Tallest towers ,,,,awesome

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Comments

  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    lone wheeler wrote:
    It's what you want to make of it. My wife and I both work, our son is at school and we are earning very very good money which we are saving to bad able to buy a place in France for our future.

    Have you heard about the ISF?

    (Impot de Solidarite sur la Fortune) or Wealth tax.

    If you've managed to put a good amount aside, France is the last place you want to bring it.

    By the way, couldn't you have got a posting to Switzerland instead? Much nicer than Dubai!
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    Haters are always gonna hate I think the saying goes. You're right though VTech, I'm not sure why people have such negative views when they haven't even visited a place. I'm sure it's a different experience visiting here on holiday than it is living here. We haven't done a lot of the things that a lot of tourist's do when they come over for a holiday as we're busy living our lives.

    Weekends usually consist of a bike ride or two, doing a food shop, a swim whilst the little one has his lessons, maybe a quick trip to a Mall if the weather is too hot to go to the beach, catch up on a bit of UK TV, see friends, have a BBQ. Just what we now consider to be normal everyday stuff. I'm lucky that I get to spend so much time with my little family as my job isn't a typical 9-5 and the money I earn would be impossible to earn back in the UK which is why we are stashing as much of it away as possible whilst certainly not skimping on anything else in the meantime.

    We live in a community that is very green, overlooking (admittedly lol) a man made lake, is extremely safe and has a good neighbourhood feel to it. Our friends and family back in the UK are proud of what we have achieved so far and we are in touch a lot whether it be by Facebook, Skype or telephone.

    In fact, we're off out tonight to watch Jason Mansford, should be good. And yes, we paid extra for the 'premium seats' :0)
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    PBlakeney wrote:
    VTech wrote:
    ...something along the lines of ....assumes that not liking Dubai equals not wanting success....
    Your assumption is wrong.
    Each to their own but people's tastes vary regardless of success.

    +1

    I would say that sacrificing 15 years (or compromising 15 years if you prefer) for the future is a form of failure already. That's not to say I wouldn't be glad for someone that achieved what they wanted by this route; I'm glad for any decent person who is happy - but it doesn't strike me as a good way to use your life.

    Life is short and I'd rather get the balance right. I'd rather be enjoying my life now and working to ensure that I can maintain that standard of living for the rest of my life than be living for some day in the future that may never come. That's why I'm not really that bothered about earning any more money - I don't really need any more than I earn now.
    lone wheeler wrote:
    maybe a quick trip to a Mall if the weather is too hot to go to the beach

    This is a perfect example of why I don't need to go to Dubai to know that I'd hate it.......
    Faster than a tent.......
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    Switzerland looks lovely, never visited so I wouldn't be able to comment although I know people that have lived there previously and said how expensive it is, even compared to Dubai.

    We haven't made too many enquiries re France and it's Tax system as it's still 12 - 18 months away. I'm sure we'll start doing our homework soon and obviously wouldn't commit to anything until we are well versed.
  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    lone wheeler wrote:
    Haters are always gonna hate I think the saying goes. You're right though VTech, I'm not sure why people have such negative views when they haven't even visited a place. I'm sure it's a different experience visiting here on holiday than it is living here. We haven't done a lot of the things that a lot of tourist's do when they come over for a holiday as we're busy living our lives.

    Weekends usually consist of a bike ride or two, doing a food shop, a swim whilst the little one has his lessons, maybe a quick trip to a Mall if the weather is too hot to go to the beach, catch up on a bit of UK TV, see friends, have a BBQ. Just what we now consider to be normal everyday stuff. I'm lucky that I get to spend so much time with my little family as my job isn't a typical 9-5 and the money I earn would be impossible to earn back in the UK which is why we are stashing as much of it away as possible whilst certainly not skimping on anything else in the meantime.

    We live in a community that is very green, overlooking (admittedly lol) a man made lake, is extremely safe and has a good neighbourhood feel to it. Our friends and family back in the UK are proud of what we have achieved so far and we are in touch a lot whether it be by Facebook, Skype or telephone.

