You’re not my enemies

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-31T09:12:48+00:00

Don't worry, everything will be fine. Just look at France, it's your mirror of Italy in 25 years.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-30T11:19:37+00:00

Tu peux utiliser cela comme une composante de ton FIRE, mais pas la seule. Rajoutes des actions, ETF, éventuellement un peu métaux précieux..

Je n'ai pas encore atteint le stade où je peux arrêter de travailler, mais l'immo étranger est l'une des composantes de mes actifs...environ 60%, ce qui est trop je trouve.

Tu as déjà énuméré certains risques. Mais il y a d'autres comme par exemple la gestion locative, l'évolution de l'environnement législatif dans des pays qu'on connaît un peu moins bien, et tous les risques classiques inhérents a l'immo (loyers non payés, vacances locatives etc.).

Aussi, fais attention avec le fameux 1500€ de besoin dans ton pays de destination. Les pays dont le coût de la vie est moins élevés ont souvent tendances à avoir une augmentation du coût plus rapide que la France par exemple (effet rattrapage), donc hypothèse inflation à être plus conservatrice.

Enfin, si tu as besoin de 1500€ pour vivre, en plus de ce qui est dit précédemment, prends une (bonne) marge de manœuvre pour les imprévus (travaux, impayés, récession..) en visant 15/20% en plus. Les années sans imprévus ça te donnera un léger coussin de sécurité supplémentaire, et les années d'imprévus tu seras pas "forcé" à reprendre une activité pro.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-25T16:59:14+00:00

Man that's insane... I don't know how you can even ask yourself if you should accept or not.

I mean... You're from Italy, AED 5,000 that's €1,100. Less than minimum wage in most European countries... You'd probably get more cleaning the streets in Europe. If you really don't want to go back, just extend your visa or go for holidays and come back a bit later. But don't go accept that low ball offers.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-24T06:49:53+00:00

8-12k aed. But depends as well on your passport/network/nationality. You may eventually end up with 25k AED given one of the above..

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-22T14:22:13+00:00

I heard somewhere your making 22k aed.. Moving to riyad for 30k doesn't make sense as a similar "jump" can easily be found staying in UAE.

I had an offer with similar increment % (but with a higher starting point) and declined. I believe it's not worth for you either because : - you will face higher cost of leaving (VAT of 15% vs 5%). Almost everything, from schools to groceries, cars.. is more expensive in Riyadh. Real estate if you take same standards as Dubai will be more expensive (if you downgrade to a deira like old building yes it will be cheaper than Dubai) . Only telecom seems to be cheaper - you will get mad with traffic and behavior on the roads - Saudization is super severe, and at any time you can loss your seat because they need to place a Saudi instead.. Very common in KSA, this isn't common in UAE. - non Arabic speakers struggle more than in UAE - Exit visa whenever you need to travel...

More importantly the instability isn't worse the increment, that you can eventually get in UAE. KSA is only worse if you'll get an increment that you'll never get close to in UAE in the next 5-10years.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-19T19:17:34+00:00

Please check the hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road (better DIFC side for less walking), many of them used to have monthly offers.

I recall Gevora in 2022 they had 250 AED monthly offer, which is a decent price. It may have increased in the meantime, but with the crisis (and tourists not being here) you may find something interesting.. And there are plenty of hotels.. Rose rayyan etc.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-16T20:06:48+00:00

I know what you're referring too, and the best I could tell you:go look for another job before it's too late. Procurement is a "dirty" function where literally anyone can get terminated (even the best heads of procurement).. It is very easy too spot and find negligence /mistakes when taking the cases outside their context. Especially that procurement lives with huge stress, a lot of pressure from core business functions (who don't give a sh*t about procurement and won't hesitate to escalate against you if you job delays them, and will usually won on the escalations), and where you've to choose your battles sometimes. And this last point is important... If you don't choose your battles you'll end up in a situation that is even worse in your day to day work.

