Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Working from Dubai

14 replies

user000 · 21/09/2022 17:09

Hello!

I have 2 kids age 6 and 3 (dd2 starting school next September)
We have always wanted to live abroad mainly because we wanted adventure plus the opportunity to save tax.
We have friends in Dubai, and now my husbands company have said they are opening and office there so while they won't do lots beyond visas for him and me and medical insurance, they will
Let him work from there.

Having pushed repeatedly for us to have our own adventure- and made my case eg we pay for a full time nanny here in the UK as both work full time and have no family around, now we have this chance: I'm panicking! I started a new job last December and i absolutely love it. I'm not the main earner, and money is tight, so we would be better off if we moved abroad and I know I could get a job there although unlikely the same salary and definitely unlikely the same level, as it's a very unique role and opportunity I got.

I haven't approached my company yet (I'm in tech) but want to see if they will let me work from there. The issue is my company has a lot of offices in the USA, so they will likely say they need someone at my level to be present in the UK, although my ceo and CFO are both in Israel where the time difference isn't far from UAE

My question is:

  • has anyone out there worked Uk hours from Dubai while having kids at school ?
My worry is the kids not seeing me- if I'm working on a good. Night until 6.30-7 pm uk time (10/11 uae) but the odd one off (maybe 1-2 times a month maximum ) having to join a call at 11 pm uk time (3 am uae)

I want to make sure I see my kids... and keep my job.
Is this an impossible task? Obviously I would do drop off, and where possible take off uk lunch hour between 11-2 for 1 hour uk time would be around 3-5 pm uk time .
Am I living in a fantasy world!?!

Thank you in advance Smile

OP posts:
donutosaurus · 21/09/2022 17:27

I can't help much I'm afraid, but all of my friends who have moved to Dubai have not really saved that much as the cost of living is so high! They have a fab life and do so many different great things but they haven't saved that much.

I don't know all of the specifics, hopefully someone more informed can help but definitely try and speak so someone in a similar situation if you can

Good luck! It seems like a great place to live while the kids are still young.

greektreacle · 21/09/2022 18:26

Would DH's company offer any sort of support with school fees? And if not how would those costs for two children impact on your plan to save?

devildeepbluesea · 21/09/2022 18:28

Bear in mind if you’re on a UK co tract there may be tax implications. They sound global so that may be something they can deal with but be prepared for it to be raised.

TheCanyon · 21/09/2022 19:03

The job market in Dubai is really pretty brutal atm, I wouldn't risk it.

My brother and sister in law spend almost 70k a year on rent, they have a lovely home but by fuck 70 fecking grand!!!

groceries are expensive as hell.

The working UK hours won't work unless you have a nanny, they're not surprisingly, cheap too. Schools are actually fairly cheap in the grand scheme of things, my nephews went to school on sundays, dunno if that's still the case?

LionessesRules · 21/09/2022 19:11

You need to do some serious maths regarding salary vs cost of living and all the extras you are after. Check out the tax position of working for a UK company from abroad for you.

I believe the weekend has shifted to a Sat/Sunday as standard now, but be prepared for school to start early (and finish early).

tickticksnooze · 21/09/2022 19:15

I don't go to countries that imprison rape victims and I wouldn't take my daughter to one.

Separately, is it worth packing in your current life and career to tick a box for a fantasy you came up with in a different life?

HermioneWeasley · 24/09/2022 17:11

Why any woman would go to a country where she has no rights is utterly beyond me

ineedafairygodmother · 24/09/2022 17:39

I lived in Dubai for a couple of decades, however things may have changed since I left. A few things to consider:

  • to rent property in Dubai, the majority want to be paid upfront for the full year in advance. There will be a few that accept 4 cheques (rent paid in 3 month payments over the year)
  • school fees.... there is no free education for expats. You'd be looking at at least £10k per child possibly more
  • if you want a nanny over there that lives with you, you will also need to sponsor them and pay all fees for their visa etc
  • cost of living (electricity, air conditioning, groceries etc) can be very pricey

You can have a great lifestyle living in Dubai however it will cost you and the majority of expats there don't save a penny.

Sestriere · 24/09/2022 17:45

My em0loyer who has offices worldwide will not allow working from home from abroad because of tax, H&S, legislation etc etc which would mean they would need to investigate, and implement policies etc in every country someone wanted to wfh from.

i doubt your company will support it.you could get another job over there though.

i also have very close family friends that lived abroad for five years, they were going to get rich and bring loads of money back.

they didn’t and also found themselves in a worse position having disappeared from the uk for tax and the electoral roll for a while.

Original poster
user000 · 26/09/2022 07:16

Thank you everyone for replying and I'm sorry for the delay- I came down with a rotten lurgy so have been struggling to keep
my head above water!

This is all so so helpful.it's very worrying to think that we could end up losing money if we went. I have seen rents over
There are rocket high.

We are both higher rate tax payers and have a house to rent out here...which could help
My OH is expecting basically a bigger bonus next year, but his job is very volatile so we thought maybe we go for 2-3 years before he may end up with no salary/job, to maximise the few "better" years. Also, we spend £30,000 on wrap around childcare here (can you believe it's so expensive), we thought as against the £10,000 per year over there (which is what we heard perhaps not true) it would save us some money.

I think we need to do some thinking
My current company does use things like Deel/ Work motion to help relocate staff but I don't know if they work in Dubai. We don't have an office there

OP posts:
Defaultsettings · 26/09/2022 07:20

HermioneWeasley · 24/09/2022 17:11

Why any woman would go to a country where she has no rights is utterly beyond me

Absolutely this.

When you voluntarily migrate and live in countries with repressive laws and regimes you are actively supporting that IMO.

pompomdaisy · 26/09/2022 07:58

My daughter studies with kings InterHigh. Kids can actually be schooled from anywhere. It may give you more flexibility. Lots of kids in her sessions from Dubai.

Newrider · 29/01/2023 11:05

My inlaws basically did exactly as you describe.

3 years later they came back having put across a very lovely life on SM, we thought they were living a dream.

Reality was they came home worse off. No savings and they didn't qualify for any finance etc so we've had to support them as guarantors, lend them a car etc because they can't even privately rent without help let alone get a mortgage or new car.

They're lucky to have us willing to do so for them tbh.

Newrider · 29/01/2023 11:05

To clarify, it's because they've been out of the country is my understanding, no finance etc. Will touch them.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread