Marhaba prospective UAE / Qatar ex

If you have downloaded this spreadsheet you are probably considering relocating to the UAE or
As you will have read, the UAE & Qatar are generally paved with gold, tax free, 100% transparen

Anyway - you're interested to see if your "package" is worth it - this is a guide to try to help - ho

The Is It Worth It worksheet will attempt to help you in this decision with usual costs and sugges
At the end of the day though - everyone is different so it's up to you to plug in the right number
Using the spreadsheet

It's a simple little thing, with some simple formulae - if you want to use the formulae only enter
IMPORTANT - make sure you enter correct numbers and unit costs - use the SUGGESTED UNIT CO
Have a look at the EXAMPLES tab to help guide you with some example costs - it is up to you to
You might not want to break it all down in detail, if so keep the main costs of rent, car, schooling
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha costs are similar but do vary - check links and do research to ensure

The figures used assume that you are looking to have a "typical" Western expat quality of life. Y
For example - budget, medium and bling examples for groceries would equate to Lidl, Sainburys

The second largest cost will be school fees (if applicable) - these really need to be carefully cons

The largest cost will most likely be acomodation - we assume you'll be renting, most do. Again o
Family Set Up
Dubai
Single person, no kids, 20 - 30 year old
Working couple, no kids, 25 - 40
Couple, 2 kids
Larger family, teenage kids
Abu Dhabi
Larger family, teenage kids
Larger family, teenage kids
Doha
Apartment
Larger family, teenage kids

These are 4 very simple examples - to work it out more areas or prices search British Expat foru
Note on DEWA and Housing fees - DEWA varies most depending on time of year and if you have
Also - housing fee of 5% of rent is applied only in Dubai, not Abu Dhabi or Qatar. Also Abu Dhabi

For some details on the costs of various items in the UAE here is a quite detailed breakdown (fro
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28696595/Cost-of-Living-in-Dubai-and-Abu-Dhabi-2010
Useful Qatar info sheet (not sure on how up to date this is)
http://www.cmu.edu/hr/international/forms/practicalguide.pdf
Two useful sources of info
http://www.grapeshisha.com/
http://www.qatarliving.com/
This is intended to be a "work in progress" and maybe updated from time to time....
Latest update - 12 June 2012

ective UAE / Qatar expat! Welcome to the "Is It Worth It" spreadshee

onsidering relocating to the UAE or Qatar.

with gold, tax free, 100% transparent and will be very simple to set up your new life... (some or all of this is a lie

it - this is a guide to try to help - however we take no responsibilty as to its accuracy...

ecision with usual costs and suggested amounts as well as links to online examples.
p to you to plug in the right numbers for you and your family...

ant to use the formulae only enter your figures in the cells highlighted in orange
costs - use the SUGGESTED UNIT COSTS as a guide to what to enter
me example costs - it is up to you to work out your own circumstances though!
he main costs of rent, car, schooling, utilities etc and make other costs zero to a general living budget as the ba
heck links and do research to ensure you use the up to date correct figures

cal" Western expat quality of life. You can live much cheaper and much more expensively than the figures used
ries would equate to Lidl, Sainburys, Marks And Spencer in the UK (In UAE Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose)

ese really need to be carefully considered and if at all possble be provided as part of your package.

e you'll be renting, most do. Again only you will know where and what is right for you - some basic examples:Type

1
2
3
4

bed
bed
bed
bed

Areas

apt
apt
villa
villa upwards

TECOM, Greens, Marina

Marina, Palm, TECOM, Barsha
Springs, Arabian Ranches
Meadows, Lakes

4 bed villa upwards

4 bed villa upwards

On Island
Off Island

2 bed
4-6 bed villa

West Bay / Al Fardan

s or prices search British Expat forum or Dubizzle. If in doubt - google it

ing on time of year and if you have a garden to water. Bigger the garden = larger bills
Abu Dhabi or Qatar. Also Abu Dhabi ADDC water and electricity is cheaper than Dubai

e is a quite detailed breakdown (from 2010 data, but still reasonable)

-and-Abu-Dhabi-2010

ed from time to time....

