Living in Dubai – Guide 2019

Dubai's new life may be one of the most exciting experiences you have ever experienced. However, moving to Dubai, as well as to any new country, can be difficult, especially if you lack practical knowledge on how everything is done on the spot. We are going to take a look at the pros and cons of living in Dubai, with practical tips on living, taxes, education, healthcare and more.

The Pros and Cons That Might Surprise You

Like anywhere else in the world, Dubai has a lot to offer, as well as some serious flaws. When moving to a new place, it is important to know what bad and good can be expected from your new home.

The Pros of Living in Dubai

Dubai is an exciting and happening place that cannot be ignored! Therefore, this is the place where you want to enjoy social life and working life on the freeway.

The climate in the emirate for 8 months a year is ideal. Long, hot days, dominated by cloudless blue skies, are complemented by beautiful warm sea waters.

The social side of life is fantastic and diverse. Many expats join the hotel or private beach club when they arrive and spend most of their downtime enjoying amenities. For others, there are more sports and sports clubs closely connected to each other in the emirate than anywhere else in the world! In the evenings, the social side of life goes to bars, clubs and restaurants, where you can find a variety of tastes in Dubai!

Dubai's educational standards are excellent, and new schools and colleges are built almost annually.

Every major international corporation has a base in Dubai - or so it seems! This means that there are many possibilities.

No income tax!

You can easily repatriate funds - so you can earn a fantastic salary in Dubai and send part of it home.

The Emirate is becoming more accessible thanks to its largest international airports, which accept flights from around the world.

Shopping in Dubai is just fantastic!

The standard of living is very high.

Crime is very low.

Dubai is a very tolerant emirate, tolerant of other people's beliefs and lifestyles. It is also one of the most moderate ways to apply the rules of Islam in every person’s daily life. Expats can buy alcohol in Dubai and are allowed to eat and drink in the daylight of Ramadan.

Taxis are very cheap and the government is investing heavily in public transportation.

Cars and gasoline are really very cheap!

The Cons of Living in Dubai

Dubai is a bureaucratic headache, especially for newly arrived foreigners who need to have licenses and permits for everything! Of course, you need a permit to purchase alcohol, a driver’s license, a work permit and a residence permit in Dubai! Get advice and help provided and agreed in advance from your employer to facilitate this initial period of adaptation, which may actually deprive some people of the opportunity to stay in the emirate!

Unmarried couples are not allowed to live together - this is actually the law.

The summer months from June to September are almost unbearably hot, and many emigrants rest during this period to return home. This can make matters worse if you have children, as they really need to stay in air-conditioned rooms for most of the day.

The situation with traffic in Dubai can be unfavorable and affect the lives of those who are forced to go to work or take their children to school, etc. The state program of investment in public transport systems alleviates this problem, but if you want to drive in Dubai, it’s can be a long journey.

Public toilets are an unpleasant shock to western expats.

Dubai housing and training is incredibly expensive.

The cost of living in Dubai is on a par with life in central London, that is, VERY expensive!

There is some government censorship of films, access to websites and even similar SKYPEs. Some expats find this restrictive and disappointing.

Working hours can be very long, and the international companies operating in Dubai, in particular, expect a lot from their foreign employees. Perhaps because salaries are higher and improved due to the absence of taxes, they feel that they have some kind of property of their employees?

Dubai is currently a construction site! In the emirate there are pockets of calm and oases of calm, but there is also a frantic and relentless development, which can sometimes make life a little tiring and stressful.

Inflation in Dubai is huge, which is due, in particular, to real estate and rental prices.

Dubai is not an ecologically clean place and not a place where you can live if you want to walk for a long time in quiet places!

Living in Dubai is what you do. This is a matter of personal choice and preference, as well as figuring out whether the opportunities that Dubai offers (for example, good income that is not taxed) outweigh the possible negative consequences.

Things to Know Before Moving in Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also the name of the main city in the emirate of Dubai.

Dubai's wealth was based on its oil industry, but it has successfully diversified its economy, so today it has several areas that support its financial strength, including tourism, real estate, financial services, healthcare and education.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the ruler of Dubai, and together with Abu Dhabi, the emirate has the right to veto certain issues of national importance in the country's legislature.

As a result of this, foreign buyers are allowed to own the right to a certain property in Dubai, for example - this is not the case in all other emirates in the UAE.

