My advice, don't do it, you are going to regret it.
"life is good everyone is happy"
You said it all. You most probably will not write that after a couple of years in the Gulf.
As others said, if you can still afford SIN, stay where you are.
Potential reasons to come to the ME:
Money - not anymore. Salaries are advancing 4 to 5 times behind inflation.
Work - Same as a low-cost 90 hours average. And add the East-West jet lag factor to that (so it feels even worse). I would say 750 hrs in a gulf carrier is equivalent to 950 in a short-haul low-cost op.
Lifestyle - Even Dubai (I'm not gonna talk about AUH) is in no way comparable to SIN
Work stability - Yes, valid point. However you can be "resigned" at any time for any reason. Which means that your "open-ended" contract means nothing.
In Singapore you are still an expat pilot. In the ME you will feel and become a high paid slave.
You might think I'm just exaggerating and moaning. But hey, that's my 2c. I wish I could be in Singapore on the left seat now.
PS. Oh, one more thing. I haven't met anyone who is in the ME for the long term yet / retirement. Everyone is counting the days to leave. You will only stay here for the long term if you can't afford anything leaving.
Last edited by aussiefarmer; 14th Mar 2014 at 11:17.
Reason: PS