Page 9 | Meant to be moving to Dubai in 4 weeks

SG1FirstTimeWatcher · 02/03/2026 19:48

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:53

I knew it was in middle east Gulf and obviously Iran is in that area too but I hadn't studied the map in great detail until today.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

Dh going to speak to his work tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't send him if it escalates

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I had no idea how close to Iran it was

Why not? Surely when you plan to move somewhere (let alone even visit) you look and see where it is on a map???

corblimeyguvnr · 02/03/2026 19:45

Meltdown247 · 02/03/2026 19:41

Wait until all the people mocking OPs terrible Geography realise that cheap holiday in Turkey is the same place that shares a border with Iran, Iraq and Syria!

Where they go to get their teefs done 😂

corblimeyguvnr · 02/03/2026 19:44

chugalugme · 02/03/2026 18:24

Feels to me that there are a lot of people posting on here who don't actually know very much about Dubai, or the UAE. I am here at the moment. The sounds of missiles being intercepted is scary, but the country has been very well protected, and life is relatively calm. Some of the messages on this chat have been more hysterical than what I have witnessed in the last 3 days. I think it is easy to conflate the level of drama at the centre of the dispute i.e. Iran/Israel, with the more peripheral drama. Of course I am not saying moving here should be without question, but I don't think we need the moral posturing and pot stirring on this chat. There is a very normal life to be had here. It isn't all about sitting by the pool and glamour.

They're not interested in the realities on this thread. It's just a wind up to talk about other people. I once had a woman working in M and S say to me " rather you than me" . How rude would it have been for me to say " rather you than me" to working behind an M and S till everyday?

AlexiaH · 02/03/2026 19:43

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:42

We've been planning a move to Dubai for a while now. Dh's work has an office out there and it seemed like great opportunity to live abroad and experience sth different. I've got a couple of friends out there already too who love the lifestyle.

Watching the news for the past 24 hours and I'm really starting to question things. I had no idea how close to Iran it was and who knows what might happen next. Part of me is hoping it will all be resolved soon but hard to believe.

My friend who already lives there has spent the night sleeping in one room with her dh and kids scared of all the missile noises.

With all due respect how have you gone through life being unaware of the endless conflicts throughout the region?
Gulf War
iran iraq war
syria

Meltdown247 · 02/03/2026 19:41

Wait until all the people mocking OPs terrible Geography realise that cheap holiday in Turkey is the same place that shares a border with Iran, Iraq and Syria!

corblimeyguvnr · 02/03/2026 19:40

KWaldron · 02/03/2026 19:02

The airport has been bombed, and this is just the start.

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No it's not really.

Hereforthecommentz · 02/03/2026 19:25

It's fine trump said it will be over in 4 weeks. Perfect timing

KatiePricesKnickers · 02/03/2026 19:06

KWaldron · 02/03/2026 19:02

The airport has been bombed, and this is just the start.

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Probably closer to the end than the start.

LadyAvgeek · 02/03/2026 19:02

Has DH's employer not given him a briefing on what to expect, laws and local customs, etc? They have a duty of care. Only 4 weeks before you're supposed to be moving to Dubai and you've only just looked at a map. As someone who used to give travel briefings in a previous job, I'm concerned. Okay, your friend may have given you an insight into life out there but it's far different. Did you know you can be prosecuted for posting fake news on social media?

Sorry if this is a little strong but life out there is not as portrayed in those reality TV shows. I know people from UK who live in Dubai. Yes, they work hard and are well rewarded but they also understand and abide by local laws.

Good luck and hope you enjoy what can be a positive experience.

KWaldron · 02/03/2026 19:02

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:53

I knew it was in middle east Gulf and obviously Iran is in that area too but I hadn't studied the map in great detail until today.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

Dh going to speak to his work tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't send him if it escalates

Show quote history

The airport has been bombed, and this is just the start.

SillyBry · 02/03/2026 18:49

AllJoyAndNoFun · 02/03/2026 14:25

My concern is that the UAE hasn't really had any access to gas/oil for some time, so they have really sold their morals down the stream to cash in on the tourist/expat dollar.

