Views on life in Dubai
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've been tapped up about a good opportunity in Dubai starting in spring. Deal includes accom, car, flights, medical etc. and the salary is decent too.
I've looked into the place as much as is possible by tinterweb and as I don't know anyone who's lived out there I was hoping I could get some honest feed back about what day to day life is like after the initial excitement has died down.
Thanks for any inputs.
Cheers,
Hitch78
I've been tapped up about a good opportunity in Dubai starting in spring. Deal includes accom, car, flights, medical etc. and the salary is decent too.
I've looked into the place as much as is possible by tinterweb and as I don't know anyone who's lived out there I was hoping I could get some honest feed back about what day to day life is like after the initial excitement has died down.
Thanks for any inputs.
Cheers,
Hitch78
Hitch78,
About the same as everywhere to be honest. Are you coming as a single person or with family?
The work regime is pretty hectic and fast with the associated long hours (some, not all jobs). Pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafe's etc are a plenty if you are into that sort of thing. Also a s
te load of shopping malls so you can mouch your way around them. Lots of cinema's too and not too far behind in terms of release dates.
Other than that, there is feck all else to do. Depends what sport you are into. There are gyms, watersports, basketball, rugby and football clubs etc.
There is not a hell of a lot to see, unless you are into sand and desert. Life can be pretty mundane unless you have a good circle of friends who like doing things. However, doing things here costs money.
About the same as everywhere to be honest. Are you coming as a single person or with family?
The work regime is pretty hectic and fast with the associated long hours (some, not all jobs). Pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafe's etc are a plenty if you are into that sort of thing. Also a s
te load of shopping malls so you can mouch your way around them. Lots of cinema's too and not too far behind in terms of release dates.Other than that, there is feck all else to do. Depends what sport you are into. There are gyms, watersports, basketball, rugby and football clubs etc.
There is not a hell of a lot to see, unless you are into sand and desert. Life can be pretty mundane unless you have a good circle of friends who like doing things. However, doing things here costs money.
totally depends on your mentality, everyone i know and hang around with loves it here, myself included, I think to get the most out of the region you have to be open to making friends and putting yourself out there to try new things...if you do then there is loads to do...where ever you go things cost money, its life!
If you are the type of person who's willing to go out and do things then there is loads to do, mountain biking, sand boarding, surfing, scuba diving, go karting, healthy motorsport calender, golf, tennis, sunbathing, shopping, swimming with dolphins, water parks, ice skating, squash, bowling, (you get the idea!) all sorts of world class events to see from golf tours to powerboating to redbull air races... there are loads of bars and clubs catering for every kind of person... nothing to do...pah!
There is a hell of alot more to do than Leeds (where I came from), I know that much...you just have to be willing to pull your finger out to do em.
there is a club called evolve.ae too and thats like a mini pistonheads site for dubai, alot of its members frequent here too, nice guys...one thing I have picked up on though is that the forum seems to be filled with a "glass is half empty" attitude about dubai at the minute, which to be honest has put me off going on there...but having met a couple of the guys in person I can say that the ones I have met seem to be really nice, kind people so dont let that put you off.
Oh and with regards to work, I worked 37.5 hours a week back in the uk, my contracted hours are 45 here but I often do more, I honestly have not noticed the difference in the longer hours, I think its because everyone in the office works the same hours as you so you dont feel like you are missing out by working longer hours...thats the way I see it anyway!
Dont get me wrong, there are downsides to the area, but trust me, having recently come from the uk in sept/oct myself, I can honestly say these downsides are nothing compared to those of living back home, this is something i think that those who've lived here for an extended period may of lost sight of leading to looking at the area a touch more negative than those who've just arrived. Also I think because things are changing here and the deals are not as sweet as they used to be and that the culture is slowly alligning with western society the things that established expats came to love about the region are changing.
just my 2p from a fairly green expat...
Oh, should add.. I went home for christmas and by the end of my time home I was practically jogging through the airport I was so keen to get back to Dubai!
If you are the type of person who's willing to go out and do things then there is loads to do, mountain biking, sand boarding, surfing, scuba diving, go karting, healthy motorsport calender, golf, tennis, sunbathing, shopping, swimming with dolphins, water parks, ice skating, squash, bowling, (you get the idea!) all sorts of world class events to see from golf tours to powerboating to redbull air races... there are loads of bars and clubs catering for every kind of person... nothing to do...pah!
