u/Dangerous-Project91

My husband and I are currently living in Qatar. We’re both engineers with around 6 years of experience each. He works as a Software Architect and I work as an AI Product Manager. Financially we’re doing well here, we have a comfortable lifestyle, savings, safety, and no kids yet.
But lately we’ve been thinking more seriously about long-term stability and citizenship/passport options.
As many expats in the Gulf know, you can build a great career and life here, but permanent residency/citizenship is still uncertain long term. We’re wondering whether it’s worth moving to a country that offers a clearer path to permanent residency and citizenship (Canada, Australia, parts of Europe, etc.), even if it means:
higher taxes

lower savings initially

restarting socially/professionally

potentially lower lifestyle quality at first

For people who made this move:
Was it worth it long term?

Do you value the passport/security more than the financial advantages of the Gulf?

Did you regret leaving a high-income lifestyle?

How important did kids/future family planning become in your decision?

And for people who stayed in the Gulf long term:
Do you feel secure about your future there?

What’s your long-term plan?

I feel very torn between optimizing for present quality of life vs future stability and belonging.
Would genuinely appreciate perspectives from people who’ve lived this decision.

I joined my company a few months ago and became friends with a girl from another team because she sits near me. We used to eat lunch together, pray together, etc.
Recently another coworker (“B”) was talking about family issues and sibling favoritism. I said sometimes it’s better to stay calm and not fight with everyone. My friend (“A”) suddenly jumped in and said I always tell people to compromise. Then she said maybe I was raised in an environment where I was taught to always compromise.
I got defensive and replied that I personally believe in being respectful in relationships and I wouldn’t ask my husband to insult his mother for me, unlike some people. (She had previously told us about issues with her in-laws.)
After that she became extremely cold at work — ignoring me, moving my things from her drawer back to my desk, refusing to go to lunch/prayer together, etc. I became distant too because honestly I felt annoyed and judged.
Today our mutual friend B tried to make us talk it out. A said I hurt her by bringing up her personal family issues. I told her I wasn’t trying to hurt her and just wanted to clear the air.
The conversation turned into a huge argument, B mostly agreed with me, A slammed the table and stormed off, and now B is comforting her.
At this point I honestly don’t even want the friendship anymore because we’re coworkers from different teams but she sits right infornt of me and this all feels exhausting. AITA?