    In fact, we're off out tonight to watch Jason Mansford, should be good. And yes, we paid extra for the 'premium seats' :0)

    Your my frikin hero buddy !!!! :)

    You have one chance, live it the best way you can.
    The mistakes I've made were working away and not being there for the kids busy since December that changed and I've never been happier. All the power to you and when I'm over in a few weeks ill pm you if you fancy a V-short cycle ride :) either that or a meal outside the mall overlooking the fountains. Plenty of meat and bread :)
    Living MY dream.
  • nathancom
    nathancom Posts: 1,567
    Well it sounds like lone wheeler is enjoying his life right now and we all have to make compromises in life. No one really lives what they think of as the perfect life because as soon as you have a partner and family you have compromise and without them you miss out on a lot.

    Personally I couldn't imagine anything worse than living next to man-made lakes surrounded by concrete skyscrapers in a country that is only ever roasting and going to the mall to spend money on expensive tat as a leisure activity. But the world would be very dull if it was all the same and without contrast to other realities, the lifestyles that we each cherish would be much more dull.

    Vtech, no forums are not like real life for you. Most the time people are probably nice to you because they want some of your money. Here no one cares less what you have therefore you see the real reaction you engender in others.
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    What's with this sacrifice thing?! We aren't sacrificing anything. It's not a prison sentence, we can leave anytime we choose, our Son is happy and has lots of friends and whilst we are here we are earning good money and are able to save a lot of it for our future too. I don't understand what sacrifice we are making or maybe i'm not understanding your logic.

    We don't go to the Mall that much either, there are lots of other things to do!

    You're on VTech, although can we sit inside at Rivvy Grill, it's too hot to sit outside! lol We can nip out every half hour to watch the fountains. They were made by the same people that did the one's at the Bellagio in Vegas. Obviously the ones in Dubai are bigger!!! he he, had to get that one in. Oh, we loved our trip to Vegas too but some people will hate Vegas I imagine. Too vulgar for some...we just thought it was a bit of a giggle and as we aren't gamblers then we just enjoyed the experience for the short time we were there.
  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    I love vegas. Just booked for the sema show in November and can't wait.
    I knew about the fountains. They are bigger and better in dubai and we watched them from across the lake 2 weeks ago and it was much better than from outside the mall (view wise).

    Anyway, the problem you have here is that most people think of dubai and Abu Dhabi as skyscraper hell but of course these are the people who have never been as the reality is that 99.9% is low level and flat. Only the centre is peppered with tall buildings.

    Anyway, enjoy and ill message you in a few weeks when I'm over.
    Living MY dream.
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    There are even restrictions on heights of buildings in AD.

    Bob me a PM before you come over.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    lone wheeler wrote:
    What's with this sacrifice thing?! We aren't sacrificing anything.
    lone wheeler wrote:
    We do miss the seasons, family & friends but luckily we see a lot of them when they come to visit.
    lone wheeler wrote:
    As this is also a cycling forum, I really miss riding on UK country roads, that's something that I miss a lot. I miss racing and I miss riding my bike in the unpredictable weather of the UK.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    lone wheeler wrote:
    I don't miss the seasons enough to contemplate leaving just yet! We are fortunate enough to be able to holiday enough in different places to get to see plenty of snow & rain etc. I paid for Mum and Dad to come out here in May for 10 days and I'll be back in the UK next week for a few days to sort a new passport and catch up with mates and other family members.


    Like I said...
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    lone wheeler wrote:
    Switzerland looks lovely, never visited so I wouldn't be able to comment although I know people that have lived there previously and said how expensive it is, even compared to Dubai.

    It is lovely, especially for cycling, and if you're being paid in CHF is not a problem.
    lone wheeler wrote:
    We haven't made too many enquiries re France and it's Tax system as it's still 12 - 18 months away. I'm sure we'll start doing our homework soon and obviously wouldn't commit to anything until we are well versed.

    Be very careful. The ISF will take 1.5% of everything you own, EVERY year. A couple of years ago they doubled it 'exceptionally' as hey "the country needs it more than you, right"?!

