Best mate is in Dubai for a fixed term contract. I’ve only ever spent a few days there. Main problem for mate is that his wife cant / isnt allowed do anything apart from have kids or shop. No work etc.
Also the ex-pat commununity (at least in his compound) is very cliquey and it does their heads in. He works as an engineer in construction and most of the bod’s on his sites are Indian nationals who get treated really really badly – accidents are common. The temp never officially reaches 50 degrees – cause then all manual labourers are allowed the day off.
He’s biding his time. Cant wait to leave and spend his new found wealth!
I think it’s like working off shore – just do it for the cash and shut up about the downsides.