Working in the Middle East to get ahead?... 2

[brownplayboy310]

I heard a couple stories at my work about engineers who went overseas (Saudi and Kuwait) to take positions because there was a much higher pay that was tax free. I've realized that it's near impossible to really stack money here in the states as taxes, mortgage, etc. I hear these positions pay much more due to hazard and all living expenses are covered. I wanted to ask more, but I didn't want people at work to think I was going to jump ship. Does anyone here have experience with this or more insight? Thank you for your time.

 

[brownplayboy310]

But his "life" over there consisted of either being at work, or holed up in a crappy little apartment until the next workday began. Surfing the internet, watching cable TV. The most miserable climate on earth, by his description.

You're describing my life in Houston to a tee! Add in the religious fundamentalists here in the South who want to force their views down everyone's throat and we're really not too far off. The only difference is over there I'll be putting more money into my bank account to save for that the Malibu home I'm going to retire in.

 

[glass99]

brownplayboy: Very good point. Not all of us enjoy a rich social and cultural life with days filled with strolls in the park followed wonderful dinner parties with friends after dark. In fact, most of us career focused folks in the US are canned up in a windowless cubicle at the office all day, and come home at night to watch Netflix and get caught up with chores around the house. There is not much advantage in being in Houston. They actually have better malls in the middle east too!

 

[hendersdc]

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and Qatar throughout the 90's (we have pieces of scud missiles that landed near our house from the first gulf war) so I can tell you what it was like for kids over there, WE LOVED IT! If you have a wife and kids don't worry about them being holed up in the house all day, there are large expat communities in every country in the middle east. They are usually centered around the embassy crowds, the oil companies, and the American schools. It also gives them the experience of growing up around cultures other than their own which I don't think can be over stated. While we were living over there we also had much easier access to Europe, Africa, and Asia for vacations. Plane tickets were much cheaper without having to cross the Atlantic. Just like Latexman said, we also had a trip back to the US paid for each year by the company.