"Is It Worth It" spreadsheet

p your new life... (some or all of this is a lie)

s to its accuracy...

nline examples.

ed in orange

s though!
ts zero to a general living budget as the balance.
gures

ch more expensively than the figures used.

n UAE Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose)

ovided as part of your package.

t is right for you - some basic examples:Yearly Rent (AED)

Average monthly Water & Elec

(excluding housing fee)

40-60,000
60-100,000
100-140,000
180-250,000+

300
400
1100
1750

200,000+
140,000+

1000
1000

(QR)
80-100,000
180-240,000

tbc
tbc

e it
rden = larger bills
eaper than Dubai

Family Size
Adults
Children over 5 and under 18 at school
Children between 2 and 5 (nursery schooling)
Infants (under 2)
Income
Basic Salary
Bonus
Housing
School Fees
Flight(s) Home
Transportation
Medical Insurance
Car
Total Income

Monthly Expenses

Description of unit

Rent
Groceries
School Fees
Pre School Fees
Infant costs (nappies etc)
Maid (live in / full time)
Petrol
Household
Water & Electricity
Housing Fee
Telco
Mobile
Car Hire
Car Loan

Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per

Year
Month / Per Person
Year
Year
Month / Per Infant
Month
Month / Per Car
Month
Month
Year (calculated from rent)
month - landline + broadband
Month / Per Subscription
Month
Month

People /
Quantity

1
5
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
0

Car Insuarance
Flights Home
Annual Vacation
Home Insurance
Clothing Adult
Clothing Children
Pension
Saving
TV subscription
Gym Membership
Drinks Out
Alcohol Home
Dinners Out
Other Entertainment
Misc. Cash

Per Year / Per Car

Per Ticket / Per Person
Total Cost
Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per Month
Per Month (day to day cash)

Total Expenses

Balance (Inc - Exp) - IS IT WORTH IT?

Set Up Costs
Shipping
DEWA Deposit
Estate Agency Fee (5% of rental)
Security Deposit (5% of rental)
School Registration
School Uniforms
Car Purchase
Cooker
Fridge / Freezer
TV
Sofa / Chairs
Dining Table
Other Furnishings
Total Up Front Costs

1
5
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
2
6
1
6
1
1

IS IT WORTH IT?
Qty

Convert to other currency

2
1
1
1

Per Year (AED)

Per Month (AED)

Rate
Per Year

360,000
0
140,000
80,000
17,500
0
0
0

30,000
0
11,667
6,667
1,458
0
0
0

62,069
0
24,138
13,793
3,017
0
0
0

597,500

49,792

103,017

Cost Per Month

Unit Cost (AED) Cost Per Year (AED) (AED)

140,000
800
50,000
30,000
300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100
7,000
400
200
1,500
2,000

GBP will be approx 6.00

US approx 3.675

140,000
48,000
50,000
30,000
3,600
24,000
12,000
12,000
13,200
7,000
4,800
4,800
18,000
0

11,667
4,000
4,167
2,500
300
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,100
583
400
400
1,500
0

Cost Per Year

24,138
8,276
8,621
5,172
621
4,138
2,069
2,069
2,276
1,207
828
828
3,103
0

3,600
3,500
25,000
1,000
500
300
0
5,000
300
400
200
600
400
1,000
2,000

3,600
17,500
25,000
1,000
12,000
10,800
0
60,000
3,600
9,600
14,400
7,200
28,800
12,000
24,000

300
1,458
2,083
83
1,000
900
0
5,000
300
800
1,200
600
2,400
1,000
2,000

621
3,017
4,310
172
2,069
1,862
0
10,345
621
1,655
2,483
1,241
4,966
2,069
4,138

596,900

49,742

102,914

600

50

103

AED

Set Up Costs
10,000
3,000
7,000
7,000
2,000
2,000
70,000
4,000
3,000
6,000
6,000
4,000
10,000
134,000

RTH IT?

ert to other currency

will be approx 6.00

prox 3.675

5.80

The example scenario used in this sheet as a base example assumes:Couple, stay at home Mum with 1 infant, 1 toddler & 1 school age child.
Package is 30,000AED basic plus housing up to 140,000AED, 1 flight for family hom
Schooling and pre-school paid for.
1 hire car, 1 bought 2nd hand (no loan)
3 bed Arabian Ranches villa
Planned saving 5,000dhs per month
Living mid range lifestyle costs
Live in maid
Is It Worth It - it's very tight - very slim monthly balance with not a lot of spare fun

Per Month
5,172
0
2,011
1,149
251
0
0
0

A note on packages.

