Moving to Dubai?

Bes · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:10

Hi,

Does anyone here live in Dubai? I have worked there and Abu Dhabi in the past about 3 times for a couple of weeks at a time, but was not overly impressed. Admittedly,I was there to work and apart from going to the Emirates Mall and looking at a few tall buildings, didn't do loads.

Basically an opportunity has arisen at work A colleague reckons I have a chance of getting it if I apply. It is a much better/ higher up job than the one I have now, but would mean being based out of Dubai and working in the ME a lot. I currently live in Greenwich and like it here, (only moved here in June), but the opportunity to earn a lot more money tax free, and have a more senior role in the company is kind of tempting.

Obv missing friends, family, etc is the big thing.

Any opinions on how Dubai is to actually LIVE in?

Thanks

Skidder · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:19

I've worked there on and off over the last 10 years but also never for more than a few weeks at a time. A few of my colleagues made the move permanent and found life to be OK (sweetened by the lack of tax). There is a big expat community feel with big nights out and so on, so making friends should be easy. Presonally I don't like the place at all and my girlfriend, now wife, always needed to be in London for her work so I was never tempted by any of the offers. If I had been a bit less tied down and could have done a fixed few years tax free, may be.

Xelene · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:23

How old are you? Do you have family ties in the UK? If you're in your twenties and have no kids then i'd say it's a no brainer.

Edit: it's only a 7-8 hour flight to come home.

Bes · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:27

I am 27, married, but no kiddies and none on the horizon for a while yet. I think my wife is more keen than me! She's never been there though.

She speaks 4 languages so imagine would have decent job prospects out there.

sanaxe1 · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:29

Bes said:
I am 27, married, but no kiddies and none on the horizon for a while yet. I think my wife is more keen than me! She's never been there though.

She speaks 4 languages so imagine would have decent job prospects out there.

Do it!

Xelene · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:31

Then go for it. Living abroad is a great experience - especially at your age(s). I lived in Hong Kong and Tokyo for a year or two at your age and no regrets.

jas72 · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:33

No. I'm not moving to Dubai.

Although I was talking to someone at the weekend who lived there for 8 years and loved it.

Ohh Edit: Just thought have a good talk about pensions etc before you go. Loads of expats here in Belgium go back to UK to find everythings screwed up because they just left the UK without thinking about coming back and their NI stamp etc.

Good luck...

Not sure how the wives get on out there though don't you have to do everything separately. Thought they even have 2 ramps to the shopping center for some reason.

Efour · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:33

I would do it, if it goes wrong you can always get back to Blighty with a nice nest egg if you live "sensibly."

I don't think there is really much to stay in the UK for in the next ten Years,

Bes · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:33

Well this is it, the tax free savings and earnings boost would make the amount of money I & O/H could save for a house or something back here immense.... Job includes healthcare, car allowance, and property allowance too.

Efour · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:35

well good luck mate enjoy Christmas with the family and come the new year, a new life.

Bunka · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:35

Bes said:
Well this is it, the tax free savings and earnings boost would make the amount of money I & O/H could save for a house or something back here immense.... Job includes healthcare, car allowance, and property allowance too.

No brainer tbh. You'll regret it if you don't go.

Mason- · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:36

At 27 do it!

You will only think 10 years down the line "what if?"

sanaxe1 · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:36

Bes said:
Well this is it, the tax free savings and earnings boost would make the amount of money I & O/H could save for a house or something back here immense.... Job includes healthcare, car allowance, and property allowance too.

if you don't go your a coward a big fat coward!

Phate · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:37

Dampcat did it, speak to him

Xelene · 27 Oct 2010 at 15:38

Well, in your twenties and earning a lot of money tax free there's a couple of choices:

a) live like a king, see the world
b) save hard and set yourself up

I don't think either are bad choices, but a nice stint in the middle east will set you up for either.