UAE Lifestyle questions
 

I have been pouring over the forums since I joined, but I still have a couple of questions I hope some of you may be able to answer.

What are the best primary schools, and what are their costs? I have four kids, and while Etihad covers four, Emirates only covers three - is that negotiable and if not, is it still doable to put one in privte school fully subsidized?

I understand that you live in a "compound" if living in company supplied housing. I have read that you are driven to and from the airport for your trips. Can you own your own car? Can my wife leave the compound with the kids safely to check out Dubai and the kids attractions and such?

Finally, does anyone have any experience with the housing supplied by the company for families? Pictures to show my wife would be great - but the ones that are for families.

Thanks in advance for your help! If you have any other suggestions in how to prepare best for the interview, specifically the Compass tests, that's always welcome too :D.

Randy
[email protected]

Cant answer about schooling, my kids are at university.

As far as housing, Etihad has villas at Khaliffa B, AKA Moon Base Bravo. There are also flats in the city (apartments), as an empty nester that is what I chose, everything is walking distance or a short cab ride away.
We do not have company provided transport, if my wife needs the car while I'm on a trip she drops me to the airport or I call a cab to take me.
Crime is almost non existent, as of June we had one murder and thats in a city the size on New York. The average per capita income is 17 million US dollars, they don't pay us that though :).
If your company has an international division, get a hold of the manuals and read up on international and long haul procedures, read Ace the Technical and you shouldn't have too many problems.
The tech exam is not used to chop you but is used as part of the all round interview. If you didn't do so well on it but they think you will be a good candidate you will get another chance.

Cheers,

EY

Thanks for the info - I will see if United will give up some manuals... being that it isn't cost neutral, UAL's new buzz phrase, I may not be able to get any!

RE; DXB, lots of good schools but short on space right now, if you google schools dubai you can find their web sites.

Not really compound living, more like gated commuities.With rents going up by the day ,do NOT take the allowence and try to rent you will end up out of pocket.

EY has a rent to own but I do not know any details on that

Everyone owns cars, that might be the problem with traffic.

Personnel movement is unrestricted.

EK kid max 3 and if you have ever worked with west asian admin you will find nothing is negotiable. |" Oh Capt 3 children max" " oh no capt "