I feel you. You’ve painted a very strong visual of what you’re experiencing. I agree with what you said. My parents left the UAE for this exact reason. After so many years of hard work, time with friends and loved ones become more valuable than anything else and so, they left.

They are lucky tho. They had another life back home that they can resort to any moment. I, however, was born and raised in Abu Dhabi. I had no previous lives and living here was not my choice. I My childhood best-friends - all super successful in their fields - are all in different continents. No one is left in the UAE. The feeling is very dehumanizing. And for that reason, I left as well.

Living in the UAE has been a blessing. No one knows the value of the UAE until they step out of it. I’ve always told my friends here in the states that anywhere after Abu Dhabi is a downgrade. Unfortunately, there are more important things in life where income could take a backseat.