azb1 covered the issue pretty well.
My two cents:
PRO - Emirates Airlines have fantastic service if you can afford business+. And it's well connected.
PRO - hotel service if just perfect price/quality wise. Europe sucks comparing with Dubai.
CON - bureaucracy is still crazy, everything being done forever, even worse than Spanish mañana.
CON - if you have kids, they probably will grow into little entitled brats
CON - very peculiar society. A lot of con men, a lot of crypto "enthusiasts", gold diggers of all sorts and even wanted guys.
CON - if you happen to break a law - you are f***ed. There is no "slap on a wrist" in sharia law.
Overall opinion after spending some time in Dubai and trying to run business there - No.
It's basically a Disneyland for lads who's idea of entertainment is sports cars, fancy watches and Ukrainian hookers.
Absolutely nothing to do after a year o so. IMHO.
This sums up UAE and in general the neighbouring countries. Oman being more down to earth but still full of paperwork mountains to climb.
If you have a vested interest to be there physically then you will have no option but to make the best of what there is to offer.
If you have other agendas as outlined then also you will find a reason to stay as there many people who come to UAE looking for the golden goose or something similar.
The place serves a purpose and is not cheap to get things done. Especially if you want the work to be of a standard you find in Europe. If you just want to get someone to stand in line and do that for you then there are plenty of options, but dont expect common sense to be included with that level of service.
Many govt offices find ways to not return deposits back and use other departments as excuses for this. After all they are all there to raise funds to pay local workers salaries.
Just visit any government depart and go to the car park before you enter. Most of the top end cars are for the local staff.
In Europe this would not be norm.
In the past years we have seen 50% salary increases for Locals working in government departments. A large majority work up to 1-pm and then after lunch they do their private business, or are sponsors for many companies etc.
Money is their only worship.
Abba had the right lyrics for this place Money Money Money.
We all need to make money and have our desires we wish to full-fill.
Its how to go about it and if your are in a world without a sense of reality and surrounded by richness which is OPM and made of the sweat of others, then it leaves a bad taste. Certainly not honourable.
However like all places there a few decent locals and expats who want to make a work a better place, sadly there are fewer there.
Have had the pleasure and still am in contact with many who I would call honest true souls. My experience has not been terrible but I was aware of what was around me and kept my distance from the sharks which are there at most corners.
If you can find a structure which work for you with UAE in the mix then great. But it wont be cheap and simple.
The early years of real courtesy and genuine smiles is not as prevalent as it once was.
Year on year things get eroded and you do end up tired of the all to frequent changes in the law which you have to adapt to. This bring on a lot of fatigue and anxiety, no calmness and stability when anything can change literally overnight.
Anyone wishing to establish in UAE. I strongly urge them to take 3-6 months living there and visit all the emirates and not just be in the posh part of the cities. You will get a real sense of the world there and can get a good feel for the life you can expect to live. That will let you make a real informed decision.
You may like what you see or otherwise, at least you know yourself what you are getting into.
