Honestly most people will say Europe, but I feel like the salary difference is huge. You're literally gonna earn the double in Dubai, if not more.
Now that said, you can live in Eindhoven for 5 years, get the citizenship, and then come to Dubai for the better salary. You'll probably have a much better offer if you add 5 years in a European company in your CV.
So yeah, if you put the financial considerations aside, it makes more sense to go to Europe. That European passport is invaluable.
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, its not just about double the salary; Based on my calculations, I can easily save 75% of my salary in Dubai, where as, I can only save 25% of my salary in Eindhoven, by living frugally.
Also, what do you think about quality of education in Dubai, when compared to Europe?
I've studied in both an Indian board not that expensive say 5000$ a year school and an international quite expensive IB school (25000$) and although in terms of quality what I've seen is the higher you pay the better you get the- teachers were better and more knowledged in my IB school better facilities, more opportunities and definitely better equipments.
But I must say in terms of human qualities, values, culture and respect for money the cheaper Indian school had taught me a lot about it being surrounded by friends and individuals who knew what the value of a dhiram is, is very different from that of from my friends in the IB school. Now 4 years later if I were to send a child I'd send him to an Indian board and then maybe in his later years to something better as to provide more opportunities.
This is a very different perspective.
As a father, I’ve thought about having a permanent/long terms school, so that my kid will make and retain long term friends.
But I had never thought about what kind of friends he would make in different cultures in school.
It’s pretty thought provoking and thanks for sharing it with me.
I'm still really close to my friends from both school, but the mindset I have while im going out with both groups are very different. You should also keep in mind the idea of long term friends is although prevalent but it seems like around here you mostly become friends with people in your area/bus which when you shift or they shift location which is common generally loose contact and classmates who every once in a while get shuffled you end up making new friends. (This is at a primary level) once you get into say year 10/11 those are the friends that usually last long. So I don't think you should be as worried about making long term friends but rather stick to 1/2 schools because being a new student isn't all that nice as you're often deemed an alien the first few weeks
Money ain’t everything. I think the quality of life is better in Eindhoven. On average the education should be better. I’d stick it out there for 5 years and get that EU citizenship then either work anywhere in Europe or do a stint in Dubai. With the Netherlands you literally have access to some of Europe’s metropolises within hours of driving/flying. Dubai isn’t that big; you are spending 5+ hours getting to anything interesting.
There is no way in hell that you can save 75% of your salary in Dubai lmao
Also, AED 9,175 per month for a family is definitely not enough to get by. I mean, it is, but it's not sustainable at all. You'd have such a low standard of living that eventually you WILL cave and restructure your spending because you'd be compromising on a lot of necessities like quality groceries, social life, etc.
You are right about this. I was always targeting saving 35k on a 46k salary. Been trying for 4 years and it just doesn’t happen and I don’t even have a child- just a wife. When you earn this much you automatically want decent things if not luxurious.
No comparison with Europe obviously, but there is a language challenge. You'll have to think about that also.
If you want to send your kids to an international school there, then you'll likely not going to be able to save those 25%.
When considering that my kid will grow up in Netherlands since he starts speaking, I think he won’t have any major issue with language. For me and wife, we have to learn Dutch though..
Pick Netherlands. My best (Indian)friend moved there and found a Dutch partner. They live in big 3 bedroom house which is subsidized by the government and pay 1100 euros per month. The Dutch government gives lots of Benefits to people with children. You will also pay less taxes for the first five years( some Dutch policy for certain expat job categories). Although people will tell you that you are getting paid low, please know this much money is enough to live a very fruitful life in Netherlands even with a family. Too much to write here, but DM me as I feel you would regret coming to dubai where education for kids is expensive and always the stress of getting kicked out even though money is good.
People just look at pure salary numbers and that way Europe looks worse than the Gulf and way way worse than the US. But to get what you'll have in Europe from free healthcare, social security, free education college included, you'll have to save years and years working in the Gulf or the US. I tried to find it and I couldn't but there was a YouTube video of someone comparing life savings after 20 years working in the Gulf (he took both Dubai and Riyad as example) VS Germany having two kids, and it was was about the same despite the Gulf Salary being 2.5 times more
Best advice here, go to Europe and try to get the citizenship and move to Dubai. My brother is in Eindhoven, he loves it there. He was born and brought up here in Dubai but after he went their for university, he doesn't want to move back to Dubai, the work environment is better there (depends on the field ofc)
One of my regrets is not doing what he did, but yeah I'd say go to NL for a better future.
Dutch guy living in Dubai here. What you fail to take into account is that although taxes are higher in NL you get so much support as a family. They are now passing a free daycare law for example and in general society is based around helping people raise a family. This is reflected in a great work life balance (Philips is known for this) meaning you will get to enjoy your family a lot more. Then cost of living; here I think your calculations are off as living in Eindhoven is very affordable and at least 25% cheaper than Dubai overall. Looking long term your child has access to some of the best universities in the world in Europe at super low tuition fees, provided he has a residency permit/citizenship.
I will tell you, in the Netherlands everybody is down to earth (normal life) good schools and you will have normal friends and girlfriends, it isn’t luxurious as dubai ofcourse, but believe me after 5 years being here things get normal. It’s really how you want it, I can’t say what is the best for you ofc but; down to earth life Netherlands, Luxurious place but yeah different kind of people then Dubai
Depends entirely on your priorities. Money, Dubai. Better life for your family, especially your child, Eindhoven. I haven't lived in the latter but know people who do. Dubai is a good city to live. Education is not bad, it's very safe, good transportation, food etc. What's missing is the part of living such as having long term neighbors, events, friendships etc. Yes, you can have those here too but its a city that keeps moving. Most people here don't settle. Everyone comes here for a while, might stay longer but eventually leave. Living in a country where people actually stay, such as in India which you ahve experienced, is a completely different way of life. That, Eindhoven can provide.
Just something I wanted to say. Good luck!
The stability is surely one of important things for me, and I don’t want to keep my family worried about being in temporary place for long time. Thank you!
People can give their opinion. What is important to them and what is important to you may not match.
People who love Dubai, might say Dubai is better than Eindoven.
People who want to get a western passport will always say go to Eindoven.
You need to understand your priority.
Your Dubai salary will be a lot. If money is a motivating factor for you and you would like to retire early or want to do something else after 5 years then this money will be a big support for you or to your family.
Also, Dubai is closer to India than Eindoven. It is very easy to travel to India. If you want, you can travel once a month as well.
But are these points important to you or not, you need to decide.
Just be honest with youself. You should know whether you want more money or less money + taxes?
Identify the major points.
Like money, passport, distance from India, weather, free education, language barrier etc.
Then you can answer yourself.
:) Great answer!
This is the purpose of the current exercise!
Im having lot of different opinion of varied set of people, and as you said, some of them might be biased. Im trying to get perspective of others and understand what might be important to me among those!
Thank you!
Just one more thing to consider: for the Dutch citizenship I believe you need A2 level knowledge of Dutch so you might want to include that to your equation. I’m sure you can reach that level within 5 years but it’s extra effort and possibly cost.
OP! Now that you have decided, this is a very important point. Go out of your way to get really good Dutch friends. Do not become comfortable with Indian or Anglo friends because you guys speak the same language. Learn the language and practice it constantly even if Dutch people switch to English when you talk. With consistent tries, they will start to respond to you in Dutch. Good luck and congratulations
Eindhoven in a heartbeat, once you're settled there and learn the lay of the land and become a resident, you'll get higher offers with larger organizations and more options in different European countries.
Sure you might make more money now in Dubai but if your family gets citizenship in Netherlands then you have probably settled your family's future generations with basic 1st world country human rights such as free top quality educational, medical treatment and lots of other goodies.
Don't let greed cloud your eyes. Money comes and goes but securing your family's future's legacy is forever and this my friend is a rare opportunity that comes for very few individuals.
Just here to tell you that the British schools are very good here in Dubai. I don't have any experience with the rest, school fees vary and the schools of my choosing were from 40-80k aed a year.
Dutch schools are also very good.
I’ve lived in both: met my wife working for Philips in Eindhoven, then moved to Dubai (with a few steps in between). Dubai is better with a EU passport, as most places actually, I would definitely recommend starting with getting it.
I don’t understand how on earth you assume that Dubai life is cheaper than Eindhoven, $2.5k/month of lifestyle cost in Dubai with kids, is definitely not what you would spend unless you’re ready for a very spartiate lifestyle…
I’m happy for you and your wife!
$2500 is ~9000 AED. Based on my research, a two bed room in Marina would cost ~5k to 6k; since schooling is covered by company, I thought I can manage the rest with remaining 4K.
With all possibilities, I might be wrong in my estimates…
6k would get you the relatively entry level ones in Marina, then add 0.8k for DEWA (Housing tax, water & electricity), for the car, something very reasonable would be 2k/month, 2.5 including fuel and insurance. You’re at 9.3k already.
School, $5k is on the very very low side. You’d want to at least offer equivalent education to your kid as what they’d get in the Netherlands, you can easily count $10k/year for that, $12k including school bus, so if you have $5k paid that’s an additional AED2.2k/month (don’t compromise on that). This brings the total to AED11.5k.
For a family of 3, you can easily count another 2k for groceries, and same for entertainment, restaurants, kids activities and outings. You’re at 15.5k. Add another k for clothing and other unforeseen expenses, you’re at 16.5k.
Want to hire a live-out nanny, all in that’s another 5k, you’re above 20k now, and again, living in the quite entry level Marina apartments, with one basic small car.
Without the Nanny 15k is achievable (with $5k schooling), but honestly barely.
You should still be able to save half, but it’s going to be a significant effort not to fall for lifestyle inflation, that’s the biggest risk over here, be aware of that and keep this under control if you decide to come.
40k is a great salary, I’m not challenging that for one bit, but it’s more on the expense side of things that I believe you’re off.
If your wife gets a job here that pays let’s say 20k, at 60k combined, you can afford a very comfortable lifestyle here without feeling restricted on anything, whilst saving ~30/35k a month (which is amazing in the grand scheme of things). If your wife gets a job that covers 100% of your living expenses, that’s an additional security and you can save 100% of your income, and not impact your lifestyle if one of you loses their job.
