Patricia, Life in Dubai....

[Michael Alexander]

Hey PAtricia, we were just discussing Life in Dubai, what does one do after work? How safe? Is it lekker living there, is censorship very big there? Would you encourage other Europeans to come work there?

thanks
Mike

[Patricia Lotte]

Well, if you consider the number of South Africans moving to Dubai, it can't be such a bad place. The sun shines at least 350 days a year. You can go to the beach all year round (even if the water gets really hot in summer ... over 30 degrees) and it is one of the safest countries in the world. The downside is that the roads are extremely dangerous (people drive like complete arses here ...) and traffic is a nightmare. Rents are extremely high and will continue to climb. VAT could be introduced next year, which won't ease the rising cost of living. Schools are very expensive. Censorship ... yes, it exists. The local telecommunication company blocks all websites that it considers 'pornographic, against Islamic principles, or negatively portray any local dignatories' ...! As for the social side of things, there are a lot of clubs and bars. Alcohol is only served in hotel retaurants and bars and is costly. So although you can eat cheap, if you want to drink, you have to go to a hotel where prices are higher. Summers are very hot (made worse if humidity levels are high), so the only thing to do is hang around in shopping malls (there are loads of them around). But then again, that's ok if you enjoy crowds and shopping. During the cooler periods of the year (November to April), you can go camping in the desert (great fun). On the work front, there are still a lot of opportunities here, but one must bear in mind that although Dubai portrays itself as a cosmopolitan city, discrimination is everywhere. Salaries are based on nationalities, with Brits and Americans at the top of the list and Indians, Pakistanis, etc at the lower end. Although South Africans are considered hard-working, they earn less than Brits for example, even if they have more experience. Oh and univeristy diplomas are generally a must ...

This is just a short summary of life in Dubai, but it will give you an idea if you're considering a move to this place. I've been here 11 years and am considering leaving. Dubai used to have more sole back then. Now it's just a massif construction site that will never end. That said, we do live well here, otherwise we wouldn't still be here.

[Carl Wrbka]

Thanks for the info Patricia. Would the conditions in Quattar be the same? I've got this crazy idea of moving there in the distant future.

I believe the high cost of living in Dubai is due to the shortage of usable land. After their oil dried up the guys in charge decided to convert Dubai into a tourist and shopping mecca to lure the big spenders into investing in the country.

Sorry Mike, you and I dont qualify. It's much nicer at Hohenfels anyway...lol

[Patricia Lotte]

There is still oil here, but Dubai has established itself as a tourist destination and business hub (with all its free zones). That doesn't explain the high cost of living, which is mainly due to greed ... you've got to make as much money as you can while you can ...!

Qatar is slightly different. It's a very rich country but there's NOTHING to do or see there. From what I've heard, cost of living is increasing too. So basically, Dubai would be a better option.

[Michael Alexander]

I saw somewhere that the DUbai government was planning to put restrictions or "capping" in place to prevent the property prices  from becoming crazy.....

[Patricia Lotte]

Yeh well ... you know what givernments are like ... yes, they have put a cap of 7% but landlords still get away with higher increases under the pretext that the market value is higher. There is a 'Rent Committe' where you can file complaints for abusive increases and to be quite honest, they are trying to abide by the cap rule, but with the committee members all being owners/landlords, I rest my case ...

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Got this photo in an E.Mail. Thought it was interesting. It was not taken from an aeroplane but from the world s tallest buiding:  Burj Dubai @ 2,620ft/801m

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

Looks like something from a fantasy movie!

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

    Lets see what Patrisia has to say

[Rhona]

Whoa! wouldn't fancy working on the top if the elevator was out of order!!!