Relocation to Bahrain from UK Employer-Salary Offered

reading_2014 Member

13POSTS

12 years ago

Hi All,

Today, I have received an offer from my employer in the UK for a two year assignment in Bahrain. The offer being made consist of a basic salary of BHD 1850/month and an allowance(all inclusive) of BHD 900 /month. My employer has also offered me a lump sum relocation amount of BHD 1500. On top of that flight ticket from UK to Bahrain(just during the relocation) and hotel accommodation for the initial two weeks will be provided.

My background, a Chartered Civil Engineer with 12 years of professional experience. I have a young family who will be relocating with me. My only son is 3.5 years old and is at his school approaching age.

Do you think the above package is reasonable to lead a moderate life with a bit of savings. I have to bear the school fees (considering British Curriculum) for my son from the above stated figure.

Any feedback or comment will be much appreciated.

See also

Relocating to Bahrain - Guide
Relocation agencies in Bahrain - Business
Documents not received from previous employer - 5 Replies
Ive been offered a job in Bahrain with salary of 1500 BDo - 3 Replies
employer not paying leave salary and other benefits - 8 Replies
What to ship /Air freight to Bahrain from UK - 1 Reply
Relocation in Bahrain - 6 Replies

Mtpk New member

6POSTS

12 years ago

Hi

The salary and allowance quoted sounds good from a UK perspective. However if you need to cover any expenses at home it's not enough. However if your long term ambition is the Mid East Bahrain is a good place to settle into. Education is very expensive here, be very aware!

Mtpk New member

6POSTS

12 years ago

Forgot to say, on that package, and a reasonable living standard, you won't have room to save. sorry!

1 member reacted to this post

Haarisc Member

1POSTS

12 years ago

Mate, you'll struggle to enjoy a reasonable standard of life here on that salary once you factor in school fees and housing costs.聽 Do you have just the one child or just the one of nursery / school age?

2 members reacted to this post

MummyT Active member

94POSTS

12 years ago

Evening,

You might find it worth checking out the Cost of Living thread here to help you with your decision:
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=337348

School fees at BSB for kindergarten are 867BD a term making it 2601 a year.

I would suggest that you confirm whether or not your employers are going to pay for medical insurance for you and your family, and whether they will cover a return flight back to the UK per year.聽 Both of these are often provided.

All the best

Sarah

Nicola64 Active member

25POSTS

12 years ago

Hi
I agree with everyone else, it's not enough .

You really need to have school/nursery fees paid by your employer. An annual flight home for the family, car allowance , healthcare. Cost of living is high, that's a pretty low inclusive allowance.

scottrace Serial expat

283POSTS

12 years ago

Your allowance is plenty to rent a decent villa in an area like Saar or Janabiya which will most likely be of a higher standard than you are used to in the UK.聽 If you want to live in Jasra/Hamala etc you will struggle.聽

I agree you need to ask whether a car is included as you will likely need 2 cars.聽 Medical Insurance as well.

Your basic salary is fine to live here if you don't want to do lots of designer shopping (food and clothes) and eat and drink in fancy restaurants every week.

Josnuggles ViP

2197POSTS

12 years ago

Your salary is ok, your allowance (all incl) is not. With your experience you should apply to middle east companies directly, you will get double that pathetic offer. Bahraini law states annual bonus and one return flight home per annum. Also your company should offer help with housing, medical insurance, transport and schooling. They are taking you for a ride. Don't accept

1 member reacted to this post

Nicola64 Active member

25POSTS

12 years ago

Totally agree with Josnuggles

1 member reacted to this post

reading_2014 Member

13POSTS

12 years ago

#10

Thanks all for your comments. I will try to negotiate a higher salary to cover the cost of living.

Regarding school admission, I am considering Nadeen International School. I assume BSB and St, Christopher's are already full for the September session, so no chance for my son ( 3.5years old). Any feedback/comment on Nadeen, would be much appreciated.聽

By the way, I haven't started contacting the school adminstration as yet, because I was waiting for the offer to be finialised. Is it already too late for September session. Also, if my child could not get admission to Nadeen, any other options we can avail as a stopgap arrangement.

On a side note, I would like to know the cost of school transportation. I assume there are bus services(either provided by the School or Privately owned) which we can avail for drop off and pick up.

Mtpk New member

6POSTS

12 years ago

#11

Hi
Based on your earlier post, I really don't think you know what your getting into moving to Bahrain as a family. I know it sounds though, but you need to look at leaving your wife and child in the u.k. Until you get settled in. It can be very boring here for your other half, and culture shock is real, its not just a saying!

Think hard before you take the leap.!

Stakan Contributor

192POSTS

12 years ago

#12

reading_2014 wrote:
Any feedback/comment on Nadeen, would be much appreciated.

My son is about the same age as yours and he goes to Nadeen. He just started this term, but it seems ok so far. We had looked into all the international schools and settled on Nadeen for a number of reasons.

My son is in the Nursery group for now, but will be in Reception in September. I'd like to see a little more academics mixed in at the Nursery level, but I am not used to the British system so structured play might be the standard at this age in this system. Other than that, we are pleased with Nadeen so far.

Good luck.

Josnuggles ViP

2197POSTS

12 years ago

#13

There are limited buses that go to Nadeem. There are no school buses to service the international schools only private. I only know of one private bus driver that takes to Nadeem and he charges about BD50 a month. Bus to St Chris is BD90 per term. Also there is an age restriction on the buses for some companies - they won't take really young kids as most buses here don't have seat belts and the driving is crazy and dangerous.
Might be an option to hire a private driver. Check his driving licence and make him take you to the shops a few times to test his driving skills

My son got the last place for his year group in St Chris. If he hadn't got it then we would have stayed in the UK until a place became available somewhere

Nadeem is a great little school, it's like a little fairytale land.