Spend less, live big – Tips for living in Abu Dhabi on a budget
- Affordable Housing
- Cut Down your Travel Costs
- Save up on Groceries
- Reasonably Priced Schools
- Budget-friendly Leisure
Abu Dhabi is a modern metropolis with stunning skyscrapers, larger-than-life theme parks, adventure destinations, beach resorts and much more. It offers an enviable lifestyle and plenty of job opportunities, making it one of the most preferred places to live in the UAE.
One thing you have to consider though is the cost of living in the capital city. It is something one has to be careful about. There are certain things which can help you manage your finances better. Following a few simple tips, you can live big and spend less. Here’s our guide to getting the most mileage out of your money while living in Abu Dhabi on a budget.
TIPS FOR LIVING IN ABU DHABI ON A BUDGET
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi largely depends on your lifestyle and marital status. A large part of your living expenses in Abu Dhabi go towards accommodation, fuel, transportation costs, schools, healthcare, utilities and groceries. Follow our tips to divide your earnings based on your expenses and save more!
LOOK FOR AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is one of the main expenses when it comes to the cost of living in Abu Dhabi. Luckily, the capital of the UAE is home to a wide variety of rental properties available at affordable prices. There are several cheap apartments in Abu Dhabi that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Tenants interested in renting an apartment in Abu Dhabi can get a studio for rent in Shakhbout City in the range of AED 19k to AED 24k per year. The area is also counted amongst the top areas to rent studios in Abu Dhabi for under 42k per year.
Another option for affordable living is to rent a studio apartment in Khalifa City A. The prices range from AED 14k to AED 30k per year. One of the advantages of renting in Khalifa City A is its proximity to Al Raha Beach and Saadiyat Island – two of the most popular leisure destinations in the city. Other areas with budget-friendly studio apartments for rent include Al Muroor, Al Mushrif and Khalifa City B.
If you’re going to be living in the capital with your family, you will need more space. Khalifa City A, Madinat Zayed, Khalifa City B, Mussafah and Al Ghadeer offer 1, 2 and 3-bed units as well.
1-BHK apartment in Shakbout City is available for AED 28k. Those on the hunt for larger units can choose from the 2-bedroom flats, starting price of which is AED 42k.
Given the abundance of options, you can always find an affordable property to rent in Abu Dhabi and save up some money.
CUT DOWN YOUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS
One of the best tips to save money while living in Abu Dhabi is to curb your fuel or transportation costs. Expats who recently moved to Abu Dhabi will initially find it difficult to get around if they don’t own a car or if the workplace doesn’t offer a pick and drop facility. However, the extensive Abu Dhabi public transport system provides easy access to major residential and commercial districts.
RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN POSSIBLE
Public transport in Abu Dhabi includes buses, taxis and ferries. Senior citizens and people of determination can travel on any public transport bus in Abu Dhabi for free. You can also use the Darb app to get information about public buses.
GET HAFILAT CARDS
If you’re living on a budget in Abu Dhabi, investing a small amount in Hafilat Cards can be a smart decision. Depending on your travel needs, you can invest in a temporary or a permanent Hilafat Card. The transport fees on Abu Dhabi buses and Hafilat cards come under T-Purse by Hafilat and their charges are:
- Local city buses: AED 2
- Suburb buses: AED 2 + 5 Fils per kilometre
- Intercity buses: AED 2 + 10 Fils per kilometre
- Weekly Hafilat Pass: AED 30
- Monthly Hafilat Pass: AED 80
LIVE CLOSE TO YOUR WORKPLACE
Another tip to save money while living in Abu Dhabi on a budget is to try to find a residence close to your workplace or your kids’ school. Living near your workplace or school will help cut fuel and transportation costs.
SAVE ON GROCERY SHOPPING
Money spent on groceries can take up a big chunk of your earnings. Singles and families spend significant amounts on essentials like milk, eggs, yoghurt, meat, rice and detergents. Here are some tips to save on grocery shopping.
