Expert Info

Posted by
on 19 Jun 2014
I've been given an offer to move the Abu Dhabi and I need to know if the following package is a good enough one to accept or if I would be struggling to live there on the money offered. Basic Salary: AED 11,050 Housing Allowance: AED 6,667 (Abu Dhabi only) Transport: AED 1,300 Total: AED 19,017 I'm a single guy with no family. Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks mat
Anonymous (not verified) on 20 Jun 2014 - 08:04
Hi mgluby,

I think it might be a bit of a struggle to survive on that salary, but it really does depend on your lifestyle.

Accommodation is really expensive in the UAE. You should expect to pay around AED 8,000 for a room in a shared aparment in Abu Dhabi.

The transport allowance will be OK if you plan on using public transport (which is a bit minimal in Abu Dhabi) but if you hire a car like most expats do you should expect to pay around AED 2,500 per month. 

For more info check out the Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi page.

Best of luck

Shantalie
Anonymous (not verified) on 15 Jul 2014 - 12:11
Thanks for the comments guys. Any information is helpful. I have found that the average cost of a one bedroom flat in a half decent expat location will likely set me back around 80,000 however I would prefer somewhere cheaper to encompass rent and bills in my housing allowance. I suppose being a visitor and staying in hotels paid for by the company I dont really have a grasp on the cost of living for a single 30 something guy in the UAE.
Anonymous (not verified) on 9 Jul 2014 - 12:48
I disagree with Shantalie. If you are sharing an apartment the cost would not be more than 3000 AED per month. Use the public transport and you will save a lot. Electricty, water and Internet all less than AED 1000. Max you will spend 8000-9000 including food. Yes but it will be stressfull when yuo get married and get your family around. Else just go for it. Warm Regards Red Horse
Anonymous (not verified) on 14 Jul 2014 - 08:11
I don't understand, how is it possible that a room in a shared apartment costs AED 8,000 when I find on many sites on the web that one can get one bedroom apartment for as "low" as AED 5,000? For example, here I find that the most expensive 1 bedroom apartments cost AED 110,000 annualy, which translates to approximately AED 9,100 monthly: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/interactive-abu-dhabi-rent-map Am I missing something?
Anonymous (not verified) on 15 Jul 2014 - 10:15
Hi everyone,

The prices on expat arrivals are simply an estimate. We tend to give expats an idea of the cost of accommodation in a good expat area. Accommodation in expat areas does tend to be more expensive, and as you say there are lots of cheaper options available.

I am happy to review our page and take note of your comments though.

Regards

Shantalie