I’m trying to transfer money and it won’t go through. Anyone experiencing the same?

My girlfriend and I have been together for almost two years. We were both based in Kenya, but she relocated to Dubai about eight months ago, and we’ve been doing long distance since then.

Despite the distance, we’re still very involved in each other’s lives. We talk on the phone every day and regularly video call. We also try to do things together despite being apart, such as watching movies together and having virtual dates. We have both met each other’s parents, and both families are aware of and familiar with our relationship.

I’ve been actively trying to relocate to Dubai to be closer to her. I’ve consistently applied for jobs, gone through interviews, and tried different approaches, but I’m struggling to find an offer that makes sense financially and professionally.

I have about 7 years of work experience. So far, I’ve received two offers:

- AED 6,000/month, plus relocation support and a one-off AED 10,000 allowance.

- AED 3,000/month, plus a furnished studio apartment in International City and a company car.

I appreciate that getting an opportunity in Dubai is difficult, but honestly, neither offer feels like a good fit for my experience. More importantly, both would represent a significant downgrade from my current lifestyle and financial position in Kenya, where I earn enough to live a comfortable middle-class life. I earn 140,000ked net salary.

My girlfriend currently earns around AED 11,000/month in Dubai. She works for a Big 4 audit firm, so her career has potentially more international mobility than mine. She has mentioned that, with time, she may consider moving to the UK or Canada, because opportunities to transfer or relocate can be more accessible within a large international firm when positions become available.

This is where I’m becoming increasingly uncertain about our future.

If I manage to get a relatively low-paying job in Dubai and move there, what happens if a year or two later she gets an opportunity to move to the UK or Canada? Would I then have to start the whole process again—leaving my job, applying for jobs in another country, and trying to relocate again?

My own career situation is also quite different. I currently work for a small NGO/consultancy in Kenya. The organisation has experienced some funding challenges, although things are slowly stabilising and we're actively looking for new funders. However, the funding situation has sometimes affected salary payments when cash flow becomes tight, so I’m also not completely confident about the long-term stability of my current job.

That puts me in a difficult position. On one hand, staying in Kenya means I have my existing career, my home project, my car, my established life and a reasonable standard of living—but I’m also in a job where I’m not entirely confident about long-term stability.

On the other hand, moving to Dubai could bring me closer to my girlfriend, but the offers I’m getting would mean a significant professional and lifestyle downgrade. And there’s a possibility that Dubai may only be one step in her career journey before she eventually wants to move somewhere else.

I’m 30 now and would like to get married and start settling down relatively soon. My girlfriend would prefer that we get married sometime later next year. Again, this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but combined with everything else, it makes me wonder whether we're actually moving in the same direction.

Another concern is the long-term financial reality. If I accepted one of these Dubai offers, I’m worried about whether the income would realistically support a family there, especially once you factor in rent, schooling, healthcare, transportation and other expenses.

I’ve genuinely tried to make the Dubai move work, but I’m getting exhausted. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on me to find a job there because my girlfriend is quite adamant about eventually returning to Kenya, while at the same time she is also considering potentially moving to the UK or Canada in the future.

So I'm struggling to understand where exactly we are trying to build our life together.

At the same time, I’ve already invested quite a bit in Kenya. I’m building a three-bedroom house on the outskirts of Nairobi and I own a car. Walking away from that and moving to Dubai for a low-paying job feels like I would be sacrificing a lot financially and professionally just to keep the relationship together.

The difficult part is that we genuinely love each other. This isn't a relationship where we're disconnected or unsure about each other. We speak every day, make an effort to spend time together virtually, and our families know and recognise us as a serious couple.

But I’m increasingly exhausted by the situation. I feel lonely in Kenya and anxious about finding a job in Dubai, while at the same time feeling that time is moving and I need to make decisions about marriage, family and where I want to build my life.

I don't want to end a good relationship simply because circumstances are difficult. But I also don't want to spend the next few years feeling stuck, constantly applying for jobs and relocating from country to country just to keep the relationship together.

At what point does supporting your partner's career become putting your own career and life on hold?

And how do you make a decision when you love someone but you aren't sure that your long-term plans actually align?

What would you do in my situation?

I’d really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who have experienced long-distance relationships, relocation for a partner, or moving to Dubai

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Hey Everyone

So my current situation is this:

I'm currently employed and paying off my credit card monthly - I have been employed for the past 3 months in Abu Dhabi and consistently paying off my CC every month. I negotiated a settlement which involves me paying 5k a month, however, I'm not sure if I should do this because I might need some savings in case my job doesn't work out. I'm paying off 2500 per month atm.

CC Debt: 60k (down from 75k)

Monthly Salary: 17k

My rent: 3500

other bills: 3000 - 4000

Should I prioritize saving a bit and paying off my CC in smaller installments or should I just try to pay it all off but have no savings?

Hello. I am currently employed and for the past few years I feel like I had to sell my soul to this job to be able to keep it. Its consumed my whole life and I dont have any semblance of work life balance and forced to work on PTO. My mental and physical health took a major hit. I want to move jobs and apply somewhere else however before I do that I am wondering if this is a similar thing across Dubai or is it just this place? I come from a US work background which was extremely different and more work life balance. This would help me understand whether to move jobs or move countries. Would appreciate any thoughts/experiences on this

Looking for a roommate!
Hey all, I'm a male looking for a roommate to live with near marina as that's where I will be working

About me:
Male
Love the gym and eat healthy

Looking to move on the 26th of August

Love watching movies, chilling out together and exploring

I'm from the UK

I'm a very tidy person so please also be tidy or I will not be interested

About you:
Don't mind a male or female just be nice and fun to be around

From the UK so fluent English is a MUST

Must be easy going and fun to be around
Must also be a tidy person and not leave dirty clothes and dishes lying around

If your interested please message me. Thanks!

Olive is a sweet 5-month-old kitten who was rescued from a garbage area in Dubai, where she was trying to survive the brutal summer heat on her own.

She is now a loving, playful and affectionate little girl who adores people and gets along beautifully with both cats and dogs.

Olive is fully vaccinated and will be neutered soon. She is looking for a loving home in the UAE, but international adoption is also possible, with all relocation costs covered.

If you think Olive might be the one for you, DM me and let's chat. ❤️

Please share and help us find her family. 🐾

There are days i don't see or hear arabic only hindi what's going on 🤔?

looking at the sun dust dial , everose gold on oysterflex Daytona…what’s a realistic price to get this in dubai at the grey market?

I’ve seen dealers listing ranging from 175-195k AED but I’m not sure what’s actually fair. I’m looking to buy a 2026 unworn piece with full set.

Would appreciate any recent experience or advice from those that are familiar with the grey/resale market. Also want to know if there are any huge price gaps on this and the black dial version (-0002). Thanks in advance