Hello.Kitty

Sussex.

I know it's strange - I lived in a beautiful part of France for 7 years and loved it, fully integrated and it was definitely home, but when I'm down in Sussex, I just feel at peace. I also lived in Germany for a while and have travelled quite a bit. It'll be 3 years in Dubai next month, but I'll never be able to call it Home... quite possibly because there is no possibility of integration and so all you can ever get is a feeling of floating on the surface (unless you don't really mind that). For me, Dubai has sold out on its identity - a bit like the Costa Del Sol, and lord knows, that area doesn't appeal to me either!

LisaMarie7711

I think its missing family and friends rather than the place itself to be honest.

Most of the time I am happy here but sometimes I start thinking about my friends and all the times we shared together & thats what sets me off!

Blue Cat

it will get easier

goonerseba

hola !

Apart from the obvious...family, friends, beer....for me its the sea and living on the coast. Home for me is the costa blanca (alicante) and I can spit into the med from my roof terrace, so my daily dog walking is along the amazing med coast and daily life is a real pleasure.

i'm sure those who have or do live by the coast - wherever in the world - will have similar feelings.

i'm filling up now.....

Victor Meldrew

The big question is do you?

LisaMarie7711

Haha XD

irich

I agree. Despite my list I like to visit the UK. After a six month stint in KSA I've been known to fall to my knees and cry in the booze and pork pie isle in ASDA.

I also like 'green and damp' after 'bleached bone mercury arc welder light and dust'. I don't miss little england however.

I can understand about Dubai, it's always struck me as an artifical soulless place of little or no charm or beauty.

goonerseba

haha ! i can totally relate to that ! ahhhh...ASDA..mini scotch eggs, pepperamis, gingsters jumbo sausage rolls, twiglets...irn bru, stella,...heaven on earth !

sorry, very rude of me during daylight hours at this time of the year...

ciao..

LisaMarie7711

Yeah I think the same about Dubai, it is very artificial and soulless!

Spugsy

It is, but once you find some decent mates (can take a while) you'll be a lot more settled, it makes a big difference - and there are lots of great things to do out here.

One tip I would give it to try and get out of Dubai every few months, hatta fort, RAK, Oman - it makes a big difference getting out to somewhere more chilled without all the madness. I went to RAK on the weekend and was so chilled when I got back, away from the mad driving and everything.

Meow

Go on then, I'll bite, as it's Thursday afternoon. Why is Dubai so 'souless and artificial' ? Why does being new make it less valid than a new town anywhere else?

There is some history here and in the region, some good people and I am of the opinion that if someone's life is souless and artificial then that is of their own making as there is plenty to do here if you can be bothered.

Paracletus

I've not really lived anywhere more than 5 years at a stretch, and that's from being born to moving to a different continent. Having lived as part of the commoner and the privileged, I found it sometimes hard to integrate particularly where I was in a rather privileged position compared to the locals. It's been difficult settling back in the UK, so I had to go and don't think I could ever move back permanently. It's a strange feeling when you feel more foreign at 'home' than the place you reside. Perhaps rootless..perhaps some form of modern day gypsie? I'm not sure.

LisaMarie7711

Sounds like a plan. Yeah, it'll probably take a while but thats to be expected

Spugsy

Hand on heart, even moving over here with the missus, it took me 6 months before I was settled and happy here.

Didn't help that I started working for a local company and I was the only white lad there and everyone spoke Hindi or Arabic to each other.

Paracletus

I wouldn't say 6 months is that long or unheard off. I tend to find my feet properly about the 2 year mark. The first year, you just scratch the surface, the 2nd year..you begin to assimilate. Well..that's been my general experience. By the time I have felt totally comfortable however..it's time to move..lol.