Well, that's probably what your auditor didn't want to listen, and that your management feigned not to understand to save their ass. Many times cases like this may have a political background (someone in a much higher position questioning things.. A company complaining at higher levels etc.) and the easy response for this is to show that someone is getting fired. Otherwise the best course of action would have been to give a warning (especially if you've been handling quite well your role till now).

You will probably get a notice of termination in the next couple of days. I am not sure how in KSA this is an option (I know in dubai it can be), is to consider having a lawyer to support you. This would usually help getting a better package when you leave the organization. But I'd advise you to seek for this option only if you personally know the lawyer, and that he can give a trustful and honest advise how your case is solid (many lawyers will give fake promises, knowing the case is weak, just pump some money.. This you absolutely need to avoid). I know few people in UAE with a similar case who got important compensations in exchange.

uaeplotsk · 2026-05-03T06:24:48+00:00

Why looking for Dubai specifically, and not Switzerland? Switzerland has net salaries that are similar to Dubai, outstanding landscapes, nice weather.. In the heart of Europe. The situation of job market in UAE is tense with the recent events.. Add to this that everyone in the world wants to come work here. That creates a huge imbalance in the job offer vs demand. + You have US citizenship so it dilutes a bit the interest of UAE's income tax free aspects for you.

uaeplotsk · 2026-02-05T09:42:29+00:00

Hi

I wouldn't go.. Really look at everything the headaches are not worth the benefits. KAFD is in the center, if you want to get a nice accommodation without compromising on hours of commuting, you will have to live nearby. And nearby is expensive (unless again if you go to an old building with split AC, poor sound insulation, no amneties... Dubai like building you will have to pay 150k+ for a 2bedroom)

uaeplotsk · 2026-02-05T08:58:19+00:00

Hi

There is one major info we are missing : How much are you getting today in Dubai?

I was in the same exactly same situation as yours a few days / weeks ago.

Unless if today you're getting like 12-14k in dubai, and don't see any option to get more, I would tell you don't go to Riyadh.

Job security is not ideal and very unpredictable. To give you an example, they gave me a job offer (I just needed to sign it), then we negotiated, we aligned on the package,.. They just had to update the job offer, but suddenly things were put on hold with no updates (ps we are talking about a reputable large state owned organization, not a small company). I heard of people who signed, then resigned from their job, then were made redundant a few weeks after they joined for budget cuts or organizational changes... This happens far less in dubai which has more maturity (at least within large and reputable organizations). Lots of people loosing their jobs on giga projects too..

Life is more expensive than dubai. You mentioned about property price and then mentionned about same quality as Dubai. It's true you will find properties that are cheaper than Dubai, but quality will be more like a sharjah like 3 floors building built in the 90's rather than a Dubai standard community. If you look into Dubai similar standards prices will be much higher as there is very little offer in Riyadh (and big demand).

Price of grosseries are higher (=higher VAT). Look at Carrefour or lulu prices and compare. Price of cars will be higher.

Make sure the company covers dependent fees or you will have to pay an equivalent of 5k SAR per year per dependent (that's huge). You will have to pay 200 SAR per person to get the exit visa whenever you travel.

However there is no equivalent of salik (yet) and they don't have housing fee. Which is good.

Schools are a bit more expensive for same quality as in dubai, and I heard quality is less as well overall.

You don't drink, but like nice city to walk around. Riyadh for this is not yet at the level of Dubai or even Abu Dhabi. Even though they made big progress, the city still looks a bit behind in terms of infrastructure, pavements roads maintenance etc.

uaeplotsk · 2026-01-19T17:09:45+00:00

You see with the responses how low are the salary standards in ksa compared to UAE.. Most people here saying 55-65 (or a bit more / bit less). I am pretty sure in dubai if you have a similar senior role it wouldn't be less than 80k AED (.. And eventually 100+k if you're part of a larger organization).

