Lindaland
  Lindaland Central
  UAE

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   UAE
DayDreamer
Knowflake

Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted October 02, 2006 12:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DayDreamer     Edit/Delete Message
Is anyone from there, lived or has anyone even traveled there? Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

If so how's it like? Im thinking about working there next year. I here it's very expensive to live there tho...does anyone know of any cheap accomodation?

IP: Logged

AcousticGod
Knowflake

Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted October 02, 2006 02:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for AcousticGod     Edit/Delete Message
I've been there in the Navy. I can't tell you much about living there, though.

IP: Logged

WaterNymph
Knowflake

Posts: 2276
From: London, UK
Registered: May 2005

posted October 02, 2006 05:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for WaterNymph     Edit/Delete Message
My dad worked there for a couple of years after he married my mum - but that was back in the eighties

Not sure about expensive, but there are no taxes - I’m almost certain of.

IP: Logged

DayDreamer
Knowflake

Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted October 02, 2006 11:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DayDreamer     Edit/Delete Message
Ive seen pics and the place looks pretty modern.

WN, I think you're right...there are not taxes there. That's one of the reasons I want to work there. Taxes here in Canada are too much.

IP: Logged

double trouble gemini
Knowflake

Posts: 458
From: uae
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 07, 2006 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for double trouble gemini     Edit/Delete Message
hi daydreamer,
i have all my relatives living in canada and america, most of them did try to settle down here but finaly decided to go back.
i am also going to settle for canada, i like it better there. (after 3 years..just finishing my higher education, its alot cheaper here than in america)
yes there are no taxes here but no benifits either!
you can try coming here for vacation ..then see how you like it and whats best for you.
i would say the minus points of living here are:
1- high rents that keep increasing 25-80%every year (no joke) you have no rights over rising rents.

2- expensive medical cost- not being a citizen of UAE means huge medical bills and the medical facilities are cheaper here but nothing compared to america/ canada.

3-jobs are very unsecure,workers having minimun/almost no rights... workers suffer unfair treatment under the hands of their employers.

4-the law of the country is still in the developing stage.. you have no rights such as in canada.. the country is depressing at times when it comes to human rights and other legal matters.

5- tooo hot! normal UAE weather is described by people frying eggs on the hot roads ..lol!..15 minutes in the sun leaves you with a nasty sunburn.

6- UAE for future is concentrating more towards the richer,VIP or upper class.. so if you are loaded with cash you will like it here.. you really need to spend alot to live a good life here.. everything is about money,money ,money.. no human value!zero!

7- the government does nothing to support expats , its just making life more miserable.
no taxes but we pay high rents, pay yearly for residential parking space,pay for medical. pay for huge telephone bills because UAE doesnt allow pc to phone service as there is a monopoly in the telecom business here, all websites that allow this and free sms services are blocked! you pay every year to keep you cells/ phones/internet working and additional charges for talk time.
telecom, mobile and internet services are amongst the most expensive in the world yet not so reliable.

there are paid parking meters all over UAE,soon UAE is going to start on road tax too.
there are medical taxes and other taxes too.. but they just dont call them 'tax'.. its called 'fees'
you pay tax/ service charges for eating out at many places too.
........... and the list is endless....

the good points are:
1- low crime rate - very very peace full country.

2- a mix of nationalities culture a good blend of western,european,asian and arabic lifestyle.

3- women are very well respected compared to many other countries

4- growing job market.
not much huh..

take my word for it you are much much better in canada,consider yourself lucky....you will agree once you visit UAE.
but if you still wish to visit .. would love to assist you.. do let me know, i live in dubai.

IP: Logged

DayDreamer
Knowflake

Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted October 09, 2006 12:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DayDreamer     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Double trouble

Quite a few international students here come from the UAE. Many end up going back; some because they weren't able to find permanent work here. International students have I think one year to find work after graduation. Im not sure how it works in the states. You're right education is cheaper here...esp for int'l students!

Most people don't have benefits here. There's tax on almost everything from a stick of gum to earning an income. In Ontario, (with Goods and Services Tax and Provincial Sales Tax), we pay 14% tax on most things we buy...Better than before...we used to pay 15%.

