Stay in DXB or Move back to London
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
Stay in DXB or move back to London
Hello All, I would really appreciate some advice on whether to move back to the UK or stay in Dubai.
I have been out here since 2010 and wonder what the career prospects could be upon my return to London. I am 35 (qualified accountant) and working as a Financial Controller for an International bank.
Financially, we would save £70k per year in DXB compared to £30k in London.
Reasons for moving:
1. Education - Have two kids 7 and 6 Yr old currently at a British School in Dubai (wife not too impressed with schooling here)
2. Sporting opportunities- My son is an extremely keen and talented cricketer and could really develop well back home, but this could easily wait until he is 11years old.
3. Career - Having been out of the UK for almost a decade, I wonder whether delaying the move to another few years would make it harder to land a good career opportunity back home when we eventually return.
Personally, I would love to stay out here until kids are 11 and then move with the extra savings - but my wife would rather move next year.
Has anyone in a similar situation made the move? What do you think?
Thank you all.
I have been out here since 2010 and wonder what the career prospects could be upon my return to London. I am 35 (qualified accountant) and working as a Financial Controller for an International bank.
Financially, we would save £70k per year in DXB compared to £30k in London.
Reasons for moving:
1. Education - Have two kids 7 and 6 Yr old currently at a British School in Dubai (wife not too impressed with schooling here)
2. Sporting opportunities- My son is an extremely keen and talented cricketer and could really develop well back home, but this could easily wait until he is 11years old.
3. Career - Having been out of the UK for almost a decade, I wonder whether delaying the move to another few years would make it harder to land a good career opportunity back home when we eventually return.
Personally, I would love to stay out here until kids are 11 and then move with the extra savings - but my wife would rather move next year.
Has anyone in a similar situation made the move? What do you think?
Thank you all.
Last edited by omair85; Nov 16th 2020 at 6:49 am.
#2
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
Only you know the dynamics at home. The money will never make her happy.
Don't be fooled into thinking that the education is somewhat better in the UK, it isn't.
Don't be fooled into thinking that the education is somewhat better in the UK, it isn't.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
I remember exchanging messages with you on here back in 2017 which was hilarious. I did manage to keep the Mrs here for 3 more years.
The problem is that she is a teacher herself and apparently the gap between the quality of education here and back home seems to widen every year.
Personally, I love the sunshine and the savings and would be happy to keep my son busy with cricket here until he is 11, but this daily/weekly debate is driving me nuts.
The problem is that she is a teacher herself and apparently the gap between the quality of education here and back home seems to widen every year.
Personally, I love the sunshine and the savings and would be happy to keep my son busy with cricket here until he is 11, but this daily/weekly debate is driving me nuts.
#4
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
I remember exchanging messages with you on here back in 2017 which was hilarious. I did manage to keep the Mrs here for 3 more years.
The problem is that she is a teacher herself and apparently the gap between the quality of education here and back home seems to widen every year.
Personally, I love the sunshine and the savings and would be happy to keep my son busy with cricket here until he is 11, but this daily/weekly debate is driving me nuts.
The problem is that she is a teacher herself and apparently the gap between the quality of education here and back home seems to widen every year.
Personally, I love the sunshine and the savings and would be happy to keep my son busy with cricket here until he is 11, but this daily/weekly debate is driving me nuts.
As for the career, I think it would be easier to go back at 35 vs 40.
#8
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
miserable.
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
In reality, another few years isn't going to damage your chances of getting work in the UK. It's now at 10+ so if it's 13 or 15 it makes no odds.
Schools here are hit and miss, good ones are great and bad ones are atrocious. Much like the UK although here they can punt shit teachers if they're inclined and trying to improve. In the UK it's almost impossible to shift the 54 year old old-fashioned, doddery ***** that think computers are a fad.
The Mrs moved to a new school recently and it's not as good as the one she was at out here, but it's a project and there's an opportunity for it to grow and change etc.
She had a kid who moved over from Manchester and was struggling to adjust so kept getting sent to her as a senior leader. He kept asking her where the gangs where and who he needed to speak to about which gang to join. Couldn't get his head around there not being gangs etc.
I know where I'd rather teach.
Schools here are hit and miss, good ones are great and bad ones are atrocious. Much like the UK although here they can punt shit teachers if they're inclined and trying to improve. In the UK it's almost impossible to shift the 54 year old old-fashioned, doddery ***** that think computers are a fad.
The Mrs moved to a new school recently and it's not as good as the one she was at out here, but it's a project and there's an opportunity for it to grow and change etc.
She had a kid who moved over from Manchester and was struggling to adjust so kept getting sent to her as a senior leader. He kept asking her where the gangs where and who he needed to speak to about which gang to join. Couldn't get his head around there not being gangs etc.
I know where I'd rather teach.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2016
Location: SYD again, formerly PRG, LON, HKG, SIN, SYD & DOH
Posts: 145
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
#12
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
[QUOTE=Scamp;12936948] ....
The Mrs moved to a new school recently and it's not as good as the one she was at out here, but it's a project and there's an opportunity for it to grow and change etc.
She had a kid who moved over from Manchester and was struggling to adjust so kept getting sent to her as a senior leader. He kept asking her where the gangs where and who he needed to speak to about which gang to join. Couldn't get his head around there not being gangs etc.
I know where I'd rather teach.[/QUOTE
Just about sums up our thoughts. I know where I’d rather be a pupil 🙄
The Mrs moved to a new school recently and it's not as good as the one she was at out here, but it's a project and there's an opportunity for it to grow and change etc.
She had a kid who moved over from Manchester and was struggling to adjust so kept getting sent to her as a senior leader. He kept asking her where the gangs where and who he needed to speak to about which gang to join. Couldn't get his head around there not being gangs etc.
I know where I'd rather teach.[/QUOTE
Just about sums up our thoughts. I know where I’d rather be a pupil 🙄
#13
#14
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
Perhaps, if inner city Manchester is the comparison. But there are some amazing schools in the UK, my children are at one. Small class sizes, amazing opportunities like learning to scuba dive, learning Mandarin, learning to sail etc, brilliant facilities including one of the biggest climbing walls in the south of England, and incredible teachers. So depends where the OP is looking to move to, if he needs to commute to London then he can avoid Moss Side and will have a huge choice of excellent schooling areas.
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Stay in DXB or Move back to London
Definitely tempted by here, that being said a good old fashioned UK school education isn't the end of the world. I thoroughly enjoyed private and grammar school. Was lovely.
There's probably a different sort of bullying and trouble here but the nature of the environment would make me think you'd end up with a kid who's at least far more aware and accepting of different nationalities / cultures.
Genuine chuckle at them.
I had a sailing club at my school, was my absolute fave.
There's probably a different sort of bullying and trouble here but the nature of the environment would make me think you'd end up with a kid who's at least far more aware and accepting of different nationalities / cultures.
Perhaps, if inner city Manchester is the comparison. But there are some amazing schools in the UK, my children are at one. Small class sizes, amazing opportunities like learning to scuba dive, learning Mandarin, learning to sail etc, brilliant facilities including one of the biggest climbing walls in the south of England, and incredible teachers. So depends where the OP is looking to move to, if he needs to commute to London then he can avoid Moss Side and will have a huge choice of excellent schooling areas.