Thanks again for that. I currently live in Ireland where the traffic is dreadful (40 - 60 mins to do 8 miles!) and the driving is also pretty bad but i have heard what the standard of driving is like in Egypt and Libya so i can imagine that it'll be similar in Dubai. Those kind of things i can probably deal with - i think - hope.

But I do enjoy my retail therapy so am pleased that there will be familar stores so far away from home. I know it seems wrong to go to a new country and want your own shops/things around you but it makes it easier to adjust i think. To many differences at once would be hard to deal with for me - i'm not that much of a risk taker!

I would like to do a quick visit - but not sure that time or budget will allow.

So another couple of questions if you dont mind:

1. Getting a car - again i have heard mixed things. Can us foreigners buy cars easily? Would we want to or are we better leasing? And is there any sites that we can look at to see what cars are on offer and how much ?

2. What about car insurance? If they are such bad drivers is motor insurance high there? Waht about Road Tax or other car/road related costs i need to factor into my budget for my salary negotiations?

3. Is this like America where it is a car city - you cant get around without a car? There are 2 of us so would we need 2 cars or can 1 have a car and one walk/public transport?

4. I assume that gyms are plentiful and easy to join? Are they expensive (i know that expensive is a relative term).

5. From reading other posts i have come to the conclusion that the bear minimum i need to budget for (either by getting my employer to cover or by making sure my salary coverers) is the following:

Medical - comprehensive
Car allowance
Fuel
Utility subsidy
Housing
Allowance for trip(s) home
Furniture (!!!!)
Car(s)
Relocation expenses
Dont have kids so no worry about education just yet.

have i forgotten anything?