    I used to go to Dubai a fair bit for my work - I liked the energy of the place, but the sea felt like soup (how do fish survive in that?!) and the 50 yards between the car and the mall were like stepping into an oven. Everything feels a bit fake too, and the words energy conservation probably don't exist in Arabic.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    lone wheeler wrote:
    lone wheeler wrote:
    I don't miss the seasons enough to contemplate leaving just yet! We are fortunate enough to be able to holiday enough in different places to get to see plenty of snow & rain etc. I paid for Mum and Dad to come out here in May for 10 days and I'll be back in the UK next week for a few days to sort a new passport and catch up with mates and other family members.


    Like I said...

    Indeed. Like you said, you are making sacrifices. :wink:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • lone wheeler
    lone wheeler Posts: 163
    Ooooh well done Rolf, you got me there.
  • paultheparaglider
    paultheparaglider Posts: 123
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Sacrificing today for tomorrow seems to be a plan.
    It is a plan that I have heard quite a few times.
    Unfortunately those same people are still working at the plan as tomorrow never seems to come.

    Although it is true to say that many people do indeed get trapped by high remuneration packages, not all do. I did pretty much what lone wheeler is doing, although in a different location, and it enabled me to retire at an early age.

    Anywhere you live has pros and cons. I missed the summers here in the UK, but from October to March I didn't miss the place at all. For me, living back here now is equally a compromise.

    I'd say lone wheeler has his head screwed on the right way, and will reap the benefits going forward. Life is what you make of it, and as I look back at mine I'm really glad I took the chance of living and working overseas. I have many great memories of my own life as an expat.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,504
    paultheparaglider wrote:
    I'm really glad I took the chance of living and working overseas. I have many great memories of my own life as an expat.
    I wholeheartedly agree with that.
    My tales of working to achieve the dream were more of a warning than statement, which you too have alluded to.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,504
    Anyway.
    These buildings.
    Will never be built as depicted.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Anyway.
    These buildings.
    Will never be built as depicted.

    You seem very certain...
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,504
    Imposter wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Anyway.
    These buildings.
    Will never be built as depicted.

    You seem very certain...
    Of course I am. For very good reasons. Did you look at them?
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Anyway.
    These buildings.
    Will never be built as depicted.

    You seem very certain...
    Of course I am. For very good reasons. Did you look at them?

    Er, yes. I personally can't see any technical reason why they cannot be built. But then I'm not an architect - although it's not like they are going to be hovering in an anti-gravity vortex and powered by a perpetual motion machine...
  • nathancom
    nathancom Posts: 1,567
    They built the shard in London and these aren't that different.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,504
    nathancom wrote:
    They built the shard in London and these aren't that different.
    The Shard designed by RPBW - http://www.rpbw.com/project/58/london-bridge-tower/
    Phoenix Towers by Chetwoods - http://chetwoods.com/portfolio/phoenix- ... han-china/
    What Chetwoods have actually built - http://chetwoods.com/portfolio/sainsburys-greenwich/

    I remain sceptical.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    PBlakeney wrote:
    I remain sceptical.

    Earlier on you were certain. Now you're just 'skeptical'..? I reckon by tomorrow you'll be firmly in favour...
  • finchy
    finchy Posts: 6,686
    lone wheeler wrote:
    What's with this sacrifice thing?! We aren't sacrificing anything. It's not a prison sentence, we can leave anytime we choose, our Son is happy and has lots of friends and whilst we are here we are earning good money and are able to save a lot of it for our future too. I don't understand what sacrifice we are making or maybe i'm not understanding your logic.

    You always make sacrifices when you live abroad. You're away from your friends and family for a start. I've lived abroad quite a bit, but now I've got a son, I wouldn't want to emigrate again as that would mean taking him away from his extended family. For me, that would be too big a sacrifice to make, especially as my brother's already gone to live in the USA, so my mum would be living in a different country to both her sprogs.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,504
    Anyway.
    Imposter wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    I remain sceptical.

    Earlier on you were certain. Now you're just 'skeptical'..? I reckon by tomorrow you'll be firmly in favour...
    I am certain that I am sceptical.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • paultheparaglider
    paultheparaglider Posts: 123
    johnfinch wrote:

    You always make sacrifices when you live abroad.

    You always make sacrifices wherever you live, and whoever you live with and whatever you do. Life is a series of choices, and they all come with trade offs.

    The expat thing is a glass half empty, glass half full kind of thing. Glass half fullers take to it better.

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