[MLnick]

The fact that Dubai salaries are tax-free has a big impact too (although cost of living is quite high too (not relative to big US or UK cities but pretty high)).

Also depending on the gig often relocation expenses and other expat benefits are a factor (probably more so in the financial firms and big cos though).

[akshayubhat]

For Americans, dubai makes sense if BCG or Bains or Mckinsey are sending you there as a Consultant [read a series that appeared in MIT tech review, where this was the case], you then get 300k$ a year salary with quite bit lesser taxes and other perks.

But 30k$ per year salary to drive Tucks is surely not worth, The degradation of health due to poor living condition, is alone is a significant cost, considering any ailment that starts there would lead to significant future costs after the person comes back to USA.

[anamax]

> For Americans, ... you then get 300k$ a year salary with quite bit lesser taxes and other perks.

American citizens re still liable for US (federal) income taxes on foreign income. There's an exemption of something like $90k and credit for taxes paid to wherever they are, but someone with a $300k salary would owe significant US taxes.

Note that many deductions are not available to non-residents.

[abalashov]

Not true of countries that have bilateral tax treaties with the US exempting a higher amount than ~$90k, as for example many Western European countries do.

I doubt the United Arab Emirates has this arrangement... just saying.

[eru]

Just go to the UK afterwards. Those evil socialists have the NHS.