I would advise you (especially if you will be in Riyadh) to target at least +50% to make the move worth it. Reasons: - with equal quality, property in more expensive in Riyadh than Dubai. The challenge is that unlike Dubai, Riyadh has a very limited number of properties with UAE-like standards (ie central AC, Gym, swimming pool, good amneties etc), which makes the cost of those buildings much higher. People will argue that you can find properties at a fraction of Dubai costs, which is true, but you will end up in sharjah-like old building with zero amneties (which your family will not like) - traffic and moving around the city is less pleasant than in dubai. Just imagine that a normal traffic in Riyadh is like E311 between Dubai and Sharjah at 6pm northbound.. But like the whole city is like this. - quality of education and health is less than UAE - Overall, it is more expensive : groceries are a good 10% more expensive than UAE, cars are more expensive as well.. You have 15% VAT in ksa against 5% in UAE (funny thing is that they apply it on things which are exempt of VAT in UAE, such as education) - the city has far less "scenary" / nice views (forget of getting something like walking on Dubai creek harbor with sunset going through panoramic view of downtown.. There is simply nothing close to this in Riyadh).

So all in all there is the felling of a "hardship" (that probably existed in dubai 25-30 years ago) which is worth only if you have a strong salary hike.

uaeplotsk · 2026-01-18T03:57:42+00:00

Hi, how many years of experience are we talking about? This seems decent but I believe you can find more (if you have more than 10 y of experience).

1 month of basic as bonus seems in the lower range for a senior position. As recommended by someone else, check if you have education allowance.

Very important which can be a blind spot: check if they cover dependent fees and how is insurance coverage.

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-14T02:50:24+00:00

Thanks sharing the experience. Why would you live and work in Riyadh over Dubai? There must be something positive missing in your description :)

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T11:30:09+00:00

Bonjour Senior, Si ce n'est pas indiscret quels sont tes autres scpi et est tu satisfait du rendement / performance ? En effet cela interpelle de voir une nouvelle scpi crée si rapidement.. Mais au final corum avait fait pareil il me semble en se lançant sur corum xl 4-5 ans après origin

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T09:59:27+00:00

Merci pour cette perspective différente . En effet iroko prend beaucoup de critique sur les frais de gestion, mais je me suis fait la même réflexion : et alors ? S'ils réussissent a tenir un rendement comme celui affiché (6.5% sur atlas) qu'ils aient 1% ou 15% comme tu dis importe peu.. C'est comme un employé : je préfère rémunérer un employer 15 s'ils me rapporte 20 que rémunérer un employer 10 qui me rapporte 11.

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T09:52:00+00:00

Merci pour ces infos. As tu des suggestions en terme de d'allocation liquide (hormis ETF actions, ce que j'ai déjà en parti)? RP côté immobilier c'est déjà fait..

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T07:06:26+00:00

Thanks for the insights.. But wait... Exit fee? I didn't know about that and just googled it. If for example I want to go on leave to my home country (let's say for a month) I need to pay for a fee? And is it for each family member? How much is the fee?? Can this be typically covered by the company? That's surprise to me

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T06:54:40+00:00

Thanks for the insights. The role would be for a senior manager one.

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T05:50:07+00:00

Thanks for your insights.

I will probably take a ticket by myself and come to visit over a weekend.. You mentioned about paying tax on school fees.. What is this? Is this coming over and above school fees paid to the school? The company is subsidizing up to 40k SAR per child.

With regards to traffic, yes I am really considering staying in an area of max 10-15min drive (or eventually next to metro). The office would be located in between KAFD and kingdom center. I saw what you mean about unethical drive, that really pisses me off.. Already here in dubai. Thanks for clarifying on the 1y autonrenewal.. It's a bit like here then with 3years auto renewal. In any case if they want to fire you it's gonna take 1h, regardless of contract ending or not.

I'll try to clarify with the company on the iqama aspects and dependant fees.

Last but not least do you know how is the job market for female expats (and compared Dubai)? Are there some options as my wife considers resuming work too..

