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Is everyone leaving??

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sheikhandbake108829

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 12 July 2015 - 13:20

I left Dubai just over 2 years ago to move to Qatar, we are happy to say we are moving to AD on 24th. Never lived in AD so am looking forward to it, Ive visited at weekends whilst in Dubai. Cant wait to get out of Qatar, its **** on earth, well for us it has been. I spent the weekend in Qatar and have to say I've never, ever been so happy to leave a place in my life! Everything I tried to do was extraordinarily difficult - from having lunch where the staff over-charged me by adding an extra zero to my bill and then couldn't work out how to fix it to checking into the hotel where half the lights in the room didn't work and they couldn't work out how to fix it or find a different room - just absolutely everything was painful. In the end, I changed my flight by 3 hours - and even though the earlier flight was empty and we were flying without baggage - they charged me 600 dirhams, more than the original flight. I paid it because I was just so happy to get out of there!

2725

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 12 July 2015 - 13:09

I left Dubai just over 2 years ago to move to Qatar, we are happy to say we are moving to AD on 24th. Never lived in AD so am looking forward to it, Ive visited at weekends whilst in Dubai. Cant wait to get out of Qatar, its **** on earth, well for us it has been.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 08 July 2015 - 05:43

No, I'm from East Anglia. I'm now in Western Canada and so far, so good :)

Sandancer2384733

1

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 July 2015 - 15:37

Yep. After 10 years here we're off in less than a week. My best friend is leaving too. I also know a lot of other people leaving this summer - far more than in previous years. Sanddy_Dogg did you move back to the Northumberland area? we are returning in October (after many years here) and I am wondering how you are settling in and how is it being back in the UK? I have very mixed feelings about leaving, may need to find a support group for ex-expats!

1010

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 17:51

PS welcome back KK72 :)

1010

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 17:50

The grass always seems greener on the other side, especially when it's hot and sticky here and life seems cooler and fresher everywhere else in the world. the UAE is a transient place, people used to come on 2 or 3 year contracts and then go, now people generally tend to stay longer but they still usually reach the end of their cycle at the 6/7/8/9 year mark and then move on, but lots of people are moving in as well. Rents will go up and down. People will move in and out of their homes and of the country. That's life here!

4393

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 15:49

We've got friends and their family hopefully coming out here soon and they're really looking forward to the change and getting away from the UK.

KittyKat7269038

142

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 15:43

We left about 2 yrs ago...I cried nearly everyday to come back to UK. My husband gave in and we returned. Now we are trying to come back to Dubai and realised the very reasons we came back to the UK...are actually the reasons we left in the first place. Here's hoping we can return soon to Dubai :)

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 14:55

Living in Dubai is what you make of it. There are many comments here about not being able to save money any more as Dubai is expensive. Not everyone comes here to make money, some people relocate to experience different things and enjoy a different lifestyle. I'm not saving money but I didn't save money in my own country either so I'm happy to enjoy the sunshine while I can and do a job that I enjoy. Its not all about how much money you have in the bank, life is too short so I intend to enjoy it. I have just found out that 2 of my friends who left 18 months ago are heading back to Dubai They didn't settle in the UK and realize that her is much better for them :-)

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 14:41

Living in Dubai is what you make of it. There are many comments here about not being able to save money any more as Dubai is expensive. Not everyone comes here to make money, some people relocate to experience different things and enjoy a different lifestyle. I'm not saving money but I didn't save money in my own country either so I'm happy to enjoy the sunshine while I can and do a job that I enjoy. Its not all about how much money you have in the bank, life is too short so I intend to enjoy it.

58

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 June 2015 - 18:26

We are planning on leaving next year. We will have been here 15 years by then. It will coincide with the start of secondary school for our eldest. I love Dubai,it will always be very special to us but bringing up my children here long term is not what I want for them. They are not ultra sporty and it seems that unless you are, there is so little for them to do here. There is no real substance here and it bothers me that my children are surrounded by so much materialism and think its just normal. The rudeness of people astounds me on a daily basis and I can't cope with it anymore. The roads are SO busy, there is no pleasure in driving at all. I want more 'depth' for my children, more culture, more reality. For people who have moved home with children, how have they settled in? Has the transition been ok, especially in school? I worry most about that!

