Dubai - Work move - Pros and Cons
- Thread starter SpeedFreak
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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
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?
Depends on the work. They are very family oriented people. But again it depends on the industry.
If your wife has hobbies she should be able to do all of them there and take up new ones too.
It's not THAT far under 7hrs or so... But. Yes less easy than popping round at the weekend. Speaking as someone who has family spread around the world, you get used to it and appreciate visits more.
This.
Whilst I enjoyed my swift visit to Dubai, I'd not want to live there, I don't think I could ever see it as "home".
I certainly wouldn't be making the decision without spending a fair amount of time out there before uprooting the family though!
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.
I'm not insular, I am very much open to other cultures and traditions, but Dubai seems like a scary place if you get on the wrong side of the law, and it isn't something I would personally want to risk.
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Just don't break the law then! 
Just don't break the law then!
Think I have my countries mixed up anyway, my main prompt was that guy who was going to receive lashings for carrying alcohol in his car, but that was in Qatar. Other things I've read may have been elsewhere in that region, not in UAE.
Seems I needed to teach myself some geography with Google...
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My brother currently lives there, moved there last year for work from the US, he took his wife, kids and the dog.
He tolerates living there because of work. He passionately hates the drivers on the roads and the road system itself, everything is pretty expensive and the weather is either just about right or melt your shoes hot! But he did say that he'd prefer to be back in the USA as the quality of life is so much better there.
The kids kinda enjoy it but his wife hates it. She gets up in the morning, takes the kids to the American school then goes home to bed for a few hours before going for the kids again
The dog is miserable due to the heat so he can't get a proper walk at all
My mum and I went out last November to visit. Got to say that now I've been I probably wouldn't go back, even with the family there (that's coming from someone who went to Houston 7 times to visit the family)
He tolerates living there because of work. He passionately hates the drivers on the roads and the road system itself, everything is pretty expensive and the weather is either just about right or melt your shoes hot! But he did say that he'd prefer to be back in the USA as the quality of life is so much better there.
The kids kinda enjoy it but his wife hates it. She gets up in the morning, takes the kids to the American school then goes home to bed for a few hours before going for the kids again
The dog is miserable due to the heat so he can't get a proper walk at all
My mum and I went out last November to visit. Got to say that now I've been I probably wouldn't go back, even with the family there (that's coming from someone who went to Houston 7 times to visit the family)
I have no interest in going to Dubai, but I'll take you up on that beer. Next time I'm in Bristol, I'll give you a shout
I live in the UAE, may I ask what your monthly salary will be? The cost of living has increased substantially, rent, utilities and food has increased massively. There is NOTHING free here, everything costs money!
They just doubled our AC bills, electricity and water bills over night!
There will also soon be 5% vat.
If you have kids I would be seriously concerned about their level of education, If I have children I will not educate them here, the standard is too low. I also could not imagine what type of person I would be if I had grown up in the uae.
They just doubled our AC bills, electricity and water bills over night!
There will also soon be 5% vat.
If you have kids I would be seriously concerned about their level of education, If I have children I will not educate them here, the standard is too low. I also could not imagine what type of person I would be if I had grown up in the uae.
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dem muslamic inspired laws etc..
Only problems I can think of are rather small compared to the benefits.
Can't kiss your missus in public. Not something I go out of my way to do but knowing I couldn't would make me want to. I only mention that as I recall reading a story of a couple going to prison for it.
Sun exposure. Higher risk of health issues?
Different people to mix with... Isn't dubai like London Very popular to foreigners? Could he good to get away from the people you are use to though.
Although 50% more money would be a suitable reason to sacrifice 2 years for IMO. Does that 50% include all the living costs and other stuff you mentioned that are covered? Could be more than 50%. Family might love to visit you in dubai.
Ferrari world?
Can't kiss your missus in public. Not something I go out of my way to do but knowing I couldn't would make me want to. I only mention that as I recall reading a story of a couple going to prison for it.
Sun exposure. Higher risk of health issues?
Different people to mix with... Isn't dubai like London Very popular to foreigners? Could he good to get away from the people you are use to though.
Although 50% more money would be a suitable reason to sacrifice 2 years for IMO. Does that 50% include all the living costs and other stuff you mentioned that are covered? Could be more than 50%. Family might love to visit you in dubai.
Ferrari world?
Lol to the people who are saying they wouldn't live there but have never even visited the damned place.
Swear to god this forum absolutely makes me cringe with some of the most ignorant and stupidest comments made by some in here lol.
Swear to god this forum absolutely makes me cringe with some of the most ignorant and stupidest comments made by some in here lol.
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Rent, utilities and education costs are included. Annual Salary with bonus would be low 6 figures in GBP. Education is my biggest question really. Presumably there are a core of decent schools? I can't imagine all are poor. I wouldn't go without confirming a place in a good one.
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You're currently earning £500,000+ per year in the UK? Nice!!
May I ask what you do? Banking in London? You could save a pretty penny if you're earning over a million pounds per year in Dubai. Don't forget that there is no income tax to pay, which means that you're likely going to be making around 100% more, given that all your rent and utilities are also taken care of. Seems crazy to turn it down, in my opinion.
EDIT: 66% of £1 million is £666,666, not £500,000. Oops.
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You're currently earning £500,000+ per year in the UK? Nice!!
You could save a pretty penny if you're earning over a million pounds per year in Dubai. Don't forget that there is no income tax in Dubai. You're likely going to be making nearly 100% more, given that all your rent and utilities are also taken care of. Seems crazy to turn it down, in my opinion.
Typo, meant 6 figures lol.
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It's surprising how quick you get used to the heat. Unfortunately I'm completely broken now so can probably never go back to Ireland.
It can get very hot in summer time, lowest temperature is about 30°C in the middle of the night and approaches 50°C during the day!
Even still. No personal income tax means that you'll be taking home £8,500+ per month. With no rent and utilities to pay, I would imagine that you could save at least half of that per month, which is £4,250. Two years of saving £4,250 per month would add up to £102,000. That would make for a wonderful house deposit (20% on a £500,000 house, for example), or a nice nest-egg for investments.
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I worked with 10+ people that had all lived and worked in Dubai for the same company and came back.
I asked why as I had the option at one point, They said it is a fantastic place and a way to save a silly amount of money and live a great life. However every single one of them said as soon as they had a family they wanted to come back for the sake of the kids futures
saying its paradise for a bachelor but not the place for a nice relaxed family life
I asked why as I had the option at one point, They said it is a fantastic place and a way to save a silly amount of money and live a great life. However every single one of them said as soon as they had a family they wanted to come back for the sake of the kids futures
saying its paradise for a bachelor but not the place for a nice relaxed family life