B. Bonga seems to sum things up quite well. The sandpit (or expat living in general) can be great, but it isn't for everybody. It certainly is not carefree, millionaire-style living, however many who have done it for a while couldn't palate going "home" to live and work.
In my opinion, there are really only two airlines worthwhile spending something called a "career" at based on what I've observed, namely, Gulf Air and Emirates. Yet both of them, as well as their home bases, are so different that once again, what works for one may not work for the other.
Gulf Air is not a perfect place, but it is not a bad one either. Your approach of keeping your eyes wide open is a wise one, and works well for job search and for searching for a marriage parter. After committing, try to keep them half-shut.
