Hi,

I've been living in Dubai with my Girlfriend for the past 18 months, working as a quantity surveyor. I've really just had enough of long hours & unrealistic deadlines at work... all just to pay crazy rental prices. Plus with the looming Slowdown, I'm unlikely to get any sort of pay increase for a while!

I'd be grateful if anyone could offer any Idea on where in the world would be good to go next, preferably somewhere where there are good opportunities in Construction and where hours of work are reasonible to have a good work/life balance.

I've been thinking of Melbourne in Auz or maybe New Zealand. Any one any insight?

Thanks

Sharjah?

...spent 25 years in Melbourne and loved it...though the tax rate at about 48% was a killer...hence Dubai now.

India or China?

you paid taxes in australia?

I sympathise with you 100%.

I am out of here also in 3 weeks.

Thinking of Australia, they dont have stupid rents and the life is nice.

My sentiments exactly, hence the change to the oil sector! Bechtel are recruiting heavily for the new international airport at Doha, supposedly 5 days a week! If you are interested, send me a PM and I can put you in touch with the UK recruitment agency.

Doha is a good place to contract, a lot of Brits there aparently.

Do you know if they are looking for any IT or Business Change Project Managers.?

..yep..also had to pay taxis

Sorry no idea, the Recruitment Agency that contacted me deals with Quantity Surveyors and the like

I would say so but you will run into accomodation problems and exhorbitant(sp?) rents in India too.

try Al Ain, seriously

If you are leaving Dubai because of crazy rentals, and thinking of Doha........suggest you check out Doha rental prices!!!

Australia, including Melbourne and Sydney, is also in the grip of a rental crisis where costs are out of control and vacany rates for rental properties are in most places below 1%. Additionally, the worldwide economic slowdown is starting to impact in Australia with many jobs being lost and rising unemployment. Particularly in the construction industry most companies are laying off rather than hiring, therefore your job prospects would not be good. NZ is officially in a recession so can't imagine prospects there would be too much better

I am currently a Commercial Manager in New Zealand and have been offered a post in Dubai, originally from Scotland. The market over here is on it's knees however I know a few agancies who are always looking for good QS's. salaries here not as good as Oz and you will have to pay tax at 39%, much the same as the UK.

I would be happy to give you information on the agencies if required. Are you PQS or Contractor?

What sort of range of salary would a QS expect in Dubai working for a contractor?