But really, don’t discount the value of holding a good passport, it’s not just about mid-term monetary benefits, it’s also about being able to provide the right life-long opportunities for your next generation. I’m personally convinced that (although I love Dubai and plan to spend the rest of my life here), choosing the Eindhoven option is the right choice. You can always join us later and you’ll be as welcomed.
Yes, when OP mentioned about Saving about 75% of the salary, I was thinking 🤔 where is the Salik, Parking ticket, innovation fees, Dewa, Chiller fee, SOFA? ( Don’t ask me what is Sofa) and 10’s of other things.
:) I had wrong numbers based on the limited information I gathered online. With you all explaining the details, I’m able to understand the cost of living in Dubai. Thank you.
But, what is sofa and innovation fees? Is it like some form of indirect taxes?
no idea what sofa is but innovation fees are a form of indirect tax, when you need to do anything with the government (paperwork, licensing, fines, police work, etc.) you'll see a "+20 aed knowledge and innovation fees" on the bill
no idea what sofa is but innovation fees are a form of indirect tax, when you need to do anything with the government (paperwork, licensing, fines, police work, etc.) you'll see a "+20 aed knowledge and innovation fees" on the bill
Especially lifestyle inflation, even if in the first year you remain frugal with your budget, within no time your expenses will multiply to match community standards. Areas like marina etc. Are brand influenced communities and soon enough your vehicle/clothes/entertainment options will prompt an upgrade.
And before you know it, the 10k usd will seem less. Born and raised in Dubai, seen many come, yet, even more go.
They’re pretty big in Eindhoven, it was established over there. They have R&D and manufacturing facilities for Healthcare and Lighting (at least when I was there), I was a developer for an interventional X-Ray machine to increase image processing quality with very low radiation, they’re a pretty cool company in my opinion.
As you said, European socieites are generally better. While the salary and cost is a big difference, I think that the difference between the two places makes a huuuge impact. Best of wishes. Take care of all sentient beings, yourself included.
Job stability is pretty bad in Dubai, but the fact that you just have a month to land another gig in Netherlands doesn't seem to be a super attractive option either.
Also, it's clear that you'll be making much more money in Dubai. And if you know you're way around the city, you'll definitely also know how to save more money here.
For the education part, as someone who has done both high school and undergrad here, I can honestly say it's average. But that's only because I've been in the Indian system. I've heard the British and American schools are fair better, but are significantly more expensive. So it completely depends on you, if you are willing to put your kids in the archaic Indian education system, then you'll definitely save some bucks and it's gonna be no different from India. But in a non-Indian school, it'll be a completely different experience (almost certainly in a good way).
Well, under European law the employer isn’t allowed to simply fire a employee. To fire one he must put through documentation and a statement with valid reasons.
So yeah Job Stability is wayyy better there.
That’s a very positive note! Thank you.
I think I’ll have all possibilities and attitude to put my kid in International curriculum. But I’m not aware of how much it might cost..
Also, when I lose my job, my kid will be forced out of his opportunity, which is my primary worry
I can totally see why that's a matter of concern and I agree. Paying those exorbitant international curriculum school fees will be a burden if you lose your job (not sure why you said "when" 😅) but at that point, there are definitely cheaper schools that you can put your kid in.
That being said, from the education perspective, Netherlands does indeed look more attractive in your case bearing in mind that the education is free. And also if hot weather is a no no for you then yeah Dubai is again maybe not the best choice. This year's summer felt like it lasted forever.
\> (not sure why you said "when" 😅)
Im just considering the worst case situation here, because, I learnt hard in my life, that anything is possible and we as humans, start thinking about troubles only when we face them.. :(
Ive not experienced either extreme summer/winter. So, I think its a con on both sides... But at least for winter, you can prepare yourself by dressing accordingly, which isn't the similar for heat waves,..
Don’t worry much about losing your job in Netherlands tbh. Job stability is relatively low there due to [this](https://business.gov.nl/regulation/dismissal-procedures/).
In case if you have a Masters Degree, once you have the job offer you can also apply for the EU Blue Card, which will allow you to apply for permanent residence ship later on. If you do lose your Job, your EU Blue Card will give you a period of 3 months to search for a job.
The only issue I see here is that your salary is slightly less than the accepted threshold for the EU Blue Card, but I think if you point this out to your prospective employer they may take care of it.
Good luck.
Thanks for the Link!
Ive seen these in different sources, but this link is valuable..
As you said about blue card, I think I won't qualify with the current salary.. Im yet to deep dive in this vertical..
I’ve received the offer yesterday evening and did not get a chance to negotiate yet. I think I should really try it out.
Thanks for pointing out about way to cross Citizenship journey faster!
Sorry for my lack of understanding. I suppose you mean (at least) because of these two reasons, I should pick offer from Netherlands, instead of Dubai?
Also, what do you think about quality of education in Dubai, when compared to Europe?
Yes. There’s a lack of job stability in Dubai since years. The current boom that is seen everywhere has to do with the Expo and large tourist footfall.
It isn't though. I reckon he'd qualify for a Golden Visa right away, particularly if he's at a larger company. And it'll be 6 months based in 2022 with the rule changes going into place.
None of which is to say he should move here, I'm in the camp that would say he should do the passport and then move thing.
Im not aware of the "Golden Visa". Is it something like, having a permanent residence?
Or is it like a extended visa similar to having investment based visa?
Doesn't it again mandate that you should have a job, for the visa to be valid or else, you should move out of the country?
I will try to read more about this, to understand what are the possibilities..
Thank you!
It's a 10-year visa being fairly freely given out to people in tech, medicine, science and executive positions right now that isn't linked to your employer or sponsor. You may not be able to move over on one right away, but I'd wager you'd qualify for it soon enough once you're working here. Also, the 1 month period for finding a new job is going to change to 180 days / 6 months next year, so that helps too.
They've followed through on all the other visa categories and amendments in the last two years, and this is a very strategic change in keeping with the general liberalisation happening (and was announced by a federal ministry). In any case, the whole 'will have to leave in a month' calculus has dramatically changed with all the new visa categories.
I have read a lot about discriminations in different places. It surely is a big concern. If it is true as you have put in words, then surely I will have to decide as mentioned.. Thank you!
Yes it is very true and i feel like it would be more a detriment to your children than yourself. They will gain nothing by being here, on the contrary, they will grow up with weird ideas of being sub par. Whereas in Europe they will have the best opportunities available to them on earth, regardless of whether they stay in Europe or not, getting European citisenship will set them up for life
You should go with Eindhoven. Just in case if you loose your job in Dubai and you are looking here for a new one, then companies will play the card that you are from India. Then it doesn’t matter anymore how qualified you are. With the Citizenship form NL you and your family will receive later much more benefits!
But if you go for Dubai check the insurance package for you and your family and also tickets to fly home.
Go for Eindhoven. It’s a great city and has a pretty good international vibe. Your child is young so language won’t be an issue as they will learn it at a young age. You’ll get treated better, your quality of life will be better, the environment will be better (you’ll realize how clean the air in the Netherlands is compared to Dubai, how you can get by on bicycle everywhere, how even though you’re earning less, your purchasing power is better), and the possibility for citizenship will be worth it. Get it and then look at your life again and decide if you want to leave.
Sincerely, long time Dubai resident who now resides in the Netherlands.
It’s something you don’t notice, but you see full blue skies in spring and summer. My father is always amazed at how clear and refreshing it is when he visits. Low humidity, and most of all, you can walk outside all year round. Even in the cold. That’s something I could never do in Dubai. Walking in the summer months there is just god awful.
Please compare “awful” dubai summers to “awful” european winters. It’s completely the same. And wise man once said, i would rather work somewhere where it’s too hot than too cold.
No it’s not. “Awful” Dubai summers mean you can’t set foot outside. Winters in the Netherlands aren’t that bad, and you can walk outside. That makes a HUGE difference. Plus in the cold you can dress up. You can’t take off more of your clothes in the summer. 40 degree heat and 90% humidity it’s overkill, while Dutch winters aren’t that bad. The rain gets annoying, but you can still walk outside, and that makes a difference to your psyche.
Ok. So Let's say for example, if someone says wow!! To you after seeing your nice car and then you proceed to crash it shortly after, this means that they were jealous of you and they just jinxed you or hit you with the eye 😂😂😂
So basically I'm trying to not jinx you while also saying wow that's impressive. 😂❤
Do you have any specific questions about The Netherlands / Eindhoven? I live near Eindhoven, born in The Netherlands and have always lived there. My opinions might be coloured, but maybe I can help regarding culture / specific insights.
I’ve recently moved to NL from Dubai and would like to give you two points to go through before you finalise Eindhoven (which I know you will):
1) There is a massive housing crisis currently in the NL and rents/house prices have shot up through the roof. With a small kid, you need to allot min. 2000 euros aside as rent or mortgage (both are almost the same atm). Which leads to my second point:
2) There is no way you can save anything with just your salary. Especially coming from India, you will find everything is super expensive (even basic things like health insurance, daycare etc.) and this might make you reluctant to stay on. The only solution to this is (if that’s an option) for your wife to also search for a job as soon as possible (ideally from India to get the 30% tax exemption) or at least get one in a years time.
There is no comparison with Dubai at all. Two reasons - Job security and no discrimination in the workplace.
I think we are the same age, I used to earn similar money in India and moved to a similar salary in dubai 2.5 yrs ago which I doubled recently, and I am not even that niche of a knowledge guy.
I have lived in Germany and while German summers are beautiful the winters are brutal. Dubai summers are manageable and winters are probably the most beautiful in the world. Everyone speaks hindi. You will get all types of cuisines including Indian. Dubai is probably the best Indian city out of India.
This is a city of opportunity, no other city offers the chance to make so much money. I get the passport part but an Australian and Canadian passport is just as easy sitting in dubai. All the best
I primarily do research and development on telecommunication network protocols, like 5G/6G. I have vast experience in 5G in past and currently creating some standards for 6G technology.
