Living in Dubai, UAE – Interview With an Expat

Are you thinking about moving to Dubai?

Dubai is a popular destination, attracting expats from all over the world. In fact, the number of expats living in Dubai is greater than the number of locals!

Dubai has always fascinated me. I’ve visited many times and have several friends living in Dubai. It has such obvious perks for expats, but I can also see some serious downsides to living in Dubai.

Therefore I am very excited to do this interview with Danni to be able to share more information about what moving to Dubai and building a life here is really like.

This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad, and information about the city, town, or country the expat now lives in.

Living in Dubai

Name: Danni B
Age: In her 30s
Hometown: Birmingham, UK

Her Story:

”I knew from a young age that I didn’t want to spend my entire life in my home country and that I wanted to experience living abroad.

My father was a specialist engineer and traveled the world for work. I think that inspired me to travel.

We would visit him in Spain or the US. He even worked in Dubai in the 90s and we nearly moved out there as a family but back then Dubai was very different from what it is now!

I had a gap year before university where I backpacked in Thailand for a month which was my first taste of being abroad for longer than a typical vacation.

Then after finishing university and working for a couple of years I decided to take the plunge and landed a job teaching English in Japan. However, after a few months, I realized living in Japan wasn’t for me and a friend was working in Dubai at the time doing real estate.

He thought I’d like Dubai but I wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t a blingy, overly-materialistic person and that was my impression of life in Dubai. I decided to give it a go despite this. So he got me an interview at his company and one month later I was leaving Japan for Dubai.”

Why Did You Move to Dubai?

”If my friend hadn’t encouraged me, I may not have considered moving to Dubai.

I was lonely in Japan and isolated, spending 12 hours a day working due to long commutes to classrooms and the school expected us to do class planning on those commutes.

My friend explained that Dubai was the opposite, it was really social and very easy to make friends because of all the expats. The work-life balance was better too.

I had originally planned to stay in Japan for two years and gain a qualification for teaching. I’d also planned to travel around Asia in my spare time but the lack of holidays in Japan made me realize it wouldn’t be possible. I received 10 days per year, 5 of which had to be used for Christmas.

Dubai was the opposite, it offered 30 days holiday and was a great location for traveling. So it definitely ticked the travel box for me.

A friend offered to arrange an interview in Japan at another school, where I would work more regular hours and better holidays but Japan for me, is a beautiful country to travel in but difficult to live in.

So ultimately I moved because of my frustrations living in Japan rather than wanting to live in Dubai.”

What Do You Like About Living in Dubai?

”The sunny weather, being by the sea, the safety, and the high quality of life in Dubai.

All these things added up make Dubai an amazing place to live.

People greet you in a friendly manner as you enter a cafe or restaurant. The customer service is good and the city has a lot of convenience, quick delivery times, valets at venues, and modern infrastructure.

I feel safe as a woman walking alone, I rarely worry about things getting stolen and even people leave their belongings visible on a table while they go to the bathroom. If you have a family, children play together outside without worry and many homes still leave their doors unlocked.

You can choose whether you want to be part of the luxury side of Dubai that you see online or you can choose to have a more down-to-earth lifestyle. I can enjoy a meal for $2-3 USD in an Indian restaurant or I can spend $150 eating specialty Sushi.

There are lots of events too and things going on in Dubai. You really feel like you’re in the middle of everything happening.

Another great thing about living in Dubai, especially being an expat living abroad is that you can easily find most of your home comfort foods in the supermarkets.

There’s every restaurant for every type of food you can imagine too. Perfect if you’re feeling homesick and want a bit of comfort eating.

Dubai is also great for shopping. You really get used to having these malls with almost everything in them! I really love the Mall of the Emirates. Dubai Mall is a bit too big but Mall of the Emirates is amazing for having everything you need. I love spending the day wandering around, having lunch, and then even stopping for a pedicure at the end of all my shopping!”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Dubai?

”The city and the people can be quite materialistic.

It does sometimes feel like almost everyone is driving a supercar or has designer shoes and a handbag. Even if you’re someone who isn’t into designer things you can end up feeling the pressure to wear them just because almost every single person seems to have designer items.

You can tell at certain places that other people are judging you based on these items. You also get treated differently by staff. If you go to a valet with a nice car, the treatment is different from turning up in a cheaper car.

Some nightclubs are even funny about letting you in if you aren’t wearing designer accessories.

Also, your nationality affects your status here too, and even where your husband is from. People constantly ask where you are from and where your husband is from. You can see their demeanor change based on the answers.”

Also Read: Things to Consider Before Deciding to Move to Another Country

Is Dubai Safe as a Place to Live?

”Yes Dubai is extremely safe.

The irony is that Dubai is a lot safer than the majority of Europe and the US but I think people have an image of the Middle East in their heads. The news stories that get reported internationally are often because it is so rare for these types of crimes to happen.

