My sister and brother in law moved to Dubai a few years ago as contractors working for UK headquartered banks in Programme Management/PMO roles. They came back within 2 years. I have several other friends and family members who also decided to come back after a year or two.
Reasons for returning - the high cost of living. You may "earn" more money on paper but it's quickly swallowed up by costs. If you want the "Dubai lifestyle" with a villa with a pool and eat out every day then you are going to burn through your savings very quickly, rents have to be paid by postdated cheques, not all jobs pay for education costs etc. Those that have stayed in Dubai are those that are in professions that are not massively well paid in the UK, e.g. teaching. They can have a lifestyle which they would not have been able to afford in the UK as often their accommodation is provided for and they can post pictures on their Instagram of them relaxing on a beach etc.
A number of my friends/family have commented on is that if you get caught within the legal system you are basically screwed and the Emirati's can do whatever they want.
One story I was told was of a senior manager at a UK based company who was given a bottle of champagne as a leaving present, and was subsequently arrested at the airport on his way home for carrying alcohol without a licence. Another story I was told was of an executive at a UAE company who was outed as being a "Shia" another Muslim sect and was fired from his job, simply for being of the wrong religious sect.
I understand that your situation is different, as you mentioned you live alone and don't have children, in this case it might be a good move for you.
Personally, while I can understand why people want to move there I have heard lots of direct feedback from people who have made the move who have said it's not worth it.
Reasons for returning - the high cost of living. You may "earn" more money on paper but it's quickly swallowed up by costs. If you want the "Dubai lifestyle" with a villa with a pool and eat out every day then you are going to burn through your savings very quickly, rents have to be paid by postdated cheques, not all jobs pay for education costs etc. Those that have stayed in Dubai are those that are in professions that are not massively well paid in the UK, e.g. teaching. They can have a lifestyle which they would not have been able to afford in the UK as often their accommodation is provided for and they can post pictures on their Instagram of them relaxing on a beach etc.
A number of my friends/family have commented on is that if you get caught within the legal system you are basically screwed and the Emirati's can do whatever they want.
One story I was told was of a senior manager at a UK based company who was given a bottle of champagne as a leaving present, and was subsequently arrested at the airport on his way home for carrying alcohol without a licence. Another story I was told was of an executive at a UAE company who was outed as being a "Shia" another Muslim sect and was fired from his job, simply for being of the wrong religious sect.
I understand that your situation is different, as you mentioned you live alone and don't have children, in this case it might be a good move for you.
Personally, while I can understand why people want to move there I have heard lots of direct feedback from people who have made the move who have said it's not worth it.
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