Jun 20th, 2008 | Work survey

Would you live in the Middle East?


My father worked for an oil company when I was a kid. We lived in Saudi Arabia for 9 years. Now I work for an oil company and my company has business interests in the Middle East. Due to my reputation, it is likely that I could get a job overseas, if I actively pursued it. The pay would be around $150k, we would have a large company provided home a mile from the sea, company-provided car, with a chauffer, a domestic servant, a lot less income tax, six weeks of vacation (with company-paid airfare to and from the USA once per year), and it would be within convenient travel distance to Europe, Asia, and Egypt. Thinking of all the things America has to offer, though, is it really a good deal? Considering things like television, books, schools, water parks, family, friends, social equality and freedom, etc.


Would you live in the Middle East?


46 votes, 235 views , 6 comments
 
 
Poll tags:Work, Geopolitics, Travel, Career, International, Living

 
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Comments (6)
Raseltnt
(Reply)
United Arab Emirates

posted Sep 28th, 2009 at 05:08 CDT

depend on witch country in the medal east, I live in dubai and I don't feel that I am a foreign and it's very nice place

Drowlord
(Reply)
Texas, United States

posted Jun 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 CDT

When I lived in Saudi Arabia, we were in a small city that was created by our oil company, and everyone was an employee of the company.  In many ways, it was a gilded life.  Reminds me of the biblical fable of the Garden of Eden.

Scooter
(Reply)
New York, United States

posted Jun 22nd, 2008 at 06:34 CDT

yeah i guess option one, but it really depends on where

Engreirte
(Reply)
California, United States

posted Jun 20th, 2008 at 18:31 CDT

My sister-in-law lived there and loved it.  Maybe they can pay for private schooling too if you have children.  Will they pay to ship your things and an auto?  She lived in a gated neighborhood with a lot of westerners.  She said the shopping was absolutely excellent and she has lived in Manhattan.  She has a son so she could go anywhere as long as she was with him.  One "minor" draw back (cont.)...

Gigglybritches
(Reply)
Texas, United States

posted Jun 20th, 2008 at 21:38 CDT

If I knew I would be in a safe region and it was time limited. I wouldn't live their open ended. It would be a wonderful cultural opportunity for my kids.

Dynomoose
(Reply)
Louisiana, United States

posted Jun 20th, 2008 at 20:37 CDT

In my case, I'd say not fair to the kids because I have a daughter. I'd love to spend time in the Middle East, but not living in one of the more repressive countries.

 
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