Dubai has become an extremely popular choice for relocation with foreigners for a number of key reasons.

Firstly, despite the economic downturn of the emirate, which hit the world in 2008, Dubai is still a fast-growing economy, which had many employment opportunities and opportunities for strong speculation in the local real estate market.

Another key reason why life in Dubai is so attractive for expats is that the local lifestyle is exceptionally good, especially for western expats who benefit from a mostly excellent climate, excellent conditions for relaxation, a relatively calm rhythm of life and a good education and health. standards.

If you are seriously thinking about moving to Dubai, this is what you need to know before moving:

Jobs in Dubai

For those who want to move up the career ladder, get a tax-free salary and live in one of the most exciting and dynamic places in the world, Dubai is the best place to move. Creating your professional career in Dubai can be an exciting experience, so if you want to go read on how to find a job in Dubai and get an employer-sponsored visa and start your career there.

Many people have made great strides in Dubai, and even today it is a center of wealth and prosperity.
Emigrants who move to Dubai in the long run can legally receive a salary without income tax. The absence of income tax in Dubai is a big deal for many professionals, plus there are some additional tax benefits and some pitfalls. It is important to understand whether Dubai is really tax-free as it is known, and you can find out more about this in our
Dubai Tax Guide.

It can be said that the stormy days of the emirate in the face of constant economic growth have passed, at least for the moment, but there are still jobs in many sectors of employment in Dubai.
OAE aims to become one of the world's most powerful technology and innovation centers in an effort to reduce oil dependence and further diversify the economy.
Dubai especially has excellent infrastructure and connectivity, and the government is doing a lot to promote Dubai as an ideal place for global talents and startups.

Knowing which professions are most in demand in the UAE now and probably in the foreseeable future can greatly help you find a good job in Dubai.

Facts – Working in Dubai

If the employer transfers you to work in Dubai, you want to agree on your employment package. The cost of living in Dubai is so high that you need at least the cost of moving, living, and spending on the education of your children.

If you are looking for work in the emirate, you can get a visa, depending on the country from which you were sent, and directly target employers. You can also look online to find out which recruitment companies can help you find work in the emirate.

You will need a work card, and your employer will need to sponsor your visa in order to live and work in the emirate.
If you lose your job, you will have 30 days to find another job and another sponsor, otherwise you will have to leave Dubai.

You cannot just change jobs on a whim in Dubai - depending on the level of formal education you have, this limits the number of times you can change jobs whether you want it or not!

When we talk about life in Dubai, most of the time we are talking about the city of Dubai, and not about the emirate as a whole. This is where most Britons settle in the emirate and where they find work. Dubai is also the center of life for the entire region.

The lifestyle in Dubai is the only thing you will not hear emigrants complain about. Although due to the heat it is mostly limited to indoor air-conditioned activities, there are still many activities of all kinds, including amazing purchases.

From many theme parks to private beach clubs, from incredibly luxurious shopping centers to movie theaters and many restaurants, from indoor snowboarding to the most wonderful music festivals, Dubai really has it all.

Find out what lifestyle you can expect in Dubai and how to get the most out of your life in Dubai (including your alcohol license).

Shopping in Dubai

There are several shopping centers in Dubai, and in fact, Dubai has the largest shopping center in the world. Moreover, in the emirate you can buy everything from Ikea furniture to traditional textiles.

Much of what you buy is not taxed, but import costs can significantly increase the amount you pay for goods. In addition, VAT was introduced in 2018 at a rate of 5%, excluding basic foodstuffs, health care and education. Be careful when shopping if you have a limited budget.

Shop in local markets and supermarkets at lower prices.

Avoid shopping centers on Friday nights, as they are packed.

Many expats leaving Dubai are looking for unloading everything from furniture to cars - look for deals on forums and in message boards of supermarkets / places of work.

The Cost of Living in Dubai

As for the cost of living in Dubai, then again there is good and bad news.

The cost of living can be up to £ 15,000 per year for a good apartment in a good location, and this must be paid in advance.

Moreover, if you want to buy property in Dubai, you may have to wait many years for the apartment or villa to be completed, or pay the maximum dollar for the resale of real estate.

However, if you already own property in Dubai and want to rent it out, the good news is that you can easily achieve a return of 8 to 11%.

