Should you go for a 12,000 AED job? It all depends on your designation, work experience and spending style. And what benefits you get?

Alright… Here are a few facts.

If 1 bedroom Apartment is sufficient for you, then it would cost 3.5K to 6K per month in Dubai. If you think of staying in Sharjah, then you lose a lot of time in travelling. Dubai traffic towards Sharjah in the eve (and from Sharjah in the morning) is very high. If you need a 2 BHK, it would cost from 4.5K to 8K depending on the location and building. If you think of sharing a flat with someone, yes, you can save a lot in terms of money.

So lets talk about other expenses.

• DEWA (Electricity, water and sewerage + Building tax) - 1000 AED in summer, 500 AED in winter.
• Etisalat/Du Phone Bill: 150 AED post paid plan (for 300 flex minutes+6GB data (1 GB normally, 6 GB if you sign a 2 year contract))
• Evision/OSN (Home Wi-fi+Basic TV channels + a Landline) : 300–400 AED.
• If you plan to take Metro, then Travelling expense: 300–600 AED per month. If taxi, …….. (no idea.. I cannot sit in a taxi peacefully. I always look at the taxi meter)
  If Car, you need a driving license - it would cost around 7K to 9K to get one.
  If buying a car, then, 3 year loan would make you pay around 1.5K to 3K depending on the chosen medium range car. + insurance every year (around 2k-4k), service cost. Car wash - 100 AED per month.
  Petrol cost - again depends on your distance to Office and travel req.
  Salik - (or road tax) and Fines extra.
  If company gives, WOW !
• Groceries: If you cook, 300 - 3k depending on your dependents.
• Eating Out: It can cost a lot if you do not plan properly.
• Shopping: 1K- infinity every month.

So… 1000 (Dewa)+150(mobile)+400(home internet,tv)+500 (travel)+500 (groceries)+300(eating out)+1000 (misc. shopping) = around 4000 AED. (for a 1bhk, 2 people family)

4000 AED + house rent of let’s say 4000 = 8000 AED.

Balance 4000 AED. (12,000 Salary- 8000 monthly expense)

From this, you have to keep money for Emirates ID (like Aadhar card), good conduct certificate(200 AED) , bed, tv, cot, driving license, sofa, dress, laptop, iphone (these all become necessity later), savings, leisure travel, etc.

If you have a child (of school going age), then education is very costly here. Monthly, 1K -5k including school and bus fees, again, depending on the school.

And, you mentioned salary+benefits. Normally, benefits include medical insurace and ticket.

• Companies normally gives Medical insurance for yourself. (if you are married, ask for the family as well, because it is costly and mandatory).
• They give “Up and down flight ticket” to your home town once in a year. ( Ask for family as well. If single, ask for two times in a year).
• Ask for school fees for your children. This is very costly.
• Ask for house rent allowances extra (Not from 12K).
• Ask for a car.

But, getting a work experience from a different country is always good. Good to work for 4–10 years. So, just try out.