Hi Selma,
Dhs25K/month including housing for family of 4 will be doable, but tight. I know London is expensive, but GBP60K/year sounds ok (depends where you will chose to live).
I also have a 18 months all and number 2 on the way if I was in your shoes my choice would be London. If you will opt for Dubai - make sure you and your kids will have good private medical cover. Also schooling will be an issue with a couple of years to come. Does your DH company in Dubai cover schooling? If not this will be a headache in years to come.
Good luck with your decison!
<em>edited by JoannaS on 06/10/2011</em>
Are you British? If you are you'd be able to get child benefit for each child so you can add that into the $ pot too. Accomodation/rents are cheaper in the UK but utilities are expensive and council tax too. Also communting in London is tiring and expensive too.
When the kids need to go to school would the company here pay the fees? In the UK they'd be free from age 3, something else to consider.
I really don't know what is best to suggest but hope you soon start sleeping better, it doesn't help decision making!
;)
I can't advise on London as have never lived there but can give some idea of cost of living in Dubai....
DEWA (water and electricity bills) for an apartment or small villa would range between 300 per month in the winter for the apartment and could be as high as 2000 in the summer for the villa because more rooms and a garden to irrigate, there is also a housing fee added to your DEWA bill which is 5% of your rent - so for 8000 per month it would be 400 on top of your bill for usage
A glass of wine in a restaurant or beer is 40-60 dirhams, a bottle of beer is 25-40 dirhams, a meal in a nice restaurant for 2 people with wine can set you back between 500-1000+
A meal in a cheaper restaurant or cafe which does not serve alcohol would be on average 150 per person (less for kids)
Aquaventure (water park) tickets are currently AED 140 for adult UAE residents and 115 for children
Car rental starts from around 1600 per month for the cheapest car
Cleaners/maids are approx 30 dirhams per hour
Hope that helps!