Is it madness to move (to Dubai) with a baby?

[Makingitupasigoalong13]

Bit of background. DH and I are from very different parts of the country. Currently in London and had been considering moving within the next year to be nearer to at least one of our families (his). I've been homesick since dd was born (now 8mo) but as we're never likely to move close to my family (lack of jobs etc), feel like i need to just get over it. We have to move out of London as can't afford a house here with enough space for kids.

A flight is a flight in my mind, so whether we move somewhere in the UK or internationally it's all the same to me in that I won't be 'at home'. (Appreciate there are variations on this - Australia is a lot further than Europe and lots more issues to consider e.g. time differences).

Anyway, my question is this: is it mad to move countries with a 1.5yo in tow, and to potentially have a second out there? We've always discussed the possibility of doing a relatively short stint abroad (2 years max) and thinking that now could be the time as (1) bit bored where we are but not necessarily ready to 'settle down' near my dh family (2) wouldn't need to sort schools etc and would be back by the time dd starts school in the UK. However, am I being too simplistic? Is it silly to plan to have another when we're out there? Would I be bored rigid with two very young children in a very hot country? Dubai is on the cards for job reasons but obviously if we really started to look into a move I'd want to go on holiday first to make sure i liked it (have been before with work but only for a few days).

It's entirely possible that I'm just fed up where I am and haven't considered all the potential downfalls of an international move, but would appreciate any advice MN can offer as feel a bit lost if I'm honest!

There are 1,000's of expat families in Dubai with small children. Plenty of hospitals to give birth in. Great doctors, great care, it's really no problem. There is lots to do, especially with small children. Numerous music, dance, sport, crafty classes.
Granted, the summer months are hot, but life just moves indoors then.

Dubai is fine. We have nurseries, schools, parks, museums, Waitrose, M&S. Everything you could want including cheap travel to amazing places. Fancy holidays in India, Thailand, the Maldives, Nepal? All local ish.
Do bear in mind it is a hideously expensive place. Many landlords require one years rent up front. Nursery education is the same cost as private school. Medical is all done via insurance. Cars, petrol and water are cheap.
There are many threads on here about Dubai, whilst we try to help we often get shouted down by extremists with their idea of what happens here, informed by a newspaper article written 5 years ago by someone only here for a few days.

Don't go out to visit until
November, it's flipping boiling. The weather is beautiful November-April though, and if you're going to be a SAHM you can just clear off in the summer to stay with your parents/in laws etc. Loads to do with kids and very easy to meet people and make friends.

I'd say go for it! there will never be an easier time. Lack of school places makes everything a little harder.

Flipping hot is about right. Rent a cottage in Devon in the summer and do not contemplate spending 3 months at your mother's or in Laws under any circumstance. Ever. Have them come over in 2 week rotations at the max!

Thanks all for really helpful advice. .i originally thought that going when DD was a bit older and in school would be better as then she'd have more fun/ better memories etc...but from everything I've read here it sounds like schools are just an added complication.

TBH the thought of having to stay with my mum/ IL for 3 months a year would be a reason not to even consider a move...my heart sinks at the thought of it (I love them really but 3 months is a loooong time)! Love the suggestion of a cottage in Devon.

We're just starting to think about logistics etc but in an ideal world I'd manage to work too so not sure how people manage during the summer if both parents work? Presumably whatever childcare we had arranged for 'winter' would still be available during the hot months, just without the option of going outdoors to play. Sounds pretty intense, but then I'm used to a very cold climate where you wouldn't really hang about outdoors in the winter for long unless you wanted to catch your death, so maybe a similar situation in reverse.

Thanks for the advice re holidays in November - really good point. I visited in September last time...seem to remember Dubai being marginally more manageable than Kuwait and Riyadh, but still pretty insane.

I guess my biggest concern is homesickness, but ultimately we won't know how we feel until we do it, right?!

Most nursery's offer summer camps, so are basically open during the holidays.

It's not impossible to have two working parents in Dubai, but it's not very easy as employers are often not very flexible. Many people chose to employ a live in maid/nanny. She can take care of the children and the house during the times you can't.

Dubai is very child friendly. It's easy to meet Mums and other children and there are lots of fun things to do for little ones. The weather during summer is an issue. I am currently pregnant with nr 2 and will pretty much be stuck in Dubai for the summer. Lots of soft play, trips to the cinema and summer camp for my LO in July and August. It's not ideal, but there are plenty of other Mums around. Even during Ramadan you can find places to take your LO where you can have a coffee too.

Hi I don't know about moving with a child but I moved to Dubai when pregnant and there have been lots of opportunities to meet other pregnant ladies/mums. I'm actually on bed rest now so can't do the meet ups but plan to post baby. Healthcare has been great too x

There are plenty of nurseries geared up for working parents, open from 7am to 6pm taking babies from 4 months (maternity leave is very poor here) up to 5 yrs. They are expensive though, a friend paid 60,000dhs a year for full time, open all year round nursery that followed a "British" curriculum. There is no legal alternative to a childminder though, a lot of families manage by employing live in help (very rare to have one that drives) and children come home from nursery on a mini-bus.

Plenty of Aussies out here and Tim Tams in every supermarket (I guessed you're an Aussie??)

Australia isn't really cold in winter.