Why do Dubai’s expats return to England?

Simples; hubby's company transfered us. Goes with the job; move once a year or so.

The decision to move back. In large part it came down to a sense of boredom in Dubai. This is hard to explain for anyone that has not lived in Dubai, including many Brits who only see the media snapshot of the UAE. So many people asked me why on earth I have moved back to the UK (yet not one of them had actually been to the UAE) For us it was to do with the lack of cultural depth and heritage, and the exaggerated focus on beach/sun/Malls and coffee mornings that meant daily life became so monotonous. Education Education was the main factor in deciding our return after trying 3 schools in 6 years it became evident that the standards were not what I had been used to in the UK, there was so much hype and brainwashing done by the schools to keep parents believing that their children were getting a first rate education when in reality all we were paying for was a sub-standard state school. The lack of educational visits, not being able to relate to UK money, missed curriculum time due to Arabic lessons, limited sports lessons and backpacker teacher culture started to take its toll. Geography Its great being back in the UK everything is within easy reach, from the New Forest to the Dorset coast every weekend is an adventure. In the UAE we found the surrounding Emirates so similar it was hardly worth the visit. We like the feeling that things are actually happening here. Somehow I feel so much more ALIVE. We love the British landscape, and the fact that there is so much to see in a small place. We like the proximity to Europe, to see Italy, France, Germany, etc. We like the fact that our professions are so much more advanced here and better rewarded. Climate We found the harsh climate in the Middle East a drain physically and emotionally, I have never felt so lethargic in my life. The monotony of scorching hot sun every day became very, very boring. We are much happier now we have real seasons again, yes, it does rain a lot in the UK but it’s never stopped us from doing what we want, unlike the weather in Dubai, the children were unable to play outside for 5 months of the year because of the heat. Family This was also a major factor in deciding to move home, parents/grandparents won’t be around forever. I felt my children had missed out on being close to their Grandparents and extended family for too long. I am not from England, but this post pretty much sums up why i can`t wait to go back home. Health will be my No.1 reason. No matter how healthy i eat and look after myself, i don`t just feel good. I find it really difficult to stay fit here, for example, because i am an outdoor person and GYM just doesn`t do it for me. My vision appears to be declining rapidly even though i`m only 30. Because of the climate I have no access to good fresh air 8 months out of 12. <em>edited by Wild Mint on 10/09/2011</em>

The decision to move back. In large part it came down to a sense of boredom in Dubai. This is hard to explain for anyone that has not lived in Dubai, including many Brits who only see the media snapshot of the UAE. So many people asked me why on earth I have moved back to the UK (yet not one of them had actually been to the UAE) For us it was to do with the lack of cultural depth and heritage, and the exaggerated focus on beach/sun/Malls and coffee mornings that meant daily life became so monotonous. Education Education was the main factor in deciding our return after trying 3 schools in 6 years it became evident that the standards were not what I had been used to in the UK, there was so much hype and brainwashing done by the schools to keep parents believing that their children were getting a first rate education when in reality all we were paying for was a sub-standard state school. The lack of educational visits, not being able to relate to UK money, missed curriculum time due to Arabic lessons, limited sports lessons and backpacker teacher culture started to take its toll. Geography Its great being back in the UK everything is within easy reach, from the New Forest to the Dorset coast every weekend is an adventure. In the UAE we found the surrounding Emirates so similar it was hardly worth the visit. We like the feeling that things are actually happening here. Somehow I feel so much more ALIVE. We love the British landscape, and the fact that there is so much to see in a small place. We like the proximity to Europe, to see Italy, France, Germany, etc. We like the fact that our professions are so much more advanced here and better rewarded. Climate We found the harsh climate in the Middle East a drain physically and emotionally, I have never felt so lethargic in my life. The monotony of scorching hot sun every day became very, very boring. We are much happier now we have real seasons again, yes, it does rain a lot in the UK but it’s never stopped us from doing what we want, unlike the weather in Dubai, the children were unable to play outside for 5 months of the year because of the heat. Family This was also a major factor in deciding to move home, parents/grandparents won’t be around forever. I felt my children had missed out on being close to their Grandparents and extended family for too long. Agree entirely although we didn't have children with us so no experience of the school system. It's just lovely being back amongst my "ain folk" and all that we enjoy. We love travelling and experiencing other cultures but like returning to our own home. Although we met some lovely people we did have the misfortune to meet many more who were so far up their own backsides it was laughable. Clearly they had forgotten their roots and for many, the maid, big villa thing had gone to their heads. If we tried any pretentious behaviour in my neck of the woods, we'd be slapped down to size in a heartbeat. Was at a girlie candle party last night and laughed until I ached, something I never did in Doha. Since coming home, our social life has taken off big style. We had opportunities in Doha and apart from meals with a few good friends, we avoided the various parties where we would have had to mix with people we had zilch in common with. Obviously loads of people have a ball in the ME and that is wonderful but it was just not for us at all. Hubby is now happily retired and getting under my feet as I too am semi retired just doing the odd shift at a local nursing home. Too busy having fun to work these days :D

