Q: In terms of standards of living? We are muslims. Living in Jeddah may not be a problem (after obtaining iqama, but before that.....??? ) Just worry about cost of living, future prospects and kids' education.
A: I am an American who lives in Abu Dhabi, and I have spent time in Doha, and Dubai. Out of those three, I wouldn't even compare Doha to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The UAE is more international (without compromising Islamic values) and there is TONS more to do here. If I had to choose between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I would choose Abu Dhabi (which I did). Dubai is an exciting place to visit but not one to raise a family. It's very entertainment oriented and a little too Las Vegas-like for me. Abu dhabi is growing at the same rate as Dubai, but is quieter; but still has a lot to do. If you do come to the UAE and choose Abu Dhabi, you can choose to live in one of the newly constructed developments right off the island. Plus you can get to Dubai in about an hour. Not to mention, you can be anywhere in Abu Dhabi in less than 30 minutes thanks to excellent city planning. You can find excellent schools in both cities, but rent is expensive. Generally, depending on the job, a company will subsidize your housing costs. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment on the top floor of a villa and I pay about Dhs 110,000 annually for rent (about $2500 a month). The same price would get me a larger place a little farther out. I don't know where you are from, but cost of living is about the same and sometimes cheaper than the US. The lack of sales and income tax helps a lot. Here in Abu Dhabi, shopping is just as good as Dubai, and probably better since it isn't dependant on tourists. The restaurants are amazing, traffic isn't bad and the people are incredibly friendly.
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