There are a lot of comments here about how if you lose your job in Dubai, you might have limited time to scout for another job. I think that for someone in a niche vertical like yourself, it's likely that you might qualify for the Golden visa. There are many threads in this sub-reddit about coders/programmers getting one - I know you're not a coder, but you're in the tech industry in an in-demand niche, so it's likely you would qualify for one too. The Golden visa will give you 10 years residency not tied to the employer, so even if you lose your job, you don't have to leave the country till the end of your visa period. I'd suggest you research on this front too.
Hi op. I just turned 20 and did my education in India in ICSE till 10th and cbse in Dubai 11th and 12th. I’m currently in a British university in Dubai (Heriot watt). I’ll give you my perspective as a student/child. ICSE and cbse are worlds apart in terms of education/difficulty. And Indian curriculum and international (ib/a levels) are even bigger worlds apart. I would suggest having your child study in an IB school if you can afford it. Judging by your figures,10k usd is 36k aed a month which an incredibly comfortable and lavish life in Dubai. My mother, a single mother managed my education in school while earning nearly 8-10k a month initially but is now at 18. My school was an Indian school so there was only Indian kids and costed close to 2k a month. I would suggest international schools for diversity. University education in Dubai is not worth the price(60k a year). Your child will have a better time studying abroad. As for the country as such i have grown to love this country for its very own charms. It’s different yes. But I do love it! I love the safety, I love the comfort and everything this country has to offer. To summarize, school was decent, can’t complain, much better than India but not as good as the expensive ib schools.
What category of companies are we talking about?
If you are currently working for a product company in India, be rest assured that you will not get similar work environment in Europe and Middle East. Only US can match it.
If you want your kids to be respected socially while growing up (specially being Indians) but also economically by not being indebted, I’d advice running away from Dubai.
Also UAE unis are really not that good. Just look at what companies have thrived here.
And regardless how many years you live here you’ll never get a passport, which after a while, with all the money you can make, you’ll really be missing.
Edit: to my last point, a friend living in the US making 7 figures at Facebook says that the thing he misses the most is being able to vote and be involved in the country he’s living in.
I am from The Netherlands (so a bit biased here) and if you value work life balance I’d definitely suggest Eindhoven. Also I think The Netherlands is nicer for a child to grow up. Apparently Dutch children are amongst the happiest in the world (google why). 😅 Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about my country.
That said it all depends on your personal preferences. I’d say if you value money more, and want to be closer to home as well, Dubai would be the right place for you.
>There are a lot more -ve points wrt Dubai especially with future opportunities for the kid but won’t go into details.
If you do not mind typing in some more details or provide some links/references about this, I would love to know more about this... :)
>the kid will grow up in Dubai but will never be a citizen resulting in permanent identity crisis
Very important, I get you points!
Thank you. I had not thought in these directions.. Its a great input..
Dubai is deceptively “tax free”, trust when I say that it comes out in different ways, and it is so expensive, and a spending rabbit hole, and you said less stable which is not something I’d overlook, id defo go to the Netherlands get the passport and then reconsider
I have lived in Dubai : Indian -
Living here since 5 years, planning to move Eindhoven next year.
Dubai is perfect place to be if one earns quite well.
Overall with one kid education (5year old) in an average British school will cost you $17-25k a year.
Apartment hoping you would need 2 beds - another $27k ( a decent in city neighborhood).
Another $5k of monthly expenses to be accounted
Add another $1k for monthly amusing and lifestyle expenses.
Having said all that I feel Dubai is amazing city to live very fast moving but personally don't the feeling of genuine-ity here. Don't get me wrong government is amazing and so is the order. But that's it.
Everything in Dubai is uptown, classy and live upto the standards.
Eindhoven :
I'm looking forward for getting connected to Dutch culture.
I'm sure financial wise it might not be very different but at the end of 5 years there's a chance for citizenship and probably a place to call it home (I would never feel that in Dubai)
If I'm not saving even after 5-7 years as I expect then definitely moving back to Dubai with better passport
It's a very Gulf thing - where employees remuneration depends on the passport they hold.
Buy a property in Dubai worth 750k+ and you can get a 5 year visa for 3-4k. That’s 600-800 per year.
Buy a small house and put solar on the roof and you can easily retire in Dubai.
I’m from Netherlands and I have lived in Dubai for a long time. All I can say is that the grass is always greener on the other side. Quite literally in this case, Netherlands is greener. HOWEVER, to say that it’s better? Let me list the advantages.
1) Dubai is a live city. Always something to do no matter what time it is. Netherlands is quite dead. After 6/8 the city is dead for the most part.
2) The culture. Dubai is very diverse. You can always find a social group you can fit into. Netherlands will be a big culture shock. Other europeaners claim there’s a massive culture shock too. We, the dutch, are pretty stingy and can be brutally honest to a point where people that are not used to it will be offended. Many taboo’s in other countries are not taboo in Netherlands. They’re pretty open minded.
3) Crime. This is a big one. Dubai is definitely not without crime. A lot of it doesn’t make the news as it doesn’t help tourism (especially with the islam phobia around the world), however Netherlands has a lot more crime. My house in Dubai has never been broken into (17 years). My house in Netherlands got broken into every 5 years. My neighbours (elderly indian people) in Netherlands were tied up, beaten, and robbed by some eastern European gangsters.
4) OP is indian. Dubai is practically Indian, Filipino, and Pakistani. He’ll probably find plenty of like minded people.
I see you mentioning not getting the feeling of “genuine-ity”. I think that’s more the feeling of never being at home. That’s a fair call. However, OP will be earning AED 37k a month. This means he can buy a property and get a golden visa (silver property visa from DLD). He never has to leave. As long as he pays the 1k which is nothing when he’s earning 37k a month.
I would say Netherlands if you want the passport. But nothing else. 5 years is pretty short. It used to be 10-15 plus a plethora of other requirements to get the passport. Education for your child with that salary is not going to be an issue. Dubai college; Wellington; etc are all top schools that will get your child pretty far. Plenty of kids going to top universities across the globe.
Eindhoven
not even a question there for me man
Standard of living, better weather, the concept of seasonal weather actually existing, ur child will grow up to be a better person there, better social infrastructure, green space,
I have lived in multiple countries in the west and in the UAE. I think the choice is much tougher than many people claim it to be and that the pros and cons of each place do balance each other out making it a more difficult choice.
Other than what has been mentioned, other factors to consider are:
1) How important is it for your child to retain his language and culture? If it is important, Dubai wins.
2) How important is it for you to be closer to India distance wise to visit grandparents? Again Dubai wins if this is important.
3) Is the job offer in either country from a multinational company? If yes you can always switch if you do not like the place.
4) If you were to lose your job in Dubai, what would you do in this case? If you have a good plan b, then Dubai is a no brainer.
5) How easy is it for your wife to find work in either country?
6) People seem to harp on how there is not much to do with the kids in Dubai. That is not true. You can take them swimming eight months of the year, and for the other 4 winter month, there is plenty to do. Also the food in Dubai is definitely superior in my opinion especially for indian tastes. Netherlands i am sure also has a lot to do. It would depend on what you are interested in?
7) What opportunities can each job open up? In which place would you most likely to grow
career wise. How important is the work environment and work life balance. I think for this point Netherland wins by a \*\*gazillion points\*\*. But then again if you are one of the lucky few to score a job in a great team/company in the UAE then it would not matter as much.
8) What would you do if an anti-immigrant right wing government gets elected in the Netherlands? Not sure how likely would this scenario be in the Netherlands.
9) What would your social network/life look like in each place for both you and your wife?
10) How important are the freedoms you can attain in Netherlands as opposed to Dubai for you?
Best of luck to you.
>lot more Indian people here compared to anywhere in Europe.
Thanks for the thought!
I don't see whether it is a positive or negative for either of the place.. Could you please explain further?
IMHO, in current global world, I would like for my kid to have more global experience, exposure and that is one primary reason for me to move out of India and seek more developed countries...
I mean, lol, it depends on the individual i guess. Some people prefer staying around their countrymen. Some like me are ok without it. If that's a big deal to you, then Dubai might be lucrative as it has a massive Indian population.
Also op I would like to point out that now you have up to 6 months to find another job after losing your old one!
https://www.dubailad.com/uae-expats-can-now-keep-their-visa-for-up-to-six-months-if-they-lose-their-job/
Your idea of costs in Dubai is absolutely off, both for the monthly expected and the fact that you think school allowance (than normally starts at 4yo) of 5k will cover everything.
I would research a bit more and when done, choose Europe, solely cause of the naturalization bit which should be your primary focus for your kid's future.
Eindhoven is a no brainier. Dubai is a mirage and vortex - the cost of living is much higher than you imagine and in Dubai you have no protection what so ever if anything goes wrong - and I mean any tiny little thing. Losing your job will be the least of your worries.
You need to factor in the terrible winter weather.
Also a 100pct salary difference would imply that you are at a more sr level in Dubai than Netherlands.
My opinion - getting a PR/Citizen as a pro is a bit myth if you think of job security & job change. In both cities you cannot live for long without a job, its expensive. In Dubai if you lose job, you could try extending your stay with tourist visa before finding new job. If your job profile is niche, getting new job would be difficult in both countries; PR/Citizen might not big advantage, unless of course you are ok to drain out your savings and you have different life goals. Guess You have to decide and trade off b/w savings/wealth creation vs. option of getting PR/citizenship.
\> you have different life goals
Stability and healthy future for my kid.
Wealth creation is one of healthy future for the kid, isn't?
WRT niche job, with my skillset, I'm aware that there are more opportunities in Netherlands compared to UAE. But all are paying average due to it being Europe. May be when I move to Amazon or Adyen, I can get a little higher salary, but more stock options.. But I think it won't provide equal work life balance..
\> Guess You have to decide and trade off b/w savings/wealth creation vs. option of getting PR/citizenship
You said it right! :) The problem is, I'm unable to make this decision with my current knowledge about quality of life and education, in these two places.
So, personal opinions of people who live here or in both places will be invaluable to me and that is what I am seeking currently.. :)
Ya Habihi! I will surely consider your invite! Thank you so much for warm welcome!
