Cost of living gets cheaper for Dubai

The recent Worldwide Cost of Living Survey has revealed that Dubai has become more affordable as the emirate has been ranked 94th, 16 places lower than last year.
The index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, measures the cost of an expatriate lifestyle in more than 130 cities. It takes into account the weighted average of the prices of 160 products and services, including housing, food, clothing, transport and household goods as well as the relative strengths of currencies and economies.
Dubai residents believe the emirate has become an affordable city with highest living standards. Reacting to the index, they said that rents have fallen but costs of essential commodities and utilities have risen.
Mahnaaz Shaikh, an Indian homemaker in the emirate, has been handling the family finances for the past five years. She told Gulf News, "I have experienced the increase in my grocery and utility bills. Though the rent for my one-bedroom apartment has dropped, several new increases like surcharge for utility — water, electricity and gas — bills and installation of new parking metres near my residence have been introduced. Essential commodities like milk, vegetables, fruits and meat, even luxury items like perfumes and cosmetics have gone up in the last two years."

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Rise in school fees
Cost of education — semester fees, transport, and tuition — has also risen in the past year, leaving parents with no choice but to bear the increase. A Dubai-based Australian parent, Jenny R., told Gulf News: "It is outrageous how much education costs. With the fees we pay here, we could put our kid in a top private school back home."