Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I am literally going crazy trying to decide. I have two potential offers.

One is in Abu Dhabi. Will be agressive work hours but will have a lot of fun as its Abu Dhabi.

The other is at Aramco in Saudi. Definite work life balance but less to do from an entertainment standpoint. Money is better in Saudi due to it being a hardship post.

Not sure if I should choose Saudi so I can pay of my debt faster or live in AD where I know I will be having fun, where its more liberal, and definitely has more to offer.

I honestly am split both ways. My heart is with Abu Dhabi as I will have more fun (however not thrilled about the agressive work hours) but on the other hand it will be nice to earn the money in Saudi but I may shoot myself from boredom?

Any suggestions, ideas, anything as I am no longer sane as a result of not knowing which to choose

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Oh life def, but it depends on how much debt you have? How old you are? What you like doing etc etc and by the way make sure you investigate the company in Abu Dhabi well before you take the plunge

Abu Dhabi not cheap , hope you have got a generous housing allowance in the package

good luck

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

The Aramco camp is actually not too bad.

Obviously the division of SA you are working with will determine the initial group of people you meet, but there tends to be plenty happening if you are willing to go and find it...

I knocked back an offer from SA a few years ago, only due to the fact that I had already worked in KSA for 5 years with my current employer and really wanted a break from the place...

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I am thirty, single, and female. I realize that Aramco caters to families and I guess I am concerned being single there. The offer in AD is actually decent and will be able to save some but Saudi will obviously be easier to do so.

ahhh so difficult! i hate that money does talk as I want to tell it to shut up!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

oh and i do enjoy nightlife and things of that nature, thats why AD seems more appealing but argh money...

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Aramco compound is not bad at all (more like a city), you can also head to Bahrain on weekend for R&R.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

As you say it depends on what is more important, clearing your debt or going out on the piss. It is more than likely that even with a good package in Abu Dhabi that you will leave with more debt than you came with unless you can restrain yourself, which by the sounds of it might be difficult seeing as you enjoy going out etc. In KSA you will get more money and to be honest there are less temptations to spend your cash on. Why not do KSA first and pay off your debt and then you can always move to AD or Dubai in the future?

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

good advice - i guess i can start off there and migrate over. i definitely value life over money but its nice to know of the possibility of clearing it.. but then the other side of me says life is short and i should do what makes me happiest...

but i should do the saudi thing from the logical side! i guess its a decision i only can make so i will see which part of me wins!!

Thanks all for the replies!!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

The point is how happy will you be with the weight of debt on your shoulders after a night out? Especially considering that if you lost your job and/or have debt here in the UAE that you can't pay off you could be put in jail until someone can find the funds to pay it off. It's definitely worth thinking about and maybe even reading a few of the debt threads on here to see how people who were getting "good packages" ended up fleeing the country or in the clink. The banks here are not flexible about payments, they merely freeze your account and launch a case against you.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Although I wouldn't personally describe Abu Dhabi as much of a fun place (unlike Dubai), its certainly better than Saudi, which I would definitely NOT recommend for an unattached female. Just my two pennies worth, having lived in both the KSA and the UAE for over 3 years each.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

If you go to Abu Dhabi you will also spend more on the lifestyle there...you may even end up getting into debt like a good number of expats unless you are disciplined and put limitations on yourself.

N.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

yeah that is my main hesitation about living in Saudi: being a single female. As for AD not really being that fun, I am planning on living in Dubai and joining a car pool to work in AD. I have read my posts about how horrendous the commutes are as a result of the crazy drivers and so forth; however, am wiilling to do it as I have commuted pretty much my entire work career so i am used to it..

And in regards to Norm_UK: yeah i def dont want to get myself in more debt. last thing i want to do... am sure can be fairly disciplined with my expenditures as am not looking to upgrade cars, fancy apartment, dine at upscale restaurants or things of that nature.. my spending is primarily directed towards nightlife as I go out during weekdays and weekends... will have to tame that and definitely keep a strict budget!

seems like i have my mind set but whenever i think of the saudi money, it confuses me all over again!!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Exactly - if you have some self control, then AD would be fine... but if you don't, then let it be taken out of your hands and head to KSA.

If you don't mind me asking - how big are your debts? Are we talking 10K GBP or 100K GBP?

We've been in Dubai for 3 mths now - and we've found that there are plenty of things to spend your money on but if you have a degree of self discpline its fairly easy to save a decent wedge.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Just have respect for the money you are spending. I'm always amazed to see people spending 'only' 40Dh on a bottle of beer at the Intercon in AD as if it was nothing. 40Dh is 7 quid! People seem to think that 100Dh is a tenner, when it is nearer £20.