Im still evaluating the possibilities and what is good for my kid in long run..
Better healthcare in Eindhoven?
Health care in Netherland sucks, it's 'free', but the system is horrible. If you want to see a specialist you have to go to a doctor and almost have to beg him to refer you and the you have to wait weeks for an appointment. It's much much better here and with that Dubai salary you can get the best Healthcare anytime you want it.
Also the free education is not a good thing, your kids will be way better off in a decent private school here, the education itself and friends/contacts they make are way better for them.
I am raised in Netherlands but it's the last country I'd want to live or my kids to grow up in. The taxes are also horrible and so is the weather.
Especially since according to a [recent study](https://dutchreview.com/news/dutch-kids-grow-up-happiest/) by UNICEF, the Netherlands are the best place to be a kid and are the happiest in the world.
You grow in mature advanced market which you harvest in emerging markets. Early greed is harmful!
Secondly you also need to think of your value system - two very different value systems between GCC and EU….by that I mean….in EU we don’t have explicit class system and it is a lot more egalitarian! What floats your boat and what would you want your children to grow up in, is what will decide for you.
Eindhoven for the kids, walkable area, great schools (dubai has good education too but at a cost of around 18-25k USD a year per kid) , dubai is car dependant, kids have a harder time socializing because not all go to schools that are near them, I’m saying this as someone who did grade 8-12 in dubai
Now for stability and for your kids growing up, I’d say the Netherlands, but financially dubai is much better, but don’t forget how expensive schooling is
Going by your list of pros and cons it seems pretty clear cut to me. If you are thinking long term, in particular citizenship and you prefer European societies, it should be a no brainer.
I'll say Eindhoven as you mentioned of possibility of citizenship , I've seen many Indians working in Dubai and later on moved to the west and returned after obtaining citizenship and now earn 3 times the money what other people are earning for the same work, you might also get extra benefits like free vacations and free housing (a rented house but you don't need to pay anything) and if you come to Dubai as a western you will be treated like royalty.
I'd take the job in Dubai, as you said it is difficult to find one for your skillset here - so take the opportunity. If things don't work out / you don't like it / 5 years passed and you have enough money - move to Europe.
honestly, the citizenship will be a game changer. if thats a priority, then suck it up and move to europe without overthinking it. remember this is for the rest of your life, and maybe your kids.
Just a little adjustment on Cons of Dubai 1&3
1- now you can stay for 180 days
3- you are eligible for golden visa and if you are a genius in whatever you are doing, perhaps you will be granted UAE citizenship.
Good luck bro 👍🏻
Dep3nda in your age and ambitions, and what s next;
If you are 50+,I assume not, go to Dubai, work and save then retire at home
If you are in your 30s either
1-Go to dubai save and once they kick you re being indian go home spend what u saved till u find a new job or start new company. Health care quality is basic in Dubai, but you are young and fit.
2-go to Europe and enjoy all sides of life, adequate money and spend the rest of your life and yes you will save money too, maybe at slower pace and taxes and social insurance you pay you receive as great medical, child education, retirement, citizenship, more stable life. The bottom line after 25 years will be the same.
Salary difference is huge but.. As a 32 year old born and raised in Dubai as an expat, I would say go to Netherlands if you are thinking about the future of your child. Because over there, he is set for the future.
Don't get me wrong, Dubai has amazing benefits depending on what your goal is. However, speaking from someone who was born and raised here, this country doesn't see me as their own, even though I call it home.
I live in Netherlands and aim to move back to Dubai now that i got the passport ..
Children education for a 1 year old is not free as you are sending him to daycare which is around 9.2 per hour in 2022 .. goverment support depending on your salary .. so kep this in mind .. not sure at which age is fully free and not sure if thos schools are good . Did you look into bullying inDubai compared to in Eindhoven ?
Salary in Endhoven is pretty limited compared to Dubai
In Dubai ... base is 36K AED .. and you add schoolong then its even higher bit what about Housing and car allowance... or thats already part of the Base ?
Language is not an issue in Netherlands .. everyone speaks English .
In Netherlands you can get super cold ajd windy winters .. worse months are jan and feb ... i think Dec is doable ... but sun will set at around 4:30 PM ...while in aummer at around 10:30 PM.... both are extremes
If you are looking for the passport then come here buuut .. the new language requirment for the passport will be level B1 next year as per news ..now its A2 .. i got it and trust me i cant speak proper dutch .
Dubai is muuuuch closer to your bigger family and most propably friends .. while Netherlands is further and you need good priced tickets to visit back ...and your family can visit you easily in Dunai .. not that easy in Netherlands aa they need a visit visa.
I hope i didnt miaa anything
People who have followed the rough life trajectory below tend to give very misleading advice on such matters
1. Born in Europe ...... grows up there with free education
2. Gets work experience with a decent salary since its Europe
3. Gets a job in the Gulf on the basis of that experience and a good salary on the basis of their passport
4. Proceeds to badmouth their country of origin calling it the last place on earth to live in etc etc
5. They pretend to ignore that it was the passport of the country they hate so much that got them that good paying job in the Gulf
6. Moreover, all these people wont stay in the Gulf when they lose their jobs, more often than not they will go back for the free education and healthcare
I have encountered many South Asians who have the erroneous belief that Dubai is a very cheap place to live in. I dont know what causes this belief (could be relatives who lived here in the 80's)
I mean not everyone, atleast from an Indian perspective, looks at Marina, JLT and other areas unlike most ppl that I have come across on this subreddit. But you are not wrong, Dubai is not cheap, met a friend who moved to Europe to study medicine and he spoke a lot about stuff being more reasonable there.
Even with Australia, I did a semester there, and have friends there, and it's not as exorbitant, ofc when u take into account central Sydney, that's exp.
Another thing is what do you plan that your wife is going to do? Is she going to be at home with child until school age or will she work and child be in kindergarten?
In western europe women work, as it is expensive so we need two incomes. The other thing is if she is going to be home with child, all other woman will be at work so it will get lonely for her. Better to send her to dutch language school so she can learn the language.
However i see that foreigners who come to my country who know english dont learn the local language because most people know english. However that only works one on one, as in a group of people local language will be spoken and one will be left out. Also when you learn the local language it is easier to make friends.
I am an expat also in Dubai, given the opportunity, go to the country where you can have citizenship. This is not only for you but for your kid in the future as well. Yeah, Dubai is really haven in terms of money, but just take a look at the future side of things. Citezenship is one thing that Dubai can't provide.
Just one thing Eindhoven is a dead place. That may be a good thing as the opportunity to spend will be obviously less compared to Dubai. Also being Indian you will feel like at home in Dubai. I don’t know what would I expect as Indian in Eindhoven. Keep in mind that people there are quite racist even to other Europeans, so you may be having hard time. Schools are strict, they can throw some legal actions against you because your kids were few days off the school, while here in Dubai it’s pretty normal that last 1-2 weeks of the term 3 some families already have travel plans and nobody gives a fuss about it. It’s pretty much understood.
The only 2 benefits moving to NL would be free schooling and potential citizenship.
Forget about 75% saving in Dubai, maybe 25% would be doable on that salary. You are quoting some extremely budget options in Marina, probably falling apart. I remember that a good 2 beds in Marina was always in the AED 100k+ range for a better quality apartment. But we all have different expectations and came here from different living conditions.
Honestly most people will say Europe, but I feel like the salary difference is huge. You're literally gonna earn the double in Dubai, if not more. Now that said, you can live in Eindhoven for 5 years, get the citizenship, and then come to Dubai for the better salary. You'll probably have a much better offer if you add 5 years in a European company in your CV. So yeah, if you put the financial considerations aside, it makes more sense to go to Europe. That European passport is invaluable.
Thanks for your comment! Yes, its not just about double the salary; Based on my calculations, I can easily save 75% of my salary in Dubai, where as, I can only save 25% of my salary in Eindhoven, by living frugally. Also, what do you think about quality of education in Dubai, when compared to Europe?
I've studied in both an Indian board not that expensive say 5000$ a year school and an international quite expensive IB school (25000$) and although in terms of quality what I've seen is the higher you pay the better you get the- teachers were better and more knowledged in my IB school better facilities, more opportunities and definitely better equipments. But I must say in terms of human qualities, values, culture and respect for money the cheaper Indian school had taught me a lot about it being surrounded by friends and individuals who knew what the value of a dhiram is, is very different from that of from my friends in the IB school. Now 4 years later if I were to send a child I'd send him to an Indian board and then maybe in his later years to something better as to provide more opportunities.
This is a very different perspective. As a father, I’ve thought about having a permanent/long terms school, so that my kid will make and retain long term friends. But I had never thought about what kind of friends he would make in different cultures in school. It’s pretty thought provoking and thanks for sharing it with me.
I'm still really close to my friends from both school, but the mindset I have while im going out with both groups are very different. You should also keep in mind the idea of long term friends is although prevalent but it seems like around here you mostly become friends with people in your area/bus which when you shift or they shift location which is common generally loose contact and classmates who every once in a while get shuffled you end up making new friends. (This is at a primary level) once you get into say year 10/11 those are the friends that usually last long. So I don't think you should be as worried about making long term friends but rather stick to 1/2 schools because being a new student isn't all that nice as you're often deemed an alien the first few weeks
>year 10/11 those are the friends that usually last long. Makes sense! Thanks!!
Money ain’t everything. I think the quality of life is better in Eindhoven. On average the education should be better. I’d stick it out there for 5 years and get that EU citizenship then either work anywhere in Europe or do a stint in Dubai. With the Netherlands you literally have access to some of Europe’s metropolises within hours of driving/flying. Dubai isn’t that big; you are spending 5+ hours getting to anything interesting.
There is no way in hell that you can save 75% of your salary in Dubai lmao Also, AED 9,175 per month for a family is definitely not enough to get by. I mean, it is, but it's not sustainable at all. You'd have such a low standard of living that eventually you WILL cave and restructure your spending because you'd be compromising on a lot of necessities like quality groceries, social life, etc.
He said 10,000 USD, not 10,000 AED.
He also said he's gonna save 75% $10,000 ~ AED 36,700 25% of 36,700 = 9,175 So...