Some are all inclusive in one lump sum

Others have some or all additional items paid in cash or paid direct to supplier
If your item is paid direct - you should enter zero in Income and Expenses as you d
Or balance it in Income and Expenses

8,585

Cost Per Month

2,011
690
718
431
52
345
172
172
190
101
69
69
259
0

Suggested Unit Cost - enter

correct amount in Column E
Budget
Medium
Bling

400
40,000
15,000
200
1,250
300
500
300
100
1,500
1,500

800

300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100
250
200
2,000
2,000

1,500
50,000
35,000
500
2,750
1,000
1,500
1,750
400
2,500
3,000

Some examples - just for cost examples

available in most c
Dubai

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-ren
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28696595/Cos
http://www.khda.gov.ae/En/Home.aspx
http://www.babyshopstores.com/

http://www.carrefouruae.com/default.aspx
http://www.dewa.gov.ae/default.aspx
http://www.dewa.gov.ae/default.aspx
http://www.du.ae/en/default
http://www.du.ae/en/default
http://www.hertzuae.com/content/default.

52
251
359
14
172
155
0
862
52
138
207
103
414
172
345

2,000

3,500

5,000

http://www.axa-gulf.com/
300
200

500
300

1,000
800

200
400
100
400
200

300
600
200
600
400

400
800
400
1,200
700

8,576

9
Suggested Unit Cost
Budget
Medium
Bling
1,724
517
1,207
1,207
345
345
12,069
690
517
1,034
1,034
690
1,724
23,103

http://www.axa-gulf.com/
http://www.emirates.com

30,000
2,000
1,500
2,500
3,000
1,500

80,000
4,000
3,000
5,000
6,000
3,000

180,000
8,000
5,000
8,000
10,000
6,000

http://www.osn.com/
http://www.fitnessfirstme.com/
http://www.timeoutdubai.com
www.mmidubai.com
http://www.timeoutdubai.com

ample assumes:1 school age child.

00AED, 1 flight for family home per year
bought 2nd hand (no loan)
00dhs per month
2 gym memberships
ce with not a lot of spare funds

or paid direct to supplier

come and Expenses as you don't get the cash.

mples - just for cost examples - there are other suppliers

available in most cases
Dubai

Some examples - just for cost examples - there

available in most cases
Abu Dhabi

ubizzle.com/property-for-rent/residential/
http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/re
ribd.com/doc/28696595/Cost-of-Living-in-Dubai-and-Abu-Dhabi-2010
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28696595/Cost-of-Liv
hda.gov.ae/En/Home.aspx
http://www.adec.ac.ae/English/Pages/PrivateScho

abyshopstores.com/

http://www.babyshopstores.com/

arrefouruae.com/default.aspx?langauge=en&country=uae
http://www.carrefouruae.com/default.aspx?langa
ewa.gov.ae/default.aspx
http://www.abudhabi.ae/egovPoolPortal_WAR/app
ewa.gov.ae/default.aspx
NOT APPLICABLE
u.ae/en/default
http://www.etisalat.ae/eportal/en/home/index.html
http://www.du.ae/en/default
u.ae/en/default
http://www.etisalat.ae/eportal/en/home/index.html
http://www.du.ae/en/default
ertzuae.com/content/default.aspx
http://www.hertzuae.com/content/default.aspx

xa-gulf.com/
mirates.com

http://www.axa-gulf.com/
http://www.emirates.com

xa-gulf.com/

http://www.axa-gulf.com/

nessfirstme.com/
meoutdubai.com

meoutdubai.com

http://www.osn.com/
http://www.fitnessfirstme.com/
http://www.timeoutdubai.com
www.mmidubai.com
http://www.timeoutdubai.com

r cost examples - there are other suppliers

ailable in most cases
Abu Dhabi

Some examples - just for cost examples - there are other sup
available in most cases
Qatar

com/property-for-rent/residential/
http://qatar.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/residential/
oc/28696595/Cost-of-Living-in-Dubai-and-Abu-Dhabi-2010
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28696595/Cost-of-Living-in-Dubai-a
nglish/Pages/PrivateSchools.aspx
http://www.english.education.gov.qa/schools/EISsearch.htm
http://www.babyshopstores.com/

com/default.aspx?langauge=en&country=uae http://www.carrefourqatar.com/default.aspx?language=en&cou
egovPoolPortal_WAR/appmanager/ADeGP/Citizen?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=p1074&lang=en
http://www.km.com.qa/en/Pages/home.aspx
NOT APPLICABLE
http://www.etisalat.ae/eportal/en/home/index.html
http://www.qtel.qa/en/home
http://www.etisalat.ae/eportal/en/home/index.html
http://www.qtel.qa/en/home
http://www.etisalat.ae/eport
/content/default.aspx
http://www.oasiscars.net/Rent.aspx