1

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 June 2015 - 17:26

Well my family of 4 just came in last year and I can say that we aren't going back to Switzerland soon. We all love it here and with both of us working (husband and I) on expat packages, we're making and saving a good amount too. Not that we're not having a good time. We are truly living the Dubai dream...

81

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 13:04

Also been here a long time (since the 90s) and have seen a lot of long time residents leaving. We are staying but if it keeps getting more expensive that may change. Price escalation reminds me a bit of 2007 early 2008 but different this time (salaries not rising, high dollar, low oil & real estate not going up like it was then). Possible lots of people coming in from the rest of region and outside the region but no personal knowledge . Would love to know what kind of contracts the newcomers have and whether they are saving lots of money.

1414

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 08:10

I'm leaving this year after 22 years, I know several other old timers who are heading off too.....

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 18:03

Probably. I think tourism is Dubai's biggest economic generator....

506

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 17:44

For every person that leaves ten more come in (if not more) But probably 8 or 9 of those 10 are labourers or other workers on very low salaries. We've never known so many people to be leaving as this summer, and pretty much all of them say the same thing - it's just not worth it financially to stay here any more. Rent, school fees and the rest have reached the point where we don't know anybody who is saving money. Most people are just about breaking even each month, and they look at their gratuity as their savings. With the Expo etc coming up, it's inevitable that lots more people will be arriving, but most of them will be Indians, Pakistanis and Filipinos who will be on low salaries and who won't be "living the Dubai dream". Since the general thrust of hiring in Dubai has been towards getting rid of expensive Westerners with families and replacing them with cheaper staff, it makes you wonder how some of the shops and restaurants here will remain in business. Maybe they'll end up relying in tourism?

48

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 15:39

After 10 years we have packed up our 40 ft container early to avoid the June rush. Dubai is not a forever place. We had 10 great years. When our teenagers went off to boarding school (best decision ever) we sat down to discuss everything. The cost of running a house has started to explode. The DEWA bill is the icing on the cake! The cost of a maid and driver (for company business) is creeping up and then the new expense of health insurance for them is untenable for most normal people. The cost of running our own business is now almost comical and the regulation insane. The traffic is so dangerous and the roads so crowded I didn't even want my husband and I in the same car in case we were killed in an accident. No longer fun going out to dinner as the prices are outrageous and the cost of a thimbleful of wine can be around 80 AED. I know, there are other great places much cheaper and we love those. Thank goodness we got our kids out of school before the prices went mental. People are so rude now it is scary. 10 of our friends have left this year. Our street had 3 containers in the last week we were there. We have great memories of Dubai and good luck to you new people.

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 11:49

Found this on Wikipedia so must be true! But the UAE according to these figure is in the top 10 for net migration. It would be interesting to see which nationalities and which part of UAE people are moving too but it seems plenty of people are still coming... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_net_migration_rate

212

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 09:55

For every person that leaves ten more come in (if not more) Is that a fact, if so where did you get that statistic? Many western expats seem to be moving on due to cost of living and schooling. No not an exact figure but as the population increases each year its obvious that more people arrive than depart.

163

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 09:35

we have only been here 9-10 months only and last month, we had the opportunity to move back to Europe jobwise, but we decided not to. we feel we just arrived and have not had the time to really live it and breathe. Although we are also chocked by the high costs, and our nursery just displayed their new fees for the new year, 20 percent higher! And they operate ramadan on reduced hours, yet we pay for full days, those things irritate me a lot, but what can you do, i read those are apparently common frustrations. Overall, I like the thought of living here couple of years and then move back to Europe, when our child is older.

Cheshiregal1976...

