Living in Dubai, UAE

[Harpua]

OK, so I have an opportunity to move to Dubai, UAE. It's booming there, and there's no income tax. I would live there for 6 months or up to a year, and move back to Hong Kong. As background, I am an ABC who's enjoyed Hong Kong for the past 3 months. I like the Chinese culture, and I like to party. Two compelling reasons to stay in Hong Kong. I've never had an interest in living in a Muslin-country, nor the Middle East for that matter...so the purpose would be to work side-by-side with someone that's really good who's based there, and to whore my self out (career-wise that is).

Anyways, who's lived there or spent considerable time there? Any insight to what it would be like to be an expat there? How does the cost of living compare to Hong Kong? I do have an acquaintance there who thinks it's "OK, but has a lot of people who are full of themselves walking around."

[KnowItAll]

>> "OK, but has a lot of people who are full of themselves walking around."

Sounds familiar doesnt it.

[HKnewbie]

KIA... you couldn't have said it better. There are a HUGE number of similarities between HK and the UAE. In fact, the differences would include, cleaner air and beaches (though I don't notice a problem in HK but have been told both are polluted)... errr... aaaaand.... ummmm...
OK... the places look entirely different from one another. Dubai has desert, HK has greenery. But the dynamics are very much the same.
Think about it: 2 small and rather wealthy cities with a heavy british influence and a lot of expats from all over the world. The dynamics are bound to be similar.
And you have no end of bars and pubs and restaurants to go to. And shops. And malls. And Fast food. And whatever else you could possibly want.
Okay... so there's no LAn Kwai Fong and you can't wander down the street pissed out of your head with yet another beer in your hand... it's a hard life in Duabi!

[Harpua]

Are there many Asians there (who are not domestic helpers)?

Are the strict Muslim mores imposed in a place like Dubai?

What's the attitude towards women there?

[kostas]

Well everywhere the similarities end where the cultural differences begin

[KnowItAll]

>> Are there many Asians there (who are not domestic helpers)?

Yes, plenty of Asians.. but, and this is a big one, they're not chinese. (Sorry.. but I'm tired of people mentioning Asians and meaning Chinese). You'll find a larger population from Malaysia, India etc.. than you will from Chinese / East Asian countries.

[Lammarite]

I lived in Dubai for 3 years and Oman for 6 years before that and moving to Hong Kong was the best thing I ever did!
Saying that, if I'd been here for the same amount of time I'd probably enjoy being in Dubai.
You may not have income tax but you'll find that living in Dubai doesn't mean you'll automatically save 15% every year. Accommodation is just as expensive, you'll have to buy a car and a lot of the things you take for granted here are not there. Yes, you have beaches which are clean, but during the summer it gets up to, and accasionally over, 50C with high humidity so you'll find that you are inside most of the time or in malls or restaurants spending money.
If you are an outdoors person it is a great place as the diving, camping etc is really good in the months when it is possible.
There is a lot of drinking going on there and although there isn't a Lan Kwai Fong, there are a lot of places where you can actually get to the bar on a Friday night and get a drink.
Although a Muslim country it is very accepting of other nationalities and cultures, you just have to show some respect to your hosts, as with any country.
If it is for 6 months I would say go for it, but only if the package is very good. Don't go there on your HK salary and expect to come back with savings- especially over such a short period.
As far as 'Asians' go KnowItAll lives up to his name. The Indian/Pakistani population far outweighs the population of any other culture there, I think they represent around 70% and are found in many areas from exceptionally rich entrepreneurs to taxi drivers and construction. There is also a large number of Phillippina and Malaysians there as they are often Muslim too and look after homes and children.
I'll help if I can with anything else. i have a friend who runs a business there- Explorer Publishing- and they have a website at www.the-explorer.com, it may be worth ordering a copy of Dubai Explorer to give yourself an idea.

[tiny]

I lived there for one year in 2001-2002 and although enjoyed the huge culture shock, I still thought HK is better in terms of ammenities, freedom and culture.

I am a British Chinese girl and was shocked by the muslim men thinking that all south east asian type girls were 'available'. Like HK, you get a lot of philippino and thai girls working in girlie bars and the muslim men love them.

Shopping is not as good as HK and there are not many places to go to as Dubai is a small place and you end up going to the same bars, restaurants, etc... Work life is similar to HK with long hours and alternate Sats. Public transport is non-existent and rental cars are very expensive. Also, taxis are really smelly with no air con even though temperatures reach up to 50 degrees centigrade.

You get a lot of sad expats who were probably not doing that great in their country of origin thinking they are fabulous because they can afford a big car and villa with maid service in Dubai. You can get really rude service in a shop or restaurant as the arabs also get served first, white expats next and the rest of the population last.

You need a 'passport' to buy alcohol and you only obtain one when you earn over a certain amount (a lot of the poorer workers cannot get one). Then you can only go to certain places to buy the alcohol ration with not much choice of alcohol! Although I don't consider my husband and I to be alcoholics, we found the ration to be very small and if you have a dinner party, guests are often required to bring their own booze!

I am glad I'd experience the middle east but would not like to live there again for sure.

Hope the above helps.

[JimboJet]

haha....that sums it up I think.

I have a few friends working there and they mentioned the same about chinese girls being "available". I know of one girl who had her boss made advances towards her. She said no and guess what happened? She was fired from her job and not allowed to work in Dubai for 6 months....sick sick world we live in.

Housing is pretty expensive so be best get a package which includes such.

J

I lived there for one year in 2001-2002 and although enjoyed the huge culture shock, I still thought HK is better in terms of ammenities, freedom and culture.

I am a British Chinese girl and was shocked by the muslim men thinking that all south east asian type girls were 'available'. Like HK, you get a lot of philippino and thai girls working in girlie bars and the muslim men love them.

Shopping is not as good as HK and there are not many places to go to as Dubai is a small place and you end up going to the same bars, restaurants, etc... Work life is similar to HK with long hours and alternate Sats. Public transport is non-existent and rental cars are very expensive. Also, taxis are really smelly with no air con even though temperatures reach up to 50 degrees centigrade.

You get a lot of sad expats who were probably not doing that great in their country of origin thinking they are fabulous because they can afford a big car and villa with maid service in Dubai. You can get really rude service in a shop or restaurant as the arabs also get served first, white expats next and the rest of the population last.

You need a 'passport' to buy alcohol and you only obtain one when you earn over a certain amount (a lot of the poorer workers cannot get one). Then you can only go to certain places to buy the alcohol ration with not much choice of alcohol! Although I don't consider my husband and I to be alcoholics, we found the ration to be very small and if you have a dinner party, guests are often required to bring their own booze!

I am glad I'd experience the middle east but would not like to live there again for sure.

Hope the above helps.