http://www.axa-gulf.com/
http://www.qatarairways.com
http://www.axa-gulf.com/

http://www.osn.com/
http://www.fitnessfirstme.com/
http://www.timeoutdoha.com/
http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053
http://www.timeoutdoha.com/

mples - there are other suppliers

ost cases
r

r-rent/residential/
5/Cost-of-Living-in-Dubai-and-Abu-Dhabi-2010
/schools/EISsearch.htm

lt.aspx?language=en&country=qa

tp://www.etisalat.ae/eportal/en/home/index.html

p?cID=414&pID=1053

A few UAE example situations to he

Single person, 20-30,
1 bed TECOM apartment - not included in package, no saving plan, likes to socialise
1 rented car, short commute to work
Yearly flight home paid for (so zero below)

Monthly Expenses

Description of unit

Rent
Groceries
School Fees
Pre School Fees
Infant costs (nappies etc)
Maid (live in / full time)
Petrol
Household
Water & Electricity
Housing Fee
Telco
Mobile
Car Hire
Car Loan
Car Insuarance
Flights Home
Annual Vacation
Home Insurance
Clothing Adult
Clothing Children
Pension
Saving
TV subscription
Gym Membership
Drinks Out
Alcohol Home
Dinners Out
Other Entertainment
Misc. Cash

Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Year
Per Year
Per Month / Per Infant
Per Month
Per Month / Per Car
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year (calculated from rent)
Per month - landline + broadband
Per Month / Per Subscription
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year / Per Car
Per Ticket / Per Person
Total Cost
Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per Month
Per Month (day to day cash)

Total Expenses

Younger family - couple, stay at home Mum w

Package is 30,000AED basic plus housing up to 140,000AED (zero entered below)
Schooling and pre-school paid for (entered zero as cost below)
3 bed Arabian Ranches villa
Living mid range lifestyle costs

Monthly Expenses

Description of unit

Rent
Groceries
School Fees
Pre School Fees
Infant costs (nappies etc)
Maid (live in / full time)
Petrol
Household
Water & Electricity
Housing Fee
Telco
Mobile
Car Hire
Car Loan
Car Insuarance
Flights Home
Annual Vacation
Home Insurance
Clothing Adult
Clothing Children
Pension
Saving
TV subscription
Gym Membership
Drinks Out
Alcohol Home
Dinners Out
Other Entertainment
Misc. Cash

Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Year
Per Year
Per Month / Per Infant
Per Month
Per Month / Per Car
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year (calculated from rent)
Per month - landline + broadband
Per Month / Per Subscription
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year / Per Car
Per Ticket / Per Person
Total Cost
Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per Month
Per Month (day to day cash)

Total Expenses

Larger family - Couple, stay at hom

Housing up to 250,000AED (zero entered below)
Schooling and pre-school paid for (entered zero as cost below)
4 bed Meadows villa
Living high (bling) lifestyle costs

Monthly Expenses

Description of unit

Rent
Groceries
School Fees
Pre School Fees
Infant costs (nappies etc)
Maid (live in / full time)
Petrol
Household
Water & Electricity
Housing Fee
Telco
Mobile
Car Hire
Car Loan
Car Insuarance
Flights Home
Annual Vacation
Home Insurance
Clothing Adult
Clothing Children
Pension
Saving
TV subscription
Gym Membership
Drinks Out
Alcohol Home
Dinners Out
Other Entertainment
Misc. Cash

Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Year
Per Year
Per Month / Per Infant
Per Month
Per Month / Per Car
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year (calculated from rent)
Per month - landline + broadband
Per Month / Per Subscription
Per Month
Per Month
Per Year / Per Car
Per Ticket / Per Person
Total Cost
Per Year
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month / Per Person
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per month
Per Person / Per Night Out
Per Month
Per Month (day to day cash)

Total Expenses

situations to help with your cost estimations

Single person, 20-30, no children

plan, likes to socialise

People /
Quantity

Unit Cost
(AED)

1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
10
1
4
1
1

60,000
500
50,000
30,000
300
2,000
300
500
300
3,000
250
200
1,500
2,000
3,600
3,500
7,000
1,000
500
300
0
5,000
300
400
200
400
400
300
1,000

Cost Per
Year (AED)

60,000
6,000
0
0
0
0
3,600
6,000
3,600
3,000
3,000
2,400
18,000
0
0
0
7,000
1,000
6,000
0
0
0
3,600
4,800
24,000
4,800
19,200
3,600
12,000