There is a hell of alot more to do than Leeds (where I came from), I know that much...you just have to be willing to pull your finger out to do em.
there is a club called evolve.ae too and thats like a mini pistonheads site for dubai, alot of its members frequent here too, nice guys...one thing I have picked up on though is that the forum seems to be filled with a "glass is half empty" attitude about dubai at the minute, which to be honest has put me off going on there...but having met a couple of the guys in person I can say that the ones I have met seem to be really nice, kind people so dont let that put you off.
Oh and with regards to work, I worked 37.5 hours a week back in the uk, my contracted hours are 45 here but I often do more, I honestly have not noticed the difference in the longer hours, I think its because everyone in the office works the same hours as you so you dont feel like you are missing out by working longer hours...thats the way I see it anyway!
Dont get me wrong, there are downsides to the area, but trust me, having recently come from the uk in sept/oct myself, I can honestly say these downsides are nothing compared to those of living back home, this is something i think that those who've lived here for an extended period may of lost sight of leading to looking at the area a touch more negative than those who've just arrived. Also I think because things are changing here and the deals are not as sweet as they used to be and that the culture is slowly alligning with western society the things that established expats came to love about the region are changing.
just my 2p from a fairly green expat...
Oh, should add.. I went home for christmas and by the end of my time home I was practically jogging through the airport I was so keen to get back to Dubai!
Edited by Mark.H on Tuesday 6th January 05:58
Well said Mark,
However, being an expat here for 4 years, once you have seen most things, it tends to get pretty mundane. I suppose the same can be said for any country, for you, it is still new, for me BAH! hahahahahahaha
I have said this many times before and say it again, Dubai is not paved with gold as most think, it is a hell of a place to come to, but mostly superficial. Also, it is a transient place, people come and go, so when you do meet a great bunch of people, often it is not for long (I experienced the same in Hong Kong) therefore you become somewhat guarded.
Anyways, besides the point. To the OP, yes, plenty to do, it all costs money. Life is fast and hectic, everything you do will sometimes appear slow (depends who you deal with) and the level of mentality/effort can be frustrating.
YOu must be able to interact with all forms and walks of life. Communication is a major factor.
If you are getting everything provided, then it cannot be too bad, esp with the exchange rates as they are. Cars are somewhat cheaper and so is the go-go juice needed to run them.
However, being an expat here for 4 years, once you have seen most things, it tends to get pretty mundane. I suppose the same can be said for any country, for you, it is still new, for me BAH! hahahahahahaha
I have said this many times before and say it again, Dubai is not paved with gold as most think, it is a hell of a place to come to, but mostly superficial. Also, it is a transient place, people come and go, so when you do meet a great bunch of people, often it is not for long (I experienced the same in Hong Kong) therefore you become somewhat guarded.
Anyways, besides the point. To the OP, yes, plenty to do, it all costs money. Life is fast and hectic, everything you do will sometimes appear slow (depends who you deal with) and the level of mentality/effort can be frustrating.
YOu must be able to interact with all forms and walks of life. Communication is a major factor.
If you are getting everything provided, then it cannot be too bad, esp with the exchange rates as they are. Cars are somewhat cheaper and so is the go-go juice needed to run them.
Been here a while too and I'm with 'Humbug' on this one!
Just wait 'till you have had 5 or more visiters come to see you (parents, siblings, friends etc) and take them all to the waterparks, desert safari....it gets boring after a while
And it is expensive to live here if you are not on a full package. Very expensive.
Oh, and it gets hot too
These Noobs don't know what'll hit them in May Yorky 
Just wait 'till you have had 5 or more visiters come to see you (parents, siblings, friends etc) and take them all to the waterparks, desert safari....it gets boring after a while
And it is expensive to live here if you are not on a full package. Very expensive.
Oh, and it gets hot too
These Noobs don't know what'll hit them in May Yorky I pretty much agree entirely with mark's sentiments. I loved the place.
But...
What yorkie said rings true, not for me but for a lot of people I know who've spent a good few years out there, it does get boring. I got a bit fed up of the constant building sites and the traffic which makes london look appealing when you go more central, but other than that I love the place. So much to see and do, and I personally think it's a huge shame that most ex-pats out there don't even scratch the surface.
