Business Listings & Companies in Abu Dhabi, UAE

How's the cost of living in Abu Dhabi compared to Dubai?

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two richest cities in the United Arab Emirates. The cost of living for Abu Dhabi is about 10% higher than that of Dubai, but this increase won't be noticed by expats who receive a tax-free income and benefits such as accommodation and car allowance. Employers typically pay for homes in both cities, while utilities (electricity, water, internet) and transportation (bus and taxi) costs vary depending on lifestyle choices.

What job opportunities exist in Abu Dhabi?

The UAE has been steadily recovering from last year's economic slump [details]. Since January 2013, Abu Dhabi has added more than 130 thousand jobs [source: ADEC 2013 Employment Report]. A handful of large employers eager to fill these positions include the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Petroleum, and Abu Dhabi Airports.

There are a number of job opportunities in Dubai as well, though not to the same extent as in Abu Dhabi. If you have experience working in a specific industry or with a particular type of technology, it's best to contact companies directly for leads. For example, companies involved in oil/gas extraction and production can be found at abudhabiexecs.com . In addition to the UAE Exchange , which lists many vacancies from different companies, there is also Job Today that offers daily listings from different firms.

What minimum salary should I expect? Employers typically pay exp competitive salaries with dependable benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, company condos/homes, and cars. For example, AED 4,000-7,000 is the average monthly salary for jobs in Abu Dhabi while Dubai pays around AED 3000-5000.

What are the different housing options?

Most companies offer accommodation to their employees. If you're moving to Abu Dhabi with your family, it typically makes sense to rent a villa or apartment since they are bigger than studios and most likely come with additional amenities that can be used by everyone. You can also choose between staying outside the city center or closer to work if you prefer commuting over living further away from your office.

However, even if an employer offers housing allowance, it doesn't always mean you're completely covered. For example, when I moved over to Abu Dhabi in 2011, my company paid for our apartment and provided an additional housing allowance of around AED 10K/year that we could use to buy furniture or pay for house help. With that said, if you don't want to go through the hassle of looking for a place and managing it on your own (you may not be fluent in Arabic), there are also apartments in both cities managed by professional real estate brokers.

What do most people usually do after work?

Dubai has more than 320 sunny days annually [source: dubizzle] which means there is plenty of time to socialize - whether it's by grabbing coffee with friends at Starbucks or having drinks at one of the many bars and lounges. You can also go shopping (the Dubai Mall), visit an art gallery (Art Sawa), go out to watch plays/movies, or take your kids to a water park or museum - all in one day!

What are the major differences between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?

Abu Dhabi is home to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World (one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world), Yas Waterworld (another fun waterpark), Al Ain Zoo, Children's City, Emirates Palace Hotel, Emirates Golf Club, Saadiyat Cultural District - all part of its plan to becoming a cultural hub. It's also close to popular holiday destinations such as Al Ain, Hatta, and Bani Yas.

These are just some of the attractions in Abu Dhabi. See more on abudhabi.com

Dubai has Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), The Dubai Mall (the biggest mall in the world), Wild Wadi Water Park, Ski Dubai... there's so much to do!

See what else is happening in Dubai here.

Which city is better for nightlife/entertainment?

Abu Dhabi definitely has more options when it comes to dining out but with over 220 restaurants, 200 cafes, 15 foodcourts. and countless fastfood outlets - there are plenty of dining options in Dubai as well. There are also plenty of malls to shop at with over 1,200 retail outlets . For movies, Dubai has VOX Cinemas where you can watch movies in 3D. The city also has two performing arts centers - the Madinat Arena and Al Thuraya Theater.

Compared to Abu Dhabi, Dubai has better entertainment options if you love your nights out!

Comparing the two largest cities in UAE is not easy but it's safe to say that both have something for everyone. Whether it's living closer to work (Dubai), having more family activities (Abu Dhabi), staying near the beach (Dubai) or enjoying rich culture & history (Abu Dhabi) - pick one that best fits your lifestyle.