"Expat Base: (If you bid a hardship posting overseas)
If you're single, or become single avoid the Witchbrew pots like the plague. I mean: marry a local and get scarce. Don't live in their little dictatorship neighborhoods by any means. Your girl will be happy since she's with you and the town loves the both of you; this will make the Witches Covenant especially Unhappy. Especially if she's a cute young thing full of life who dotes on you. Having a foot into the culture will make life a breeze for you overseas; whereas the witches struggle sideways daily, complaining and trying to change everything all the time. You'll have a great experience overseas if you go someplace with an open mind and resolve to get drunk and be somebody (I never dined with so many mayors, high priests, dignitaries, celebrities etc in my life.) Back home, you're just another unimportant number. Overseas, you're the King if you can manage to stay away from the rolling-pin committee."
Oh what very wise words those are. I have seen countless expat Pilots struggle because the Missus didnt like the new home. Choose very carefully and put taxation about number 10 on your list of good reasons to commute.
I left Virgin Atlantic last year (A340 FO). A major factor was the commute. Put frankly it was horrific. The amount of free time I lost travelling and overnighting at LHR didnt even make it close to being a viable long term option.