Dubai, Johannesburg, Bangkok or Singapore?

[HumpheadWrasse]

We're in the very early stages of thinking about next year's assignment. DH's work have told him that these are the postings which are likely to be on the table, dependent on his fit for the roles available etc. I've not lived in or visited any of these cities before. I did spend six months in South Africa and really didn't enjoy it, but that was over 10 years ago so wouldn't like to put too much weight on that. If you have any experience of these cities, do you have any that you would/would not recommend? Any that you'd say 'no way' to? If I'm going to put my foot down over any of them, I really need to do it now before the process begins in earnest. At the moment I'm feeling a little lost!

I live in Asia

Singapore is very expensive to live in, and you need a very good package. Do you need schooling, if yes, that is an issue too, as places are tight in Singapore. We are currently gripped by a pollution haze, which is much much worse than previous years, so I am a bit down on Asia generally.

Dubai- similar budget required to Singapore, and schooling also an issue. Many people have a problem with Dubai due to women's rights etc, but I know many people who have lived there happily for years.

Bangkok- good expat community, less "full on" than Singapore or Dubai IMO.

I don't know J'Burg at all.

Where are you now?

Fatowl again beat me to it

Singapore if the package allows for sure ( very easy first posting if you have never been an expat). Bangkok otherwise, and TBH it is no lesser version at all.
Dubai, personally not unless there was no other way out and J'Burg never unless I had family ties and then again....

Watching with interest as Dh is in the process of being offered a Singapore package. It's supposed to be very expensive though so I hope it's a good package! I have a 3 year old and a baby so no school needed yet.
Johannesburg has also been thrown around which I quite fancy butdont know a lot about...

I love living in Abu Dhabi/Dubai. Would certainly choose it over Bangkok or Jo'Burg. DH is South African and doesn't like Jo'Burg as there's too much crime.

However, if you do take Dubai school starts for kids at 3.8 years old, and the waiting lists are long.

DPIL have lived in 3 out of the 4 in the past 10 years, not lived in Bangkok.

We've just moved from Singapore to not far from JHB and are really loving being in SA. Singapore felt very stifling at times and the people in SA are a hell of a lot more welcoming that in Singapore.

What's your family situation? If DH and I had the choice (mid 20s/early 30s, no children and not planning on them for a while) I would hands down pick Bangkok.