Re: Which ME Location
 

You are sounding a bit like a broken record now.
I know plenty of people who have come out here and done well (not in property) - maybe you are unaware but Dubai is classed as a central hub for a lot of large international countries who are expanding into the MENA region (my company is investing heavily).
We are still happy here, debt free with a good lifestyle (and saving money).
It does sound like you had a rough ride out in the UAE, but that was the gamble you took moving to and investing in an undeveloped country - surely you were aware of some of the risks before you came here?

Re: Which ME Location
 

If you are speaking of road infrastructure then yes I agree (most of the contractors are still waiting to be paid) In terms of "walking the streets" there are no streets to walk around except Emirates Hills and in shopping malls, so yes I guess it is very safe, "calm nature" you obviously dont drive, however compared to Beijing or Ho Chin Minh city then yes it is very calm. "Architecture" obviously you need modern so I suggest you see Singapore. As a matter of fact, are you sure you didnt get mixed up with Singapore and Dubai?

People who visit fir two or three days will think it "brilliant" and people who stay a few years will think its "shit"

At the end of the day, one can have a nice home, nice car and a comfortable life, however most need a little more "soul" than that... combined with the archaic and backward laws... means most people end up not thinking it an overly grand experience...

Unless they come from the ghettos of Dagenham and Manchester in which case it is "brilliant"

Like most things, its all relevant depending on where you start and where you are going to...

All the best in DXB.... (I advise next you try Singapore given what your likes are... oh and the locals actually work in Singapore, are educated and efficient)

Re: Which ME Location
 

Dear Northernlad, indeed some people have done well in Dubai as undoubtably they would probably do elsewhere.

Im certainly aware that Dubai and to a lesser (although possibly growing) extent Abu Dhabi, is regarded as a cetral hub for the MENA region and that is obvious, even more so today, why. Dubai is peaceful and the most developed in what is, by and large, undeveloped, pretty horrible and turbulent neighbourhood. There are very very few places in the Middle East and North Africa that anyone would want to live and I would suggest your company, like most, realises that it would be impossible to recruit people to anywhere else in the region except Dubai.

The fact you are living debt free means you have limited your risks, although I would therfore assume you are renting your home or your company provides it. That was good fortune you did not buy or you would have been stuffed.

Yes it was a rough ride, one that I am overall thankful for as certainly a lot was learnt. One does go into business expecting risks and that is part of the fun I suppose. However one does not obtain government contracts expecting the government not to be in a position to pay as what happened in Dubai.

There is alot of talk currently surrounding the financial situation of the U.S, U.K and other EU nations (Spain, Greece, Ireland and Portugal) however fact is.. if you have a government contract in any of these nations you will be paid! Dubai one of the few states in the world where government "contracts" mean nothing and in fact worth LESS than dealing with a reputable client...

So how can a state and its people be civilised if their government and rulers are not??

I do not think that is NORMAL

Re: Which ME Location
 

probably a good idea that your not here anymore, there are enough tossers kicking around in the UAE.

It's fine and serves a purpose, if you live beyond your means then your running the risk of having problems, 99% of the people that play by the local rules and save money will enjoy, or atleast suffer the experience well, and leave better off financially (aswell as having developed a tempered patience - I will never, ever complain about Sky or BT again!).

We've only been here a short while, but already better off than we have ever been and have made some really good friends.

Back the OP, I can't comment on Doha, as never been but the impression I get from people on the board is that most of the people in Doha would rather be somewhere else (but are in the position to choose to be there, so it can't be that bad). I'm in Abu Dhabi and it's OK, as others have said, Dubai would be easier to settle into as a family until you get the lie of the land so to speak. Definitely come out for a look first,a nd ignore people like Spencer.

Re: Which ME Location
 

I said none of those things. :rolleyes: None of those things are true about me personally, but do feel free to make ridiculous assumptions if it makes you feel better. You're just making things up and looking rather silly in the process.

And having seen your comments to others you are obviously a very bitter man. Most of us here have a pretty balanced view, but we have made this place work for us and have normal lives. You need to move on.

Re: Which ME Location
 

Well, after all that I ended up with Doha, arriving next month.

Re: Which ME Location
 

Ouch....Nevermind you can join us whinging expats down here in Qatar..

Right in the middle of Summer with 48 degrees kicking in and just before Ramadan starts . You've definitely picked a choice time of arrival . If you get through that you're home and dry....:rofl:

Re: Which ME Location
 

Meow, thank you for your comments... not bitter I assure you, was an interesting experience and a gamble which didnt pay off! shit happens, so we move onto the next one!... just felt like having a bit of a rant and rave!

At the end of the day if it works well for you then thats great.... we all have our little "niche" sometimes it takes a time and experience to find "it"

Hope you are having a sensational day!

Re: Which ME Location
 

Lmao, given the low rents in Dubai I was convinced your company would be kind and locate you and the family there.

The bad news is that you got the short straw

The good news is that your family havent done Dubai or AD so focus on the good (?) bits of Doha, tell them that is far better in Doha than the others and as long as you take them back to the UK for leave and dont let them read the posts on here; then they will never be any the wiser, happy days.

Re: Which ME Location
 

There's more than the road infrastructure, the metro and bus services are extremely well run, the surroundings are kept very clean, landscape gardening is well developed and maintained.

There are also plenty of streets to walk. I live on Shk Zd Rd and often go for walks in the cooler months (at least 6 months of the year), go for coffee, over the metro bridge for a beer or two. OK its a major Rd but personallly that makes no difference to me. The service Rds keep it distant enough.

Regards driving, having lived and driven in both Saudi and Cairo, Dubai is childs play and unless you drive like a loonie yourself then it is no more dangerous than the M1.

I am at the end of my 4th year here and don't think it is sh1t. Like I said before, I don't think it is brilliant, it is fine for me and has as many positives as it does negatives.

Like you say it is all personal taste. You are entitled to your opinion...... and I am entitled to mine. Both are equally valid as we have different experiences and viewpoints

Re: Which ME Location
 

Dubai's one of the most obscene , corrupt and immoral places on the planet but it beats a wet Wednesday night in Sunderland's East End i can tell you.

Earn the money , leave the shite at the door and try and have a good time . Naive people are always gonna get ripped off here , the key is the clever ones amongst us usually have an inkling when trouble is about to happen and usually make the required twists and turns .

There are always innocent people that get caught up in strife in Dubai but a lot of cases are usually peppered with naivety , arrogance and blatant stupidity.

Re: Which ME Location
 

All true enough spence. But, I ask you one question - if you were still being paid, hadn't had to write off 4m AED and do a bunk would you still be here running the printing press? I somehow suspect you would be.

Re: Which ME Location
 

Thanks Millhouse... What you say is probably very true! I stayed in Dubai for five years and never was a fan... but while the "printing press" was running I sucked it up and carried on!

I remember being asked by a magazine, when all the shit hit the fan in Dubai and everyone was canning the hell out of it, about the business environment there and I strongly supported it (while not believing a word of what I was saying) at the same time as my own business was going down the pan! we all had to convince the outside world that all was well! (while hoping to buggery it would turn around and we could actually get paid)

As they say... "give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt"

All the best!

Re: Which ME Location
 

To be fair, had I been laid off within the first 3-4 months of arriving - as I know many people were - I'd have been financially stuffed. Came right out of uni with debts and very little in the way of savings. At the peak of the property bubble Dubai was a very expensive place to settle.

Funnily enough I find Du no worse than ntl... :rofl: