Relocation to Dubai - What do I need to consider ?

[Kayleigh]

My dh has been offered the chance of a job in Dubai. We have already ruled out him working away, so the other option is for me and the kids, ds1 7 and ds2 4, to go with him. It would probably be a 3 year contract.
My first instinct was to say "No way" but when I think about it I feel that this could be a really positive thing to do. So I am now doing my homework. If I start to even consider a move to Dubai, what do I need to know and be prepared for ?
Are there any mumsnetters living in Dubai ? I would love to hear the pros and cons. What is the standard of living like over there? Are there good english schools ?

my BIL his wife and their two boys (8 and 6) have gone out for a 3 yr contract too, building that underground hotel tunnel thing....
They love it
Early school starts, think they said 7.30am home early, nap then got out swimming at 5 then dinner.
I think the schools mostly are excellent, my dp went to the Dubai Englaish Speaking school and he is very well spoken and clever
Will drop SIL an email if you like and ask her for some comments?

There's a pretty large Brit Expat community in Dubai, if you go live near Jumeirah, yes your children can get a very good British education (ege GCSE's etc).

As far as I know it's pretty relaxed, and you can get most things you get here over there (does that make sense).

Gosh I envy you, I'd like to live there for a while at least, the shortened days here are begining to get on my nerves already!!!LOL

you need a personal license to buy alcohol so FIL has just emailed me
And wine is equiv of £13 oer bottle for ordinary stuff, but with all that tax fee dosh well....
I would go if we were offered.

There are some good English schools and companies usually will pay for your children to go to the one fo your choice. dh's aunt used to teach at a couple of them several years ago. She's still out there, running her own business now and about to buy an apartment in one of the tallest buildings being built atm. We visited about 10 years ago and it has developed wildly since then.

Excellent standard of living (cheap cleaners and nannies), which revolves around Beach Clubs, shopping and trips to the desert as far as I can tell but obviously you also have to continue your usual lifestyle (food shopping, doctors etc), which can be hard to establish wherever you move to, and fit in with the local culture. I've known a few expats who have moved on from there and they loved it. Main difficulty with youngish children is the heat and dryness, and adapting to living without certain things.

hth

my friends live out there with their 2 kids, we hav ebeen on holiday there andI wold say go for it... it is fab very much to do for kids... very geared around families in order to attract tourism... very safe, low crime, I would go!

Wow, this all sounds very positive. I guess I need to tell dh that he can go ahead and find out more about the job

piffle, I would love you to ask your SIL for some more information as she sounds like she is in very much the same situation as me. I will speak to dh and see what questions he has then maybe you wouldn't mind putting them to her. It may not be till he has spoken to the job agency - but I will definitely get back to you. Thanks so much.

Kayleigh I will be sad if you go.

So you will have to invite me for a visit

My sister went there on her honeymoon, said it was fantastic.

You could look at Expatwoman.com

anorak, please don't start panicking yet. The chances of this happening are very remote. But I said I would get some info so that dh would know whether he should persue the offer seriously. At this point it could definitely all go t*ts up. Especially if they can't keep me in the manner to which .... !!

ooh thanks SueW, that's got some great info on it. And they do meet-ups too

hi i have a 13 year old and moving to dubai, can anyone let me know what life for kids is like there? what the schools are like, whats the best type of school to go for? will they have a better life there then in uk with kids of similar age, what activities are available.
also as a mum what kind of things i can do or what jobs may be available for us part time etc? pls any advice is greatly appreciated. many thanks al