Al Ain, the UAE

"Since you will probably be far from family, be sure to connect with people in Al Ain who come from your country. You need to have friendships and contacts with those who have something in common, your holidays, traditions, religion, etc. These people become your 'family.' They will help you adapt to your new homeland. Someone told me this before I moved there. he was right. I didn't realize how right he was until my 2nd year there when I met and befriended some people, who were like me in many ways (fun, easy-going, like to dance, willing to be patient with our new home country and embrace it), and found more satisfaction than I did my first year with those I befriended in my first month in UAE. It did a lot for my morale to find 'the right friends.' But, don't be too picky about friends. Do not expect your job and life to be wonderful all by itself. You may have to be tolerant of things taking a long time to get addressed/answered. Patience will go a long way in UAE. It's better for the blood pressure if you learn to be patient, to the utmost. Find activities to become involved in so as not to always be 'stuck' inside. Enjoy everything around you, camel rides, the Al Ain air show, beauty of the desert, the mountain Jabel Hafeet, the date palm trees, etc," remarked one expat who made the move to Al Ain.

"Do it! you will love it if you bring an open mind and some patience and don't expect things to be like it is 'at home'. The temperatures here are extreme - up to 58-60 degrees in summer! Winter is very pleasant," explained one expat living in Al Ain, UAE.

"Before retiring in Al Ain, expats should be aware of the local laws and regulations, as well as the cultural norms and expectations. It is important to research the cost of living in Al Ain, as well as the availability of healthcare and other services. Expats should also be aware of the climate in Al Ain, which is generally hot and dry, and plan accordingly. Additionally, expats should be aware of the local language, which is Arabic, and consider taking language classes to help with communication. Finally, expats should research the local job market and consider any visa requirements before retiring in Al Ain," said one expat in Al Ain.