Fruit Machine Chat

Bit of international headhunting, but after a great 2011 Ive just beel asked to go to Dubai and work for Smith and Ken Estate Agents there.

Really struggling to make a decision, thought i would ask for some thoughts/opinions!!

Depends on friends and family, and obviously the financial and career advantages of going overseas. Is there a minimum term, or trial period clause in the contract ?

No there doesnt appear to be.

The only downside I see is that its a commission only thing.....but a 50% commission on the fee and having researched their average fee is approx £10000. They also charge a fee to the buyer too so I expect average deal values could be £7500 in my pocket.

Obviously I have my fiance over here as well as my daughter but if I can treble my earnings working over there, not have to worry about tax and the £500 per month i spend on fuel then I could provide a better future for them.

Decision decisions!!

Sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do. If you decide to go I hope it works out for you but it is not easy as just packing up and going there is stuff you don't want to leave behind so its not easy. Like harry said friends and family.

Go for it......Ricky Butcher did!!!

Seriously though, its all well and good wanting to provide a better future for you family, but you can't be short of a few bob over here. Money isn't the be all and end all. I think happiness and health is more important than anything and I'm afraid money cannot buy that.

You offer me a £20-25k p/a job which I enjoy or a £50k+ p/a job I hate getting up in the morning for then I will always choose the £20-25k job. But thats just me - a simple guy, with a simple life, who has simple needs.

The very fact you have to come on a public forum and ask for the opinions/advice of relative strangers regarding a very important decision sort of tells me that the Dubai job isn't for you. Or at least it isn't at the moment.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do Barney.

Appreciate the feedback Ma71lda mate, some interesting points!

To be fair....I am short of a bob or two....my ex mrs left massive mortgage arreasr and other bills when she left so Ive been lumbered with them and they dont seem to be getting anywhere near paid! that couple with crippling CSA payments and fuel to and from work every day means there is VERY little left over at the end of a month or during the month to even take the mrs out for lunch!

Its a massive unknown for me is Dubai, I have afriend out there who loves it and says all the smith and ken guys are minted and 'flashy' butother than that I guess Ive come on here for an educated opinion as there are some very grounded, intelligent folk on here!

The opportunity to more than double my income (pulling approx 35k right now) is more than tempting. Especially tax free.

Big wrench still though!

If I was skint, it would be a big consideration on going or not. Everybody has different circumstances, but looking at your present situation, I would give it a go. If it doesn't work out, you will be no worse off. Hopefully you can make a few quid and be more financially secure , which also eases all the other burdens and stresses.

After reading your last post I think you should go, as long as your fiance and daughter give the thumbs up. Can't be nice earning a good wage without being able to take the future Mrs out for a meal or having much disposable income once the vultures have had their pound of flesh.

We all know the old saying 'nothing ventured, nothing gained', I think 99% of us on here have lived our adult lives that way lol, but I think there may be a lot to gain from Dubai. If I had that kind of opportunity I'd grab it with both hands in your situation.

I don't know if the arse has dropped outta property in Dubai. I think it has but I do know if I gad the chance of bringing my family up there of in this dump we call England I'd be off like a shot

I agree with Oddfeet. Definitely need to do your due diligence on the real estate market in Dubai. I have not been recently but the last I heard was that the airport carpark is just full of abandoned vehicles on HP where Westerners are just getting up and leaving because they cant pay their debts. Situation may have improved but you definiteley need to check out that side of things.

also bear in mind , ,,,,,,,,, certain freedom's of lifestyle that you may be used to here ,,,,,,,

no sex on the beach ,,,,,,,,,, or even kissing in a public place/ restaurant etc


women are very much seen as second citizens over there too ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to be seen but not heard etc ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, can you and your better half make these sort of adjustments etc ?????

trayhop123 wrote:women are very much seen as second citizens over there too ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to be seen but not heard etc ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, can you and your better half make these sort of adjustments etc ?????

I reckon one of them will find it easier than the other.

trayhop123 wrote:also bear in mind , ,,,,,,,,, certain freedom's of lifestyle that you may be used to here ,,,,,,,

no sex on the beach ,,,,,,,,,, or even kissing in a public place/ restaurant etc


women are very much seen as second citizens over there too ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to be seen but not heard etc ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, can you and your better half make these sort of adjustments etc ?????

She wouldnt be coming mate........hence the dilemma :S

But if I could pay half my mortgage off in six months and have her do the house up while Im gone it would be immense!!

I'd do your homework on the place before you decide mate. It might sound glamorous over there but its a step into the unknown... Most of the points I was going to raise already have been by others.

Ask yourself this... If you didn't go would you look back later and wonder what might have been?

Best of luck with whatever decision you come to.