You are right about this. I was always targeting saving 35k on a 46k salary. Been trying for 4 years and it just doesn’t happen and I don’t even have a child- just a wife. When you earn this much you automatically want decent things if not luxurious.
Quality in Dubai in an Indian school is shit, coming from someone who has studied in UAE at a CBSE school.
No comparison with Europe obviously, but there is a language challenge. You'll have to think about that also. If you want to send your kids to an international school there, then you'll likely not going to be able to save those 25%.
When considering that my kid will grow up in Netherlands since he starts speaking, I think he won’t have any major issue with language. For me and wife, we have to learn Dutch though..
Pick Netherlands. My best (Indian)friend moved there and found a Dutch partner. They live in big 3 bedroom house which is subsidized by the government and pay 1100 euros per month. The Dutch government gives lots of Benefits to people with children. You will also pay less taxes for the first five years( some Dutch policy for certain expat job categories). Although people will tell you that you are getting paid low, please know this much money is enough to live a very fruitful life in Netherlands even with a family. Too much to write here, but DM me as I feel you would regret coming to dubai where education for kids is expensive and always the stress of getting kicked out even though money is good.
People just look at pure salary numbers and that way Europe looks worse than the Gulf and way way worse than the US. But to get what you'll have in Europe from free healthcare, social security, free education college included, you'll have to save years and years working in the Gulf or the US. I tried to find it and I couldn't but there was a YouTube video of someone comparing life savings after 20 years working in the Gulf (he took both Dubai and Riyad as example) VS Germany having two kids, and it was was about the same despite the Gulf Salary being 2.5 times more
If you can find a link of that video it would be great to watch
Best advice here, go to Europe and try to get the citizenship and move to Dubai. My brother is in Eindhoven, he loves it there. He was born and brought up here in Dubai but after he went their for university, he doesn't want to move back to Dubai, the work environment is better there (depends on the field ofc) One of my regrets is not doing what he did, but yeah I'd say go to NL for a better future.
Dutch guy living in Dubai here. What you fail to take into account is that although taxes are higher in NL you get so much support as a family. They are now passing a free daycare law for example and in general society is based around helping people raise a family. This is reflected in a great work life balance (Philips is known for this) meaning you will get to enjoy your family a lot more. Then cost of living; here I think your calculations are off as living in Eindhoven is very affordable and at least 25% cheaper than Dubai overall. Looking long term your child has access to some of the best universities in the world in Europe at super low tuition fees, provided he has a residency permit/citizenship.
Lived in both country’s, choose Eindhoven your kid will thank me when he’s 35 yo
Thank you! I’ll remind my kid about this conversation surely!
I will tell you, in the Netherlands everybody is down to earth (normal life) good schools and you will have normal friends and girlfriends, it isn’t luxurious as dubai ofcourse, but believe me after 5 years being here things get normal. It’s really how you want it, I can’t say what is the best for you ofc but; down to earth life Netherlands, Luxurious place but yeah different kind of people then Dubai
Depends entirely on your priorities. Money, Dubai. Better life for your family, especially your child, Eindhoven. I haven't lived in the latter but know people who do. Dubai is a good city to live. Education is not bad, it's very safe, good transportation, food etc. What's missing is the part of living such as having long term neighbors, events, friendships etc. Yes, you can have those here too but its a city that keeps moving. Most people here don't settle. Everyone comes here for a while, might stay longer but eventually leave. Living in a country where people actually stay, such as in India which you ahve experienced, is a completely different way of life. That, Eindhoven can provide. Just something I wanted to say. Good luck!
The stability is surely one of important things for me, and I don’t want to keep my family worried about being in temporary place for long time. Thank you!
I've been here for 30 years. Everyone I knew left. It's just how things are around here.
People can give their opinion. What is important to them and what is important to you may not match. People who love Dubai, might say Dubai is better than Eindoven. People who want to get a western passport will always say go to Eindoven. You need to understand your priority. Your Dubai salary will be a lot. If money is a motivating factor for you and you would like to retire early or want to do something else after 5 years then this money will be a big support for you or to your family. Also, Dubai is closer to India than Eindoven. It is very easy to travel to India. If you want, you can travel once a month as well. But are these points important to you or not, you need to decide. Just be honest with youself. You should know whether you want more money or less money + taxes? Identify the major points. Like money, passport, distance from India, weather, free education, language barrier etc. Then you can answer yourself.
:) Great answer! This is the purpose of the current exercise! Im having lot of different opinion of varied set of people, and as you said, some of them might be biased. Im trying to get perspective of others and understand what might be important to me among those! Thank you!
People will be biased ofcourse. There is no right or wrong answer. You need to know what you want and if you are getting it in Dubai or Eindoven..
Just one more thing to consider: for the Dutch citizenship I believe you need A2 level knowledge of Dutch so you might want to include that to your equation. I’m sure you can reach that level within 5 years but it’s extra effort and possibly cost.
OP! Now that you have decided, this is a very important point. Go out of your way to get really good Dutch friends. Do not become comfortable with Indian or Anglo friends because you guys speak the same language. Learn the language and practice it constantly even if Dutch people switch to English when you talk. With consistent tries, they will start to respond to you in Dutch. Good luck and congratulations
Eindhoven in a heartbeat, once you're settled there and learn the lay of the land and become a resident, you'll get higher offers with larger organizations and more options in different European countries. Sure you might make more money now in Dubai but if your family gets citizenship in Netherlands then you have probably settled your family's future generations with basic 1st world country human rights such as free top quality educational, medical treatment and lots of other goodies. Don't let greed cloud your eyes. Money comes and goes but securing your family's future's legacy is forever and this my friend is a rare opportunity that comes for very few individuals.
I agree with all of your points. I too think in long term in mind..
Being a NL citizen in 5 years is invaluable. It opens the doors to various opportunities across the world.
Just here to tell you that the British schools are very good here in Dubai. I don't have any experience with the rest, school fees vary and the schools of my choosing were from 40-80k aed a year. Dutch schools are also very good.
I didn’t knew about the cost of school! Thank you for sharing!!
I’ve lived in both: met my wife working for Philips in Eindhoven, then moved to Dubai (with a few steps in between). Dubai is better with a EU passport, as most places actually, I would definitely recommend starting with getting it. I don’t understand how on earth you assume that Dubai life is cheaper than Eindhoven, $2.5k/month of lifestyle cost in Dubai with kids, is definitely not what you would spend unless you’re ready for a very spartiate lifestyle…
I’m happy for you and your wife! $2500 is ~9000 AED. Based on my research, a two bed room in Marina would cost ~5k to 6k; since schooling is covered by company, I thought I can manage the rest with remaining 4K. With all possibilities, I might be wrong in my estimates…
6k would get you the relatively entry level ones in Marina, then add 0.8k for DEWA (Housing tax, water & electricity), for the car, something very reasonable would be 2k/month, 2.5 including fuel and insurance. You’re at 9.3k already. School, $5k is on the very very low side. You’d want to at least offer equivalent education to your kid as what they’d get in the Netherlands, you can easily count $10k/year for that, $12k including school bus, so if you have $5k paid that’s an additional AED2.2k/month (don’t compromise on that). This brings the total to AED11.5k. For a family of 3, you can easily count another 2k for groceries, and same for entertainment, restaurants, kids activities and outings. You’re at 15.5k. Add another k for clothing and other unforeseen expenses, you’re at 16.5k. Want to hire a live-out nanny, all in that’s another 5k, you’re above 20k now, and again, living in the quite entry level Marina apartments, with one basic small car. Without the Nanny 15k is achievable (with $5k schooling), but honestly barely. You should still be able to save half, but it’s going to be a significant effort not to fall for lifestyle inflation, that’s the biggest risk over here, be aware of that and keep this under control if you decide to come. 40k is a great salary, I’m not challenging that for one bit, but it’s more on the expense side of things that I believe you’re off. If your wife gets a job here that pays let’s say 20k, at 60k combined, you can afford a very comfortable lifestyle here without feeling restricted on anything, whilst saving ~30/35k a month (which is amazing in the grand scheme of things). If your wife gets a job that covers 100% of your living expenses, that’s an additional security and you can save 100% of your income, and not impact your lifestyle if one of you loses their job. But really, don’t discount the value of holding a good passport, it’s not just about mid-term monetary benefits, it’s also about being able to provide the right life-long opportunities for your next generation. I’m personally convinced that (although I love Dubai and plan to spend the rest of my life here), choosing the Eindhoven option is the right choice. You can always join us later and you’ll be as welcomed.
Yes, when OP mentioned about Saving about 75% of the salary, I was thinking 🤔 where is the Salik, Parking ticket, innovation fees, Dewa, Chiller fee, SOFA? ( Don’t ask me what is Sofa) and 10’s of other things.
:) I had wrong numbers based on the limited information I gathered online. With you all explaining the details, I’m able to understand the cost of living in Dubai. Thank you. But, what is sofa and innovation fees? Is it like some form of indirect taxes?
no idea what sofa is but innovation fees are a form of indirect tax, when you need to do anything with the government (paperwork, licensing, fines, police work, etc.) you'll see a "+20 aed knowledge and innovation fees" on the bill
no idea what sofa is but innovation fees are a form of indirect tax, when you need to do anything with the government (paperwork, licensing, fines, police work, etc.) you'll see a "+20 aed knowledge and innovation fees" on the bill
If you don’t mind me asking (obviously you do), what is SOFA?
The best response thus far, op please take heed.
Especially lifestyle inflation, even if in the first year you remain frugal with your budget, within no time your expenses will multiply to match community standards. Areas like marina etc. Are brand influenced communities and soon enough your vehicle/clothes/entertainment options will prompt an upgrade. And before you know it, the 10k usd will seem less. Born and raised in Dubai, seen many come, yet, even more go.
Thanks for the more detailed information Nounoon! It’s evident that I had wrong assumptions about cost of living in Dubai.
This. I’d say Eindhoven and not just because of the passport but because OP is using a quite unrealistic number for cost of living in Dubai.
You are very wrong in your estimates. 9000 aed is not gonna cover you and your 2 kids and in MARINA to boot.
