A little while back I opted out and left the delights of DSO, and the family left the UAE.
I am now quite happily living in another emirate paying 20% of what I'd pay in Dubai.
My advice would be to look outside of Dubai (to the north) as there are plenty of decent apartments available if you are prepared to look.
The downside is the 40 minute drive to my work pickup point, the general lack of "Dubai action" is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned, but that's just me.
It depends what you want out of life, or if you view dubai as a shining beacon in the desert, then I'd suggest you try and downgrade to a company apartment, otherwise, head north and use the excess you have in allowance to pay for the odd firm ticket you'll need to get back to DXB in time for your next trip