In addition to accommodation, other expensive expenses that you need to be aware of include school fees, which are now extorted from the best schools as expats struggle for places.

Despite the fact that there is a law limiting the annual inflation rate of school fees of 16–20%, schools find all kinds of ways to add to the extra costs, and as a result, annual inflation in schools is up to 80%.

Health insurance and the cost of medical care are high, but the quality you get is exceptional.

The basic daily expenses for food are average, alcohol is expensive, it can only be bought in bars and clubs of the hotel or if you have a license for your own home.

Fuel costs are affordable, as are the costs of vehicles compared to, for example, the UK.

Even with the introduction of VAT in Dubai (at a rate of 5%, it is one of the lowest in the world), daily purchase costs are quite reasonable.

Healthcare in Dubai

Since the introduction of compulsory health insurance in Dubai, every resident of Dubai must be insured one way or another.

Valid health insurance is required to obtain a residence permit. The new law is part of the Dubai program to become one of the most advanced countries in terms of healthcare, its quality and accessibility for all residents.

Since you are moving to a completely different climate with completely different local mistakes and threats to your health, you need to take some important steps before you move and during your stay in Dubai.

Our Dubai Healthcare guide will tell you what you need to do before and after moving to keep your family and yourself healthy in Dubai, and what you can expect from the Dubai healthcare system.

Dubai – Culture

Learn as much as you can about Dubai before moving there - and, if possible, visit before you move.
Also, check out forums and chats with other expats who already live in the emirate to find out what it is.

Facts that might shock you:

Unmarried couples cannot live together.

Adultery is a crime punishable by imprisonment and subsequent deportation, such as getting into debt and even receiving a check.

Never drink while driving, never take any non-prescribed medication.

Follow the dress code, dress conservatively.

Respect the local religion and traditions, understand that during Ramadan you should not eat or drink in the daytime in front of the locals - this is very disrespectful.

Knowing and abiding by the laws and regulations in Dubai is the key to your well-being in the country.

Driving in Dubai

Dubai is a fast-growing metropolis that attracts vacationers and expats from around the world. It is modern, lively and busy.

When it comes to driving in Dubai, compliance with traffic rules should be your first priority.

You cannot get your own car in Dubai until you have a local driver license, but you can rent a car under your international license.

If you want to ride a motorcycle in Dubai, you need to have a license from your country, if you want to go on an off-road tour in the UAE, you need to take a desert driving course.

Public Transport in Dubai

Initially, moving around a modern metropolis is for those who do not like to drive a car or do not feel comfortable with it in a foreign country.

It takes some time to get used to the routes, modes of transport and local know-how of using public transport. However, after you become familiar with it, moving around the city will only become easier.

Dubai plans to become the smartest city in the world in terms of public transport.

The city already boasts subway trains without a driver, Tesla taxi cars and even independent bus drivers, which are becoming a reality. Therefore, traveling by public transport in Dubai can be an ideal option for those who want to avoid the hassle of driving.

Finding home in Dubai

Dubai property prices have risen sharply, but rental rates remain exceptionally high.

Moreover, you may be expected to pay rent for the year in advance. Many may find it difficult to move to the emirate, and some employers help.

Find out if they can help you find a place to live, as it can be difficult and time consuming.

If at all possible, stay in Dubai in temporary housing for as long as possible so that you have enough time to get to know the various residential areas. Thus, you can find the right one for you and your needs and tastes.

Different areas of the emirate cost very different amounts and are more or less healing. Find out where it suits you before you commit yourself to rent property in Dubai on an ongoing basis.

Moving to Dubai – Practical Tips

Moving and living in Dubai can easily be done if you plan ahead, do research and do the necessary things on time.

Visit Dubai and stay there for a while to feel the pace, find a job before moving, explore schools and places to stay, make documents, carefully plan your move - these are the main steps to moving to Dubai that can determine your success or failure.

Dubai In Summary

Dubai is a truly intoxicating country that offers an unprecedented lifestyle. A true worldview of a futuristic, future-oriented city that still adheres to a conservative tradition that you will have to accept if you choose Dubai.
If you are the type of person who thrives on buzz and excitement, Dubai may well be the perfect place to call home.
Without a doubt, Dubai as a destination is a personal choice. Some people love it, some people hate it. However, it is undoubtedly that if you can love it, you can save an incredible amount of tax and potentially build much more wealth than you could ever return home!