Vat - I lived in Dalston - off Queensland Road - we had security bars on the windows and it was scary when there was a football match on! If I ran out of milk after dark, I would definitely think twice about walking to the shops on my own. Black tea for breakfast was preferable. But I loved the Brick Lane scene - used to go the Flower Market almost every Sunday. And those bagels.. mmmmm! Chickchick, I lived off of Mare Street, (Brenthouse Road) not far from Well Street and Morning Lane. I think I used to work in a hairdressers in Queensland Road, Charlie's Angels. Its a small world isn't it :-)

This is a really interesting thread, any old timers (10 years plus in Dubai?) move back to the UK? I would love to hear what you think... I'm really hoping to make the move back in the next few years, for a lot of reason Tally Ho mentions...

The decision to move back. In large part it came down to a sense of boredom in Dubai. This is hard to explain for anyone that has not lived in Dubai, including many Brits who only see the media snapshot of the UAE. So many people asked me why on earth I have moved back to the UK (yet not one of them had actually been to the UAE) For us it was to do with the lack of cultural depth and heritage, and the exaggerated focus on beach/sun/Malls and coffee mornings that meant daily life became so monotonous. Education Education was the main factor in deciding our return after trying 3 schools in 6 years it became evident that the standards were not what I had been used to in the UK, there was so much hype and brainwashing done by the schools to keep parents believing that their children were getting a first rate education when in reality all we were paying for was a sub-standard state school. The lack of educational visits, not being able to relate to UK money, missed curriculum time due to Arabic lessons, limited sports lessons and backpacker teacher culture started to take its toll. Geography Its great being back in the UK everything is within easy reach, from the New Forest to the Dorset coast every weekend is an adventure. In the UAE we found the surrounding Emirates so similar it was hardly worth the visit. We like the feeling that things are actually happening here. Somehow I feel so much more ALIVE. We love the British landscape, and the fact that there is so much to see in a small place. We like the proximity to Europe, to see Italy, France, Germany, etc. We like the fact that our professions are so much more advanced here and better rewarded. Climate We found the harsh climate in the Middle East a drain physically and emotionally, I have never felt so lethargic in my life. The monotony of scorching hot sun every day became very, very boring. We are much happier now we have real seasons again, yes, it does rain a lot in the UK but it’s never stopped us from doing what we want, unlike the weather in Dubai, the children were unable to play outside for 5 months of the year because of the heat. Family This was also a major factor in deciding to move home, parents/grandparents won’t be around forever. I felt my children had missed out on being close to their Grandparents and extended family for too long.

I would have thought the reason more expats return from Dubai is because in Dubai they are just that - expats, not emigrants. For the majority of people, English or otherwise, Dubai is not and cannot become a permanent residence by virtue of visa regulations, whereas other popular UK expat destinations - the EU or US or Australia do have mechanisms in place to allow people to settle permanently. Can't see why anyone would take issue with the original piece, it just states fairly obvious and bland facts. Didn't see anything "whiney" or negative about it. Exactly was I was thinking! Just looking at all the posts before I posted and you've explained it better than I could :-)

Who goes form England to France for the day? My relatives in Scotland need to send their children to a private school because the government one is just not an option so they are paying taxes and a private school. When my kids are teenagers I will leave Dubai but I won´t necessarily go to the UK or Europe mainland - everything depends on how the countries overcome this massive recession. For the moment I feel extremely lucky I had the opportunity to come to Dubai as we are saving lots of money and have a lifestyle unthinkable in the UK or Europe.

families... I moved here from Hackney and I love the fact that I can go out at night and never feel threatened, and that people here (even the very poor ones) are in the main, an honest bunch who aren't out to relieve you of your valuables. It counts for a lot. . So are people in other places like SIngapore, UK, US dishonest people "out to get your valuables" ? i feel people here are as mixed with honest and dishonest people as any major expat city like SG, HK, . edited by Arch on 10/09/2011 Arch - I'm just saying that when you have lived in a rough inner city area (it could be anywhere in the world), you appreciate the fact that opportunistic crime such as stabbings and muggings etc, don't happen very often in Dubai. People are more honest, often because their visas depend on it and zero tolerance works.

Vat - I lived in Dalston - off Queensland Road - we had security bars on the windows and it was scary when there was a football match on! If I ran out of milk after dark, I would definitely think twice about walking to the shops on my own. Black tea for breakfast was preferable. But I loved the Brick Lane scene - used to go the Flower Market almost every Sunday. And those bagels.. mmmmm!