This is just wrong. Abu Dhabi has loads of oil and a really low cost of production (one of the lowest globally). Dubai doesn't have oil but never has, hence the decision to base its economy on other industries like international finance, which it has done with some success.

You are right. Sorry, I know Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have gas and oil. I mistyped putting the UAE as I was soley thinking of Dubai.

thanks for keeping me honest!!

ForNoisyCat · 02/03/2026 18:47

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:42

We've been planning a move to Dubai for a while now. Dh's work has an office out there and it seemed like great opportunity to live abroad and experience sth different. I've got a couple of friends out there already too who love the lifestyle.

Watching the news for the past 24 hours and I'm really starting to question things. I had no idea how close to Iran it was and who knows what might happen next. Part of me is hoping it will all be resolved soon but hard to believe.

My friend who already lives there has spent the night sleeping in one room with her dh and kids scared of all the missile noises.

Even if binning gas stopped It’s likely your DH firm won’t allow the move and may need to repatriate existing staff.
I guess DH has had/ will have comms from your HR/relocations team? You can check travel advice from
foreign commonwealth and development office. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. FCDO is a ministerial department, supported by 10 agencies and public bodies .

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office

tenderbee · 02/03/2026 18:40

Poppinjay · 01/03/2026 16:52

@Medesres, if you're considering moving to a country, wherever in the world it is, please, please, do yourself a favour and do some proper research.

There are many, many aspects of live that aren't necessarily obvious but could have a huge impact on your wellbeing if they aren't what you were expecting.

For start, you could create a new thread in which you ask MNers who have lived there what everyday challenges they faced and what they wished they had known beforehand.

These places may look amazing and the stories you hear can make them sound very attractive but normal life isn't necessarily going to feel anything like them.

This is quite helpful for the OP.

LakieLady · 02/03/2026 18:38

NotThisAgain1987 · 02/03/2026 18:10

I can 100% believe someone moving to Dubai didn't know it was close to Iran, I'd bet a fair amount of them can't even identify Dubai on a map. You either have to be completely morally bankrupt or very ignorant to move to a place built on slave labour and exploitation in the modern day.

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I agree.

It scores a paltry 35 on the Human Rights Index, which puts it well towards the bottom of the list when it comes to human rights.

I can see it's difficult if you're in a job where you can be posted anywhere in the world, and have to choose between your conscience and paying your bills, but my late DF worked in petro-chemical construction for decades, mostly overseas, and twice changed jobs rather than be posted to any of the Gulf states.

He once agreed to go to Saudi to sort out some specific problem, but only for 3 days.

JuniperKeats · 02/03/2026 18:32

A place with appalling civil,human and female rights.

Not sure how you could contemplate moving there.

loislovesstewie · 02/03/2026 18:29

NellieJean · 02/03/2026 18:13

I was thinking of emigrating to Australia but at the last minute I found out it was literally on the other side of the world. I mean who knew.

I knew a family years ago who emigrated to Australia. I kid you not, 2 weeks later mum and 2 kids had returned . Dad and 2 kids stayed. Apparently it wasn't what she expected. I mean 2 weeks is hardly enough to settle, is it? The last I heard that's how it stayed.
Another one who did no homework.

NotThisAgain1987 · 02/03/2026 18:25

NellieJean · 02/03/2026 18:13

I was thinking of emigrating to Australia but at the last minute I found out it was literally on the other side of the world. I mean who knew.

I fancied Florida but I got to the.airport and realised it was in the US!! Who knew?!

TerracottaWorrier · 02/03/2026 18:24

A lot of very snotty people on this thread acting like they've all executed several successful international relocations. Going on holiday isn't the same thing, smuggers.

chugalugme · 02/03/2026 18:24

Feels to me that there are a lot of people posting on here who don't actually know very much about Dubai, or the UAE. I am here at the moment. The sounds of missiles being intercepted is scary, but the country has been very well protected, and life is relatively calm. Some of the messages on this chat have been more hysterical than what I have witnessed in the last 3 days. I think it is easy to conflate the level of drama at the centre of the dispute i.e. Iran/Israel, with the more peripheral drama. Of course I am not saying moving here should be without question, but I don't think we need the moral posturing and pot stirring on this chat. There is a very normal life to be had here. It isn't all about sitting by the pool and glamour.

angela1952 · 02/03/2026 18:23

HandfulOfMoths · 01/03/2026 15:47

It’s hard to be objective because I’d hate to live there anyway. What I would say is the situation is not going to be resolved quickly. The whole region is destabilised. YABU to not have known what countries surround where you are emigrating TBH.

