June 28th marked my second anniversary in Dubai. I am amazed how quickly it has gone. I look back at making my choice to move to the Middle East and always in the back of your mind you have a time limit.
“Oh, I think I will give it a couple of years. Three maximum and I will go back to blighty” – I am sure is the thought a lot of expats coming over have. I certainly did as do a lot of my friends. The reality is, that if you are able to make a good circle of friends, enjoy your job and have somewhere good to live then I will call that place home. I am lucky. I have all three.
Over the last year this blog has undergone some changes. I like lists. So here is one about this blog:
1. Number of times it has been moved – Once (from blogspot to wordpress)
2. Number of hits across both sites – 87,118 (amazing)
3. Number of posts – 229
4. Number of comments – 566 (Thank you all!)
5. Number of domain names pointing to this blog – 4 (www.ronski.com, www.englishmaindubai.com,www.englishmaindubai.co.uk englishmanindubai.wordpress.com)
6. Most viewed post – Tailor Made (718 views)
I look forward to the next couple of years of living in Dubai and writing this blog. My life is certainly different from when I lived in the UK and overall it is for the better. Twelve months of sunshine and lots of things to do it a good place to start. Having said that, Dubai is a changing place. The soon to be introduced VAT on goods, the sharp rise in prices of food and property, the increase of traffic on the roads all adds up to give Dubai the challenges that other cities around the world have faced for some time.
I am keen to see how it fairs.
For me it was going to be a couple of years, I was single and I needed to get my stuff together.
I’m now happily married and I have been here 11 years – don’t get me wrong, I get tired of it sometimes, but working in Dubai has allowed me to buy a home on a Greek Island, working in the UK wouldn’t have done that.
On the other hand, I have seen people leave here with absolutely nothing, some with less than nothing, still in debt.
Enjoy it Aaron, but make sure you take something away from Dubai, don’t leave here with nothing but your debts.
By: dubaibilly on July 1, 2008
at 9:56 pm
Thanks Dubabilly! I am doing my best to take away some very good things when/if I ever leave Dubai.
By: Aaron on July 1, 2008
at 11:12 pm
It seems that the majority who came for the usual two years stay very much longer, the alternative being that people don’t like it from day one and go back home very quickly. I know more than a few just-for-two-years people who are still here thirty years later. Somehow the time here seems to pass more quickly…
By: seabee on July 2, 2008
at 2:30 pm
Keep it up! You have many lurkers (like me) who are still with you.
By: Duffy on July 2, 2008
at 4:19 pm
How long ago did you buy your place? Can you tell me how big it is and what building it is in? I assume you bought off plan… what do you think of the build quality?
I had looked at several DAMAC and Emmar properties and while the original 6 buildings are ok, most have pretty poor quality. I’d love to buy a place there. Can you suggest ones that might be ready within a year and will have good build quality?
Recent news in Gulf News indicated owners may not be able to get visas from Emmar – any news from them about this?
By: Trygve on July 11, 2008
at 2:00 am
So I’m interloping here a bit. My husband and I are close to getting an offer for a 2-year contract. I of course have a gazillion questions. But here’s the biggest one: What kind of money should we ask for to make the move? I’ve gotten a variety of advice, including ask for double your currently salary, which would be awesome, but what’s realistic?
Having done this before, maybe you can offer some insight. We live in the US Midwest, have not huge but substantial debt, own a house, a dog, 2-cars, the standard American thing.
Our goals are pretty much two-fold, live an adventure and get out of debt. But on the other hand, I want to have enough spare cash that we can go to the Seychelles for a week while we’re living in the Mideast.
HELP! Thanks….
By: leslietfj on July 19, 2008
at 7:09 pm
Hi Leslie – I have sent you an email in response to your questions. I really recommend having a look at :
http://www.dubaiforums.com/
Good luck
Aaron
By: Aaron on July 21, 2008
at 3:09 pm
Hey folks,
What an interesting Blog.
How about one category for all the good that’s been done in Dubai.
“Health and Community development”.
If the moderator or anyone wants to know more, please feel free to write to me at this email or stressremover@gmail.com.
We are all volunteers and are intrumental in promoting the ‘green’ concept and stress-management/holistic healing at the labour camps/impoverished families/etc.
Getting rid of Plastic in Dubai was launched by a group of amazing women, and some folks then joined in and got the supermarkets and municiplaity to join in.
Drivers stress-management courses are also done in coordination with Dubai’s police.
It’s all done by us. This is our party too..lol..
Love to all,
Fuzzy
Life is a celebration!
PS- How does one contact Catherine Langley and Viva Magazine.
By: Fuzzywuzzy on July 30, 2008
at 7:42 pm
Congratulations Aaron!!
and it has been great help. (I am still not done reading it, though- I just discovered it in June)
My voyage is just starting next month, and I am very excited and a wee bit afraid at the same time. I have been reading your blog as reference
I am very happy for you that you ended up loving Dubai and got an awesome flat with an awesome view. Hopefully I can say the same thing in a couple of years.
Cheers.
Aixa
By: aixa on August 1, 2008
at 12:47 am
Hi Fuzzywuzzy – probably best bet is to send her a message on Facebook.
Axia – good luck on your new adventure. I hope it works out well for you!
By: Aaron on August 1, 2008
at 2:52 pm