Relocating to Dubai / UAE

[CarBaby]

My brother is planning to relocate to Dubai/UAE for a construction project... understand that the living/housing cost is very high in dubai ? is there any friend out there able to advise how is the living standard over there ? what will be the housing allowance for a single expart staying in a condo apartment ? or is there any similar website where by i can refer to check out more details ? thanks

[Plavt]

Could try starting here, maybe some of the posters can help you;

http://www.dubaiforums.com/

[CarBaby]

thank you, this is very useful help

[SunnyinDubai]

He can also try www.britishexpats.com and www.grapeshisha.com

Housing allowance is usually given as part of the salary package - salary is often split into 60/40 with 60% being the basic and 40% for allowances (this has end of service benefit implications). There are other allowances that could be paid on top of this - like car, utilities, schooling, medical, etc. Rents are high here as is the cost of living (and the dirham being pegged to the dollar def does not help). However, that being said, the cost of living is high in Singapore too so it would be comparable. All in all, he is getting paid more to work here and has things like housing, etc covered - it might be worth his while - if not, I would reconsider it seriously. Also a lot of these construction jobs put in long hours and in the summer, it can get extremely hot.

We have been here 3 years now and are heading back home in the summer...can't wait as it is getting harder and harder to live here.

Happy to answer any other questions he may have.