As for living in Saudi... for a single woman, this is a crazy idea. They are offering you lots of money as it's a shithole.

What will you be doing in AD that will require crazy hours?

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

The Aramco compound is not a bad place - certainly livable for a year or two to save cash up.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

To be honest, if you are single and pretty, you will find that going out at night in Dubai is not that expensive as there will be plenty of guys wanting to buy you drinks. Also you can further economise my eating at local restaurants, where a nice curry or whatever will cost you less than five quid.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I was in a similar situation to you a few weeks back as I had a job offer for KSA and Abu Dhabi. I chose AD.

The KSA offer was approx 20% higher but I would of been working 6-7 days a week in the desert rather than the 5 days a week in the city of AD. Since arriving here I feel I have made the right decision. The work is tough but there is a good social life to go with it.

I would say that it is important to repay your debts but you should not let it control your life. If you get a good deal for rent in AD, you could easily save money here.

Best of luck

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Choose Life.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I live on Aramco and I can advice!!

If you dont have family ,husband and children to keep you busy, even after work hours you will get crazy here, or at least for the first few months.:rofl:

There is no social life ouside the camp. the only people you can hang out with are your neighbours and your coworkers.
You can go to bahrain, but only on the weekends.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Choose money and save for your old age when you are too old to enjoy life :blink:

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I definitely dont want to move to Saudi just to save for my old age because its important to enjoy life in the present, not 20 years away because you will be missing out on life Now. Its def impt to have savings for the future but that shouldnt be the primary focus because again you deny yourself in hte present.

Spacecamel: why does it get better after the first few months??

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

How come I get a feeling this is a trolling session? Or is living in KSA making me cynical? :p

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Depends on your age now, and the difference in pay you will get in Saudi. I think 3 to 4 years now (I presume you are below early 30's? don't know why), when you have many more years left to live, will set you up well. You can still have a good social life, it's just different to AD.

If you are 50 + you have to think that it's generally harder to endure 'hardships' (though I dont actually think KSA is as much a hardship as it might seem to an outsider), and is a time when you should be easing off the pedal not pushing yourself into things you might not want to do.

I don't know what the place where you are going to is like, but I was in Riyadh for 3 years and socially had a blast.

You also say the AD job will involve a lot of very hard work and long hours, won't this be just as much an endurance? You could end up being too kn*ckered to enjoy yourself anyway.

The bottom line is that there are great advantages to both your options, which is why, like you say, it is a difficult decision. :confused:

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Hi Moving to Mideast

It does get better after fw months living in Aramco , because you get to know more people and make new friends. Also You learn how to adjust to this kind of life. Whitch means, No driving outside camp, No malls or bars after work. The only way to socialise is in people s houses or in Bahrain on the week ends.

But actually if you don t mind the traffic , you can go to Bahrain after work, have dinner and come back late evenings. Lots of people do that.

Living in Aramco is not that bad, but you need to be motivated and ready for this kind of change in your life.

Good luck

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I did a stint in the back blocks of Malaysia, living in camps, making great money. Nothing to do but watch DVDs and drink home brew. Likewise stints in remote fly in fly out camps in Australia, watching satelite TV and drinking with your co workers. And saving money.

What you find is that the time goes very quick, and you can be exposed to more interesting and senior roles, ie when your boss is away for weeks at a time on R&R leave, you will get opportunities to step up.

You will also find it a great networking opportunity - you will get to know everyone in your industry in the compound/camp. The friends I have made from living in camps have opened doors for me years later. The flip side of that is that you can sometimes find out a little too much about people you work with.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

For goodness sake, listen to Lionheart. Take the AD deal!!! :thumbsup:

lets just recap some facts about Saudi. Females can't drive, vote or give evidence in court (unless there in no man). Alcohol and relationships outside of marriage are forbidden. So what's a single girl to do for fun?? :devil_smile: No TV, concerts, limited legal rights . . . the list goes on. Last year UAE hoasted Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Queen, every year Red Bull air race in AD, this year F1 GP just finished, Ski Dubai all year round, bar's night clubs and legal alcohol for licenced expats . . . where's the comparison? :banghead:

How much money do you really need?? You should make plenty of money in AD, and as Lionheart correctly says, it's easy to live cheap if you are careful. After 3 yrs in UAE, turning my financial life around from bankrupt to millionaire, I'd say you'd have to be brain dead not to be well off in UAE, and since you got two job offers, I'd say you’re not brain dead.

