I am kicking around doing some restaurant consulting in Dubai. I haven't
dug in yet, but maybe 3-5 months on site if I get serious about remoting some of it. I am US citizen with US & EU passport, comfortable with travel, diff cultures etc... Clients will handle all accommodations etc..
Anybody have any experience living/working there?

Be aware that cultural differences in countries like that aren't aesthetic, it can land you in some pretty nasty jails. I'd def read up on that sort of stuff to make sure you'd be comfortable with the restrictions and that you understand them all thoroughly. See here for some:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...ws-and-customs

It seems all rather repressed to me in lots of ways. Still would be interesting to visit imo as long as you're comfortable with it all. If going alone I would worry about feeling isolated, but perhaps someone who's been can say if that's a silly thought or not.

Thanks for link. I wouldn't hesitate if it was just a month, but 3-5 can turn into 7-8 pretty easily.

Are you getting paid vastly more than you would stateside? Because if yes this is probably a no brainer... The combination of huge tax advantages and more money is the kind of thing that gets you 5 years down the road to '**** you' money in under a year.

Why do you feel the need for both passports? Also, did you have dual citizenship from birth or did you have to reclaim citizenship of a European country?

what are the tax advantages you are referring to? It is my understanding that US citizens have to be out of the country for 330 days of the year, and then it's only the first $95,000 that is exempt from taxes.

Dual passports is a wonderful thing. If you want to spend a year living in Europe, you can, without lots and lots of hassles. The US has plenty of charms, but it isn't that fabulous that you'd want to spend your life there. Europe has a lot to offer a worldly person.

even more, iirc with a eu passport you can live and work anywhere you want in the eu for as long as you want

I guess it is either because I am not a worldly person, or the fact I was born here, but I want to spend my life here (United States).

Personally, I think the original post is more suited for BBV4L.

When did Dubai join the EU?

Premium over domestic, but not enough to make it a "no-brainer".

Eh then it's probably a pass. The whole reason to go to Dubai is because you can make hilarious amounts of money. If you're not going to make at least 175% of your normal pay with all expenses paid by your employer it's probably pretty meh. Also because of what was mentioned earlier in the thread staying for a year has serious serious implications. Other people may not think that 30k in tax savings isn't very much money... But I do.

It seems like a pretty cool and interesting opportunity.

If I was not obligated for personal reasons to stay where I was, I would definitely consider it. Also, if you are looking to get into more of this type of consulting, having experience in Dubai could be a great way to get some experience in this, and it will also likely be assumed to be way more expensive than it sounds like it will be. Which may help your ability to command top dollar in the future.

Have probably spent 2 mths there, in the last 2 yrs, watching ckt, and, after a while, u will either love it or hate it.

I used to think both Abu Dhabi and Dubai were ultra safe, till this :

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...abu-dhabi-mall

There are many bars where u can get alchohol, prosititutes etc, but, gambling is a strict no-no .. and u will need a VPN etc, to surf gambling sites.

For the first 2-3 weeks, its an amazing place to visit .. after that, as I say, u will either love it (mainly for the money), or hate it .. (it does get, ridiculously hot).

If u play golf, it has some great crses ..

There is a decent ex-pat community, with schools etc, for kids. Wives/spouses tend not to work. If u are young etc, I would suggest u try, and see how it goes - but, do have some doubts, as to how the economy will shape up .. medium term (Dubai, has little oil left/some gas).

Abu Dhabi is a far weathier emerate .. at least in resources (about 1.hr on a very good road, from Dubai).

GL

I used to a sit game fairly regularly with 2 guys from Dubai & they were pretty
cool & interesting people. My overall experience with people originating from that part of the world has been very positive. I just don't know anyone who has lived or worked there for more than a week.

I sold my last business to a franchise company & have been consulting for a while now. The scope of work is pretty typical for what I do, but Dubai makes it interesting.

I'm unfamiliar with what being a restaurant consultant entails, and having trouble imagining the need to be onsite for 5+ months constantly unless it is multiple projects or you deal with construction.

Care to detail what this consists of?

Do you know if backgammon is a big deal in Dubai? Is that something I could get into over there as a westerner? Learning the game there could be interesting.

Why ?

The game has been solved. Most backgammon clubs I used to know, have etiher closed, or been raided.

Gambling .. is a v serious offence in the emirates. If they catch u, playing for money, u would get a warning, or be deported.

I havent played/watched for 10 yrs .. so, thats the extent of my knowledge. But, if u want to learn the game, just buy Snowie.

I would rather not get into it, but in this case it is not related to building out new stores. I know a fair amount about restaurant construction, but not my specialty. From what I have been reading Dubai is the retail capital of the Middle East & their top lines are supposed to be off the charts. They have just about every major US/Can/EU restaurant operator in the place there.

I don't know anything about backgammon. The Dubai guys I played O8 with brought it up a couple times with a turkish guy. I appreciate the advice. Don't plan on doing any gambling if I go.

This thread made me think of a question. If a foreign company hires an American to work in their country, how does the IRS know how much money was made?

Probably just based on what you report. We have tax treaties with a lot of other countries so I'm sure other countries like getting their tax money just as we do, so unless it's cash under the table there is a record and it is getting recorded, and you are either paying taxes to that country or the u.s and most likely, both.

So my guess is they wouldn't know until you reported it but if audited you could easily be bent over.

If I got a lawyer job in Dubai, would there be any work for my fiancee, also a lawyer, if we went to Dubai? Doesn't even necessarily have to be a legal job, but just something to keep occupied during the day while I'm at work.