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Living the dream?

City Times tracks changes in the UAE expatriate experience, especially considering the progressively costlier standard of living

ONCE, THE UAE was the fabled land. Expatriates from India, Pakistan, neighbouring nations and other countries came here. They worked, lived a good life, saved money and sent it back home to their families. Not any more – for majority of people.

Over the years, prices of everything have been steadily rising, now reaching the peak. For years you could get a cup of tea for 50 fils. The same cup now costs 1 dirham. At the same time, salaries of workers and office goers have not seen a proportionate rise, reducing life to a struggle. So, is it becoming difficult to live in the UAE?

Faroukh Chemo, Syrian, salesman

I have been here for the past five years and I have seen the prices to up and up, never down. Yeah, it’s become rather stressful now, because everything from fuel to food items costs more. It’s become so that you’re not able to save anything. What you make you end up spending. Earlier, it was better. I could save something and that’s how I was able to buy a second-hand car. But I suppose this is a global phenomenon, not just here. Living has become costlier everywhere.

Suprith Kolli, Indian, salesman IT peripherals

Prices are going up consistently. I came in November 2006, two years back. Things were different then. And within this short period, the scene has changed. I used to pay Dh500 for rent. I’m now paying almost double that amount, with no extra facility. Proportionately, my income has not increased that much. But now that I’m here I have to survive, so I have cut down on outings, going to movies etc. I came here to earn and save money. But now what I save is not up to my expectations. I have to adjust myself but it is surely becoming difficult.

S Dengonpa, Nepali, restaurant worker

I came here because I was given the assurance that I would get a job of at least Dh 2000. This amount, when converted in Nepali currency, looked too good to be true. People like me can never hope to earn that kind of money back home. But after coming here things turned out different. Now I get a little more than half that amount and I have to manage myself with that, and life is really difficult for me. Every month I have to borrow money from friends to meet the most basic necessities. Now I wonder what I am doing here. And I’m seriously thinking of going back.

Salim Mirza, Pakistani, business development officer

The point is in the UAE we’ve seen days of low cost of living. But the whole structure of life has undergone a brisk change and we’re now feeling the pinch. And when you feel the pinch in your financial aspect, it affects all other areas. But I think this phenomenon of rising costs is worldwide, not limited to the UAE. Even Americans are affected. So, instead of complaining, we should try to find out ways and means to face the challenge. And we should brace ourselves for more changes in the UAE, especially now with the population growing at a faster rate because of the opening of the real estate sector.

citytime@emirates.net.ae