Is it time to leave? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Is it time to leave?

74
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 11:14

We have been planning to leave UAE for some time. I don't know how things are going in other countries, but for us , we fel like we are caged here. We don't have issue financially, it's just that socially thigs are getting unacceptable. We are fed of day to day issues (disputes with landlord, Maintainance companies, poor services, expenssive sub standard clothing,) discrimination.... everyone seems like taking advantage of you being a good human. I am also tired of being judged because of what I believe in (my faith as per papers is different- I can't change my religion because of the laws ).

I am a professional, making good money. But is it always about money? Financial aspect was one thing, that was holding me back. I know wherever I go, I can make a decent living. The question is, which country is safe and give "freedom of religion" and least racist?. I do hope, I can get residence on investment basis. All this Syrian crisis, I don't see many countries are going to be as safe now, including UAE it self.

Any suggestion? Countries good for small businesses (don't mind paying taxes). Most likely, not a very religious country. Where we can at least make enough for survival.

1848
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 September 2015 - 17:20
3 of my friends who left Dubai are now back and one is trying to get back here They hated the UK and struggled to settle there. We will always have people who leave and many who come. I love going home but cannot see myself settling there just yet. What is wrong with the UK? Why does everyone hate it there!? None of my friends went to the UK - they've gone to Canada, South Africa, the US and Europe which might be why they are so happy? Is the rule, "go home unless you are from the UK and in that case, stay as long as humanly possible?" I have to agree with sheikhandbake. All my friends who went back to their home country (US,South Africa,Australia,NZ and even Philippines) are extremely happy however all my UK friends are miserable. They are the only ones...
456
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 September 2015 - 07:56
The UK is very diverse. I think people will have mixed experiences resettling depending upon: Location Commuting time Work/career Education availability Housing Expenses Proximity to friends and family/community Facilities/social life There are some wonderful places in the UK and some frankly crummy ones. So I think its varies from individual to individual. I don't think you can compare home to Dubai realistically as Dubai is a one-off. However, going back to UK can provide a lot of experiences that you just cant have here in Dubai and is arguably more of a "real" life. I will make a move in another 3 years as feel the time is counting down in Dubai. Expenses are becoming too high and I am not keen on my DD growing up a teenager is this environment. Its not bad but it is not a good preparation for real life! Just my thoughts.... how is this environment not good for older kids? As I have some other friends also who share this sentiment and I cant understand it as my kids are still young. My view is that Dubai is not a real life preparation for adulthood. Here some kids can lead a very sheltered life here as parents worry about consequences of doing the usual stupid teenage things. So they don not have the same level of independence or maturity as their UK counterparts. I think to keep a child here until they are 18 with mum and dad driving them everywhere, help at home, materialistic friends, no real part time work opportunities etc and then to send them to any big city for university - it will be a massive culture shock. Some benefits of growing up in UK - ability to have a part time job and some independence, good public transport, interaction with the elderly - learning to help an old person cross the road/give up your seat on the bus, become streetwise - what to do when someone offers drugs, how to interact with the homeless etc. At home teenagers in UK will take a more active role is the household with chores etc. Here most of that is done for us because of availability of help. Work/life balance for parents is generally better back home as here we do lots of regional business trips. Back home there would be hopefully be more family time. These are just some of my thoughts. Some of these points you can try to address as a parent living here in UAE. But for teenagers peer pressure is always an issue. I imagine it is much worse here due to level of wealth and some parents who can't give their kids the necessary time overcompensating elsewhere…. I hope that by moving back to UK my DD will be more independent and streetwise and mature before going to university. Lets see…...
237
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2015 - 21:29
I felt same when my work life became monotonous. Have some time off from work. Think of adopting a pet, go for some make over, join some yoga or language classes.After changing your routine a bit, if you still feel the same- its surely time to leave Dubai. :-) Life is continuous battle, not only here but everywhere. I hope you feel better soon :hug:
518
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 11:26