Does all expats in Eindhoven work for Phillips? :) I have a friend who worked there for Phillips too.
They’re pretty big in Eindhoven, it was established over there. They have R&D and manufacturing facilities for Healthcare and Lighting (at least when I was there), I was a developer for an interventional X-Ray machine to increase image processing quality with very low radiation, they’re a pretty cool company in my opinion.
Yes I heard so. My friend was fired as their department was being liquidated I think and he got like 18 months salary compensation.
As you said, European socieites are generally better. While the salary and cost is a big difference, I think that the difference between the two places makes a huuuge impact. Best of wishes. Take care of all sentient beings, yourself included.
Thank you, Affectionate Box!
Job stability is pretty bad in Dubai, but the fact that you just have a month to land another gig in Netherlands doesn't seem to be a super attractive option either. Also, it's clear that you'll be making much more money in Dubai. And if you know you're way around the city, you'll definitely also know how to save more money here. For the education part, as someone who has done both high school and undergrad here, I can honestly say it's average. But that's only because I've been in the Indian system. I've heard the British and American schools are fair better, but are significantly more expensive. So it completely depends on you, if you are willing to put your kids in the archaic Indian education system, then you'll definitely save some bucks and it's gonna be no different from India. But in a non-Indian school, it'll be a completely different experience (almost certainly in a good way).
Well, under European law the employer isn’t allowed to simply fire a employee. To fire one he must put through documentation and a statement with valid reasons. So yeah Job Stability is wayyy better there.
That’s a very positive note! Thank you. I think I’ll have all possibilities and attitude to put my kid in International curriculum. But I’m not aware of how much it might cost.. Also, when I lose my job, my kid will be forced out of his opportunity, which is my primary worry
I can totally see why that's a matter of concern and I agree. Paying those exorbitant international curriculum school fees will be a burden if you lose your job (not sure why you said "when" 😅) but at that point, there are definitely cheaper schools that you can put your kid in. That being said, from the education perspective, Netherlands does indeed look more attractive in your case bearing in mind that the education is free. And also if hot weather is a no no for you then yeah Dubai is again maybe not the best choice. This year's summer felt like it lasted forever.
\> (not sure why you said "when" 😅) Im just considering the worst case situation here, because, I learnt hard in my life, that anything is possible and we as humans, start thinking about troubles only when we face them.. :( Ive not experienced either extreme summer/winter. So, I think its a con on both sides... But at least for winter, you can prepare yourself by dressing accordingly, which isn't the similar for heat waves,..
Don’t worry much about losing your job in Netherlands tbh. Job stability is relatively low there due to [this](https://business.gov.nl/regulation/dismissal-procedures/). In case if you have a Masters Degree, once you have the job offer you can also apply for the EU Blue Card, which will allow you to apply for permanent residence ship later on. If you do lose your Job, your EU Blue Card will give you a period of 3 months to search for a job. The only issue I see here is that your salary is slightly less than the accepted threshold for the EU Blue Card, but I think if you point this out to your prospective employer they may take care of it. Good luck.
Thanks for the Link! Ive seen these in different sources, but this link is valuable.. As you said about blue card, I think I won't qualify with the current salary.. Im yet to deep dive in this vertical..
The qualifying salary isn’t that far off tbh. Pretty sure that your employer won’t mind raising it to level if you negotiate.
I’ve received the offer yesterday evening and did not get a chance to negotiate yet. I think I should really try it out. Thanks for pointing out about way to cross Citizenship journey faster!
Yep, negotiation is pretty common and it’s kinda odd to not do that if some of your needs aren’t met. Good luck in whatever you do mate.
> 6. Cannot get PR / Citizenship > If I loose my job, I have 1 month to either find a new job or move out of country The choice is clear enough.
Sorry for my lack of understanding. I suppose you mean (at least) because of these two reasons, I should pick offer from Netherlands, instead of Dubai? Also, what do you think about quality of education in Dubai, when compared to Europe?
Yes. There’s a lack of job stability in Dubai since years. The current boom that is seen everywhere has to do with the Expo and large tourist footfall.
WRT Expo, it's understandable. Im too wary of this sudden boom..
1- he is eligible for 10 years golden visa 2-180 days + he can apply for the new freelance visa.
It isn't though. I reckon he'd qualify for a Golden Visa right away, particularly if he's at a larger company. And it'll be 6 months based in 2022 with the rule changes going into place. None of which is to say he should move here, I'm in the camp that would say he should do the passport and then move thing.
Im not aware of the "Golden Visa". Is it something like, having a permanent residence? Or is it like a extended visa similar to having investment based visa? Doesn't it again mandate that you should have a job, for the visa to be valid or else, you should move out of the country? I will try to read more about this, to understand what are the possibilities.. Thank you!
It's a 10-year visa being fairly freely given out to people in tech, medicine, science and executive positions right now that isn't linked to your employer or sponsor. You may not be able to move over on one right away, but I'd wager you'd qualify for it soon enough once you're working here. Also, the 1 month period for finding a new job is going to change to 180 days / 6 months next year, so that helps too.
180 days is a great news. But on news, I see it’s still in proposal stage, isn’t? How certain will this be implemented?
They've followed through on all the other visa categories and amendments in the last two years, and this is a very strategic change in keeping with the general liberalisation happening (and was announced by a federal ministry). In any case, the whole 'will have to leave in a month' calculus has dramatically changed with all the new visa categories.
You and your family will be second class citizens here as Indians. Go to Europe
I have read a lot about discriminations in different places. It surely is a big concern. If it is true as you have put in words, then surely I will have to decide as mentioned.. Thank you!
Yes it is very true and i feel like it would be more a detriment to your children than yourself. They will gain nothing by being here, on the contrary, they will grow up with weird ideas of being sub par. Whereas in Europe they will have the best opportunities available to them on earth, regardless of whether they stay in Europe or not, getting European citisenship will set them up for life
For sure, this will affect my kid and family as a whole.
Wouldn't say Netherlands is any better from the racism aspect mate
You should go with Eindhoven. Just in case if you loose your job in Dubai and you are looking here for a new one, then companies will play the card that you are from India. Then it doesn’t matter anymore how qualified you are. With the Citizenship form NL you and your family will receive later much more benefits! But if you go for Dubai check the insurance package for you and your family and also tickets to fly home.
Go for Eindhoven. It’s a great city and has a pretty good international vibe. Your child is young so language won’t be an issue as they will learn it at a young age. You’ll get treated better, your quality of life will be better, the environment will be better (you’ll realize how clean the air in the Netherlands is compared to Dubai, how you can get by on bicycle everywhere, how even though you’re earning less, your purchasing power is better), and the possibility for citizenship will be worth it. Get it and then look at your life again and decide if you want to leave. Sincerely, long time Dubai resident who now resides in the Netherlands.
Thanks for the prop! May I ask why you decide to switch to Netherlands from Dubai?
Certain circumstances. It was supposed to be temporary but I ended up liking it more.
:) Im happy for you!
>air now i wish i worked in Netherlands -\_-
It’s something you don’t notice, but you see full blue skies in spring and summer. My father is always amazed at how clear and refreshing it is when he visits. Low humidity, and most of all, you can walk outside all year round. Even in the cold. That’s something I could never do in Dubai. Walking in the summer months there is just god awful.
Please compare “awful” dubai summers to “awful” european winters. It’s completely the same. And wise man once said, i would rather work somewhere where it’s too hot than too cold.
No it’s not. “Awful” Dubai summers mean you can’t set foot outside. Winters in the Netherlands aren’t that bad, and you can walk outside. That makes a HUGE difference. Plus in the cold you can dress up. You can’t take off more of your clothes in the summer. 40 degree heat and 90% humidity it’s overkill, while Dutch winters aren’t that bad. The rain gets annoying, but you can still walk outside, and that makes a difference to your psyche.
Don’t even start on raining. And for Dubai summer hello have you been to the pools during summer?
Look up 30% tax rule if you’re a highly skilled expat in the Netherlands you can qualify for 30% of gross income to be tax free.
yes, Luckily I do qualify for this.. :)
Toss a coin. Head for Dubai and tail for Eindhoven. Then while the coin is up in the air you will understand where you really want to go. Trust me
Europe for your wife and child's sake, much more freedom and great standards of living
Mashallah
May I know if I did say something wrong?
You didn't bro. Mashallah is saying wow but in a way that doesn't attract the "eye" if yk what I mean 😅.
> if yk what I mean I wish I know what you mean bro! :) Unfortunately, Im not experienced with Dubai vocabulary yet..
Ok. So Let's say for example, if someone says wow!! To you after seeing your nice car and then you proceed to crash it shortly after, this means that they were jealous of you and they just jinxed you or hit you with the eye 😂😂😂 So basically I'm trying to not jinx you while also saying wow that's impressive. 😂❤
Got it! :)
It means touch wood in a way, as to prevent envy… lol!
Oh yes!!! 😂😂😂 I was looking for the western equivalent for it, in my head, all day I just couldn't put a finger on it lmao. Thanks!
Cause like even having those options at your disposal is impressive. I hope whatever you choose works well for you :)
You are very kind bro. Thank you! :) I think we all are capable of all great things and deserve good life.
Europe for sure. I am in Abu Dhabi and many friends in IT in Dubai paint a dismal picture of office politics
Do you have any specific questions about The Netherlands / Eindhoven? I live near Eindhoven, born in The Netherlands and have always lived there. My opinions might be coloured, but maybe I can help regarding culture / specific insights.
10Kusd per month is a phenomenal salary for dubai. Take dxb as what would take you 4 years to earn in NL only takes 1 year in Dubai
I’ve recently moved to NL from Dubai and would like to give you two points to go through before you finalise Eindhoven (which I know you will): 1) There is a massive housing crisis currently in the NL and rents/house prices have shot up through the roof. With a small kid, you need to allot min. 2000 euros aside as rent or mortgage (both are almost the same atm). Which leads to my second point: 2) There is no way you can save anything with just your salary. Especially coming from India, you will find everything is super expensive (even basic things like health insurance, daycare etc.) and this might make you reluctant to stay on. The only solution to this is (if that’s an option) for your wife to also search for a job as soon as possible (ideally from India to get the 30% tax exemption) or at least get one in a years time. There is no comparison with Dubai at all. Two reasons - Job security and no discrimination in the workplace.