Commuting from Dubai SUCKS!! But AD rent is high. You can have plenty of fun in AD because it's more about the people right? PM me your package details and I can give you some AD financial/expected-lifestyle advice if you like. (not that I'm opinionated, mind u)

IMHO Abu Dhabi is the best of all Gulf cities (having lived in AD, Dubai, Sharjah and Doha and worked in Bahrain), unless you are addicted to rave nightclubs, in which case go to Dubai. Even then, I know an Irish raver who found enough in AD to keep himself satisfied.

When you get to AD, drop me a line and I'll introduce you to some friends.

*SMACK* to YOU for even contemplating. :p Money or Lifestyle?? - Have em both!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

My 2 pennies worth after being in Saudi for 25 years is that life in Aramco and Saudi is not at all bad. Aramco really look after their people, you are all but untouchable police and mutawa wise, there is a great social scene and you WILL meet loads of single guys from oil and other industries.

There are open house and dinner parties every weekend plus Bahrain is only an hour away. Aramco has it's own cinema, supermarket, hospital, even a bloody golf course and private beach!

I know loads of people in Aramco who have a great life, in fact we had a better social life there before we moved the family to Bahrain for schooling.

I've been to AD often and find it to be a dull concrete patch, in Dahran you will be encouraged to explore the regions history, as there is loads to see.(if you have'nt been here then don't flame me!)

Give Aramco a chance, you can always quit and move to AD but not the reverse I think.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Thank you all for your input. A lot of good advice and valuable input. Should end my misery by making a decision within the next day or so!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Choose a job.
Choose a career.
Choose a family,
Choose a ****ing big television
Choose washing machines, cars,
compact disc players, and electrical tin openers.
Choose good health, low cholesterol
and dental insurance.
Choose fixed-interest mortgage repayments.
Choose a starter home.
Choose your friends.
Choose leisure wear and matching luggage.
Choose a three piece suite on hire purchase
in a range of ****ing fabrics.
Choose DIY and wondering who you
are on a Sunday morning.
Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing
sprit-crushing ga me shows
Stuffing ****ing junk food into your mouth.
Choose rotting away at the end of it all,
pishing you last in a miserable home
Nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish,
****ed-up brats
You have spawned to replace yourself.
Choose your future. Choose life.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

busy in the office today then ...

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

took me two seconds to google 'chose life trainspotting'

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Intro lines from movie Trainspotting. Touche Blue Cat

To the Saudi supporters: you are right, I have not lived there

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

I'm with you on this critical issue :thumbup:

There's no reason to spend AED40 on a bottle or glass of beer (unless the glass is 1litre and filled with hard to find beer).

I also find that most of the bars which do charge so much are not very good anyway and have incompetant staff. Some of the best bars in the UAE are the ones off the tourist and poser rader, where the booze is reasonable and the staff remember you after one visit...:thumbup:

N.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

which bars are they then.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Abu Dhabi
49ers. Great steak, good drink price. Beware turns to hooker bar after 9:30pm
PJ O'Reilly's – C’mon Ms O’Malley, do I need to tell you where this is?
Hero’s Bar – Crowne Plaza. Great food and atmosphere, standard drink price, wait staff that actually speak English (Irish that is)

Dubai
Spend 1,000 AED or get a bottle from A&E and order home delivery Lebanese.

Sharjah
Sharjah Wanderers. Join the club, or pay to enter. Enjoy the facilities and extremely well priced meals and drinks.

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Hi Movingtomideast,

I don't know if you have made your mind up yet so thought I'd chip in.

I'm early 30's single female, moved to Dubai 2 months a go so still very very new. I've never lived abroad before and thought it would be a lot easier than it has been. I was living in London before and had an amazing circle of friends, great social life, was self employed and loved my job. I essentially moved here for the money as the industry I am in was tough back in the UK at the moment.

I have found it really hard here- my first 3 weeks I just wanted to go home but am slowly settling in, and making friends, but its hard- alot harder than I had expected- and that is in Dubai! If you have any hesitations about taking the job in KSA dont do it as you will regret it immediately and end up leaving before your contract is finished 9 as in a week after you get there). How easy is it to have friends visit in ksa , as my friends coming to visit has kept me going!

I'm enjoying it now but it really does take some getting used to out here so just prepare yourself for a bit of a culture shock- and think very very strongly about KSA, personally I'd say follow your heart and trust your instincts!

Good luck

KC
xx

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

NEVER repeat NEVER eat where people go for a ****...NEVER

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

Come on, the chicken fajitas in the Alley Palley are nice!

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

sweet and sour?

Re: Money or Life - which to choose?? Suggestions Please!!
 

There is nothing sweet in that place!