DP and I worked and met out there for a couple of years in the last 90s. Best bits ? social life in Dhaka ? there is a very big social scene based around the various national clubs. The British, Dutch, Canadians, Americans etc all have their own clubs with pools, tennis courts etc. Plus they are the only places to buy a drink. Some beautiful countryside especially down on the coast. Always remember having a sundowner in a little coastal watching bats the size of B52s fly overhead. Miles of rice fields and huge rivers with busy little ferries. Take the cruise through the Sunderbans if you get the chance. A very vibrant and busy country with a huge amount of potential. An eclectic mix of restaurants from Korean to Italian plus every shade of Indian/Bangladeshi. A very good American school. Our rickshaw driver cum who pedalled us everywhere whether shopping, partying or sightseeing. Made some great friends.
Worst bits ? poverty is very much in your face. Parts of Dhaka are very run down, crowded, and polluted. Being stared at all the time, especially when I was working in the countryside and DP (blonde) visited. The expat scene can get claustrophobic . We came across a lots of expats who through they were little gods because they suddenly had staff and a driver. V V hot and humid from May to July ? Autumn and Spring lovely ? winter can get cold and damp although nothing like the UK. Very little interaction between expats and locals, the economic and social gulf is very wide. Occasional extreme weather, although not unexciting if your life and livelihood are not at stake.
You would probably be living in the Banani/Gulshan/Baridahari surburbs which are where most expats and embassies are located. During the 90s there were still a lot of one storey shaded villas with lovely gardens but they were gradually being replaced with shiny apartment blocks. However its less busy than the rest of the city.
It?s a good base for getting around S and SE Asia .
Living costs are very low, except for imported goods. While we were there more western brands and companies were coming in which i though was shame but thats thats globalisation.
Working for DFD you should be able to get a passport for a customs passbook which will enable you to get alcohol and other goodies at special warehouses. Plus you'll get access ot the High Commission club - just like the British to have a two tier system. I'll levae you to make your own mind up about which club is the best.
I?ve worked in a few countries and, for good or ill, its the one that was least like Western Europe. Its not (or wasn?t) even like India.
All in all glad we went.