Am I coming or going ?

[AE82GT]

Hello chaps,
I've been in Dubai for almost 4 years now and am faced with a tough choice.
Having started my own business in Jan, things are not going too well, it's not
total car crash but I don't see it going anywhere fast.

I've got funding for another 6 months but am very close to comming back to the UK.
The question is do I stick it out or go home, and If I do is the UK going to be worse than
my current position? I would add I'm sick of living here and despite the clement weather
it's actually an oppressive place to live!

What would you do given the choice? I don't have a particular trade, i'm just a good old fashioned
entrepreneur / wheeler dealer.

Ta very much.

[Mattt]

You didn't say what the business does? It has some relevance to the Q.

[Ecosseven]

I don't know what business you are in but it sounds like you have had enough of Dubai. If things aren't going well at work and you aren't enjoying living in Dubai then perhaps it is time to move on. I am currently living in Abu Dhabi and if I'm honest don't really enjoy it. The work is interesting but I don't have much of a life outside of work and will probably move back to the UK at some point next year.

[Mattt]

April for me, new tax year - I think most ex-pats have their up days and down days, you just have to force yourself sometimes.

I was stuck just in the cycle of home-work-home, with not much to do - but I joined up to the Golf club and I'm learning to play, then going to the gym, and swimming/relaxing in the jacuzzi and I feel a lot better for it, even if I'm on my own it still gives me something to look forward to at the office.

[Harris_I]

Do you blame all your problems on others? I take it back home the Polish took your job and the blacks caused all the crime in your neighbourhood.

It looks like Dubai is clearing out all the trash in one go. Good riddance.



EDITED TO SAY: NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO ZOUNGAIR'S DESPICABLE RANT TO WHICH THIS POST WAS A RESPONSE (AND NO DOUBT SOMEONE OBJECTED SO THE CHAP IS SINBINNED OR SOMETHING), BUT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT INTENDED TO RESPOND TO AE82GT'S ORIGINAL POST! GOOD LUCK, AE82GT, WHATEVER YOU DECIDE....

Edited by Harris_I on Saturday 10th October 12:42

[AE82GT]

Thanks chaps, although in theory my business should work, we had a no go from a top 6 family for there Wasta so I know approvals will be "yes, yes, yes" when i;m in the municipality but when it comes to the crunch it will be a no go.

Half the business was made up of private developments and half in roads, the roads side is going on regardless but the development stuff is dead. Like the Matt said sometimes you just have enough on one day and I've had those but now I think it's time.

Really not looking forward to the weather mind you, or getting a job - But REAL people will be nice!
I'll let you know how it works out !

[Mattt]

Did you have the right people on your side, and were your bribes big enough?

[AE82GT]

Mattt said:

Did you have the right people on your side, and were your bribes big enough?

We tried to do that, got good intro's to the top 10 "Al-XXXXXXX" family's no interest, and we are not a tin pot operation either, been doing projects here since 1996 ! and yes we offered the right kind of backsheesh ! and lots of it, just got F'over by pakistani and Indian-2-Indian under hand deals.

And before I start a mass debate, the 2nd / 3rd gen pakistani and Indians in the UK are poles apart from the natives we have here, so don't bother starting a race related slanging match.

I did love Dubai and the UAE but not so much now, i'll be sad to go but it's for the best.
I certainly won't miss paying £20K a year in rent !