Waffler, see how easy it is for Millerscourt to tease me out of retirement bliss & give you some thoughts ! First, thanks MC. It is only love that I have been seeking for most of my life. But for Waffler, Be careful. My Dad did 35 years in Iran. Immense success. Two houses, four cars, loadsa dosh & I spent formative years there. Post revolution, he lost the lot, wound up living with me in Oxford & was dead a year later. Pre revolution, I was offered RHS , 727, Iranair & came close to disaster too.
I only did 17 years in Bahrain. Loved every second & miss the good stuff. Others did in excess of thirty years. Some of these veterans have lifestyle and life experiences of the Middle East which makes them very attatched to the area. Having done things like marriages, births, raising kids etc in the area, it would be hard to immagine living anywhere else after retirement & they are prepared to go with the flow.
I offer caution because in the final analysis(cripes, that looks wrong), waffler, it is probably not your area or culture. Recent events illustrate just how volatile the area can be. The freedoms you have with your expat status, huge tax free cheques etc, will end. It might take the glitz out of it.
I would not advise going back to your roots either, although you do not tell us where you are from. Life in the UK fills me with horror & I do not even go back for visits. So, I settled for the Eastern Med. Not all roses either but very satisfying. You are going to have to decide where you will be happiest given all the plus points and minus points.
Enjoy the new chapter in your life which is about to unfold but choose your location with very great care.
Now, if you will all turn to page 6541 & stand and sing.................. :