So in Dubai we will need to furnish a three-bedroom apartment or villa, which I imagine will cost a bit more than AED10,000. Besides, if we leave our furniture in the UK then we'll have to store it, and the cost of that adds up after a while. I've also got some shipping quotes now which are quite reasonable - about GBP1000-1500, which is much less than I was expecting.
Can anyone give me a link to somewhere with more information about costs of buying furniture etc in Dubai? scot1870 Shipping isn't too bad. Furniture includes Ikea, Home Centre and the likes which are at the cheaper end, there's loads of stores though (not sure online) so won't take you long when you get here. Overall, think UK Ikea prices across a wider range of stores. xty
- Colbar wrote:
If you can find all those items for 10000dhs Id hire you tomorrow!!!... However must be of a quality that is suitable for living for 5years plus not the usual 6months.
First, OP didn't say 3 BR and you mentioned 1BR, so I assume it's for 1BR.
My experience to furnish 1BR for my family (2 adults, 1 baby):
* Medium quality king size spring matress starts 800 AED
* IKEA double sofa bed starts 1200 AED
* CRT TV 29" starts 800 AED
* Washing machine front loading starts 1000 AED
* Refrigerator double doors starts 800 AED
* IKEA multi purpose/dining table for four + couple of chairs starts 600 AED
* IKEA wardrobe 2 doors starts 500 AED
* Gas stove + oven starts 1000 AED
* Other small things
They are not fitted furnitures, they are not the best brands, but I have been using for couple of years and none are broken. And there's still some spare to increase the "quality".
Even those can be 40-50% cheaper if you can find good second hand stuffs like in , newspaper ads, ads board at Spinney's, specialized stores, etc. After sometimes if you don't like it, just "throw it out". You don't loose much money if then you move after sometimes. I find this quite interesting and more effective if you're not sure if you'll stay for long time in Dubai. I know I'm not sure ;)
Off course, for 3 BR that would probably more than 10000 AED (if you fully furnish all the rooms). Colbar There is surviving and there is living!! Ikeas furniture does a job, its cheap and practical but not long lasting. You forgot to mention curtains, side tables bedside tables, dressing units, tv unit, coffee table, etc etc People do get very bad advice on furnishings, if its cheap and cheerful you require then the above is the answer. If its a home you require then please advise these people sensibly. The One is a good store, but expensive. Home Centre has a large variety of choice, cheap prices but study the quality of finish. Homes R Us is the same. xty
- Colbar wrote:
There is surviving and there is living!!
So far, I'm lucky that I'm not surviving, I enjoy living in Dubai. Dine outside couple of times a week. Go out of town once a week. Go holiday abroad twice a year. I could have afford more, but why spend more. But hey, that's me.
- Colbar wrote:
You forgot to mention curtains, side tables bedside tables, dressing units, tv unit, coffee table, etc etc.
People do get very bad advice on furnishings, if its cheap and cheerful you require then the above is the answer. If its a home you require then please advise these people sensibly.
I said basics (first things you should buy on first days). The rests, that's everyone's choice and standards. I'm trying not to scare newcomers, just to inform the truth and that they have a choice. Not everyone earns big salary. Not everyone would spend much money. asc_26 Live the Korean Style, no need the hassle of purchasing furnitures etc. Classic and minimalist, here it is.
Bedroom
Living Room
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gtmash
- Colbar wrote:
There is surviving and there is living!!
Surviving is what the Ethopians do. You'll be fine. Judging by what your company is paying you just to relocate, I assume your wife will take the kids to school in an SUV, you can have Starbucks twice a day, and you can dine at Emirates Towers every weekend. scot1870
- gtmash wrote:
- Colbar wrote:
There is surviving and there is living!!
Surviving is what the Ethopians do. You'll be fine. Judging by what your company is paying you just to relocate, I assume your wife will take the kids to school in an SUV, you can have Starbucks twice a day, and you can dine at Emirates Towers every weekend. - Colbar wrote:
The amount isn't actually that much in the UK, it's all relative. jayzed Most people have said that it isn't much for Dubai, either, and that it probably won't cover all the costs. If I assume about £1800 for shipping and about £700 for flights, that leaves £2500 = AED17,500 Then there's: - Utilities deposit AED3000 (?) - Oven AED1000+ - Fridge AED1000+ That leaves 12,500. Now, I understand that if you rent through an estate agent you can expect to pay 3-5% of your annual rental cost in commission, presumably up front? So let's say that's at least another AED5,000 and probably more. Suddenly there's not much left in the pot for curtains, additional furniture etc. gtmash Actually, the landlord will ask for at least half, if not all, of your annual rent up front. Not sure how newcomers handle that. I don't think your amount was intended to cover rent. P.S. Utilities shouldn't cost you more than dhs 2k though. scot1870 Many companies pay you first rent cheque for you then let you pay it back monthly from your wage. Yup, deposits can be sore if you're not prepared. I was a bit shocked in some cases but I was lucky I had some cash. Worst one as said is the 5% agent payment, would advise take company accom if available, or at least maximise any free accom you get in you package so you get a pay check or two under your belt. jayzed Yes, I realise I'll have to pay rent up front but my employer will advance me that. But it seems to me that there are a lot of other costs associated with moving into a new place. How easy is it to rent a place direct from the landlord, i.e. cutting out the agent and therefore the agent's commission? Or does this involve too much hassle and running around? Colbar Put an advertisement in the Gulf News & Khaleej Times stating that you require direct from owner... see what happens. xty
- jayzed wrote:
But it seems to me that there are a lot of other costs associated with moving into a new place.
That's true. Believe me, I end up almost no savings when moving around on 4 countries (3 employers) in the last 3 years. All savings were sucked into relocation costs, vacation breaks, and furnishing new apartments. I wish I had better options. Hopefully this time in Dubai will last long.
- jayzed wrote:
How easy is it to rent a place direct from the landlord, i.e. cutting out the agent and therefore the agent's commission? Or does this involve too much hassle and running around?
AFAIK, only newer or freehold apartments that you'll have better chance on getting directly from the owner, for example The Greends, Marina, etc. You don't pay the 5% commission but usually they are already expensive. So if you can afford it, search/put the ads. Otherwise, there's no choice.