DS
To live lavishly anywhere costs a LOT of money. Unless, that is, you want to live in some dodgy third World pit surrounded by homeless beggars or muggers. Dubai has never really been a cheap city to live in and some costs, particularly housing related, can be expensive. There again, try living in London for a few years or buy a box apartment in NYC. Sydney? Singapore? Tokyo? Dubai's cheap as chips relative to those and many others.
Perthbound
Any person starting a new life as a family man will find the transition difficult, regardless of where they live. "The young man now looks much older and a lot more stressed". Welcome to fatherhood!
Unfortunately, there are a number of our colleagues, and their impressionable wives, who arrive into Dubai and expect to join the glitz and glamour they see so many others enjoying. Many get suckered into living a lifestyle they 'think' they should be living, often far removed from what they would realistically live back home. The new fancy 4x4's, the brunches at $150 a pop, maids, fancy holidays and latest gadgets and computers for kids and adults alike. What they often don't realise is that apart from a fortunate few, many who live this life are debt ridden. Loans, no savings, no assets and often minimum payments on credit cards each month. It's a fantasy life lived in toy town with little or no consideration for future planning until it's too late.
Yes, our salaries are not being raised appropriately and yes, the good times are very much different compared to say 15 years ago. But Dubai is not the city it was 15 years ago and people need to realise that. If you can't accept the place for what it is, that costs will continue to rise and that living within your means is essential, then don't leave your current job to come here. There are many things that can still be done for relatively little outlay, even in summer. You just need to know where to look. Fuel is still cheap, as are essentials such as milk, flour, rice, eggs etc and local products good value. If people insist on buying imported yogurt and Wagyu beef from Spinneys each week, expect the bill to be big. It's not rocket science.
Ultimately, it will come down to supply and demand. If people really do think they can be living a better lifestyle elsewhere on less money, they'll leave. When enough do, then the T&C's will improve along with the salary.
Until then, the Company and Dubai will continue to push for it's pound of flesh!
Harry