Husband taking job in Abu Dhabi while family stays in UK

[PinkFridge]

DH has been offered a job in Abu Dhabi. He has to take it, he’s 50 and lost his job a year ago and finding another job has been exhausting.

DCs are mid and late teens so we’re not in a position to go with him. So we’re looking at DH going it alone for a couple of years and then take it from there. We haven’t lived separately before, I have never been to UAE. Any advice on Abu Dhabi, especially in the current climate, the job market there (they are offering big money) and living apart? Thank you

This was the situation one of my friends found herself in a few years back. Her DH went out to Abu Dhabi flying home when he could, and she and their teenage DC spent the school holidays out there. They managed for about a year then decided to move the whole family to Abu Dhabi full time. I think they stayed out there as a family for almost three years, then finally decided to come home because the eldest was starting university. My friend enjoyed the experience but wouldn't have wanted to stay there permanently and is glad they returned.

DH worked abroad in the Middle East, flying back to see us every few weeks. DD and I stayed home for various reasons (didn’t want to give up my good job or disrupt DD’s schooling, not feeling safe as women in that particular country & the fact it was never going to be his ‘forever’ job). Yes, the money was brilliant but it put a huge strain on our relationship, ultimately resulting in divorce. I agree with a PP that the Middle Eastern living like a king/queen lifestyle changes people and DH was no exception. After a few years he had changed beyond recognition.

The problem with that is that many of us criticising the UAE are not 'sheltered ladies', @Jerrybalanitis, but people who used to live there and know exactly what it's like.

But you go on imagining that thinking that it isn't a cluster of feudal dictatorships with a national population bloated by chronic overconsumption where it suits the ruling family to have an apathetic, apolitical, transient expat population who will move on rather than agitate for a more democratic form of government is an indication of 'knowing nothing about the ME' if it's easier for you.