Living and working in Dubai

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I am thinking of applying for a job in Dubai. No guarantee at all that I'll get it.
But just wanted to get an idea of what it is like as a place to live and work. I'm in my 40s and single with no children(if that makes a difference).

Bump

Are you a man or a woman, because it does make a difference IMO

I'm a woman

I would consider living in the Marina or gated communities up there (Emirates Hills, etc). I'm not sure how comfortable your life will be there as the social scene is very 'couples-oriented' and you will face endless questions why you are not married with kids. I haven't met any single women your age who lived there. We lived there for nearly 4 years.

That's kind of what I was getting at famous so glad someone else sees it the same way. To be fair, being single and childless or probably easier than being a single parent from a social perspective but there are very few single women in their thirties/ forties there although a fair few men ( plus a lot of married men who just go there for work). It's safe, the money can be very good, but it might be a bit lonely as the typical family set up is traditional.

I've been in Dubai for about 6 months and have met loads of single women and men out here. They really have a ball! Lots of great nights out, gigs, Friday champagne brunches etc. I'm struggling here being married and having young children - but can see that if I was out here as my former, single self I would've had a LOT of fun!

Makingmama, are those single women in their forties?? Living there permanently? I would not say that this is very common at all. Younger yes, lots of them falling in and out of bars, enjoying a sun soaked beach lifestyle but most tend to move there with a partner or just before they get serious. The social scene as RMPM said is quite traditional and I for one wouldn't have moved there on my own. It's a hypocritical place where the locals do as they please but woe betide you if you set your foot wrong.

I have huge moral objections to Dubai. I would not even go there on holiday. It is built on slave labour, proceeds of crime and still has a legal framework where women are treated as property.

I'm moving to Dubai in the summer with my DH and DD so I don't know how many single women are there yet! I have found expatwoman forum very helpful for answering any questions. It might be worth you popping there to ask some questions.

Things to consider financially - how much would you be being paid and what type of package would you be getting?
The cost of living is quite high. A weekly shop is on a par with London prices.
Clothes from British / American shops around 10%-20% more.
You'd need medical and dental insurance.
You can only consume alcohol at home if you have a licence and can only buy it from a certain place. Licenced places are only in hotels and private apartment blocks. Food and drink in these places is very expensive. That said, there are plenty of offers and deals to be had! Ladies nights in particular.
Housing is very very expensive. A 3 bed villa is roughly £30,000 a year. I'm not sure about apartments but you can look on rightmove.com or dubizzle for an idea. This is typically paid in one or two cheques in advance.
Some things are very cheap though so it's all a balance. Petrol is around 30p a litre!

Have you visited at all? 8 months of the year the climate is great. During the summer it gets very hot and humid! Everywhere is air conditioned though.

Yes, to clarify, there are tonnes of single western women (and men) in their twenties and early thirties, but the demographic changes a lot as people get older. The people in their late thirties/ forties either tend to be families, or single men working in construction/ finance or men who are married but whose families have decided to remain in their home countries.

I work with 2 ladies in their mid-30's, both were single but they actually have boyfriends here now(live seperately though). I know 1 lady in her 50's who's a divorcee and moved out here once her children left for uni...she has a blast, very sociable, eats out every night etc (she's a teacher). And I know another in her mid-30's who works in the media, single - has a fantastic social life, loves it out here. Another late 30's who's just moved over and working as a nurse and again seems to be loving it. I don't know this is just my experience so far...do you think it matters where you live/work? I would say maybe?

I have met a few single women out here that age - a lot more single men or men with families elsewhere though. And a lot of singles in their 20s and 30s.

But its a really sociable place so I think you'd find it easy to meet people and create a social life even if you are in a minority. There's lots of groups and classes and activities around so you can find people with similar interests regardless of their background.

Its been a great experience for us so far (however we are here as a family so different lifestyle probably), its getting hot now but we're still going to the pool daily and its not unbearable!

DeepPurple - where are you going to be living? I have 2 DSes - 3.2 and 4.11 and have been here 8 weeks. The kids adore it here! If you fancy meeting up when you arrive let me know x

Make sure your package is enough, includes flights etc. post on expatwoman as well as expat forum for Dubai as expatwoman is heavily moderated. Especially post if you get offered the job and you have a package offered.

I know of quite a few single ladies of your age ( teachers, nurses, estate agents, ) and they all seem very happy.

There is an awful lot to do, and people to meet, and you won't be bored, if you are ok to make an effort.

Thanks everyone. I think the chances of me getting the job are very slim. But clearly I would have loads more research to do if I did get it.
I have never lived abroad or done the whole travelling thing (except for the usual package holidays) - maybe this is just my mid-life crisis!

JoandMax - it would be lovely to meet up. We're looking o move to springs. We fond a lovely villa but it fell through at he last minute. DH is now going to have to villa search alone I'm hoping he chooses well!

OP - there is a wealth of information on expatwoman about living and working there. There is also a comparison calculator on expatforum which helps you figure out how much better off you'd be.

It's a great opportunity and I'm sure you'd have a great time there!

Dubai has a waitrose and a debenhams and even a Harvey nicks, so its not just sand and camels:) have a look on Dubai time out online and you'll see what is on offer. Plus you will be very close to India. Asia, Sri Lanka etc for all those long haul hols which are suddenly a couple of hours away- plus all those visitors...

Good luck with your interview - come back if you get it!

Oh, and dubizzle is very good for looking at rentals, Dubai marina is very nice for apartment living. Villas are nice but its expensive and mostly families.