[LifesGood]

DH was contacted by a headhunter the other day regarding work with a couple of well known airlines in the UAE. He said he wasn't interested just at this point, but it got me thinking - would we move to the UAE to live for a few years?

We have lived in London pre-kids, which is not the same thing at all, and were contemplating going back there, or to Singapore/Hong Kong/Shanghai if opportunities arose. We have many reasons not to go, ageing and unwell parents at the top of the list, but I have always been put off the UAE because of how restrictive and risky the life there seems.

WDYT? Would/do you live there? Have you lived there?

[raven74]

My aunt, uncle and their (then) two small kids (5 and 7) lived in the UAE for two years. They lived in an expat compound at the time. They moved freely about though the women had to wear a hijab and abaya when out in public - 20 odd years ago though.
They loved the experience, made a ton of money and don't regret it one bit.
ETA: Jewelry. OMG, the beautiful jewelry, the gold. My aunt got some stunning pieces so cheaply!

This post has been edited by raven74: 16/02/2013, 04:06 PM

[kpingitquiet]

I wouldn't, but mostly for climate reasons. Adelaide is about as hot/dry as I could ever handle long-term. I used to live on the edge of the Mojave and that was murder...I moved within a few months.

I don't know anyone in Qatar but do know a few people who have lived in the UAE quite happily, at least for a short-term arrangement.

[Old Grey Mare]

I go into total meltdown at anything above 25 degrees, so it would be a big "No" from me.

[Procrastinator50...]

I couldn't do it. You're always inside in air conditioning, going from either home or to the mall. Everything seems so manufacturered and detached from nature. The climate (weather plus dust) looks just horrendous.

Having said that, I've only heard happy reports from people who have lived in Dubai or Oman, so..

[opethmum]

I would not live there at all. The risks are just to great for westerners. Of course they would like to provide a great lifestyle and get you living in a bubble but I could not endorse living in a country that has poor work rights for their poorest citizens and immigrant workers and the gap between rich and poor so great and their legal system being highly subjective.
Not to mention the restrictive religious freedom too even if you do not believe in anything you can effectively be put to death for your views.

[Maple Leaf]

No I wouldn't. Really have no interest in living in the UAE.
The following article was a bit eye opening for me.


http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commen...ai-1664368.html

[~sydblue~]

If it were just me and DH, yes probably. With girls that will turn 9 & 14 this year though, nope. Not a chance.

[Procrastinator50...]

Oh yes, and the slavery and racism.

[YellowKittyGlenn]

One of my close friends grew up in Dubai and mi Ed to Australia when he was 19, another friend goes there every year for a month both report good things.
Both have said no issues with having to wear head coverings for women or clothing choice you just need to make sure you observe religious things, my friend who goes over every year got in trouble last year for drinking water in public during a period of fasting or something along those lines.
Both have said the heat is a different type of heat. I want to go and if I liked it wouldn't have an issue with living there