For me, I will eventually go back to the UK because that is where I'm from, but hopefully that won't be for a long time as I really enjoy living here at the moment, and at this moment in time, Dubai is my home. On a different note, Chickchick, whereabouts in Hackney did you come from. I lived in Hackney for most of my life :-), and have to agree with you, you do feel safer over here, that why Qater had such and appeal for me also, I just felt so safe, for the first time in years!!!

Simple....to put my children into a good private school.

the maid culture embarrasses me (who do SOME expats think they are) I would never bring my kids up in a country where they were not treated as equals. it is sad to see [i'>some[/i'> kids brought up here who then move elsewhere and deal with people primarily on the basis of "but he is from there" and "she is just a "......ian". Everyone is part of a hierarchy and disputes should ideally be settled on the basis of who is "superior" to the other. Then again no point blaming the kids as some people spend 20 years here and become like that themselves.......

families... I moved here from Hackney and I love the fact that I can go out at night and never feel threatened, and that people here (even the very poor ones) are in the main, an honest bunch who aren't out to relieve you of your valuables. It counts for a lot. . So are people in other places like SIngapore, UK, US dishonest people "out to get your valuables" ? i feel people here are as mixed with honest and dishonest people as any major expat city like SG, HK, . <em>edited by Arch on 10/09/2011</em>

Let's hope the low lifes go, it will make life a lot easier . by Dubai's very nature, there aren't actually any "low lifes"... there are morally questionable, but not the low-life underclass that the DM loves to harp on about. I think, out of all the places in the world, Dubai is the one whose outward image is the most radically different from reality... so a lot of people come along believing the [hyperactive'> PR and then get the Mother of all reality checks. Add to that the fact that the feather-bed packages are dead and gone (pretty much) and what's left looks great on paper when you're sitting in the UK, paying tax and taking the NHS and free schooling for granted, but once you come out, all those "perks" add up and eat away all your tax-free-ness. It's true that the great packages don't exist anymore, and that life for a lot of expats isn't that easy. Financially speaking, Dubai is very expensive - but I still don't think it's as expensive as the UK because the salaries are still higher here. You do end up paying for education and healthcare - and it probably works out being the same as paying 40 percent tax back home. There are also far more job opportunities. The bonus here is that you get to pick and choose your kid's school (rather than being part of the state education lottery system), and you can get a doctor's appointment at a moment's notice. In the main, the medical services here are pretty good. I have several friends and relatives who have had babies on the NHS in recent years - and have had nightmare experiences. I'm very glad, after hearing what they went through (no beds/sent home after 12 hours/not offered c-sections when they should have been, with some disastrous results/ filthy wards/overworked midwives etc) that my kids were born here with very little fuss and great care. However, if the sh*t hit the fan and you got seriously sick, you would need to be at home... as the NHS is great when it comes to the bad stuff. And, Dubai is still very safe when it comes to day to day life for families... I moved here from Hackney and I love the fact that I can go out at night and never feel threatened, and that people here (even the very poor ones) are in the main, an honest bunch who aren't out to relieve you of your valuables. It counts for a lot. As for Dubai being labelled 'not the real world' I'm never exactly sure what that means. It's as real here as anywhere else. Just because the standard of living is higher, does not mean you're existing in La la land. Dubai still has it's problems, like anywhere else.

Besides all the reason listed, and I believe money is up there, among most important reasons,the lack of(numbers didin't work out), or made enough and mission is done...fact that u will never become citizen or permanent resident is the biggest reason.Most other places offer some kind of legal opportunity to stay and not return back to the homeland. Not the case here.Hence, UAE being so transient. <em>edited by Goose on 09/09/2011</em>

I didn't read the article - mostly coz I've probably heard it all before. I think we all came here looking for a better life and probably for the most part found it. I've been here 8 years and we've had a great time but are no means living the high life. And then I had the shock of finding out my Dad was sick and sadly it didn't end well. So regardless of taxes, and no home in the UK and a rubbish NHS response to most stuff (but certainly not all) I am one of the few that has seen the bubble burst and after 3 months in the UK am watching a very surreal life that after all these years seems to not be my life. Sorry if that's a bit of a downer but it's just reality from someone who lives here, lives the life and has been kicked. Family is most defintely a good reason to go back home wherever home is.

I thought it was a good article, balanced and accurate.

we're only here for a few years - that's how long the job was for... when we go back it will be because it was our intention that's all.. loads of things i miss about the UK - especially family, and i daresay there will be things i will miss about Dubai when we leave..