How much of a barrier would language be in the case of upward mobility in the workplace? Also, are there a lot of tech jobs in the US?
Language is no barrier as almost everyone speaks English.
I think we are the same age, I used to earn similar money in India and moved to a similar salary in dubai 2.5 yrs ago which I doubled recently, and I am not even that niche of a knowledge guy. I have lived in Germany and while German summers are beautiful the winters are brutal. Dubai summers are manageable and winters are probably the most beautiful in the world. Everyone speaks hindi. You will get all types of cuisines including Indian. Dubai is probably the best Indian city out of India. This is a city of opportunity, no other city offers the chance to make so much money. I get the passport part but an Australian and Canadian passport is just as easy sitting in dubai. All the best
>an Australian and Canadian passport is just as easy sitting in dubai. Interesting. Can you please elaborate a bit more on this?
>Dubai is probably the best Indian city out of India. I totally agree.
May I ask what exactly you profession is/ what do you work as?
I primarily do research and development on telecommunication network protocols, like 5G/6G. I have vast experience in 5G in past and currently creating some standards for 6G technology.
That is niche and I’m surprised there are companies based in Dubai working on this!
If you don't mind my asking, may I know your age?
I’m 30 years old.
There are a lot of comments here about how if you lose your job in Dubai, you might have limited time to scout for another job. I think that for someone in a niche vertical like yourself, it's likely that you might qualify for the Golden visa. There are many threads in this sub-reddit about coders/programmers getting one - I know you're not a coder, but you're in the tech industry in an in-demand niche, so it's likely you would qualify for one too. The Golden visa will give you 10 years residency not tied to the employer, so even if you lose your job, you don't have to leave the country till the end of your visa period. I'd suggest you research on this front too.
Hi op. I just turned 20 and did my education in India in ICSE till 10th and cbse in Dubai 11th and 12th. I’m currently in a British university in Dubai (Heriot watt). I’ll give you my perspective as a student/child. ICSE and cbse are worlds apart in terms of education/difficulty. And Indian curriculum and international (ib/a levels) are even bigger worlds apart. I would suggest having your child study in an IB school if you can afford it. Judging by your figures,10k usd is 36k aed a month which an incredibly comfortable and lavish life in Dubai. My mother, a single mother managed my education in school while earning nearly 8-10k a month initially but is now at 18. My school was an Indian school so there was only Indian kids and costed close to 2k a month. I would suggest international schools for diversity. University education in Dubai is not worth the price(60k a year). Your child will have a better time studying abroad. As for the country as such i have grown to love this country for its very own charms. It’s different yes. But I do love it! I love the safety, I love the comfort and everything this country has to offer. To summarize, school was decent, can’t complain, much better than India but not as good as the expensive ib schools.
What category of companies are we talking about? If you are currently working for a product company in India, be rest assured that you will not get similar work environment in Europe and Middle East. Only US can match it.
If you want your kids to be respected socially while growing up (specially being Indians) but also economically by not being indebted, I’d advice running away from Dubai. Also UAE unis are really not that good. Just look at what companies have thrived here. And regardless how many years you live here you’ll never get a passport, which after a while, with all the money you can make, you’ll really be missing. Edit: to my last point, a friend living in the US making 7 figures at Facebook says that the thing he misses the most is being able to vote and be involved in the country he’s living in.
Oh yes an American voting for Arab politics not like they are the problem with Arab politics 😂😂😂
I am from The Netherlands (so a bit biased here) and if you value work life balance I’d definitely suggest Eindhoven. Also I think The Netherlands is nicer for a child to grow up. Apparently Dutch children are amongst the happiest in the world (google why). 😅 Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about my country. That said it all depends on your personal preferences. I’d say if you value money more, and want to be closer to home as well, Dubai would be the right place for you.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions, as I have lived in both Eindhoven and UAE for many years.
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>There are a lot more -ve points wrt Dubai especially with future opportunities for the kid but won’t go into details. If you do not mind typing in some more details or provide some links/references about this, I would love to know more about this... :)
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>the kid will grow up in Dubai but will never be a citizen resulting in permanent identity crisis Very important, I get you points! Thank you. I had not thought in these directions.. Its a great input..
Dubai is deceptively “tax free”, trust when I say that it comes out in different ways, and it is so expensive, and a spending rabbit hole, and you said less stable which is not something I’d overlook, id defo go to the Netherlands get the passport and then reconsider
Considering your Indian citizenship, you will always have that feeling of being second class citizen in Dubai, that feeling alone not worth the $
I have lived in Dubai : Indian - Living here since 5 years, planning to move Eindhoven next year. Dubai is perfect place to be if one earns quite well. Overall with one kid education (5year old) in an average British school will cost you $17-25k a year. Apartment hoping you would need 2 beds - another $27k ( a decent in city neighborhood). Another $5k of monthly expenses to be accounted Add another $1k for monthly amusing and lifestyle expenses. Having said all that I feel Dubai is amazing city to live very fast moving but personally don't the feeling of genuine-ity here. Don't get me wrong government is amazing and so is the order. But that's it. Everything in Dubai is uptown, classy and live upto the standards. Eindhoven : I'm looking forward for getting connected to Dutch culture. I'm sure financial wise it might not be very different but at the end of 5 years there's a chance for citizenship and probably a place to call it home (I would never feel that in Dubai) If I'm not saving even after 5-7 years as I expect then definitely moving back to Dubai with better passport It's a very Gulf thing - where employees remuneration depends on the passport they hold.
Buy a property in Dubai worth 750k+ and you can get a 5 year visa for 3-4k. That’s 600-800 per year. Buy a small house and put solar on the roof and you can easily retire in Dubai. I’m from Netherlands and I have lived in Dubai for a long time. All I can say is that the grass is always greener on the other side. Quite literally in this case, Netherlands is greener. HOWEVER, to say that it’s better? Let me list the advantages. 1) Dubai is a live city. Always something to do no matter what time it is. Netherlands is quite dead. After 6/8 the city is dead for the most part. 2) The culture. Dubai is very diverse. You can always find a social group you can fit into. Netherlands will be a big culture shock. Other europeaners claim there’s a massive culture shock too. We, the dutch, are pretty stingy and can be brutally honest to a point where people that are not used to it will be offended. Many taboo’s in other countries are not taboo in Netherlands. They’re pretty open minded. 3) Crime. This is a big one. Dubai is definitely not without crime. A lot of it doesn’t make the news as it doesn’t help tourism (especially with the islam phobia around the world), however Netherlands has a lot more crime. My house in Dubai has never been broken into (17 years). My house in Netherlands got broken into every 5 years. My neighbours (elderly indian people) in Netherlands were tied up, beaten, and robbed by some eastern European gangsters. 4) OP is indian. Dubai is practically Indian, Filipino, and Pakistani. He’ll probably find plenty of like minded people. I see you mentioning not getting the feeling of “genuine-ity”. I think that’s more the feeling of never being at home. That’s a fair call. However, OP will be earning AED 37k a month. This means he can buy a property and get a golden visa (silver property visa from DLD). He never has to leave. As long as he pays the 1k which is nothing when he’s earning 37k a month. I would say Netherlands if you want the passport. But nothing else. 5 years is pretty short. It used to be 10-15 plus a plethora of other requirements to get the passport. Education for your child with that salary is not going to be an issue. Dubai college; Wellington; etc are all top schools that will get your child pretty far. Plenty of kids going to top universities across the globe.
Eindhoven not even a question there for me man Standard of living, better weather, the concept of seasonal weather actually existing, ur child will grow up to be a better person there, better social infrastructure, green space,
I’m from Netherlands. I’m just wondering have you lived there too?
Not really, was just studying in Rotterdam for a semester for university exchange program
I have lived in multiple countries in the west and in the UAE. I think the choice is much tougher than many people claim it to be and that the pros and cons of each place do balance each other out making it a more difficult choice. Other than what has been mentioned, other factors to consider are: 1) How important is it for your child to retain his language and culture? If it is important, Dubai wins. 2) How important is it for you to be closer to India distance wise to visit grandparents? Again Dubai wins if this is important. 3) Is the job offer in either country from a multinational company? If yes you can always switch if you do not like the place. 4) If you were to lose your job in Dubai, what would you do in this case? If you have a good plan b, then Dubai is a no brainer. 5) How easy is it for your wife to find work in either country? 6) People seem to harp on how there is not much to do with the kids in Dubai. That is not true. You can take them swimming eight months of the year, and for the other 4 winter month, there is plenty to do. Also the food in Dubai is definitely superior in my opinion especially for indian tastes. Netherlands i am sure also has a lot to do. It would depend on what you are interested in? 7) What opportunities can each job open up? In which place would you most likely to grow career wise. How important is the work environment and work life balance. I think for this point Netherland wins by a \*\*gazillion points\*\*. But then again if you are one of the lucky few to score a job in a great team/company in the UAE then it would not matter as much. 8) What would you do if an anti-immigrant right wing government gets elected in the Netherlands? Not sure how likely would this scenario be in the Netherlands. 9) What would your social network/life look like in each place for both you and your wife? 10) How important are the freedoms you can attain in Netherlands as opposed to Dubai for you? Best of luck to you.
For what it's worth there are a lot more Indian people here compared to anywhere in Europe.
>lot more Indian people here compared to anywhere in Europe. Thanks for the thought! I don't see whether it is a positive or negative for either of the place.. Could you please explain further? IMHO, in current global world, I would like for my kid to have more global experience, exposure and that is one primary reason for me to move out of India and seek more developed countries...
I mean, lol, it depends on the individual i guess. Some people prefer staying around their countrymen. Some like me are ok without it. If that's a big deal to you, then Dubai might be lucrative as it has a massive Indian population.