The UK is very diverse. I think people will have mixed experiences resettling depending upon: Location Commuting time Work/career Education availability Housing Expenses Proximity to friends and family/community Facilities/social life There are some wonderful places in the UK and some frankly crummy ones. So I think its varies from individual to individual. I don't think you can compare home to Dubai realistically as Dubai is a one-off. However, going back to UK can provide a lot of experiences that you just cant have here in Dubai and is arguably more of a "real" life. I will make a move in another 3 years as feel the time is counting down in Dubai. Expenses are becoming too high and I am not keen on my DD growing up a teenager is this environment. Its not bad but it is not a good preparation for real life! Just my thoughts.... how is this environment not good for older kids? As I have some other friends also who share this sentiment and I cant understand it as my kids are still young.
8965
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 11:10
3 of my friends who left Dubai are now back and one is trying to get back here They hated the UK and struggled to settle there. We will always have people who leave and many who come. I love going home but cannot see myself settling there just yet. What is wrong with the UK? Why does everyone hate it there!? None of my friends went to the UK - they've gone to Canada, South Africa, the US and Europe which might be why they are so happy? Is the rule, "go home unless you are from the UK and in that case, stay as long as humanly possible?" They seem to complain about cost of living ( taxes) weather and social life I don't think everyone hates it there. I know of several people who have gone back and love it I imagine it depends on where you live, your social and family circle and your job/salary etc
456
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 10:44
The UK is very diverse. I think people will have mixed experiences resettling depending upon: Location Commuting time Work/career Education availability Housing Expenses Proximity to friends and family/community Facilities/social life There are some wonderful places in the UK and some frankly crummy ones. So I think its varies from individual to individual. I don't think you can compare home to Dubai realistically as Dubai is a one-off. However, going back to UK can provide a lot of experiences that you just cant have here in Dubai and is arguably more of a "real" life. I will make a move in another 3 years as feel the time is counting down in Dubai. Expenses are becoming too high and I am not keen on my DD growing up a teenager is this environment. Its not bad but it is not a good preparation for real life! Just my thoughts....
409
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 10:29
3 of my friends who left Dubai are now back and one is trying to get back here They hated the UK and struggled to settle there. We will always have people who leave and many who come. I love going home but cannot see myself settling there just yet. What is wrong with the UK? Why does everyone hate it there!? None of my friends went to the UK - they've gone to Canada, South Africa, the US and Europe which might be why they are so happy? Is the rule, "go home unless you are from the UK and in that case, stay as long as humanly possible?"
8965
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 10:20
3 of my friends who left Dubai are now back and one is trying to get back here They hated the UK and struggled to settle there. We will always have people who leave and many who come. I love going home but cannot see myself settling there just yet.
409
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 07:17
I know about six families who left Dubai for one reason or another. Every last one of them was tormented by the decision to leave - will it be better elsewhere, I'm not ready to leave, etc etc etc. But now, a year or two later, every last one of them says it was the best thing they ever did. Their kids are happier, spending more time outside all year round, and they aren't putting up with endless BS from landlords and dodgy workers.
447
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 14:38
I know where you are coming from. We just had that very same conversation a few days ago. Where is the Dubai gone we used to love. Live has become so much more difficult. Each and everything is a battle and on top of it extremely expensive. When we arrived everyone was happy, life was just great but it changed and I can't see it coming back. But then the question comes, where do you go from here? Is life going to be better elsewhere? Or is the world generally changing and this is what it's going to be. Wish you good luck with your decision.
74
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 12:42
Thank You Suzy , I have thought if all these things my self. I Am not sure if it's that phase. I do take holidays a lot, travel 5-6 times a year. Yes , life is overwhelming, but I am sure it's not that bothers me. I only feel I am livig at wrong place within wrong ppl. Dubai has been really tough for me, specially when I am such a rebellious soul and this attitude always have me troubles. I might wait for few weeks. Already planned for 4 weeks holidays and traveling to few countries. I hope this weird feeling subside soon. Else, I anyway need to decide where we can move. Asti, I have travelled to many countries but know, being in some place for tourism is one thing, and living there could be entirely different thing. I am very much "human" and fair with others, it's the people and society I have problems with. Yes, there are laws.... You can fight it out, you don't live to fight everyday with every other company/individual/department? -I won my rental case against landlord, after battle of 2 years. He has taken all the money, refused to do the major repair work that needs to be done at my resident and that is pending for 1 year plus. RERA says, I have to open an other case. Seriously? Major repair is worth 15k. -I had to get refund of some of security deposits I have kept for visas in my company. they deducted almost 4000 calling it "admin charges". When I saw the check, made complaint, yelled at them, Showed them their receipts that says, no dedication at the time