8

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 08:51

im leaving August next year, when my contract on the apartment expires, thats my goal The place is cursed, i lost my husband to another woman, i lost my boyfriend to his partying ways, and the citys bars and clubs, and my friends here are just not loyal, i just dont have anyone anymore. ive lived here 7 years, and its just becoming boring,now. i know everyone will say its what you make it, but ive been going home alot recently , ( i just bought property back home in the north of england) and family and watching my niece grow up now its more than anything. Im also from the lake district, where its so green, and pretty, yes it rains, but to be honest im excited. im hitting 40 next year, and the dating scene here is nothing like ive experienced. and im sure other single women would agree. I wont lie, dubai has given me some great memories, and really has given me a great career, where i can afford what i want, but i think its time now to enjoy one more last year, and then KHALLAS!! LOL time to move on, and start a fresh new chapter in the naughty 40's

458

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 05:55

The comical way in which rent is handled here (a YEAR in advance!) is one of the chief reasons people we know are leaving. Coupled with poor quality and a "tenant pays for all repairs" approach from absentee landlords I can't see it being sustainable. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood this morning! I do think overall there is a net outflow at the minute. No doubt it will change if oil prices pick up (when?) but right now I think quite a few are on the way out.

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 00:24

Interesting reading! I've actually lived in Dubai since 1997 and have recently left due to the cost of living. I totally LOVE the UAE and my time in Middle East has been the most amazing time ever…i Its true what I've heard from many who have left…"there is life after Dubai" and I'm only starting to realise it now.

654

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 23:04

This thread comes up every year I've lived in Dubai. But I did recently read this article in the Daily Telegraph: http://my.telegraph.co.uk/expat/annabelkantaria/10159217/how-to-leave-the-uae/ It doesn't say much other than the writer is also experiencing the same thoughts as others on this thread. We do know people leaving. It seems that a big reason compared to past years is that the job market has greatly improved "back home," and other reasons are education and cost of living. One of my friends who left last year said the UAE was a wonderful place to raise young children, but not teenagers and she wanted her children in the UK for their teenage years. It's a sentiment I sympathize with.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 17:44

For every person that leaves ten more come in (if not more) That is sadly true. I see the average IQ level dropping each summer since employers now prefer to hire less educated but cheaper labour. 7 supervisors and 1 actual worker instead of just hiring one properly qualified and well paid employee....that kind of scenario. Lol!

Countess Wrinkle

96

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 17:25

For every person that leaves ten more come in (if not more) Is that a fact, if so where did you get that statistic? Many western expats seem to be moving on due to cost of living and schooling.

148

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 17:05

let's not even get started on the cost of running a business..Thats why eateries do well here..At least one can eat and drown your sorrows:)

148

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 17:02

Been here since 2008, and apart from in 2009, have not seen as many moving trucks as i have seen this year. Dubai is really getting very expensive to live in. Great as a holiday destination especially for kids..but living here for the long term..Well..you better be earning some serious cash!

sheikhandbake108829

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 16:39

People come and go. It's the Dubai expat life. But yes in the last year, we have seen more people go. Employment trends and oil price drop are major factors. Last year in the Oil & Gas sector, we were all reassigned back to our home countries, some went, others like me stayed back in Dubai. More so the government is really encouraging its citizens to take up jobs that would have been filled by expat skills. So need for our skills is dropping by the day. Coupled with the high rates, it might make sense to just relocate back home.:) Yep, lots of our friends are leaving this year. Rising prices here, drop in the value of the Euro, oil and gas price drop, more jobs at home - all equates to lots of people leaving.

Empress24101543

17

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 16:22

People come and go. It's the Dubai expat life. But yes in the last year, we have seen more people go. Employment trends and oil price drop are major factors. Last year in the Oil & Gas sector, we were all reassigned back to our home countries, some went, others like me stayed back in Dubai. More so the government is really encouraging its citizens to take up jobs that would have been filled by expat skills. So need for our skills is dropping by the day. Coupled with the high rates, it might make sense to just relocate back home.:)

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