Job Discussion Forums

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

We see a lot of questions about good salaries, good locations (e.g., people asking about good beaches), culture/dating, etc., so clearly those are factors that make us rank a job or country as good or bad, but what about the little things? What other factors are there that wouldn't necessarily keep you in your current job by themselves but still add to your quality of life?

A couple of examples:

I absolutely LOVE living by myself! I wouldn't let the housing situation be the deciding factor in accepting or rejecting a job offer, but it's such a nice extra.

I also love that there is an ice rink in Muscat! It's a 90-minute drive (oh, I also love being able to afford a new car--my first ever new car!), but I've taken up my childhood hobby again. Very Happy

And yours?
d

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Opportunities to do our food shopping on a daily basis, instead of having to load up the car weekly American-style. Fresher, more interesting, much less waste.

Not being handed multitudes of plastic sacks at the supermarket - I really like being obliged to carry a cloth or string bag to gather stuff in.

Public transport.

Possiblity to cycle most places without serious fear of being run over by a teenager in a souped-up giant pickup truck.

Small cars.

Ability to tune out local language at will (much easier to do when it's not your mother tongue!).

Access to lots of diverse things to do/places to see. Beyond the work-mall-supermarket grind of my home country...

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

Ability to dine out every time I don't feel like cooking Smile

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

(Madrid)

Loads of open-air public swimming pools where you're allowed to drink beer

Having a ten minute leeway for arriving late to even the poshest company classes

Cold gazpacho in the supermarket

Chinese people selling cans of beer in the street late at night when the bars kick out

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

While I do really miss seeing the leaves change color (and it never happens during my vacation times so I haven't seen it since 1996), I love the climate where I live now. I love that I can wear the same clothes all year round, no need for two entirely different wardrobes.

And everyday I'm thankful that I had the good sense to move to a country where I can afford a housekeeper! Razz

FemaleNomad · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Poland

Denise -- where is it that you're located that has allowed you these little luxuries. They all sound wonderful!

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

I love being able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables any time of the year and they taste amazing! There is nothing worse that biting into a January tomato from back home...yuck
I also love that the beach is only 20 minutes away and with the freshest fish grilled to perfection....
...and never having to wear socks!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Little markets close by.
Not too many foreigners.
Heat, right now there's no heating system.
A washing machine and place to dry clothes.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

The ability to walk to and from work, as well as to supermarkets, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, museums and parks.

The ability to easily stick to a macrobiotic vegetarian diet.

The ability to wear extremely revealing clothes without being harassed (I'm one of those people who is ALWAYS extremely hot, so I need to wear next to nothing in the summer... in the winter I wear a winter coat over my bra and put on my shirt at work!).

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

Long paid holidays
Tax free salary Very Happy

Easy to travel from
Wide range of restaurants (here eating out is cheaper than going to the supermarket!)

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

kaw · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

My list is similar to qatar chicks and dmbs - well - not suprising as I only live over the water....
tax free salary, great apartment, lots of really good restaurants, places that will deliver - whether restaurants or cold stores, lots of nice things to spend money on - hmmmmmmm - not sure if that is such a good thing, the sunshine, having a cleaner.........

Denise - I remember the ice-rink - think I managed to fall over a few times on it. If you're ever over here - we have one too.....

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Kaw--where is "here" for you? I know you're somewhere in the Gulf area. (Or do you prefer secrecy?)

From what I've heard, there's a nice, big rink in Al Ain, which is only a 3ish hour drive. Very Happy

d

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Great ocean view from my huge office.
Research and travel budget
Long holidays and a short work week so I can spend more time with my 3 kids
Nice, safe environment for my children. I never have to worry about crime.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ nice idea for a thread.

Here in Bangkok, there are many little things that improve quality of life.

Despite the traffic and pollution, we enjoy a never-ending summer,

the best selection of international food I've ever experienced,

friendly, laid back people who usually smile at you,

sandy beaches within a 2 or 3 hour drive

and some truly world-class shopping.

On top of that, there's the convenience factor.

In many countries I've lived in, shops close up at 9 or 10pm.

Here in Bangkok, there are many, many places open 24 hours a day.