of refund. The Arabic cashier was mocking as if I have gone crazy???. Only then they returned 2000 Dhs more, still keep 2000 Dhs as "admin" charges. I had to fight to get my right. They might give another 2000 back, but I don't find energy to go through same energy draining process. -one of my employees came on employement visa. We finished her visa stamping, medical etc. After that, suddenly she went to India without informing. I went to file her absconding, I was told... It's not possible to make case against her, as she is out of country. Only that I can cancel her, if she remains out of UAE for 6 months. Few weeks later I was at immigration for some other work , I requested for status check of this absconding employee. To my shock she had Come one more time to Dubai after "disappearing", stayed here for a month and left again. Now again I have to wait for 6 months from her last exit. I have added my number in immigration system, so that if someone on my sponsorship exits from UAE, I will get sms. I never receive any message. I have up on them. -I had recently had problem with my centeral air conditioning. Called a company for help. When they came, I just asked them to examine the issue and let me know what the problem and solution is. They kept going to the rooftop, coming down and checking something in my apartment's ceiling... Then suddenly ac started working somewhat. The guy came down, handed my bill of 950 Dhs. Saying there were some compressors not working, gas refilling bla bla. They have fixed it and now here is the bill. I was speechless. I have made it very clear to them that they should check the problem and FIX it ONLY after my approval. Why don't these people listen? I don't believe even that was the issue. After 10 days I have same problem and the same company, same guys are not answering my calls. Yes, I can go to consumer rights..... for God's sake I am not born a warrior. Why do people lack ethics here? How do they sleep when they cheat on others like this? Businesses have no fear because law is on their side. Nobody can write bad things about businesses or departments.
1848
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 12:07
Explore your options and go see what the rest of the world has to offer. Money is definitely not everything. If your gut instinct tells you its time to move on the do so.
203
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 11:54
Lilly, this may be totally contrary to the responses you were hoping for, but could it be that you are at a stage of life where you have this "malaise" and are looking for "that elusive thing that you do not know what"? Men usually go out and buy a sports car or start going to the gym and becoming obsessed with their looks or chase a younger model than their wives. Yes, the mid-life or quarter life or whatever period of life crisis :) where you ask yourself if there is more to life than this. Are you able to take some time off for yourself? Maybe 5 months or so without pay. Travel a bit, help out at an orphanage, build houses for poor families - lots of programs out there, do a yoga retreat, do things on your bucket list.... Do whatever YOU want to do. Take time for YOU. Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and we lose ourselves. Little things become big things and we feel closed in.
74
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 11:43
You may want to consider places that are mostly close to your language, culture, and faith. Many countries welcome investors, and if this is the basis you are considering, you shall definitely succeed! Be ready for a lot of paperwork :) Good luck! Problem is, I belong to a very conservative culture. If you mean, culture and faith I believe in and not "I was born with"..... It can be any country where mostly the atheists or agnostic people live. I don't have too much investment, I checked few countries and they do welcome investors with certain amount of investment. I wish it is as easy, as it's written on their websit @SL I iwn one of the worst third world country passport. That is what kept me in UAE, thinking this is my only best option.
4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 11:24
You may want to consider places that are mostly close to your language, culture, and faith. Many countries welcome investors, and if this is the basis you are considering, you shall definitely succeed! Be ready for a lot of paperwork :) Good luck!
8965
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 11:24
We have been planning to leave UAE for some time. I don't know how things are going in other countries, but for us , we fel like we are caged here. We don't have issue financially, it's just that socially thigs are getting unacceptable. We are fed of day to day issues (disputes with landlord, Maintainance companies, poor services, expenssive sub standard clothing,) discrimination.... everyone seems like taking advantage of you being a good human. I am also tired of being judged because of what I believe in (my faith as per papers is different- I can't change my religion because of the laws ). I am a professional, making good money. But is it always about money? Financial aspect was one thing, that was holding me back. I know wherever I go, I can make a decent living. The question is, which country is safe and give "freedom of religion" and least racist?. I do hope, I can get residence on investment basis. All this Syrian crisis, I don't see many countries are going to be as safe now, including UAE it self. Any suggestion? Countries good for small businesses (don't mind paying taxes). Most likely, not a very religious country. Where we can at least make enough for survival. What passport do you hold? That may make a difference as to where you can move to for work purposes
 
 

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