There is no problem with the dog so long as you are extra considerate of the feelings most GCC residents have about them. Dogs are not forbidden in Islam but are considered unclean. That said, you will have kids (and adults) barking at your dog (which I can never figure out - she already knows how to do that!) Just keep going and show no reaction.
As someone else said, purebred dogs can go "missing" easily here if left unattended, even in your own garden. Never leave your dog alone.
As for where to live, I highly recommend it be somewhere relatively close to where you are employed. Traffic here is absolutely horrendous (and some drivers are even worse) at "rush hour" and only slightly bearable most of the rest of the time.
As for what you can afford - most expats get packages which pay for their housing, tickets home for themselves and dependents, medical insurance. If you get a housing allowance be aware that while rents are lower now than they have been - they can skyrocket overnight as has happened in the past.
I don't know about utility costs as mine are included in my rent. As for cars etc. - they are more expensive here than UAE relatively, petrol is cheap, and if you buy Toyota/Nissan, upkeep and repair is very economical and the resale value is higher than most other brands.
There is no problem with the dog so long as you are extra considerate of the feelings most GCC residents have about them. Dogs are not forbidden in Islam but are considered unclean. That said, you will have kids (and adults) barking at your dog (which I can never figure out - she already knows how to do that!) Just keep going and show no reaction.
As someone else said, purebred dogs can go "missing" easily here if left unattended, even in your own garden. Never leave your dog alone.
As for where to live, I highly recommend it be somewhere relatively close to where you are employed. Traffic here is absolutely horrendous (and some drivers are even worse) at "rush hour" and only slightly bearable most of the rest of the time.
As for what you can afford - most expats get packages which pay for their housing, tickets home for themselves and dependents, medical insurance. If you get a housing allowance be aware that while rents are lower now than they have been - they can skyrocket overnight as has happened in the past.
I don't know about utility costs as mine are included in my rent. As for cars etc. - they are more expensive here than UAE relatively, petrol is cheap, and if you buy Toyota/Nissan, upkeep and repair is very economical and the resale value is higher than most other brands.