Relocation to Dubai

[Billyboy]

Anyone done this or know anyone who has? any thoughts greatfully received. I'm very keen to do this and my partner could probably get a job there quite easily, but he feels its not fair to kids - aged 8 and 3yrs. Any advice?

A friend of mine and his wife moved to Dubai a couple of years ago (he's a pilot with Emirates) - absolutely love it. They don't have kids though..

My mates emigrated there 3 years ago and love it - we went on vacation there this year to see them and think it is fab - place is made for kids - loads to do for them. Downside is the heat - they have to come back for 2-3 months every summer as it just unbearable. Also, slightly bizarre socirty - very segregated and very aspirational - not sure I would be able to cope with it for long - want to slap some people there who had lost touch with reality due to huge wages enabling them to buy anything and treating people, especially 'maids' like slaves..

MancMum - are the schools good there?

State schools were quite poor according to friends - they pay (about 3K a year each kid) - most of the expats send kids to private schools.

My friend is a SAHM and she loves it - great lifestyle but finds friendships don't last long as people always leaving - average stay there is only a couple of years - only just possible now to buy property there (and v expensive). Her DH finds working out there hard - very competitive and stressful - he would come home tomorrow but they stay as she and the kids have a good life - they got an expat package (company pay for nice house on a good complex - swimming pool etc...) I think that makes a difference...

From what people said and I saw, I think Dubai would be good place to live for a couple of years but is not a long term option - was quite interesting the lack of kids over the age of 11 - most parents seem to return once kids get to secindary school age.

What does your DP do ...

He works for an airline here so could probably get job with Emirates.

We saw the houses that Emirates own for expat workers - really nice and right next door to the school my mates kids go to .... The emirates building is quite interesting as well - built in the shape of a plane!

Good luck!

dh's aunt lives there and it is a nice lifestyle but with its compromises, as with any expat placement. However I think you need local sponsorship (ie. a job or placement) before you meet entry requirements. There are international schools and cleaners etc are pretty cheap.