Working in Abu Dhabi

[Bedroomdilemma]

I’ve been approached about a job in Abu Dhabi. Never would have thought about it, but my dh is wildly excited about the idea (he’s dying to move to the sun) and part of me wouldn’t mind an adventure too. Almost all of the posts here are from women with dhs who have been offered jobs. Can anyone advise what it’s like to work there as a woman? What’s the work life balance like? Would it be hard to make friends? I have 3 kids, ranging from baby to 7 year old - what would it be like for them?
Really just at the dreaming stage for the moment!

I'm a woman working in Abu Dhabi. But I'm single, no kids. I work in construction.

What industry would you be in? The hours are long. The set hours are longer than UK (45 hrs), and a lot of unpaid overtime is expected to meet tough deadlines and budgets.
You'll need either a stay-at-home parent (your DH?) or a nanny. School hours here are short (start early and finish earlier than UK) and there isn't wrap around care (that I know of). Kids can do a lot of extra-curricular activities, but they all seem to involve parents/nannies taking them place to place.

I've been here over six years. I didn't expect to stay this long; I came for a year or two to boost my career and work on some big construction projects.
I've stayed because my employer has given me good opportunities, I've made good friends here and I travel a lot in my time off.
But my industry is changing a lot at the moment - construction is slowing down, fewer new projects, budgets are tight. I don't think I'll be here for much longer.

Abu Dhabi is not going to be an ‘adventure’ with three young children. It’s an incredibly dull city. Its sole good point for me was that it was a great place to travel from, as a pp said, but as you’re unlikely to be nipping off to India for a long weekend, that would remove the point of being there for me. If the job is a big step up for you and/or pays well, and your DH is happy to be a SAHP (otherwise you absolutely need a nanny), then research the terms of your package.

It's also an option to live in Dubai and commute to Abu Dhabi. It's about a 30 minute drive if I remember correctly (if you live near Dubai Marina or JLT). It's fine to work as a woman there. You will be working with some cultures (less so the locals) who have a slightly 1950s views of women but if you have a tough skin and find yourself in a good working environment it will be fine. Go for it!

Hmmm, the hours would worry me, I wouldn’t want to not see my children. At the minute I have a well paid but stressful job, but the work life balance is not so bad (full time but not necessarily 50+ hours a week like previous jobs) and it’s in an essential industry so hopefully ok in the upcoming recession. My dh would hope to start a business (he says he might have a few contacts) so we would be looking for a nanny. With 3 kids is anywhere that exciting? A bit of sun, beaches, different cultures and things for the children to do would suit us fine. I think I know deep down it mightn’t be the wisest move though...

Sunshiny - utility industry.

It's definitely an option to live in Dubai and commute to Abu Dhabi, but it's minimum 45 mins (if you live in Marina area of Dubai, and work near Abu Dhabi airport) and can be up to 1.5hrs each way.
I wouldn't want to lose those hours each day, on top of long working hours.

If you will work in the public sector (so for ADDC or one of the other authorities) then your hours should be shorter (some ministries work 7am-4pm), but I cannot speak about overtime expectations.
I wouldn't plan to move here for a less stressful life! My work is definitely more pressured and stressful than in the UK. But again, this might be very different in the public sector.

You say you are well paid in the UK - most companies I'm aware of in my industry have taken a pay cut recently. This may or may not be permanent. So pay expectations and other benefits are changing and being cut in the region.

To answer the 'dull' point - Abu Dhabi definitely doesn't have as much going on as Dubai. But I think it's very different being a tourist in a city, to settling down to live there.
As a tourist, you can see Abu Dhabi in a few days. But once you're living here, you make friends and build your community and have social opportunities based on that. There is always something happening or somewhere to go, and I've not found boredom a problem. It's a very livable city. (But I do always travel if there are public holidays)

We are leaving AD after spending 3 years here. I will be sad to leave, but will be relieved to get back to UK soil. The pay is high here but the cost of living is very high. Even the beaches you have to pay to go to. We have found it quite isolating, as the hours of work are long, so there's no real time to do anything. Also it is very transient and we have struggled with almost anyone we make friends with then leaves. Coronavirus is going to hit here very hard so double check that your job is safe. Also, to set up a business here your husband will need an Emerati partner to own 51% share in the business. Schooling is expensive and most businesses only pay for 2 kids.

I should have also said that 'a bit of sun' is actually 8 months of 35-45 degrees heat and 4 months of 25-35 degrees heat. From April to October the heat takes your breath away and you can't take the kids out in it. Last summer we went home paler than our UK friends were as the only option is stay inside with the AC on.
But the 4 winter months are very pleasant to sit out in.

Savvy and Sunshiney, I’m getting the impression you wouldn’t really recommend the move? Just looking into it more, the package is very generous, but you’ve only one life and you can’t take money with you. Hmmm. Many thanks for your tips and insights!

I'm here. Four kids. I work. I love it. Ask me anything. I'll be honest but positive.

You don't need an emirati partner to set up a business. There are many free zones that enable freelancing or 100% foreign ownership. Lots of beaches are free.

Hi Valkyrie, thanks for your post! What are your working hours, and how do you find working with Emirati? And did you find it hard to get your kids into schools (may I ask which schools you recommend?)

I have had one emirati working for me who was great (HR). That was a private company though. Otherwise not much direct experience. I have lots of friends who do though. Like everywhere, different people work differently. It really depends on your role and relative seniority. I work 9-6 or 8-5. Kids are at Cranleigh. Was tough to get places 5 years ago but i suspect not so much now. Lots of good schoolsYou'll make friends through the kids. How old are they?

My dad lived in the Emirates for 15 years (Al Ain, around an hour from AD).

His words on leaving were "it's a lifestyle, but it's no life".

@ValkyrieCain, I would be working for Emiratis, but a senior level. Cranleigh looks nice although v expensive! Kids are 7, 4 and 1.

I think there's a lot of "it depends" answers and that would mean giving out too much outing type info. I'll pm you if that's okay?

Perfect!