Hi I too am a westerner, a brit not American. So may be my advice will not help , however just like to say that i work with an American national, who earns a lot here I mean much more than me, actually he is my boss.yet he never ceases to winge and complain that he never earns much and always compalins on how he has to pay so much for the rent of his place back in the US and so on. However he has it all made here. Anyway, some people will never be satisfied no matter how much they earn, so you may end up getting advice from some one like him who is always putting down the arabs and complain on how low he gets paid.Yet he earns alot and gets a massive house and other allowances.So take care on who advises you and how objective they are and do your homework