Cost Per
Month
(AED)

5,000
500
0
0
0
0
300
500
300
250
250
200
1,500
0
0
0
583
83
500
0
0
0
300
400
2,000
400
1,600
300
1,000

Suggested Unit Cost - enter

correct amount in Column E
Budget
Medium

400
40,000
15,000
200
1,250
300
500
300
100

700

300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100

1,500
1,500

250
200
2,000
2,000

2,000

3,500

300
200

500
300

200
400
100
400
200

300
600
200
600
400

191,600

15,967

couple, stay at home Mum with 1 toddler & 1 school age child.

zero entered below)

1 flight for family home per year

1 hire car, 1 bought 2nd hand (no loan)
Planned saving 5,000dhs per month
Live in maid
2 gym memberships

People /
Quantity

Unit Cost
(AED)

0
4
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
8
1
8
1
1

140,000
600
50,000
30,000
300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100
7,000
400
200
1,500
2,000
3,600
3,500
25,000
1,000
500
300
0
5,000
300
400
200
600
400
1,000
2,000

Cost Per
Year (AED)

0
28,800
0
0
0
24,000
12,000
12,000
13,200
7,000
4,800
4,800
18,000
0
3,600
0
25,000
1,000
12,000
7,200
0
60,000
3,600
9,600
19,200
7,200
38,400
12,000
24,000

Cost Per
Month
(AED)

0
2,400
0
0
0
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,100
583
400
400
1,500
0
300
0
2,083
83
1,000
600
0
5,000
300
800
1,600
600
3,200
1,000
2,000

Suggested Unit Cost - enter

correct amount in Column E
Budget
Medium

400
40,000
15,000
200
1,250
300
500
300
100

700

300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100

1,500
1,500

250
200
2,000
2,000

2,000

3,500

300
200

500
300

200
400
100
400
200

300
600
200
600
400

347,400

28,950

family - Couple, stay at home Mum with 3 teenagers.

Multiple flight for family home per year
2 cars bought (no loans)
Planned saving 15,000dhs per month
Live in maid
5 gym memberships
People /
Quantity

Unit Cost
(AED)

0
5
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
1
1
5
0
0
2
0
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
5
8
1
10
1
1

250,000
1,000
50,000
30,000
300
2,750
800
2,000
1,750
12,500
400
200
1,500
2,000
3,600
3,500
30,000
2,000
500
300
0
15,000
300
400
200
1,000
500
2,000
4,000

Cost Per
Year (AED)

Cost Per
Month
(AED)

0
60,000
0
0
0
33,000
19,200
24,000
21,000
12,500
4,800
12,000
0
0
7,200
0
30,000
2,000
12,000
10,800
0
180,000
3,600
24,000
19,200
12,000
60,000
24,000
48,000

0
5,000
0
0
0
2,750
1,600
2,000
1,750
1,042
400
1,000
0
0
600
0
2,500
167
1,000
900
0
15,000
300
2,000
1,600
1,000
5,000
2,000
4,000

619,300

51,608

Suggested Unit Cost - enter

correct amount in Column E
Budget
Medium

400
40,000
15,000
200
1,250
300
500
300
100

700

300
2,000
500
1,000
1,100

1,500
1,500

250
200
2,000
2,000

2,000

3,500

300
200

500
300

200
400
100
400
200

300
600
200
600
400

d Unit Cost - enter

mount in Column E
Bling

1,000
50,000
35,000
500
2,750
1,000
1,500
1,750
400
2,500
3,000
5,000

1,000
800

400
800
400
1,200
700

d Unit Cost - enter

mount in Column E
Bling

1,000
50,000
35,000
500
2,750
1,000
1,500
1,750
400
2,500
3,000
5,000

1,000
800

400
800
400
1,200
700

d Unit Cost - enter

mount in Column E
Bling

1,000
50,000
35,000
500
2,750
1,000
1,500
1,750
400
2,500
3,000
5,000

1,000
800

400
800
400
1,200
700

changes made:
Gym membership section added
Grocery - changed budget / mid / bling to 400/800/1500
Abu Dhabi & Doha - added note in welcome worksheet
Reduced DEWA budget to 300 (as housing fee is separate)
Added approx DEWA costs to housing examples
Added examples of various situations
Added infant costs (nappies etc)
Added Maid costs (live in)
Added Misc. Cash for day to day living

6/12/2012