Living Costs for Australian Expats Relocating to Dubai
Living in any new country especially Australia to Dubai is a big deal and it is important to know how much it will cost you to live there. Dubai is, first of all, a city that provides a VIP service and a luxurious lifestyle, but it also has cheap housing. Read on to understand more about the expenses of an Australian expatriate in Dubai.
Accommodation Costs
Fooding and lodging is one of the major costs that we incur. In my research, the cost of renting an apartment depends with the area as well as the type of house. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai, for instance, will go for about AED 7,927.36 (AUD 3,236.60) per month while in the outskirts, a similar apartment will cost around AED 4,858.72 (AUD 1,983.73) per month. For those who want more space, a three bedroom apartment in the city center will go for about AED 14,937.02 (about AUD 6,098.51) per month.
Utility Costs
Goods and services, such as electricity, water, air conditioning, and garbage, for a standard apartment can cost from AED 600 to 1200 (AUD 245 to 490) a month. Internet services that are usually for broadband connections are expensive and range from AED 352.14 (AUD 144.57) per month.
Transportation
Transportation in Dubai is quite good and cheap when it comes to public transport. The fares for a one way trip on public transport on average are AED 7 (AUD 2.87) while a monthly pass is estimated at AED 300 (AUD 123.17). There is an option to use a personal car, and the price of gasoline is quite reasonable, AED 2.58 (AUD 1.06) per liter.
Groceries and Dining
Groceries in Dubai can also be a bit costly compared to the Australian groceries especially for the imported commodities. Groceries are roughly 20-30% higher than they were pre-pandemic in cost. But, it is cheaper to buy local produce and products and goods. Cheap eating is relatively a broad concept; a meal from a fast food restaurant costs around AED 35 (AUD 14.29), while a three course meal for two at an average restaurant is between AED 250 (AUD 102).
Healthcare
The health care services in Dubai are relatively good and there are a number of private hospitals and clinics that are excellent. The health insurance is frequently obtained from the international health insurance schemes and it is not cheap, it may cost as high as AED5000 to AED10000 annually. It is recommended to take the broad cover to prevent having to pay a lot of cash from your pocket.
Education
Another major expense that families with children have is education. Dubai has numerous international schools which have different tuitions fees. The fees themselves vary from AED 20,000 to AED 50,000 (AUD 8,180 to AUD 20,450) per annum depending on the school and the year level of the child.
Leisure and Entertainment
Dubai has a lot to keep the tourists and visitors busy, whether it is shopping or dining or outdoor activities or cultural experiences. The fitness club membership fees stand at AED 326.16 (AUD 133.91), and a movie ticket goes for AED 50 (AUD 20.53). There are many tourist attractions such as beaches and parks, which either have no charge at all or very little charges.
Even though Dubai may be a costly city, the city has a good quality lifestyle with various accommodation solutions for different incomes. Knowing and preparing for these expenses means that Australian expats can make a seamless move and live well in this dynamic city.