If u can, bring the family to Dubai for a 4 day visit...look 'round at what u can live in on an EK budget...look through the facade of the glitter and glass to the deep reality of it all....have an EK expat show you 'round...never mind the dismal postings you read formulate your own opinion...make sure the "other half" can live with it...(most important) the airline bull**** is the same everywhere to certain degree..that's the least of the considerations to be made before moving here, most of us are resilient to roll with operational headaches and the like, but when it carries over to home life, then the wheels begin to come off the wagon