Job Discussion Forums

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Even living in the larger emirates I still have more disposable income for regular "nice" meals out. I'm comparing it with life in Seattle, which has a pretty high cost of living. While the cost of living in the UAE has risen, it's been my experience that the money still goes farther.

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Elmira, New York, out in the countryside near the Pennsylvania border, has plenty of big, beautiful old houses for $68,000. More remote areas of Maine are cheap too. I saw a "saltbox" house for sale--ugly but new and worthy of rehabilitation--on 80 acres of meadow and forest for under $90,000...yes, that's including the acres. As for Houston, yes, I am from Connecticut, not Texas, but I have to say, at least Houston is very green and leafy. The downtown area has also improved. Were I to find some full-time college job there (community colleges pay well), I would vastly prefer it over anywhere in the Middle East. But then, I own two houses there, one of which is paid off and the rental income from which pays my apartment rent, so I wouldn't see much benefit in returning to the Gulf. Certainly not for the culture or environment.

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

He's not talking about buying in a city that is big enough to have something called a suburb - which would be closer to the prices you are talking about - or more.

He is talking about an old small town in an area that suffers from a lack of work opportunities. Also true of rural areas. They are places that you retire and can live modestly.

So, you're comparing apples and oranges... a more proper comparison would probably be a dusty town in the outback. (comparable as to opportunities and price)

VS

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

True, VS. but I just said you can get a 2,000 sq. ft house in the huge city of Houston for $150K, and that is comparing apples with apples. As I mentioned, Houston a lot nicer to live in than the stereotype would suggest.

The Youngstown, Ohio area has over 500 listings of houses under $75,000. Many of them are quite nice, in the usual leafy, pleasant streets. Youngstown is a Rust Belt city, no arguments there. I look at these places for retirement. Sell my house in Houston and then get two forthe price of one (if I wanted to rent one out) in Elmira or Youngstown. (At least YT has a large state university, and Elmira has a beautiful small liberal arts college--a little culture and vitality)