A 25%-80% increase in rent rates each year is insane...that rate increase/year is not sustainable. Unless you're filthy rich. How do the indigenous people live there? I hear they get free money each year...something like $100, 000 each year??

I'm sure jobs are not secure there. I only plan on working there for a year...and if I like it and they keep me, maybe a year longer. I'd go there to teach...Ive seen a few ads for teaching there and there's one person I know of that went there for that purpose who I still have yet to contact for info. Ideally Im looking for something that includes accomodation and maybe some other essential services, like transportation, medical.

What do you mean there are no human rights there? I hear there's alot of racism towards Asians there.

Also how hot does it get in UAE?

IP: Logged

double trouble gemini
Knowflake

Posts: 458
From: uae
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 09, 2006 11:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for double trouble gemini     Edit/Delete Message
hi daydreamer,
teaching is still considered one of the best professions here and they do provide housing and transport and the best part is you get paid full time for part time work.
the teaching industry is growing,you may find suitable placements here but again depends what you are looking for.
as you know uae is very small and has a handfull of colleges only but its still growing.
my aunt who lives in canada wanted a change,a different experience,something new... so she decided to work/teach in dubai,.. she came she saw and she went back in less than a year because she felt the salary level didnt match up to her expectations,the weather wasnt suitable, no job security and the life here was too boring and depressing she felt homesick.. but again the truth of the matter is once you are used to living in a country like canada it is hard for you to settel for anything less. as for me,we had lived quite a while in america and then a bit in canada but i guess i missed uae because i spent my childhood here, i choose to live in dubai only for emotional reasons, practicaly i know there is no future in this country.
and yes i too have friends from dubai who migrated to canada but came back because they got homesick.
human rights and racism...
well firstly anyone who tells you there is no racism in dubai is a liar, i lived all my life here and have seen it happen everywhere..
1- most of the night clubs,pubs, bars dont allow you to enter if you look like an asian (brown skin dark hair).. and even if you are allowed you are charged a fee at the door where as others enter for free no questions asked.

2- some local/government hospitals have different prices,different treatments and have 3 diffrent counters for uae/gcc nationals, asians, europeans. (asian counter being the most expensive with no benifits, local/gcc counter being free of charge for most treatments)

3- gcc/uae nationals, asians,europeans are all offered different salary packages which has nothing to do with their education or experience its more of your skin color and nationality. eg. my friends working in customer service: local/gcc salary 7000/-, asian salary 3000/-,uk national 16000/-. for exactly the same work.the same goes for most teachers as well.

4-people have even faced discrimination while waiting for cabs. cab drivers avoid picking up uae nationals altogether and they prefer picking up whites over dark skined.

5- human rights - 'zero' your company can force you to work 12 hrs everyday without paying you any overtime and if you have a problem you are fired! and sent back to your country. you cannot do anything about it. you dont have right to leave your job if the employer doesnt want to let you go but you still want to leave, he can simply deport you out of the country or file a case against you.. nothing you can do (i heard now you can pay a fee of $1000 to take release from your employer.

6- if you want to set up a personal business you need a local sponsor who has a share in the business. he doesnt invest anything in the business but you pay him huge amounts or else he has the right to put you in jail!..

7- so much more that i can write a book on all this .. they might put me in jail here..lol.

but all this doesnt have to apply to you, people here are happy too.. the ones who are blesses with good jobs love dubai and dont want to leave...
have you visited any websites?..

IP: Logged

double trouble gemini
Knowflake

Posts: 458
From: uae
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 09, 2006 12:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for double trouble gemini     Edit/Delete Message
the summer in dubai. http://www.7days.ae/2006/10/09/second-hottest-summer-ever-but-at-least-humidity-was-down.html

IP: Logged

DayDreamer
Knowflake

Posts: 4841
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted October 09, 2006 02:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DayDreamer     Edit/Delete Message
Yikes...thanks for the background double trouble.

Keep it coming...I'd like to know as much about the place as possible before I go.

It'll be quite the experience...

Women don't have to wear the hijab or anything right? I'll probably wear one anyways, along with a ring on my wedding ring finger because I'll be by myself.

I know an Indian guy born and raised there who used to get beat up because of the colour of his sking when he was a kid. How is it for women?

IP: Logged

All times are Eastern Standard Time

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Linda-Goodman.com

Copyright © 2007

Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a