To ask if you've moved from the UK to Dubai?

[NoChella]

Everyone seems to love Dubai, I've heard nothing bad whatsoever about the Expat lifestyle. Has anyone made the move? Or more importantly has anyone not made the move and could you give advice as to what made you choose not go please?

I miss the sea Happened. Where are you now?

Zimmerzammerbangbang we love love love al ain!

Nochella, some excellent advice from FarFar. I agree with everything she says.
We lived there between 2003-2011. There is a settling in period and it isn't all wonderful, but overall I really enjoyed living there. Financially it has set us up for life. That's because we were well looked after by DH's employer and we did not fall into the Dubai lifestyle trap and we mixed with like minded normal people. I made the most wonderful female friendships; people who filled the gap of not having family around - watching out for each other's kids etc.
If you do decide to go, schools are the first thing to sort as there is always pressure on places, but there are good school in Dubai.
One downside is that the population is very mobile and you are constantly having to say goodbye to friends, upside is I now have friends on every continent and a much more international and multi cultural outlook.
It is a bit of a bonkers place with a certain amount of Disneyland thrown in. It's still a building site, the driving is bonkers and there are elements of human rights and labour laws you may find distasteful. But Dubai is a place that tries really hard to constantly better and develop itself. There is still huge ambition and excitement about the future. you don't need to leave in the summer, but most still do. You will want a family holiday and to visit friends and family back home.
We returned as we knew we wouldn't stay till DS had finished school and didn't want to leave mid GCSE's. DH followed later.

Zimmer I'm in Western Canada now.

The 'permission from your DH' thing... the PP is right, it is about permission from your sponsor.

I sponsored my DH when we lived in Dubai. He had to get permission (Letter of No Objection) from me to be able to work, get a driving licence, etc.

I hate reading all this nonsense about Dubai from people who spend far too much time reading the Daily Mail.

For some reason the mention of Dubai brings out the pearl clutchers. Ehh, I lived a very ordinary, suburban life there for a few years. It was fine. I made friends with other ordinary expats, we had Saturday afternoon bbqs, and looked after each other's kids when we had to go to the dentist. I went to the supermarket, I had the odd night out, I worried about my baby teething. I did it all in warmer weather, and drove a bigger car. Wouldn't want to have stayed for ever because it will never be home, but I had a happy time there and made some great friends.

Happening we have friends from there and that part of the world sounds amazing.

I love Al Ain but there are very limited job opportunities here for professionals (unless you're in education). That's probably part of the charm though - you don't get the Dubai city slickers :)

I remain haunted by an article I read a few years ago about the Africans brought in to construct the many high rises in Dubai. Their passports were confiscated and they were paid an absolute pittance in horrendous conditions. However they could never get their passports back and as now illegal workers, the authorities were not interested in helping these men return home. They ended up living in squalor under motorways and similar camps with zero hope of ever returning home and stuck with horrendous working conditions.

I could NEVER visit nor stay in such a place constructed on such abject and immoral misery

Add to that their attitude to women and you have created a little corner of hell on earth as far as I'm concerned.

I'm in Qatar and it's ok, tbh I find it incredibly boring, I'm not a brunchy nails manicured label wearing type of person, I don't like paying £7 for a pint and I detest being hounded around the shops by helpful staff, all they want is your money in their tills! I refuse to pay to visit the beach and as much as the weather in winter is beautiful to actually enjoy it you've got to drive everywhere and the roads are hell, you can't really walk anywhere as it's not catered for people that enjoy a stroll, and you have to cross dangerous roads without pedestrian crossings. The schools are ok but if your child has any sen then look out!
The food shop is astronomically expensive, and I don't even buy the expensive uk brands, the choice is depressing! The clothes shops are always about 20% more costly than the uk, but sometimes you can get a bargain if you're lucky.
What I do like about it is the weather when it is just right, the pool in our compound, cheap takeaways, chilled out life, the wages are great, the holidays we've been on have been amazing.

Buster - I was in Qatar (for a long time) - Dubai/UAE is very different but it's hard to explain how. Free (central) beaches with lifeguards, cheaper grocery shop (although more choice so my food bill probably went up), less traffic (and yes I have been in Dubai in rush hour) and everything just works so much more smoothly (yes Dubai people you won't believe this but your bureaucracy is easier) - it's easier to find people to do stuff and there's online delivery and all sorts. Same issue with the SEN point although in general the schools are better

I never thought I'd turn into that person dissing Qatar but I would have to be offered a LOT of money to move back to Qatar now. Still take it over the UK any day though!

Ahhh, I thought as much zimmer, we did think about going to Dubai but its home for us, it's funny how you miss the seasons, the British sense of humor, I really really miss the British sense of humor, that is the hardest thing for me and I miss things to do that doesn't involve a shopping Mall! 😂

Hey OP how are you getting on, did you get a good offer?

Buster I survive the Gulf by staying away from shopping malls as much as humanely possible (although that gets really hard in the summer when you're trying to entertain kids). We're lucky in that we love camping and for about six months of the year there are excellent opportunities for camping in this part of the world. I know it's not for everyone though - you need to find your thing that keeps you sane. It is there somewhere. It also takes a very long time to build up close friends (or for me it does anyway). I've been in the UAE a year and whilst I have friends and they're great people, I don't yet have anyone I'd class as a really good friend. For me it takes years to get to that stage with someone.

I spent the weekend in Jumeirah Beach Residency in Dubai. That felt like London on the sea (and in the sun) to me. (Although saying this, I have no desire to live in London!)

Hi farfar thanks for asking :) still waiting on the offer but they've been in touch to reassure me that it's on its way.
Still swinging back and forth, it's difficult to give the decision much time without knowing the figure is they're going to offer so am just waiting on them really!

exciting stuff NoChella

if they need a little prompt it is worth bearing in mind that ramadan starts on may 27th so if they haven't pulled their finger out by then it might take even longer to a) make the decision b) the move will be slower as things slow down an awful lot then due to reduced working hours and daylight fasting.

on your point about feeling overwhelmed by it all - completely understandable. i'm a massive organiser so i had an excel spreadsheet of everyone i need to tell (bank, council tax, insurance etc etc etc) and i worked my way through it a few people at a time each day. it was all really easy in the end! good luck and keep us posted :)

farfar I've sent you a PM