Ive been to dubai 4 times and loved it. but everyone in my family who is settled in dubai always complain about the weather, cultural restrictions and visa issues. From what i have seen (on tv and research) i find singapore very pleasant. You are right i should take a trip to singapore and malaysia. As soon as Euro reaches 1.22 or GLD reaches 163s. I should be able to afford a couple of weeks off. ha ha.
You will find the same cultural restrictions in Singapore, its called the "cliques" and the weather is not much better... $ in your bank account will solve any visa issues...
India definetey rocks but with its recent history of communal riots, rampant corruption, regional discrimination, political issues i dont think its a place for me to settle down. Now you seriously cannot tell me these are isolated incidents. I can post literally 50 such news articles of events happened in last 2 yrs from mumbai, delhi, hyderabad, ahmedabad and even bangalore. I dont recall hearing or finding any history of mass rioting, bloody strikes, organized corruption, high crime rates (delhi is the rape capital of india) or unfriendly locals (mumbai-raj thakrey bandh few yrs ago). There is so much uncertainity. Now lets not even go towards the high inflation, pollution, housing prices and strikes. Just the other day i read Chennai (a major metropolitian city) was out of petrol. people were standing in lines to get it. Then mumbai comissioner banning dance clubs or something. Its a rollercoaster. Last year i was in hyderanad and everyday electricty goes for 3 hrs. yes you can use a generator. but what the hell man. 3 hrs without electricty. what are we in 1920s? what if i hve a huge trade on and generator is out of petrol and electricty is gone? happened last year and im sure will happen again. Trading requires high concentration. I want a place which is free from political drama, religious tensions, geopolitical issues, regional xenophobia and non rampant corruption. I think dubai or singapore will fit the bill. This debate can go on and on. I dont think its a right fit for me. Im sure others will find it more appealing than me.
" Under such circumstances I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained." perhaps nowadays it should read former Empire or perhaps of the Empire should be deleted altogether.
I am in London. I am thinking of buying a caravan in a park near the sea-side. and stay there and trade in peace and good views. Weekends I can come home if I wish. The only problem is good caravan parks are not open all the year round,
I'd be willing to argue that you can get in trouble a lot easier in Singapore than in Dubai!!! Both places are very similar, i've made my home in Dubai for years and can honestly say i've never been anywhere with the same combination of luxury, convenience and safety that you have here, but to each his own. At the end of the day its about knowing the laws and customs in the country, then living by them. I frequently go to Saudi Arabia and can say that many "illegal substances in Dubai/Singapore, are easier to find in Saudi... does that mean i'll be moving there!!?? of course not. It's about finding the total package that suits you best, personally i've been to singapore many times and found the population to be predominately Asian; while Dubai is more heavily populated with Indians/Pakistani's/Arabs which I prefer... As for the weather I'd argue the only diff between dubai and singapore is that the weather changes in dubai , while singapore is just the same all year round... Dubai has beaches, Singapore has casinos, the list goes on.