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Original poster

Would you live in Dubai ?

159 replies

Lardlizard · 17/02/2020 13:00

?

OP posts:
YgritteSnow · 18/02/2020 12:46

Oohh love a brunch @paperpens! Grin

RightSwipe · 18/02/2020 12:48

Dubai threads always kick off on MN.

Sorry to derail slightly, OP, as my point isn’t about living in Dubai...but I’m interested to know from the people who wouldn’t visit for moral reasons whether they extend that to all countries that aren’t essentially ‘safe’ western democracies?

I can totally see why someone wouldn’t fancy Dubai, but the moral outrage always strikes me as a bit sanctimonious.

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 18/02/2020 12:50

Yes, would love to on a short-term contract - not to up sticks and live there permanently. Personally, I love the way of life there and feel very safe out in public.

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 18/02/2020 12:58

Why don't you consider Bahrain instead, OP? A member of my family worked there for many years, only coming home in the school holidays. I visited several times - it is even more liberal than Dubai - you can buy alcohol from special shops without a permit, etc. - if that is something which is important to you.

Canapes · 18/02/2020 13:28

Why don't you consider Bahrain instead, OP? A member of my family worked there for many years, only coming home in the school holidays. I visited several times - it is even more liberal than Dubai

Did the violent crushing of a mass pro-democracy protest in the recent past entirely pass you by? Or is your definition of 'liberal' limited to the free purchase of beer?

Bagofoldbones · 18/02/2020 13:31

Love a Dubai brunch! And you can literally wing it so you can go out every night for free if you look for the ladies nights Grin

My daughter lives there through Emerates. She loves it. Very expensive though

Bagofoldbones · 18/02/2020 13:32

Personally, I love the way of life there and feel very safe out in public

This. Is the cleanest and safest place I visit

maddy68 · 18/02/2020 13:50

Yes, I have several friends who live there and they love it

tara66 · 18/02/2020 14:00

I bought and owned a flat there for 10 years. I have to say - the traffic is awful!

NewInTown08 · 18/02/2020 14:13

Mainly no. I used to live in Qatar and yes, the modern day slavery is awful. It's not something I would like to see on a daily basis again.
The heat is oppressive. I like the change in seasons.
The good points are that it is very safe. A lot less drug use than other parts of the world (especially good if you have teenagers). And I'm sure if you have the opportunity to go, the money must be good.

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/02/2020 14:21

Dubai threads always kick off on MN.

Why are there so fucking many of them? There are MNers in Canada, USA, China, South America, loads in Europe, Australia. But none of them spend half their life trying to convince the rest of MN it's great and to move there. I have a very cynical side and I wonder why the UAE MNers are so keen.

BusterGonad · 18/02/2020 16:04

Good things. Cars are tax free. We bought a brand new one. It was great. In the UK I drove a L reg and panicked every year the mot was due. I won't opolgise Canapes for enjoying a better life that I could only dream of, our take home wage was more than both our wages put together and I didn't work in the middle East. My son went to one of the top schools in the country and received an amazing education. I wonder what all the posters earn that say people who work on the middle East are money grabbers. I wonder if they've ever worried about an mot or worried if their boilers going to pack up and how they can afford to replace it when it does. I bet they don't. I know 100% that if my family get a better life in the middle east than any where else then I'll be there.

BusterGonad · 18/02/2020 16:06

Oh and canapés, that was my feelings, not necessarily a typical expat, and I wasn't in Dubai you fool.

Greenglassteacup · 18/02/2020 16:07

No way

BusterGonad · 18/02/2020 16:08

And there were plenty of gay people, no one gave a shit tbh.

Mrsjayy · 18/02/2020 16:10

My friends sister lives there, they live a glam ex pat life though the kids go to a brittish school they all do the brunchi g and golf clubs and moan about Ramadan as if it is an inconveience it just looks a strange place to live .

Waitingfordennis · 18/02/2020 16:17

Doesn't appeal to me one jot but I have a friend who lived there and loved it. That said she's very into spa's, shopping and lunching which I'm definitely not...

BusterGonad · 18/02/2020 16:19

I'm not a lover of the whole brunch thing, I think I only went to 2 in 2 years. I pretty much lived my normal life style but visited some wonderful countries and drove a nice car. My son loved his life, and still misses it 3 years later.

BigPinkFlower · 18/02/2020 16:48

And you can literally wing it so you can go out every night for free if you look for the ladies nights

So you go out as bait for men?

I no longer go to Dubai as I started to feel very uncomfortable , the last time a couple of years ago there was an English woman in her late 20s with a friend at the pool. I think she was a teacher- she worked in a school
Male parents kept sending her gifts- one turned up at night at her flat with macarons. The school told her just ignore it
She has to tell her employer in advance where she was going at the weekend, if any parents had been at the hotel pool she was required to leave- no socialisation.
Had to observe ramadan- as do the European hotel staff at the Jumeriahs

There was an incident at the pool with a group of local young men. Swearing, facing timing and filming people whilst sitting in the children's splash pool. Someone went to get security who just backed off when they saw her they were- I assume the owners of the super cars that were at the front. They were challenged by a couple of European holiday makers and it looked like it was going to get very nasty.

AbsentmindedWoman · 18/02/2020 18:02

Taking notice of small minded armchair warriors giving anyone advice is lunacy......especially if anyone bases their future on their 'knowledge'.
OP, if you are interested join the Facebook group 'Brits in Dubai' and if it pertains to you 'British Mums Dubai'.

What do these wholesome, successful, normal British mums do if one of their children comes out as gay while they are all living in Dubai?

How would you not fear for your child's life and wellbeing?

Do none of them have LGBTQ family members or friends?

It must take cognitive dissonance to dismiss the appalling abuse of women in Dubai, to reassure yourself that nothing bad will happen to you, because you're a lovely normal British mum - as you're married and respectable.

If you have any LGBTQ family I just don't see how you can suspend your disbelief of reality in any meaningful way.

Shutupanddance1 · 18/02/2020 18:13

Did live in Bahrain for a while - came back to Ireland after a few years.
It’s just not for me - I’ve met some lovely people but the whole westernised lifestyle out there is very much keeping up with the neighbours and false.

We ignored it and managed to get married and put a deposit down on a house we love - which we just wouldn’t have been able to do if we didn’t go there.

That being said - the healthcare was fantastic while having my two kids so they do some things right.

Bagofoldbones · 18/02/2020 18:21

And you can literally wing it so you can go out every night for free if you look for the ladies nights

So you go out as bait for men?

No I’m married. But I can enjoy going out with my friends for drinks with out having to cop off - why can’t you? Confused

BigPinkFlower · 18/02/2020 18:29

No I’m married. But I can enjoy going out with my friends for drinks with out having to cop off - why can’t you?

Because most places that offered ladies nights- where women are lured in with cheap or free drinks to be picked off as bait by men realised that it was unacceptable in a modern society and stopped them.

Women are not there to be bought- they can get their own drinks- they don't need to be eye candy for men.

Hilton not only stopped them but apologised and agreed it was degrading to their female guests- who couldn't use the bar facilities when staying in a certain hotel on ladies night as they were pounced on by men (not in Dubai in London)

Inkanta · 18/02/2020 19:26

No, not even for a holiday - because of male dominance and poor attitude to women.

ALongHardWinter · 18/02/2020 19:27

No way.