Hey guys. I'm new to this part of the forums and hope that some of you may be able to help me through your own personal experiences.

A position has arisen for me to work in Dubai for a market leading real estate firm within the area. It looks like an incredible opportunity but I want to learn a bit more about the area and the people within it before taking things further.

I am 26, I own my own apartment in Southern England and am a partner in a reasonably successful estate agency firm here. I have a beautiful girlfriend who means everything to me (she would come with me) and I live a comfortable lifestyle. However I am getting sick to death with the day to day grind of a country still in recession and I am definitely looking for a new challenge.

The property market in Dubai I know has been through a serious recession recently (just like the rest of the world). However the signs are showing that this has passed and the prices, along with activity levels, appear to be increasing again rapidly. Hence this position arising. The earning potential out there is unbelievable. Just briefly talking to the MD of the company gives me an idea that, on average, his salesmen are earning 2-3 times what I currently do. Some of them are earning 4-5 times my current earning potential and this is all TAX FREE!

So I am asking for some help. What are your experiences with this area? Have any of you ever worked or lived there? If you did what did you like/not like about it? I hope you can help.

Many thanks in advance.

Anthony

IMO go and save up bank. The money comes with a price as you probably already know. Strict Islamic culture really sucks.

Living in Dubai ain't free. Are they gonna provide you with housing?

Would this move severely hurt you if you moved back? Or can you just jump back in to your old/current job with no issues in a year?

Even qualified school teachers that make 35K in the US can bank 100K over there. But there is a reason why they are paying such a premium, whereas other countries in the world actually pay people less and people still go there.

Dubai has a good reputation in part because they are splashing cash around, and in part because if any one writes anything negative about the place, they get thrown out and can never come back there. Very few articles ever mention their semi-slave labor from Asia, etc, cause they don't want to be banned.

Thanks for your replies guys.

I have heard that the lifestyle and culture can be pretty difficult to get used to. It's also meant to get extremely hot and humid in the summer. Almost unbearable. I guess, as you said, even if I just go out there and save as much money as poss it would be worth it. Even if I don't stay forever.

With regards to jobs, I don't think I would want to come back to the same position. I would probably set up on my own so it wouldn't really matter too much. Hopefully, if the money is as good as stated, I would comfortably have enough capital behind me to do this.

I've been there for visits, but never lived there. Weather can get very hot and oppressive, lots of concrete and sand but very little of anything green, never really found that much to do outside of the city (although taking 4x4s out over the dunes is a blast) but growing number of things to do in the city itself. A car is essential (fuel is cheap). I encourage everyone to travel and explore the world, but I wouldn't choose to live in Dubai for and great length of time. Make sure you research the cultural differences and local laws so you know what to expect. Or take a trip over to see for yourself - you can go for a long weekend from London.

from what I hear its fine for up to five years or whatever and u make all your money and leave. Fact you have good gf will make it better- also there are areas where you can have a night out- not as strict as before, but they defo keep the partying under wraps. Imo seems like a good option if the figures stack up.

The article is a bit old (3 years) but a good read.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion...i-1664368.html

That article is rather damning. I have been reading various forums and articles about the place and the side described in that article does appear. However there is also a lot of articles and statements about how exciting the place is.

I guess I have to take an educated gamble. I mean, the potential money is phenomenal and I'm not planning to live there forever. So I need to compare the risk with the potential reward and make my decision from there.

Thank you everyone for your help