Thinking about moving to Dubai as an expat...need some advice

[roadwarrior]

My fiancee and I are thinking about relocating to Dubai for a couple years as expats, following our wedding next year. I was wondering if someone can give us some advice on how best to proceed:

I have an MBA and about 5 years experience in management consulting and program management for a major high tech field (in the area of supply chain). She has about 12 years experience in technical writing.

We would be very interested in a situation where we could both get job offers and I can hopefully get an expat package (high base salary and bonus, paid for furnished apartment, car, etc).

Can anyone tell us how difficult it would be for us both to get these types of jobs and how to best find them? What is it like living there as expats, especially Americans? Will we feel out of place or is there a large community of similar folks that we could befriend? Will we feel out of place if we want to do things that involve drinking (we're huge wine drinkers)? I've heard that things are getting very expensive in Dubai. Will this negate our intention to save a lot of money while over there (living tax free)? Any additional thoughts would be welcomed as well.

[AltinD]

^^ You would not feel out of place at all.

Take a job from the USA, do not come here looking for it, you'll have the advantage in negotiating a better package if you apply directly from the States.

[M.K.]

Oh... if I would be in such luxurious expat conditions like yours..., I would be the happiest man in world. How luck you both are, and starting at top...I need advice how to be rich as well... Don't a sheik want to marry me and my wife both giving us top conditions???

[smussuw]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior

Will we feel out of place if we want to do things that involve drinking (we're huge wine drinkers)? I've heard that things are getting very expensive in Dubai. Will this negate our intention to save a lot of money while over there (living tax free)? Any additional thoughts would be welcomed as well.

You can have alcohol license to buy alcohol in dedicated places and bars but you shouldn't expect a life like the US. Dubai, although very liberal can be as traditional as Saudi Arabia in many aspects. Porn and anything inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates is censored in the web. You have to abide with the culture, for example, kissing in public and even light public sexual affections are not accepted. Freedom of speech, although better than most of Arab countries is still limited.

I thought that I need to tell u because some came while being ignorant about almost everything here. So they have a cultural shock and want to go back. You are going to a different league with people natives having a different mentality !!

[GO_UAE]

Just keep an open mind and heart and you will be A ok !

[smussuw]

yea and throw the mentality of "live and let live" the first bin u come across to.

[verticalextropy]

you are not allowed to enjoy VoIP either.
I think you should ask how your fiancee would feel in everyday life.

[AltinD]

Originally Posted by verticalextropy

you are not allowed to enjoy VoIP either.
I think you should ask how your fiancee would feel in everyday life.

Yeah, especially after the free booze sessions on Ladies nights