Dubai - Work move - Pros and Cons

SpeedFreak

SpeedFreak

SpeedFreak

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So, I have the possibility of moving for work. Long and short of it is that the financial package is a 50% pay rise plus all accommodation and core living costs are covered. I have a wife and three young children. Education for my children would also be paid for.

In a nutshell, what are the pros and cons of spending two years living in Dubai?
 
Education is pretty good if not excellent there depending on the school, so I don't get that comment.

I'd jump at the chance. Sounds like a great opportunity. Dubai is a pretty cool place too.
 
Okay it's not for you, but you're unfairly judging somewhere in very generalistis terms. Have you lived there or even been there?
 
a1ex2001 said:
Not a location I'd screw up my kids education for!
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Haha. Ignore comments like this.

My dad has lived there (well, Abu Dhabi) for 6 years and he enjoys it. Pay is good, obviously, and there's naturally a big ex pat community with plenty going on. Most preconceptions you have are Saudi Arabia, not UAE. Women sunbathe in bikinis on the beaches, walk along the front in hot pants and most restaurants have unlimited booze menus.

They're constantly building new schools including leading independent schools (which I assume would be an option). The UK-based Cranleigh are opening or maybe have already opened a UAE branch on Saadiyat.

I lived in Malaysia when I was 10 and went to school there, certainly wasn't the best school but the experience was life changing and there's more to educating young people than the curriculum - living overseas will give them so much, even if it's a bad experience though I'm sure it won't be!
 
Russinating said:
Haha. Ignore comments like this.

My dad has lived there (well, Abu Dhabi) for 6 years and he enjoys it. Pay is good, obviously, and there's naturally a big ex pat community with plenty going on. Most preconceptions you have are Saudi Arabia, not UAE. Women sunbathe in bikinis on the beaches, walk along the front in hot pants and most restaurants have unlimited booze menus.

They're constantly building new schools including leading independent schools (which I assume would be an option). The UK-based Cranleigh are opening or maybe have already opened a UAE branch on Saadiyat.

I lived in Malaysia when I was 10 and went to school there, certainly wasn't the best school but the experience was life changing and there's more to educating young people than the curriculum - living overseas will give them so much, even if it's a bad experience though I'm sure it won't be!
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Now there's a far more balanced and fair post. UK education and GCSE/Alevel isn't the be all and end all of education.


Dubai has so much going for it, lots of things to do and see, and the weather is great though it does get a little too hot even for me in the summer. However there are so many things to do there it's great.

The package they are offering sounds great too. It would be a good way of saving up a fair chunk of cash too when/if you go back to the UK.
 
Just seen you're in Bristol, let me know if you want any indepth info over a beer. Like I said my dad lives there and I've been there 5 times to visit him so a bit off the tourist trail (as well as doing that!).
 
Freefaller said:
Have you been?
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No but its not somewhere I would want to live. I haven't been, but I have read very little positives about *living* there. Their laws are incredibly backwards in places. Unbelievably so.

I'm sure I would be a great place to spend a couple of weeks if its your thing however.
 
I lived in Abu Dhabi for primary 5-7. I loved it and think it added a lot to my education and upbringing.
I went to the Amercian Community School of Abu Dhabi.
Lifestyle was good, we had a boat, there were lots of ex pat activities and lots to do. It was very safe and we had a good lifestyle. My father also enjoyed it a lot and has said that perhaps it was a mistake returning to the uk.

On the other side, my mother hated it. She couldn't work, all the mothers did was get drunk all day and get dosed up on anti depressants. She had an awful time after a car crash which was terrifying in terms of how the male police treated her.

So yea, there's good and bad. On balance id say do it. Even if it's for a couple of years it'll be a great education for your kids.
 
Yet more and more people go to live there, have a good quality of life and return there. But most of the people I know who live, have lived there are more open minded. Other than needing a sponsor they live a good life there with good prospects. For 2/3years it's a heck of an adventure, and financially beneficial. Plus you get a good dose of cultural education and give your kids an opportunity to experience living elsewhere. I know I was lucky to have lived in a few countries including the Middle East so for me it is more natural and less alien I guess. I just don't like insularity and find it such an odd behaviour trait.

Ahleckz I think women can work now as a friend of mine teaches there. :) you need a no objection letter from your husband and a work permit, but it is possible. Though whilst it is an Arab country with Arab culture, it is progressive and an exciting place to be.
 
How long ago was that Ahleckz? I don't personally know any women out there but there's certainly loads of female workers in the tourist/leisure industries etc and I'm pretty sure my dad has female colleagues in his office as well. Was it not allowed back then it was it for other reasons?
 
Thanks for the input so far. To be honest, in my view it is an easy decision but I maybe should have posted on Mumsnet as I probably need a more female oriented perspective :p

I need to be comfortable that if we went, my wife would enjoy it. The difficulty is that she is incredibly close to her family. That would be the biggest hurdle to overcome. There therefore needs to be incentives beyond the financial to make the move.

What are people's experience with the work/life balance?
 
My parents have lived there for years, my sister has lived in Abu Dhabi for a few years too, I've been to both multiple times and have always loved it.

I know the money is fantastic, and there's plenty of ex-pats to keep you entertained in a whole host of activities. During the summer it can be pretty intense - you will find you spend 23 hours a day in an A/C building/car/shopping mall because it's too hot outside. However, winter is lovely, just the right heat.

As for education, they always seem to be building schools, and you could always enrol your kids in a British International school - my mum used to teach at one and the standards are significantly higher than your average school here in the UK.

As for the laws - yes they can be a bit strict, but don't go poking a tiger with a stick and you won't get bitten. Just follow traditional British morals and you will be fine.

I don't really see any cons to this, especially if it's just for 2 years. Go for it, only live once and it's an experience for the whole family.
 
Yea, it was a while ago. We left in 99! Doesn't feel that long ago. I imagine it's a lot more inclusive now. Just wanted to give my experience.
 
SpeedFreak said:
Thanks for the input so far. To be honest, in my view it is an easy decision but I maybe should have posted on Mumsnet as I probably need a more female oriented perspective :p

I need to be comfortable that if we went, my wife would enjoy it. The difficulty is that she is incredibly close to her family. That would be the biggest hurdle to overcome. There therefore needs to be incentives beyond the financial to make the move.

What are people's experience with the work/life balance?
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Family ties confuse me with regards to moving. You're only ever 20 hours away from anywhere else. Dubai? 8 hours from the UK. Plus the extra money could mean a flight back every six weeks! Plus Skype et al.
 
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