Expert Info

Posted by
on 2 Mar 2012
husband got a job from Abu Dhabi, 4 kids, 16, 13, 9 ,and 5, basic salary 40,000 pm and 60,000pm housing and utilities allowance and 20,000 education allowance per year for 3 kids, medical covered. my question is it a good package and can we save some money and where to live within the main area of Abu dhabi? should get villa or apartment looking for 4 bedroom with parking and which schoolwith american mode of teaching,? anybody with answers please.
gaby (not verified) on 2 Mar 2012 - 13:29
Hi Shazia

The American Community School and the American International School are both good schools, although they are pricey - kindergarten starts at about 27,000 AED a year, and they go up to 70,000 and 50,000 a year for Grade 12 respectively.

A slightly cheaper option is the Canadian International School, where fees range from 33,000 in kindergarten to 45,000 in Grade 12. It's a slightly less prestigious school but still a high-quality institution, and very good value for money. Unlike the other two schools mentioned it is off-island, so it depends where you live and work as traffic can be a headache in Abu Dhabi. Most schools offer a bus transport service although this will cost extra.
Anonymous (not verified) on 2 Mar 2012 - 08:06
Hi Shazia- I think it is a good package, though, I'd be a little concerned about the education allowance. The better American schools, like the American Community School, charge a minimum of nearly 40,000 AED per year. Tuition increases as your child ages, and you can expect to pay over 70,000 AED for your 16-year-old. Thus, you'd need to spend a fair amount of your basic salary to enrol them. Alternatively, GEMS American Academy is a little less - but you're still looking at fees that hover between 60,000 and 70,000 AED per year. Perhaps see if you can negotiate for a larger education allowance, and a slightly smaller housing allowance - the package will be more balanced. Keep in mind that you can get a 4-bedroom villa off-island for the same cost as a 4-bedroom apartment on-island. Also, keep in mind that you should choose to live in near proximity to your school. On a final note, the recently opened American International School is a little cheaper than the aforementioned institutions.
Anonymous (not verified) on 2 Mar 2012 - 15:54
Hi Shazia, note that there are a couple of pages on international schools in Abu Dhabi on ExpatArrivals.com with comprehensive information on each school.
Anonymous (not verified) on 19 Mar 2012 - 16:10
Our child has just left the American Community School and I cannot speak more highly of it. It has excellent facilities, the teachers are great and the academic results are high. In my view ACS is best school in Abu Dhabi for American students.