Don't forget it's not all about Dubai, it's nestled in a lovely part of the world (unless you have an aversion to sand, but think of it like a big beach, just don't get too carried away with the rumpy pumpy...). There's loads of places worth visiting, it's a region well worthy of exploring.
But...
What yorkie said rings true, not for me but for a lot of people I know who've spent a good few years out there, it does get boring. I got a bit fed up of the constant building sites and the traffic which makes london look appealing when you go more central, but other than that I love the place. So much to see and do, and I personally think it's a huge shame that most ex-pats out there don't even scratch the surface.
Don't forget it's not all about Dubai, it's nestled in a lovely part of the world (unless you have an aversion to sand, but think of it like a big beach, just don't get too carried away with the rumpy pumpy...). There's loads of places worth visiting, it's a region well worthy of exploring.
oilydan said:
Double Humbug!
im going to crawl in the fridge and not come back out till Sept when its the hot season.
Every time I meet someone who's been out here a while always claims the hot season is a month longer than last time I heard...May is the earliest claim I've heard yet! As far as im concerned if its over 45degrees its hot, anything below that is fair game...and yes I have experienced that kind of heat before...I wouldnt say its enjoyable but for me I prefer it to the cold of blighty.
Cheers guys - fairly balanced views and probably what I expected.
I doubt I'd be out for more than 2/3 years so boredom isn't really an issue. I live in Birmingham at the moment so it couldn't get much worse and to be fair the UK is hardly the most happening place to live at the mo.
I've got a meeting about the oppotunity later in the week and have been offered a 4/5 day taster trip before I have to decide for sure so I'm pretty relaxed about it all.
Time wise it looks like I'd only be heading out in May - best get losing some weight to cope with that heat then!
I doubt I'd be out for more than 2/3 years so boredom isn't really an issue. I live in Birmingham at the moment so it couldn't get much worse and to be fair the UK is hardly the most happening place to live at the mo.
I've got a meeting about the oppotunity later in the week and have been offered a 4/5 day taster trip before I have to decide for sure so I'm pretty relaxed about it all.
Time wise it looks like I'd only be heading out in May - best get losing some weight to cope with that heat then!
Hitch78 said:
I've got a meeting about the oppotunity later in the week and have been offered a 4/5 day taster trip before I have to decide for sure so I'm pretty relaxed about it all.
Time wise it looks like I'd only be heading out in May - best get losing some weight to cope with that heat then!
Take the chance to come out here, i think it'll be a good experience for you. I think im the only person in dubai not to be carrying around the "dubai stone" everyone puts on a few pounds on out here.Time wise it looks like I'd only be heading out in May - best get losing some weight to cope with that heat then!
Are you all singletons / couples - or do any of you have kidders out there with you?
I have a couple of job oppurtunities and have been looking into it for some time. Was there last week and spent a few days visiting offices and sightseeing....it's the wife and 2 year old I'm worried about - I'll be fine!
I have a couple of job oppurtunities and have been looking into it for some time. Was there last week and spent a few days visiting offices and sightseeing....it's the wife and 2 year old I'm worried about - I'll be fine!
JCB123 said:
Are you all singletons / couples - or do any of you have kidders out there with you?
I have a couple of job oppurtunities and have been looking into it for some time. Was there last week and spent a few days visiting offices and sightseeing....it's the wife and 2 year old I'm worried about - I'll be fine!
Have wife and 2 kids. Both kids born here, youngest is 1, oldest is 2 and a bit.I have a couple of job oppurtunities and have been looking into it for some time. Was there last week and spent a few days visiting offices and sightseeing....it's the wife and 2 year old I'm worried about - I'll be fine!
Loads to do for kids, massive play areas in all the mall and even some specialist converted villas etc.
Just make sure your schooling is included; nursery is about $20million a week and proper school is more. And most decent places have long wait-lists (our oldest was on the local school wait list for 2010 at 6 months old, and was No. 20) although these are getting better as half the population loses their jobs and skips the country!!
- no just the 1 in the end. Etihad were pretty good and didn't bother charging for the 8kg baggage excess. Nice empty flight too, is AUH-LHR always quiet?Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff