Have recently got a offer for abbu dhabi where the concern organisation is negociating between AED 12,000 - 14,000. My basic moto is to earn and go back would i be able to save anything. Also my wife and daughter would come with me. Plz need advice

I am looking at a position in AD that pays $200,000 us and a $45,000 annual housing allowance. I am thinking that as a single person I could save a fair amount of money. Is this a good enough salary to enjoy all that ad offers ?