It seems in recent years you do have to be a little bit more careful compared to only a few years ago. Yet compared to other global cities, where pretty much everyone has had a phone, wallet, or purse stolen at some point, in Dubai the majority of people get their items back.”

Is Dubai Expensive as a Place to Live?

”Yes, living in Dubai is expensive but you get a lot of value for what you pay.

Many buildings have concierges, gyms, and swimming pools that are included in your rent. It’s affordable to hire help whether that’s a gardener, cleaner, or nanny.

You and your friends can hire a yacht together at an affordable price and eating out can really be as cheap or as expensive as you like. It’s a tale of two cities.

Plus with the many South Asian workers that come to work in Dubai, there is a large amount of their population in one place and often in those areas, you’ll find affordable eateries and shops. I used to get Filipino meals with my colleagues at lunchtime for under $3.

There is a lot of competition between companies too and so there are many offers or discounts available. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind looking for a deal or putting in that extra effort you really can save money while still improving your quality of life.

Finally, as a woman, ladies’ nights can make life in Dubai very affordable. Places give free drinks and some even offer food for free or at very discounted prices. Lots of venues across the whole of Dubai have ladies’ night offers during the week and some places even have offers on the weekends.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Dubai?

”This is really tough to choose because there is so much to do in Dubai.

I think I’d have to say one of my favorite things to do is to eat at a nice restaurant with a view of Dubai.

The skyline of Dubai is simply incredible and it’s one of those moments where I just sit back and think, “Wow, I really live in such an incredible place.”

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Dubai?

”One of my favorite places to hang out is Kite Beach. There are lots of different food trucks and cute little cafes here.

I like to go to Filli Cafe on Kite Beach. It’s just a small hut that serves basic sandwiches but their Karak tea is really good. Then you can just sit on one of the benches by the beach and look out at the sea. It’s really relaxing and the tea costs less than $2. However that is one of the more expensive places for Karak. Most places are 60 cents for a small cup but Filli is a larger cup!

There are also really nice cycle paths and jogging paths here. And there are even mini libraries on the beach with free books.”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Dubai?

”The expat community in Dubai is large and diverse.

It is one of the most unique cities in this aspect because expats make up about 85% of the entire population.

You can find pretty much any nationality here.

Some expats live in Dubai only for one or two years, others stay for decades.”

Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Dubai?

”When I first moved here there really wasn’t a lot of information available online about life in Dubai.

Dubizzle is a very useful website. Many things are done and listed through Dubizzle. You can find apartments or rooms for rent here, you can find cars for sale, and furniture for your apartment. It’s the Dubai version of GumTree or Craigslist.

Do make sure you see a property before you rent it as there can be rental scams.

If you’re looking for somewhere to rent with a Real Estate agent, the most popular website is Propertyfinder.ae. This is mainly for renting entire properties rather than rooms.

Facebook groups are used a lot for meeting people or finding out information about anything related to life in Dubai. There are many different Facebook groups such as those for people coming from specific countries, ones for Moms living in Dubai, etc.

It’s useful to download Careem. Careem is similar to Uber but more popular in the Middle East.

Talabat is a popular food delivery app and Carrefour also offers delivery of groceries.

For a sim card, I like Virgin Mobile because of its ease of use with its top-up app and flexible plans.

In terms of home internet, there isn’t much choice, it’s what is supplied to your building. And all bills are from government-owned companies too.

Get a VPN to be able to access websites and apps that are blocked in Dubai.”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Dubai?

”Of course, you have to do some of the classic things in Dubai, such as having a meal or a drink at At.Mosphere in Burj Khalifa along with having a gold cappuccino in Burj Al Arab.

Then visit the other side of Dubai, roam around the historic district, and ride an Abra across Dubai Creek before exploring the Gold and Spice Souks.

Don’t forget a desert safari and visit Al Marmoom Heritage Village to get a taste of the Bedouin culture in the desert.

Make sure to visit Jumeirah Mosque and learn about Emirati values along with enjoying a traditional Emirati snack and coffee for free.”

About Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf.

It is known for its modern architecture, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife, making it a popular destination for tourists and expats alike.

The city has grown rapidly over the last few decades, transforming from a small fishing village to a bustling metropolis with a population of over 3 million people.

Dubai is home to some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, including the iconic Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 meters tall (2716 feet).

The city is also a hub for business and finance, with many international companies having offices in the city.

Despite its many attractions, there are some downsides to living in Dubai. The city can be expensive, particularly for housing and healthcare. The hot climate can also be challenging for some, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 ºF) in the summer months.

Additionally, there are strict laws governing behavior in public, including restrictions on alcohol consumption and dress codes.

Overall though, Dubai is a vibrant city that offers many opportunities for expats.

Also Read:

• Things to Do in Dubai & Day Trips From Dubai
• Living in Abu Dhabi – Interview With an Expat
• Crazy and Interesting Facts About Dubai
• Checklist: Things to Do Before Moving to Abroad

 
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