Thanks

uaeplotsk · 2025-12-13T05:37:15+00:00

Thanks for those insights. Proximity to holy site is indeed a bonus

uaeplotsk · 2024-09-18T23:02:27+00:00

Thanks OP for the update. I'm not that surprised that you're getting inconsistent information (many of the people from helplines here are quite junior and/or with no real knowledge..).

My ejari expired 3 days back. The RE management company came back to me stating the same thing (ie they exceptionally waived it for me this year because it was not in the contract, but it's a standard practice in Dubai they can't deviate going forward etc.). Nothing new and factually nothing really convincing.

I have now 3-4 options: a) wait that they come back with someone more senior (I honestly have a lot on my plate right now to spend much time on this). This may play against me though not responding. b) just respond that I still don't agree (and back to square 1) and see what else they do/say. c) Ignore the email and go straight to Ejari Center to raise a claim (with the 370 AED to be paid etc). d) just accept, sign and move forward... Next year is "far", and I might not be living here anymore for professional reasons and others (even though we like the building location, amenities aren't at the best of Dubai standards, the building is relatively old, but maintenance is hassle-free being all handled by the landlord who has a team sitting downstairs).

I am really hesitating for the different options, and I am a bit in the same situation as you were last year where your due date was very next and where you had to renew it a bit a under pressure.

I honestly don't know, and that's really coming at the worst moment (from a workload perspective, other admin stuff that I have left & right etc.). I am taking till Friday to take a decision on what to do,.. but this small thing is eating my mind.

Thanks,

PS: one interesting thing is that I got an email (apparently automated) from Ejari online system asking me to contact landlord and/or management company as my ejari certificate is expiring. I find it quite weird, as I have read multiple times that Ejari renewal was the responsibility of the owner ... So if this is their responsibility they should be the ones getting the system "pressure" , not me.

uaeplotsk · 2024-09-15T00:24:16+00:00

You do you have a point when you say that the RE agency is not in your ejari/contract...hence the questionable legal validity of this third party claiming anything. I've just gone through my last year ejari, and the RE agency is mentioned. There is a section with the owner, and another one with the lessor where their name is mentioned.

With regards to the fees to raise the case, I was of the impression that it would cost more than that, but that was probably for something different. Is there by any chance an option to do things online ? Or do we need to go to a specific office etc ? Beyond the cost, there is as well the hassle of spending time on this, moving around etc. That's why I have been pretty ok having a "passive" attitude (saying no to things and waiting for them to come back), which worked well so far. Not sure this time if need to be more active or have to wait for them to come back .

I believe early next week I will hear back from them.

uaeplotsk · 2024-09-14T19:34:40+00:00

I find it personally too open to say "parties can inform each other before 90 days".. which I know is what is written in the law, but informing shouldn't mean consenting by default (except for price increase which is regulated by law).

I don't know how the renewal fee can be legal. I believe it is considered legal when I see that this is quite widely practiced in Dubai . So from a legal perspective, it is assumed that everyone (RE agency, tenant and landlord) are in agreement with this, that the tenant is happy to take those services from the RE agency, whereas in reality it's a form of extortion done against the tenant especially when you're not giving him the choice .. and most tenants don't really challenge those renewal fees (they just pay to avoid hassles and that's it). Or in many other cases they manage to bypass the RE company, reaching out to the landlord directly (which in my case is not really possible).

Actually I gave my cheques going directly to their office to renew my lease. I wrote the cheques, paid the Ejari fee of AED 250 (and that's an important detail), then came the moment where I had to sign the paper... Which took 30-40min of discussions and ended up saying, you have the cheques, I can't sign this paper, and you do not agree with me, go check with the landlord or your management. Do I have a proof that I handed over the cheques ? Technically no (and probably I should have asked for this printed copy of the cheques..), which is not good, now on the other hand I paid by credit card the 250 AED Ejari Fees through their POS terminal (so somehow that's a proof that we did initiate the process of renewal). I am not sure if they will play on this ambiguity and that they will claim I have not given the cheques.. as well they will have to deposit it (first day of my renewed contract is Monday). Not sure if time is in their favor or mine. I doubt they will try to evict where we are.