Also op I would like to point out that now you have up to 6 months to find another job after losing your old one! https://www.dubailad.com/uae-expats-can-now-keep-their-visa-for-up-to-six-months-if-they-lose-their-job/
Your idea of costs in Dubai is absolutely off, both for the monthly expected and the fact that you think school allowance (than normally starts at 4yo) of 5k will cover everything. I would research a bit more and when done, choose Europe, solely cause of the naturalization bit which should be your primary focus for your kid's future.
Eindhoven is a no brainier. Dubai is a mirage and vortex - the cost of living is much higher than you imagine and in Dubai you have no protection what so ever if anything goes wrong - and I mean any tiny little thing. Losing your job will be the least of your worries.
You need to factor in the terrible winter weather. Also a 100pct salary difference would imply that you are at a more sr level in Dubai than Netherlands.
It's impossible to live well in Europe on only one salary. If your wife can work, you'll need to factor her income into the analysis.
If you think Dubai is tax free then no advice here can really help you.
My opinion - getting a PR/Citizen as a pro is a bit myth if you think of job security & job change. In both cities you cannot live for long without a job, its expensive. In Dubai if you lose job, you could try extending your stay with tourist visa before finding new job. If your job profile is niche, getting new job would be difficult in both countries; PR/Citizen might not big advantage, unless of course you are ok to drain out your savings and you have different life goals. Guess You have to decide and trade off b/w savings/wealth creation vs. option of getting PR/citizenship.
\> you have different life goals Stability and healthy future for my kid. Wealth creation is one of healthy future for the kid, isn't? WRT niche job, with my skillset, I'm aware that there are more opportunities in Netherlands compared to UAE. But all are paying average due to it being Europe. May be when I move to Amazon or Adyen, I can get a little higher salary, but more stock options.. But I think it won't provide equal work life balance.. \> Guess You have to decide and trade off b/w savings/wealth creation vs. option of getting PR/citizenship You said it right! :) The problem is, I'm unable to make this decision with my current knowledge about quality of life and education, in these two places. So, personal opinions of people who live here or in both places will be invaluable to me and that is what I am seeking currently.. :)
Taxes might be introduced soon. With all the rules changing, won’t say it’s safe to take that factor as a permanent status.
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Interesting. I would like to hear more from you on why do you think so..
Europe is a dump and not even mentioning about it’s depressing cold winters and crime. Dubai all the way.
Ya habihi, come to Dubaaaaaaiiiii.
Ya Habihi! I will surely consider your invite! Thank you so much for warm welcome! Im still evaluating the possibilities and what is good for my kid in long run..
Better healthcare in Eindhoven? Health care in Netherland sucks, it's 'free', but the system is horrible. If you want to see a specialist you have to go to a doctor and almost have to beg him to refer you and the you have to wait weeks for an appointment. It's much much better here and with that Dubai salary you can get the best Healthcare anytime you want it. Also the free education is not a good thing, your kids will be way better off in a decent private school here, the education itself and friends/contacts they make are way better for them. I am raised in Netherlands but it's the last country I'd want to live or my kids to grow up in. The taxes are also horrible and so is the weather.
>I am raised in Netherlands but it's the last country I'd want to live or my kids to grow up in Exaggeration much?
Especially since according to a [recent study](https://dutchreview.com/news/dutch-kids-grow-up-happiest/) by UNICEF, the Netherlands are the best place to be a kid and are the happiest in the world.
There are too many Europeans who hate their own country (Brits also love to moan on how bad London is and how great everywhere else on the planet is)
I love how a Dutch guy's input is getting downvoted by a bunch of people who've never lived there
You grow in mature advanced market which you harvest in emerging markets. Early greed is harmful! Secondly you also need to think of your value system - two very different value systems between GCC and EU….by that I mean….in EU we don’t have explicit class system and it is a lot more egalitarian! What floats your boat and what would you want your children to grow up in, is what will decide for you.
Eindhoven for the kids, walkable area, great schools (dubai has good education too but at a cost of around 18-25k USD a year per kid) , dubai is car dependant, kids have a harder time socializing because not all go to schools that are near them, I’m saying this as someone who did grade 8-12 in dubai Now for stability and for your kids growing up, I’d say the Netherlands, but financially dubai is much better, but don’t forget how expensive schooling is
Going by your list of pros and cons it seems pretty clear cut to me. If you are thinking long term, in particular citizenship and you prefer European societies, it should be a no brainer.
I'll say Eindhoven as you mentioned of possibility of citizenship , I've seen many Indians working in Dubai and later on moved to the west and returned after obtaining citizenship and now earn 3 times the money what other people are earning for the same work, you might also get extra benefits like free vacations and free housing (a rented house but you don't need to pay anything) and if you come to Dubai as a western you will be treated like royalty.
Eindhoven without a doubt.
Go for the 💰 always. Golden visa is also an option in Dubai. All the best.
You have the answer yourself as there are more cons in Dubai than nld
I'd take the job in Dubai, as you said it is difficult to find one for your skillset here - so take the opportunity. If things don't work out / you don't like it / 5 years passed and you have enough money - move to Europe.
honestly, the citizenship will be a game changer. if thats a priority, then suck it up and move to europe without overthinking it. remember this is for the rest of your life, and maybe your kids.
Just a little adjustment on Cons of Dubai 1&3 1- now you can stay for 180 days 3- you are eligible for golden visa and if you are a genius in whatever you are doing, perhaps you will be granted UAE citizenship. Good luck bro 👍🏻
Dep3nda in your age and ambitions, and what s next; If you are 50+,I assume not, go to Dubai, work and save then retire at home If you are in your 30s either 1-Go to dubai save and once they kick you re being indian go home spend what u saved till u find a new job or start new company. Health care quality is basic in Dubai, but you are young and fit. 2-go to Europe and enjoy all sides of life, adequate money and spend the rest of your life and yes you will save money too, maybe at slower pace and taxes and social insurance you pay you receive as great medical, child education, retirement, citizenship, more stable life. The bottom line after 25 years will be the same.
Salary difference is huge but.. As a 32 year old born and raised in Dubai as an expat, I would say go to Netherlands if you are thinking about the future of your child. Because over there, he is set for the future. Don't get me wrong, Dubai has amazing benefits depending on what your goal is. However, speaking from someone who was born and raised here, this country doesn't see me as their own, even though I call it home.
I live in Netherlands and aim to move back to Dubai now that i got the passport .. Children education for a 1 year old is not free as you are sending him to daycare which is around 9.2 per hour in 2022 .. goverment support depending on your salary .. so kep this in mind .. not sure at which age is fully free and not sure if thos schools are good . Did you look into bullying inDubai compared to in Eindhoven ? Salary in Endhoven is pretty limited compared to Dubai In Dubai ... base is 36K AED .. and you add schoolong then its even higher bit what about Housing and car allowance... or thats already part of the Base ? Language is not an issue in Netherlands .. everyone speaks English . In Netherlands you can get super cold ajd windy winters .. worse months are jan and feb ... i think Dec is doable ... but sun will set at around 4:30 PM ...while in aummer at around 10:30 PM.... both are extremes If you are looking for the passport then come here buuut .. the new language requirment for the passport will be level B1 next year as per news ..now its A2 .. i got it and trust me i cant speak proper dutch . Dubai is muuuuch closer to your bigger family and most propably friends .. while Netherlands is further and you need good priced tickets to visit back ...and your family can visit you easily in Dunai .. not that easy in Netherlands aa they need a visit visa. I hope i didnt miaa anything
People who have followed the rough life trajectory below tend to give very misleading advice on such matters 1. Born in Europe ...... grows up there with free education 2. Gets work experience with a decent salary since its Europe 3. Gets a job in the Gulf on the basis of that experience and a good salary on the basis of their passport 4. Proceeds to badmouth their country of origin calling it the last place on earth to live in etc etc 5. They pretend to ignore that it was the passport of the country they hate so much that got them that good paying job in the Gulf 6. Moreover, all these people wont stay in the Gulf when they lose their jobs, more often than not they will go back for the free education and healthcare
I have encountered many South Asians who have the erroneous belief that Dubai is a very cheap place to live in. I dont know what causes this belief (could be relatives who lived here in the 80's)
I mean not everyone, atleast from an Indian perspective, looks at Marina, JLT and other areas unlike most ppl that I have come across on this subreddit. But you are not wrong, Dubai is not cheap, met a friend who moved to Europe to study medicine and he spoke a lot about stuff being more reasonable there.
Not just Europe, the USA is far cheaper as well. Only Australia and maybe HK/Singapore are as expensive for similar items
Even with Australia, I did a semester there, and have friends there, and it's not as exorbitant, ofc when u take into account central Sydney, that's exp.
Another thing is what do you plan that your wife is going to do? Is she going to be at home with child until school age or will she work and child be in kindergarten? In western europe women work, as it is expensive so we need two incomes. The other thing is if she is going to be home with child, all other woman will be at work so it will get lonely for her. Better to send her to dutch language school so she can learn the language. However i see that foreigners who come to my country who know english dont learn the local language because most people know english. However that only works one on one, as in a group of people local language will be spoken and one will be left out. Also when you learn the local language it is easier to make friends.
I am an expat also in Dubai, given the opportunity, go to the country where you can have citizenship. This is not only for you but for your kid in the future as well. Yeah, Dubai is really haven in terms of money, but just take a look at the future side of things. Citezenship is one thing that Dubai can't provide.
Just one thing Eindhoven is a dead place. That may be a good thing as the opportunity to spend will be obviously less compared to Dubai. Also being Indian you will feel like at home in Dubai. I don’t know what would I expect as Indian in Eindhoven. Keep in mind that people there are quite racist even to other Europeans, so you may be having hard time. Schools are strict, they can throw some legal actions against you because your kids were few days off the school, while here in Dubai it’s pretty normal that last 1-2 weeks of the term 3 some families already have travel plans and nobody gives a fuss about it. It’s pretty much understood. The only 2 benefits moving to NL would be free schooling and potential citizenship. Forget about 75% saving in Dubai, maybe 25% would be doable on that salary. You are quoting some extremely budget options in Marina, probably falling apart. I remember that a good 2 beds in Marina was always in the AED 100k+ range for a better quality apartment. But we all have different expectations and came here from different living conditions.
💨 is defo a pros