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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Come in and tell me about Dubai
My mother dropped a huge bomb yesterday. My brother and his family are most likely going out to Dubai on a 5 year contract next year. He is a commercial pilot and will fly for Emirates. Apparently the company will provide 2x the salary he gets now, plus a fully furnished home. I don't know how I feel about this to be honest. They are also talking about not coming back to the US and and living in the UK after their contract is up.
What is the culture like for ex pats out there? I am nervous for my SIL because she has lived in the midwest her entire life. Her family has practically disowned her over this 
Once upon a time, boy met girl...
Re: Come in and tell me about Dubai
Dubai is a very easy place to be an expat. Everything is in English. The country is 80% expat so no one stares at you or acts like you're weird for being a foreigner. You can get virtually any food or other product you want.
The things I found frustrating about the UAE were more cultural stuff like this tendency people have to tell you what you want to hear, which may not be the truth. I felt like I couldn't trust what anyone said ("oh yes, we are open on Saturdays" when in fact they aren't and never have been...stuff like that).
Women do not have to wear head coverings or anything like that. Just don't go out in public in short shorts and spaghetti straps and you're good.
I think they'll have a great time. Once DH gets his US citizenship we'd totally move back to the UAE especially for a great package like it sounds like your brother has!
WHY on earth would they disown her for moving to Dubai?
Anyway, I've lived here in Dubai for almost three years now and I have to say, it's really easy living compared to other places, even the UK or other parts of Europe. I agree with everything MrsBini said above. No learning another language, drive on the right side of the road, stores don't close until 10pm or later, you can find a lot of stuff because they import a lot from the US, UK, and OZ... the list goes on.
The variety of American chains here would amaze you. As far as brands and whatnot, Dubai has almost everything. We have your normal fast food (McD's, BK, Hardees, Wendy's) and American chains (Applebees, Outback, Tony Roma's, On the Border, PF Changs, and a Red Lobster and Texas Roadhouse just opened). There's Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Gap, American Eagle, Express, Sephora, etc etc. The best way to describe Dubai is like Las Vegas, minus the gambling. Not that any of that stuff is a reason to move here... I just find it makes being here a lot easier.
The culture here is somewhat non-existent for lack of a better word. I don't know any locals, nor do I hang out with any. This isn't by choice but the fact that the expat community is HUGE. They'll be surrounded by Americans, Canadians, Brits, Aussies, South Africans, etc, and especially if they move into one of the predominantly Emirates communities.
My DH is a pilot (not for Emirates) but some of his airline buddies from the States are working for them so we know quite a few people who work there. The accommodations their pilots get are usually nice (a house vs. an apartment if they have kids). If they want someone to talk with before they move I'm sure some of my friends would not have any problems answering questions as far as Emirates goes. Feel free to PM me with any general Dubai questions.
I really think it stinks that they're getting that kind of reaction from her family. Some of my friends back home are shocked that we moved to the ME, but I have to tell them that it's a world of difference between the UAE and other gulf countries. Heck, it's even a big difference between Dubai and other emirates. I hope that their family gets a chance to visit because it really is a great place to live.
I would like for someone to pay me a crap ton to move there please. TYVM.
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Little Miss Lulu playing on the beach
Thank you for all the great responses!
Risa, I will send you a PM soon. Yeah, SIL's family are being real d!cks about the whole situation. They absolutely have it in their heads that the entire ME is all terrorists and bombings. Stupid, I know right? Only one of her sisters is all for it and her parents are being complete tools about the situation. They have threatened ( I don't know if this was true or not, I heard it third hand) to take custody of their kids if they leave the country ?!?!?!?
I feel so bad she is getting resistance like this. I'm going to encourage her to come on here and talk to you guys.
THIS!
I'm giving a big ole WTF to her parents. I'm shocked that they would even suggest that they would do this. Wow.
Dubai is a very peaceful place. It's one of the few places I'd feel safe walking alone at night. Personally, I think this is because the consequence of crime is more harsh so it deters people from committing them. Jail is not a place you want to be here. Some stuff does happen, but I rarely ever hear of violent crimes, and nothing that's even close to bombings or anything like that. Geez.
I really want to stress how easy it is to live here (with the exception of being far away from family) and I'm a wimp when it comes to stuff like this... really, I could probably never hack it in Europe.
Ignorance is stupid! Seriously though, it's not like he really has a choice, a great opportunity came up, he can't pass on it. As for her family, they will come around eventually. So good luck to them and mazel tov.