We've just left for simple reasons - kids hated it, schools were very average, missed the seasons, the supermarkets were (IMHO) disgusting, the maid culture embarrasses me (who do SOME expats think they are) and I didn't like being a second class citizen with no rights. Oh, and the government departments there think expats are cash machines especially DEWA. Dubai has some GREAT things going for it and a part of my heart will always be there but it needs another 20 years to grow and modernise (and I'm not talking sky scrapers, I'm talking about red tape and attitudes). I would never bring my kids up in a country where they were not treated as equals. Great experience but living there was sooo different to the 10 holidays we'd had there before we moved over. Sums it up for me, will go soon. Just as soon as I can brace myself for the rain!!

I thought the article very realistic and certainly most i know who have returned have left for the reasons cited. I was glad the article brought up the educational issues faced by some.

We've just left for simple reasons - kids hated it, schools were very average, missed the seasons, the supermarkets were (IMHO) disgusting, the maid culture embarrasses me (who do SOME expats think they are) and I didn't like being a second class citizen with no rights. Oh, and the government departments there think expats are cash machines especially DEWA. Dubai has some GREAT things going for it and a part of my heart will always be there but it needs another 20 years to grow and modernise (and I'm not talking sky scrapers, I'm talking about red tape and attitudes). I would never bring my kids up in a country where they were not treated as equals. Great experience but living there was sooo different to the 10 holidays we'd had there before we moved over.

Oh, I daresay there's far more Australians and South Africans than Americans in Dubai. We all have to leave at some point. None of us can permanently emigrate here, the most we can look forward to is a few decades assuming you can remain employed the entire time. Moving here isn't the same as moving to, say, Australia where you are given the option of taking up citizenship. Everyone of us will leave at some point, saving those married to Emiratis. I think it's just a numbers issue. It's not really saying that most UK expats who come to Dubai would rather go home, it's more that Dubai has more expats from the UK than many of the other countries. For English speaking expats, I think the largest numbers, in order (I'm guesstimating) are from UK, US, Australia then Canada and New Zealand. I've never liked those one sided whiney columnists. Most of them are full of sh*t yet they get paid by these big publications.

Amongst my acquaintances - most UK expats do not return to the UK permanently (unless for the family reasons previously cited). They want to retire/live someplace sunny and preferably warm after they leave Dubai (Oz, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, etc. etc.) But these are mostly long term expats (at least 12 years plus) ad older so that probably makes a difference too.

Family reasons are [b'>definately [/b'>the biggest reason for considering going home (especially when you have an evil DH's ex who point blank refuses to allow the LO's (9 & 12) to visit us here.....but that's another story, 4 months notice she had of the dates we were home for the past 2 weeks and she gave us a 6hr window to see the kids - FUME!!!, as I said another story and one day I'll start a thread on this top asking for advice as it totally infuriates me!!!). But family aside, financials are the definate pull here. We live fairly frugally in a reasonable 2 bed apartment, we cook at home, we don't splash on brunches or bling.....and we save what we would pay in UK tax......back home I was lucky if I had £20 left in my bank account at the end of the month!! If you are in a reasonable job and play your cards right DXB is a nice lifestyle ..... although I do miss greenery and frosty sunny mornings and I will spend my time here working towards an even nicer life in the future ..... Edited to clarify my DH isn't evil ..... but his ex is ;-) <em>edited by Loopy Lotti on 08/09/2011</em>

I would have thought the reason more expats return from Dubai is because in Dubai they are just that - expats, not emigrants. For the majority of people, English or otherwise, Dubai is not and cannot become a permanent residence by virtue of visa regulations, whereas other popular UK expat destinations - the EU or US or Australia do have mechanisms in place to allow people to settle permanently. Can't see why anyone would take issue with the original piece, it just states fairly obvious and bland facts. Didn't see anything "whiney" or negative about it.

No, Laura, the points you made about people returning for family related reasons ARE good reasons, and reasons why many people have returned (and not just to the UK). For some people, returning to their homeland is often no more than Dubai having served its purpose. They've come to get a head-start financially, or to get some savings, and once they've reached their objective they go home. Fair enough.

No, Laura, the points you made about people returning for family related reasons ARE good reasons, and reasons why many people have returned (and not just to the UK). For some people, returning to their homeland is often no more than Dubai having served its purpose. They've come to get a head-start financially, or to get some savings, and once they've reached their objective they go home.

Fair point to the schooling and Gp HAK, i didn't take that into consideration. Infact, sorry for posting full stop, what's the point??

Have never had benefits and would never ask for them!!! So you've never been to a GP or hospital in the UK? Never been to school or sent your kids to state school? "Benefits" aren't just the various support hand-outs (in money or in kind) that people who need them can access. Every single person in the UK has received benefits - in fact, from the day they were born into an NHS hospital. Maybe it just makes people happier to think that they're not "on benefits", but in reality, we all are in some way. The Taxpayer isn't this strange victim who never gets anything back for his money, contrary to popular belief .