Moving from Europe to the Middle East

Let’s face it – once you decide that you’re going to move away from where you’re living right now; that’s never an easy call to make. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just moving out of your parents’ house for the first time, or you’re relocating to an entirely different city. At the end of the day, it’s still a big transition. And that’s not even mentioning international moves. For example – how would you go about moving from Europe to the Middle East? If you’re someone who’s considering something similar – we’ve got all the information you need right here!

What is the Middle East like right now?

If we’re being objective; once you tell someone you’re thinking about moving from Europe to the Middle East, you’ll meet with a lot of raised eyebrows. In the general public, the Middle East has garnered a reputation of being a security high-risk region for decades now. But while it has its share of dangerous hotspots, there are plenty of completely safe places in this region. And these are actually some of the most dynamic and fast-developing economies in the entire world! With that in mind, it’s no wonder that you’d think about hiring a company like Four Winds Saudi Arabia to relocate you there. 

And let’s be realistic – these days, the European job market is quite competitive. Meaning that the possibility of becoming employed is low; in fact, low enough that many people consider moving to another region altogether. And seeing as the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries) are offering some very interesting benefits to expat professionals; more and more people are considering this as an option. The abundance of employment opportunities in the Middle East is naturally drawing quite a few European citizens to the area. And there are plenty of reasons why people are considering such a relocation; we’ll outline a few below. 

Financial reasons

As we’ve already established above – moving from Europe to the Middle East for work is becoming more and more common. You’ll hear plenty of stories about people who relocate here with short term plans; only to stay much longer once they realize how much economic potential the region has. We’ve heard about quite a few professionals who found seasonal work here after moving from Europe. They come here in their twenties and thirties on short contracts, only to stay for years longer than they planned. 

A globe focused on the Middle East
There are plenty of financial reasons to relocate here!

In fact, many people who’ve worked in the Middle East for a long time, end up returning to Europe and starting their own businesses there. Depending on which country you settle for in the Middle East, living costs can actually be quite low; allowing you to save up from all that disposable income. This makes moving to the Middle East a very sound decision, from a financial standpoint. 

Cultural enrichment

When you’re considering moving from Europe to the Middle East; financial reasons aren’t the only thing you should consider. After all, the Middle East is just what the name implies; in the middle, between completely eastern and western cultures. As such, it’s a sort of a gateway between Asia and Europe. Not only is it a melting pot of Arabic cultures, but it’s also a place where you can meet and work with people from all over the world. If you fancy yourself as a cosmopolitan sort of person, you should definitely not miss out on this opportunity to enrich your knowledge of other cultures.

Two camels in the desert
Moving to the Middle East is a unique cultural experience.

Indeed, after leaving Europe, this is one of the most interesting places where you could think of moving; in terms of the different people you can meet. If you’re coming from Western society, it’s easy to get caught up in the stereotypes presented by the media and the general populace. So, if you want to learn about other cultures up close and personal; moving here is an excellent choice. You can socialize with all kinds of people, and learn more about their backgrounds.

Professional networking

Naturally, personal socializing is all well and good; but when you want to develop your career, having professional connections is important as well. Especially when we’re talking about one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world. In such a situation, moving from Europe to the Middle East is definitely the right idea. After all, you’ll find that a sizable portion of the international business elite conducts their dealings in this region. And we’re not just talking about regional investment; this is the place where huge, world-spanning deals are closed

The Dubai skyline during the day
This sort of move represents countless professional opportunities.

Plan your relocation carefully

Up until now, we’ve mostly discussed why moving from Europe to the Middle East is a good idea. But that being said; such relocation is definitely nothing to sneeze at. After all, moving from one continent to another is quite costly; so you’ll need a good plan to cut down on moving expenses. After all, having an international relocation that doesn’t burn a hole through your pocket is not easy; but it’s possible. 

You’ll simply need to plan everything far enough in advance, and thoroughly. List out all the moving-related tasks that you have to do in the weeks before the move – and make a handy checklist. And if you also have a realistic and tight budget, your expenses won’t get out of hand during the relocation. As long as you approach the process of relocation with a level-headed rationale, even such a big move is not too much to handle.

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