My DH worked in the middle east for many years but we decided early on that he'd just visit to work (for two weeks up to three or four months) rather than move the family there to live. I can't understand why people would chose to move to live in most of the countries in the area at any time, but particulary not in the current political climate.

wellstopdoingitthen · 02/03/2026 18:23

LadyMacbethWasFierce · 01/03/2026 16:01

The only 2 aspects of your post that are unreasonable are (i) the fact that you are only starting to question things (rather than ruling it out entirely) and (ii) the fact you did not realise how close to Iran it was. I totally understand that geography is not everyone’s strength, but surely if you are considering relocating to a different country you would educate yourself about where in the world it is?

I am not saying this to be unkind. But I do think it’s so important that people (and I am really focussing on women here) are not passive observers in their own lives. Moving abroad is a big thing. Even more so if you have children who are dependent upon you for their safety and security. It’s so vital to take ownership of your decisions and that can only happen through being fully informed.

In answer to your primary question - in my view the only reasonable thing to do is to cancel the move.

This
I have a friend who moved there last year with her husband and two young daughters; her husband has a new job there. They are devout Christians and they were struggling with the setup there. I think they are deeply regretting the decision to move (although it’s only a 2 year contract). She messaged me over the weekend saying that they were literally paying the price for being wooed by an attractive pay packet and sunshine.

It has never appealed to me for all sorts of reasons that have already been expressed here.

Bloozie · 02/03/2026 18:21

I can't believe it didn't enter your head at any point during the decision making process that you were considering moving to such a powder keg region. That you had no idea it was so close to Iran. Have you ever looked into Dubai's human rights profile? The slaves that built the compounds you and your husband were planning to move to. Have you looked into women's rights? On paper, women can vote, drive, own property, work, and get an education – in practice, some of these require approval from their male guardian. Your male guardian can withhold your passport. Domestic violence is legal and there's no such thing as spousal rape. There is a legal age of consent - but in practice, a girl can be married off as soon as her period starts if her guardian gives permission.

Ex-pats hide themselves away from a lot of it by living in gated compounds (built by slaves) that offer a Western-style environment. It's a dirty, dirty place.

Dubai and parts of the Middle East haven't been 'glamourised' so 'everyone' wants to move there. Just the hard of thinking/wilfully ignorant. I wouldn't even consider going there on holiday.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but I feel like you need a bit of a reality check. Starting with, next time you commit to moving somewhere, at least look on a bloody map.

NellieJean · 02/03/2026 18:13

I was thinking of emigrating to Australia but at the last minute I found out it was literally on the other side of the world. I mean who knew.

NotThisAgain1987 · 02/03/2026 18:12

flashgordon87 · 02/03/2026 13:58

I was speaking with a friend about Dubai a few weeks ago and she asked if I would ever consider moving there. We were talking about emigrating in general and got on to Dubai and how popular it has become. Anyway, my response was - no way, it's too close to Iran for my liking. Fast forward 2 weeks............
I just could not live in a country in such a volatile region of the world. There will never be peace in the Middle East - wars & conflict have been ongoing in that region all my life and no amount of luxury, tax breaks, missile defence systems or sunshine would convince me other wise.
Do you have children OP? Are you planning on having children? If the answer is yes to either question, after this weekends events, I would seriously be reconsidering. Your friends loved their lifestyle - this was before Iran decided to start launching missiles over their heads.

Iran and the USA and Israel it isn't a one way situation

NotThisAgain1987 · 02/03/2026 18:10

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 01/03/2026 15:54

YABU to be four weeks for moving to a country you know almost nothing about. How didn’t you know where it was?!

I can 100% believe someone moving to Dubai didn't know it was close to Iran, I'd bet a fair amount of them can't even identify Dubai on a map. You either have to be completely morally bankrupt or very ignorant to move to a place built on slave labour and exploitation in the modern day.