vinyl_blair

Hi am pretty close to getting a job offer to move to either Dubai or Oman and I don't have much time to decide.

I am married with a pet dog both wife and dog would be joining me

I have a middle management role and will attract a housing allowance although I do not yet have the figures

I am trying to get some quick advice on the pro's and cons of each location based on

Income Tax (I know the rules for Dubai not sure about Oman)

Living Expenses (which is cheapest) I want to try and save some money whilst I am in the middle east.

Possibility to rent a villa which allow a pet dog (is this a big problem in either or both locations)

Lifestyle I want to live close to the beach

I want to be able to socialize and drink with other ex-pats.

Aikman7981

Oman would be tempting. I'd say it's a win-win. Cost of living is high in both, both are on the beach. Probably no dogs in Muscat, but maybe someone else will clarify. If boozing and socializing are priorities at all, choose Dubai. If those are a little further down the list, consider Oman. I thought Muscat was a really nice city. It is kind of isolated and provincial though.

Tockalosh

Didnt Muscat bring in that crazy dog walking only after dark rule a year or so ago ????
Might be wrong, I usually am

hnd

Good memory, but according to this you're only allowed to walk 'accompanied animals' from 10am - 3pm. Go figure ...

http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.c...s-blanket.html

Thought this might help the OP, too:

http://muscatmutterings.blogspot.com...in-muscat.html

flares

I'd choose Muscat over Dubai

co durham boy

Muscat for me Dubai's all fur coat and no knickers and the fur is imitation cos they're skint!

Victor Meldrew

Are both jobs offering same salary and benefits?

Like one of the previous posters said, if socialising (ie drinking) is one of your top priorities, it has to be Dubai.

Oman has limited places where you can drink, whereas Dubai has one on every corner.

Dubai - bling, hectic, lots of opportunities to follow a wide variety of activities. Higher percentage of younger party animal types. More variety.

Oman - quieter, more family oriented, wide variety of outdoor sporting opportunities. More like Dubai was 10 to 15 years ago.

Horses for courses.

Dogs, generally, in the middle east are a rarity compared to UK. In the heat of the summer, not a pleasant experience walking your dog in either country I would think.

Ethos83

It will be easier to save money in Muscat, but it can be done in Dubai if you are careful.

Dubai has a much bigger expat scene. Muscat is smaller but a closer knit community.

You are more likely to meet locals in Muscat than you are in Dubai.

Dubai is more connected to the rest of the world. Muscat is provincial and isolated.

Daz968

Muscat any day.

You can get a nice place on The Wave for OMR 1000 a month. Lot's of dog owners there (the majority pick up their dog cr@p).

The beach is never far away and there are miles and miles of beach to walk down.

Plus you have the mountains just behind.

Drinking holes are limited, but those that are around are pleasant (apart from from a few such as Rock Bottom).

You can always drink at home with friends...

If you want to go and party hard, Dubai is only a few hours drive anyway!

Desert Dweller

It is, I had to write a letter and send it by mule to someone who is highly connected to the interweb in Dubai to post this for you.
Sorry the message is so short, but I have to go and collect water from the well before they close the city gates.

Just Browsing

Yeah, I think everybody has nailed the issues on the head - I live in Muscat but work a lot in Dubai. I always look forward to visiting Dubai but also always look forward to getting home to Muscat.......

If your not really a party animal and more a family man then Oman could work for you. At the end of the day you can be in Dubai for 30 rials these days on a plane so you can still have a break from Muscat if you need it.....

VFB

The dog walking ban got over turned last here as all the dog owning expats put up a petition and the MUniciplaity has decided not to honour it, as it wasn't clear and no one knew if it meant dogs, cats, horses etc...

PM me if you need the details of a good vet for importing dogs. FYI OMan is NOT on teh Pet passport scheme but UAE are..... so if you have some friends in Dubai etc ................... there are ways