Can anyone tell me about Dubai? Very tempted...

[wonderstuff]

I'm a teacher, and it seems I can earn what I do here over there but tax free and get accommodation paid for, which would allow me to save enough over a few years to pay off all my debts and come home with a decent deposit for a house.
But don't know if dh would be able to get work? He is in sales and doesn't have a degree. What would he do? Are nurseries good? Expensive?
It seems to be an opportunity too good to pass up, given that we aren't really going to win the lottery.
Advice? Thoughts?

Bump

have you read the TES forum on international schools?

Have you ever been there?

Have you ever lived abroad?

Dubai will be a massive, massive culture shock (although I'm not sure the words culture and Dubai should really go in the same sentence )

Hmmm.
Do not even consider coming here until you have afirm job offer in writing
Also, find out what your accomodation allowance will be. If it's just the pair of you, a two bedroomed apartment will cost you anything from 175, 000 to 250,000 dhs per year (divide it by 5.4)
Dubai is not as abig a culture shock as you'd think TDWP, it is however, incredibly dusty, incredibly beaurocratic and INCREDIBLY expensive - even more so the pound is so weak.
The financial crisis has hit here in a big way tbh, but that shouldn't affect you or your Dh, as long as he doesn't want to work in Real Estate or the finance sector.

any questions, please ask away!

Crikey!! We could certainly do with some good teachers out here. Education is always a huge topic.

Agree totally with escape Dubai is becoming more and more expensive by the day.

Nurseries are expnsive and not usually covered by your benefits package. Additonally most of them seem to finish at 1 or 2pm. There are some that go on till 5 or 6 pm. Likewise a number of them work to the school term so they are closed during the summer and school holidays. For example one nursery is 10k dhs per term!

Have a good look at www.expatwoman.com it will give you a good idea of teacher opinion, parents views of schools and the cost of everything including where to live.

Agree with escape, ask away if you have any questions.