Dubai is a city not only rich in culture and heritage but a force in terms of modern metropolises. Vibrant, busy, and exciting – it has everything you need from a city with all the positives as well as the negatives. Dubai can be an incredibly fulfilling and beautiful place to live and work for ex-pats, as long as they keep an open mind and abide by certain rules.
The pros of living in Dubai
There’s a reason why Dubai has fast become the most popular ex-pat destination in the Middle East.
Let’s start with some some of the pros!
1. High wages, low taxes
A big reason why ex-pats decide to work in Dubai is the higher income that you can expect in the city. Not only this, but Dubai has famously managed to avoid income tax, meaning workers get to keep every last bit of their money. Of course, there is a levy tax on alcohol and rental tax on accommodation, but ex-pats do find that they are much better off financially.
2. The lifestyle
Dubai is, inarguably, a very fun city. One thing is for sure – you will never get bored while living in Dubai. There’s always an event to go to, an activity to do, and people to meet. Dubai always has something new to try, taste, and see. This is particularly true for the weekends.
3. International community
Dubai is also incredibly multi-cultural, people from all over the world come to live and work in Dubai, making it a place rich in different cultures. Since it is such an international city, ex-pats will always have the opportunity to make new friends. There’s no doubt that you will fall into an international community.
Dubai, although technically a Muslim city, has a lot of religious independence. You will find people identifying with various different religions and you will see mosques, churches, and temples as you explore the city.
4. The best restaurants
It’s not a secret that Dubai has some of the best restaurants in the world. With all the possible types of cuisines, you can find absolutely anything that you could have ever dreamed of in one city.
And what about some of the cons of living and working in Dubai?
Obviously, nothing is ever perfect and you do have to consider the cons of living and working in Dubai.
1. It can get very, very hot!
Dubai gets extremely hot, which might be an issue for those who are more acclimatized to colder weather. In summer, the heat can reach a startling 54 degrees celsius (129.2°F) making it almost unbearable to venture outside.
2. It’s an expensive place to live
Dubai is considered to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. The tax-free salary can soon lose its novelty when you spend so much on rent and socialising.
3. Driving can be a stressful experience
Driving in Dubai is not easy at all. There are tonnes of traffic cameras which means that many ex-pats end up paying hefty fines if caught in the wrong lane or going over the speed limit. Additionally, the major road networks can get exceptionally busy around peak times.
So, while there may be so many things to consider when moving to Dubai, it can be one of the most fulfilling and amazing experiences of your life.