BUY FROM HYPERMARKETS
Abu Dhabi is home to several hypermarkets like Lulu and Carrefour. These are some of the most popular grocery shops for those on a budget. They offer various discount deals on different items on regular basis. You can install their apps to keep an eye out for their special offers.
USE APPS AND E-COMMERCE WEBSITES TO ORDER FOOD ONLINE
You can buy non-perishable food items in bulk to save up! Order online by using the official websites or food delivery apps in Abu Dhabi to order from various supermarkets and hypermarkets. Furthermore, you can also utilise wholesale trading stores to save money whilst living in Abu Dhabi.
Apps such as Quality Foods offer a wide selection of grocery items with delivery options. Ordering online will help you save time and fuel costs, as you won’t need to drive back and forth to the store.
Other discount apps in Abu Dhabi for great deals on groceries, restaurants, apparel and other items include:
- Groupon
- The Smiles UAE app
- Entertainer
- Privelee
- Insta Shop
SHOP AT THE SOUKS
Buying local is the key to getting good quality products at lower prices. At the traditional souks in Abu Dhabi, such as the Al Mina Fruits and Vegetable Souk, a selection of fresh local produce is available at exceptionally reasonable prices.
Alternatively, residents can get premium and fresh seafood from the Mina Zayed Fish Souk. Similarly, at the Carpet Souk, you can find good rugs, carpets and furniture and accessories at low rates.
LOOK FOR AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS
Schooling is another expense that could take up a huge amount of your income. Abu Dhabi is home to some affordable schools. Abu Dhabi Indian School is one of the most affordable schools in the Capital city with fees ranging from AED 6,040 to AED 10,740 per year.
Abu Mousa Al Ashaari Private School is another option for budget-friendly primary education with fees ranging from AED 2,700 to AED 5,000 for primary classes.
Al Maali International School, Al Tharawat National Private School and Ashbal Al Quds are other affordable educational institutions in Abu Dhabi. These schools can help you live in Abu Dhabi on a budget.
ENTERTAINMENT ON A BUDGET
Abu Dhabi is a modern metropolis with an array of leisure destinations for visitors and residents alike. The list includes the thrilling theme parks on Yas Island, the expansive desert wilderness and the iconic Sheikh Zayed Mosque. You can use Groupon Coupons to get access to major theme parks on a budget.
Whilst we’re talking about how to live in Abu Dhabi on a budget, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of things to do in Abu Dhabi for free, such as paying a visit to the Heritage Village and exploring the Emirati Bedouin lifestyle. You can also take a journey back in time and visit Qasr al Hosn, the oldest stone building in the emirate, dating back to the 18th century.
Free activities in Abu Dhabi for those living on a budget also include cycling on the Al Wathba Track, which ranks amongst the best cycling tracks in Abu Dhabi.
Another option for those looking to embrace the great outdoors is to go camping and spend a relaxing weekend under the clear blue skies. Visit the best public beaches in Abu Dhabi, such as the Al Bateen Beach or the Corniche, for a perfect beach day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS FOOD IN ABU DHABI EXPENSIVE?
The amount you spend each month on your food and groceries largely depends on your lifestyle choices. If you spend carefully, you can get your monthly grocery even for AED 500 per person. Similarly, grocery shopping for a family of four with two adults and two children can be done for AED 2,000.
To save some more on eating out, you can choose any of the affordable eateries in Abu Dhabi. Some restaurants can set you back just as little as AED 10. However, if you choose a fine dining restaurant, it will indeed cost you a lot more.
WHAT IS A GOOD SALARY IN ABU DHABI?
Your salary in Abu Dhabi largely depends on your job designation, experience and qualifications. A professional at the start of their career can earn anything from AED 5,000 to AED 8,000 per month. Individuals with more hands-on experience and qualifications will generally be in a higher salary grade potentially ranging from AED 15,000 upwards.
That brings us to the end of our guide to living in Abu Dhabi on a budget. Our money-saving tips and tricks will surely help you in reducing your expenses to save up for a holiday or anything else that you’ve had on your mind. Read about the cost of living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi to get an idea of which emirate suits your situation best.
