Why move to DXB...?

[Roop]

SWMBO and I are currently in Dubai visiting family and are thinking of moving over. We currently live in Switzerland and fancy a change.

What's the craic over here...? Looking for pro and cons. Cost of moving out here, bureaucracy etc. What else is there to do bar eat, drink and piss about...? Anyone brought their pets...? We have two dogs and a cat.

What's the cost of buying a house...? A villa in the Lakes or maybe out at A.Ranches. I don't mean cost of the house but more the cost of buying (admin, municipality, broker fees etc). Are all houses shoddily built...? I haven't seen a decent one yet...?

Most important I guess is the job market. I'm a Business Analyst, IT Project Manager, Test and QA management in banking but can turn my hand to pretty much anything provided it's interesting. I'm not expecting a Geneva salary, but what's realistic...? What can I expect...? What to look for apart from a bulletproof contract...? Any contacts...? Places to start...? Gulftalent...? Direct with companies...? Who is out here...? I see TCS have a presence - others...?

Plenty of social out here which we don't get in CH but seems there's an awful lot of ex-pat wkers lording it up as well. Tell me it's not totally full of fking chumps you just want to punch.

No plans for it to be long term unless we really like it, but should be a good craic for a few years.

Any info appreciated. Cheers

[Gaffer]

Surely your Tom can give you a lot of the answers..?

Life out here is what you make of it, you can do loads or do nothing, spend loads or spend very little.

Lots of places nearby or a short flight if you want to get out for a holiday.

You might be able to bring the FiveHundy over as well and get it registered through the Sharjah Classic Car Club (you didnt mention her but that must surely be an important factor...!!!)

C xxx

[Roop]

Gaffer said:

Surely your Tom can give you a lot of the answers..?

Life out here is what you make of it, you can do loads or do nothing, spend loads or spend very little.

Lots of places nearby or a short flight if you want to get out for a holiday.

You might be able to bring the FiveHundy over as well and get it registered through the Sharjah Classic Car Club (you didnt mention her but that must surely be an important factor...!!!)

C xxx

Thanks for the info Claire. Yes, I can get a lot of stuff from Tom, he's been here donkeys now. His situation is a bit different though - self employed and all.

Just want to get as many views as I can really to try and build up a good picture of the place.

Wouldn't bring the RS500. Too much hassle, and there's just a handful of people I trust to look after her, none of which are here, plus there's no a/c in her...! Did you bring a car over or just buy one...? If the former, what was the approx cost...?

Been a great visit but still need more info...!

Anyway, what do you actually do here for a job...?

[Gaffer]

I am the Service Manager at a British owned garage.

Trying to get mine over but they are too new.

Have a few TVRs out here that I look after though.

gulftalent and networking is the main way to get a job out here from what I can tell.
Villas, don't have any experience, most people live in Springs / Ranches or Barsha or if in an apartment JLT or Marina.

Cars are cheap, I got Simon a Lumina SS which is basically a rebadged Holden Monaro

Check out dubai.dubizzle.com for villas and cars etc that will give you some idea of prices.

[Roop]

Great stuff. Thanks for the info, much appreciated...! Already looked on dubizzle and gulfjobs. Got a few contacts out here to follow up. Will see how it goes.

Still not convinced it's for us hence the demands for info, but this all helps improve the picture.