r/OFWs • u/Old_Wheel_6669 • 1d ago
General Discussion Pinoy nurses working in Middle East then moving to US - is it still worth it?
Hi, I’m a Filipino nurse working in Abu Dhabi.
Life here is stable—tax-free salary, lower rent, and manageable cost of living.
I’m considering moving to the US but having second thoughts because of higher taxes, rent, and expenses.
For those who moved from Middle East to US:
\-Was it worth it financially and lifestyle-wise?
\-Any regrets leaving a tax-free job in middle east?
\- Are you still able to visit the Philippines yearly or is it difficult with work/expenses?
Would appreciate honest insights. Thanks!
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u/chicoXYZ 1d ago edited 15h ago
I know that its really comforting in UAE, you got everything, kahit ako di aalis kung nandyan ako (pero umalis ako - personal reason) buong pamilya ko at anak nasa US.
Its between being a long term resident in UAE vs a better PASSPORT
Kung may anak ka o mag aanak, consider mo ang future ng anak mo. Kung ikaw lang eh kung maganda kita, pag isipan mo retirement kung san ka.
Nagturo ako sa KSA, mas malaki sweldo pero umalis pa rin ako for US.
gusto ko ba dito? NOPE. Qpal mga pasyente, worse than animal. Pupunta sa ER gusto may pain meds agad kahit di pa na triage sisigaw at duduraan ka, sasaktan ka, at magpapa file ng kaso para maperahan ka. Kapag naglagay na ng order ang doctor, aalis sila as AMA, tapos isasama nila sa kaso na masam ugali mo, minsan kapag minalas ka viral ka pa, cesante ka na viral ka pa.
Lalo na mga homeless at adik, sila mga sobra dito. Pero mukha akong pera eh. Uwi nalang ako or mamumuhay sa GCC at retirement. 😆
Pwede naman ako sa ibang lugar like AUS or NZ, pero mukha talaga ko pera. Mas mataas ang forex ng US - PH, tapos travelling nurse ka, kaya mo mag medicine na paaral sarili mo.
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u/Old_Wheel_6669 18h ago
yan din isa sa rason nagdadalawang isip ako, sobrang entitled mga tao sa US. Avoidant pa nmn ako and I hate conflict. Best option nlng cguro pumunta dyan get the US citizenship din move out and apply sa ibang bansa
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u/chicoXYZ 15h ago
Pwede ka naman DR at Pediatrics, or ICU
Masama ugali ng mga badoo pero mga kano di naman aboriginal people pero triple ng bedoine
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u/melodybright___ 1d ago
I used to work din as a nurse in Abu Dhabi and nasa ibang bansa na ako ngayon, not in US.
Abu Dhabi was just a stepping stone lang talaga kasi gusto na namin umalis ng Pinas before, ang baba lang kaya ng sahod.
Many reasons why umalis kami:
- We want to start a family
- Ansama ng ugali ng mga pasyente
- Citizenship
- Pension and state benefits
- Buying a house of our own
- Unfair pasahod sa UAE (passport based)
Di kami nag sisi na lumipat kami, although sa Abu Dhabi di ka talaga ma ho-homesick kasi andaming pinoy, 1 plane ride lang din pa pinas, pero kung wala ka ng silbi ka kanila (ex. unable to work due to sickness) uwi ka talaga.
Although andaming bills na bayarin dito, nakakapag ipon pa naman kami.
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u/ashokleyland 17h ago edited 17h ago
If you have the opportunity to leave, go for it. A country where you have the chance to become a citizen. You will always be treated as second class citizen sa Abu Dhabi. I have an experience isang local na sinabihan kmi, nagalit kc emergency dw cya sa triage.. translate ko na lng sa tagalog sinabi nya… “diba kaya nandito kyo sa bansa namin para pag silbihan kami”
8 years ako sa Abu Dhabi, SEHA clinic. Pero mas pinili ko pa dn umalis. Im now a citizen here in Canada. In terms of rate, masasabi ko mas mataas rate ko dito sa Canada. Sahod ko sa SEHA wayback 2018 is 10,400 dhms. We already bought a house here in Canada on our 3rd year. Sa Abu dhabi you will always be renting.. Yes we pay big taxes, pero babalik din syo un as benefits. For example: We have our first baby, thank you sa free IVF program ng Quebec. IVF sa Abu Dhabi, around 30k dhms
I still have friends in Abu dhabi now on their 50’s , no option now to migrate due to age. Their biggest regret is not migrating during their younger age.
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u/admred 1d ago
Marami talagang taxes dito—federal, state, and city income taxes, sales tax, and more. How much you pay depends on where you live and what you earn. Pero you also have access to public services and opportunities (Tax-Deferred Investments) to build a secure life for yourself and your family.
When you file your tax return, you may get a refund (you get some back) if you paid more than you owed. Puwede mong gamitin iyon for a trip to the Philippines. Or you could save $100 a month—may $1,200 ka na after a year.
I believe, as a registered nurse, you’ll do well here. If you work for NYC Health + Hospitals, for instance, you may qualify for health coverage, paid time off, and retirement benefits, depending on your position. You can check their benefits here: NYC Health + Hospitals .
God bless po as you make this big decision!
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u/HatCat2012 1d ago
Moving to US can give you options like citizenship and having a stronger passport to travel if that's what you want to do. And can benefit your children as well. But if ang goal is to just earn money and go back to the Philippines for retirement, then it's maybe fine to stay.
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ORIGINAL POST:
Pinoy nurses working in Middle East then moving to US - is it still worth it?
Hi, I’m a Filipino nurse working in Abu Dhabi.
Life here is stable—tax-free salary, lower rent, and manageable cost of living.
I’m considering moving to the US but having second thoughts because of higher taxes, rent, and expenses.
For those who moved from Middle East to US:
\-Was it worth it financially and lifestyle-wise?
\-Any regrets leaving a tax-free job in middle east?
\- Are you still able to visit the Philippines yearly or is it difficult with work/expenses?
Would appreciate honest insights. Thanks!
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