The Dubai culture is not the problem. It's the Emirates culture.
You will be living hand to mouth until you upgrade in 4-6 yrs time.
Your house may be big, it may be small. Luck of the draw. No exceptions except for the exceptions that don't get talked about(see the second sentence).
If I were your age with four kids I'd have to be very very desperate before I'd consider EK, esp given the intel' available on this forum.
Good luck