enthusiast
Yes, that is correct. Buying is not a bad idea, but borrowing from a local bank is.
When it comes to housing allowance. You do want to have a nice place to live, and if it means adding some from your salary it is still a good investment in your familys quality of life.
For some strange reason, most people look for villas in ME, but a nice apartment with a pool and other extras in a good location is a very good option.
Villas are often nothing more than linked houses anyway.