'alternative' dubai
Nov 11th 2010, 7:19 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: 'alternative' dubai
I
Most western expats will be boring to you. They're either bland middle Englanders living in the desert version of Barratt "executive" housing estates, working class chavs with acres of faded tattoos and gold chains from the Toon made it good with their Filipino girlfriends, and public school poseurs largely in banking and consulting. To each we're the norm whilst everyone else is a bit exotic. So the provincial-within-expat mindset is real.
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Most western expats will be boring to you. They're either bland middle Englanders living in the desert version of Barratt "executive" housing estates, working class chavs with acres of faded tattoos and gold chains from the Toon made it good with their Filipino girlfriends, and public school poseurs largely in banking and consulting. To each we're the norm whilst everyone else is a bit exotic. So the provincial-within-expat mindset is real.
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Nov 11th 2010, 7:47 am
#32
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: 'alternative' dubai
whoever it was who mentioned the art scene - there are a few galleries in DIFC with interesting exhibitions. There's a FB group called culturindubai or something that fires out info an all kinds of art events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Anyhow, definitely come out and see the place. Maybe meet up with a few people... and then decide if you'd like to keep about 6000miles between them!
It's an experience. If you'd live the rest of your life wondering "what if?", then do it, even for a year or two. Just be realistic and never invest your own savings into the venture... and enjoy Dubai for what it has to offer, instead of concentrating on missing what it doesn't.
Anyhow, definitely come out and see the place. Maybe meet up with a few people... and then decide if you'd like to keep about 6000miles between them!
It's an experience. If you'd live the rest of your life wondering "what if?", then do it, even for a year or two. Just be realistic and never invest your own savings into the venture... and enjoy Dubai for what it has to offer, instead of concentrating on missing what it doesn't.
Nov 11th 2010, 10:43 am
#33
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: 'alternative' dubai
I have everything paid for me including all utilities, telephone, internet etc etc.
All we spend is food and drink, and we dont drink much.
We have no debts and no outgoings here.
lovely.
Nov 11th 2010, 12:00 pm
#34
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: 'alternative' dubai
Hey curious, do you steal aubergines?
Nov 11th 2010, 5:54 pm
#37
Powered by cows
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: currently Dubai, ex UK
Posts: 4,582
Re: 'alternative' dubai
Very late to this thread.... been totally manic....
Anyway - just wanted to add to the unusually kind and brilliant replies.
I lived in Stockwell, Brixton, Wimbledon and then oop north - Willesden and Ladbroke Grove
over 12 years, always in music biz. Dubai is a total headf**k transition if you work in media - but there are benefits and opportunities. Been here 6 years and planning to stay more....
Music is pretty duff, art is getting better, decent digital things happening. Plenty publishing, design and new media things, but to get decent rates you need contacts - it really can be who you know... There are very, very good small pockets of good stuff though - you have to dig around.
Best part of being here - the ability to see all sorts - mad Dubai, glorious Musandam, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Beautiful Beirut, etc... Dubai is like LA - a city, not a region. You can see some great stuff here... just not always in Dubai Mall - if you see what I mean....
Most important - come visit first - see what you think...
Good luck!
Anyway - just wanted to add to the unusually kind and brilliant replies.
I lived in Stockwell, Brixton, Wimbledon and then oop north - Willesden and Ladbroke Grove
over 12 years, always in music biz. Dubai is a total headf**k transition if you work in media - but there are benefits and opportunities. Been here 6 years and planning to stay more....Music is pretty duff, art is getting better, decent digital things happening. Plenty publishing, design and new media things, but to get decent rates you need contacts - it really can be who you know... There are very, very good small pockets of good stuff though - you have to dig around.
Best part of being here - the ability to see all sorts - mad Dubai, glorious Musandam, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Beautiful Beirut, etc... Dubai is like LA - a city, not a region. You can see some great stuff here... just not always in Dubai Mall - if you see what I mean....
Most important - come visit first - see what you think...
Good luck!
Nov 13th 2010, 11:45 pm
#39
Global Hobo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 60
Re: 'alternative' dubai
Word on the street is heavy metal is really big hit with young saudi girls, and intelligent arab men in general. Sadly...you get arrested for dodgy t-shirts..but inside..the fire burns. Until they are free to do as they wish, the pinoy/pinay cover bands seem to appease. Word.