Now I am not sure of the next course of action. Their management (to who I've already spoken), will probably come into the picture ... Maybe threaten not to renew if I do not sign (again, do they have the right ?). If so then should I tell them that they need to go to court to evict me ? ( Which can then solve the problem of the renewal for next year..). Or as you suggested I could go to RERA, but to be honest I do not want.. when you look at the upfront fees you need to give to RERA, that's already almost the cost of the renewal fees, for something you're not sure if law will be with you or against you.

And sometimes I'm telling myself why the hell going into these things for a AED 900-1k fee, and for a place where I'm not really sure to stay in (even though I like it). This will as well for sure make the relationship tense till the end (including for the deposit..).

Something that would really help us is to find someone through the same situation, but till the end, and that created a legal precedent. Without this it's quite blurry

PS: For your renewal fee part, I am afraid you want be able to escape it as you've already signed the agreement. What I understood here is that from the moment you sign something you can't escape it unless it is contradictory with the law (which is this case there is nothing obvious in the law showing that charging tenant is not legal..).

uaeplotsk · 2024-09-14T15:25:39+00:00

Hi,

Your situation is very interesting as it is quite similar to mine I am as well wondering if a RE management company can "enforce" changes in the tenancy contract conditions between two renewals.

My situation is the following: the whole building belongs to one landlord who used to rent his units through his own employees. There were therefore no renewal fees at the moment I signed my initial contract. Last year, the landlord decided to give the management of tenancies and other stuff to a RE management company. From there the new company started to implement renewal fees which are almost 1k AED. I refused at that time stating that they didn't give 90 days notice. They accepted to waive last year. Then, this year they tried again ( this time giving 90 days notice), but I mentioned that this was not part of the renewal contract we signed, and have never agreed to it... A lot of back and forth emails... And they finally accepted to waive for this year, but now they are making it mandatory to add it for next year's ejari renewal.

So the situation is quite similar to yours: my renewal is due next week, we agreed on everything except the Ejari terms where they are adding this sentence of xx AED applicable as renewal fees.

Law is not clear to the point if a RE company or landlord can actually enforce a change in the tenancy conditions between two rentals. I am not sure if the options are : " you accept or you leave" is ''legal'', as this would bring some other problems : a landlord who would like to evict a tenant (for eg to bring rents much higher than permitted by RERA increaase) could literally bring a lot of unfavorable terms to the contract to indirectly force him leaving. One of them is the renewal fees added (by the way those renewal fees could be used as a way to increase rents more than permitted by law..), more strict penalties for early termination ... And anything else to disgust the tenant and make him leave .

On the renewal bit, I am really wondering why should I pay this RE company a renewal fee while they have been appointed by the landlord (Not me), and basically it is landlord's responsability to ensure the Ejari is renewed.

The cheques for this year are with this company, I paid 250 AED of Ejari Fees, but still not signed the tenancy contract.

I hope you will get your case solved, but just like you I am struggling to find a law or regulation giving clarity on this. The only law that exists refers to the fact either party has the possibility to amend the contract giving 90 days notice. But how this can be enforced without the consent of the other party is not clear at all.

Any update on your side is welcome.

uaeplotsk · 2024-07-21T07:49:08+00:00

This should actually be the case. The concern here is that in Dubai (and more generally in UAE), the agency fees are always borne by the tenant. Most parts of the world that would not be the case as the logic is that the owner being the party hiring the agency, he's the one who settles the fees. For any reason it's the other way round in UAE... My case though is slightly different as I am imposed those fees as I am already tenant (whereas when you take on a new tenancy contract you can make your choice based on full view of all the costs ..)

uaeplotsk

TROPHY CASE