We do little/no work in Dubai and use it as a hub for MENA only. In this regard, we are winding down our Dubai office and ramping up Jordan. Total disaster operationally in my opinion but Dubai is just too expensive. Hopefully, I'll be the one to turn the lights off as I'm not going to Jordan... would make a case to camp in the Lebanon office over that.

Why? Jordan is a fairly good and comfortable get.

In my field Southeast Asia, and to a smaller extent, Central Asia, though neither to the extreme that the Gulf was at 10-15 years ago.

From what I've seen in the construction world, the next or current gravy trains are in medical related and data centre construction and trains themselves (HS, viaduct and underground). Oil and gas maintenance is coming back but exploration still seems a dead duck

Actually, I really like Jordan as it is chilled... but I would prefer Lebanon as a bit more edgy and stuff to do.

It's getting a refurb in the summer im told so it might be the pre clear out .

Thing about being an expat. You get used to it and don’t really want to go home.

I live in small town Saudi. It's okay and Riyadh is only three hours away, but KSA does attract more than it's fair share of oddballs. Lot of Walter Mitty types too. Currently working with a guy who's done more in his life than that guy out of Catch Me If You Can.

land of opportunity for what though? The past couple of years have seen loads of westerners having to leave.

Saudi is changing at breakneck speed but as far as the economy goes I'm not so sure. Unemployment is still running over 12%.

I just take it one year at a time,, can't plan for longer than that. But the important thing is to be ready to go.

KSA - I did 17 years in spells of 1,2, and 6 years at a time. Always regard it as "one paycheck at a time"

I'm in O&G and you are completely correct in regards to well head maintenance. Last quarter of last year and currently increasing at an alarming rate. I know that companies will soon be scrambling to get guys back on their books as they are offering big day rates to consultants. Contracts are out now for drilling (existing slots). I cant see anymore exploration until it starts hitting $100 again.

In my field KSA pays less than the UAE.

We're getting more bids for KSA on big programmes and projects than anywhere else. The UAE will tick over nicely now but the Saudi property / hotel / resort / big development market appears to be a real thing for a while.
THat being said, it ties in with Saudi progressing, so MBS needs to keep forging new ideas from the foundries of conservative-tolerant-but-still-appealing-globally-tourism.

Yeah. We pay 20% on the basic + retention bonuses for most. It's not getting ***** to go there, it's making them ****ing stay.