Best Areas and Suburbs in Dubai part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here.
The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Imagine you can leave your country, move to Dubai where you want to earn money for a better life, and live the luxury lifestyle you always dreamed of. This sounds like a dream come true, right? But as it’s always with dreams, they only turn into reality if we make them happen.
If you’ve always wanted to try new experiences, look for jobs in Dubai and start a whole new life there. It’s the perfect place for expats: modern, business-oriented, and incredibly diverse: it offers everything: from beaches and malls to desert and skyscrapers.
Dubai is a city where you can feel at home, no matter where in the world you’re from. It’s one of the safest places on earth, and its locals are friendly and welcoming. Dubai welcomes all kinds of cultures and religions and is known for its tolerance. In fact, moving to Dubai means living in the desert!
But given many people’s impression of deserts as barren wastelands, what does it really mean? To begin with, where exactly is Dubai? Of course, Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. It has one land border with Saudi Arabia and three with other members of the UAE.
The city is just 50 km south of the Persian Gulf, which means plenty of beach life and desert life to experience. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today! But before you go, always know that we’ve got you covered with everything needed to know about the best areas and suburbs in Dubai.
Being in the desert does not mean you cannot have water sports. If you ever find yourself traveling on Sheikh Zayed road, maybe stuck in a traffic jam, look around, and you will see plenty of life as well as skyscrapers. What else makes Dubai such a diverse place to live? The royal family of Dubai, the Al Maktoum’s, makes sure that the city is full of life and diversity.
What many people don’t realize is that apart from the luxury side of Dubai, living in Dubai can be tough. I have compiled a list of 7 important tips to know before moving to Dubai as an expat.
Even though everyone dreams of living in another country, many people forget how difficult it can actually be when you get there. So don’t be surprised if it feels like you are living in a different world for the first couple of months. Dubai has its own rules, traditions, and cultures that westerners aren’t used to. Keep an open mind and try to understand their way of life before passing any judgments.
If you’re moving during winter (as most people do), you might think that the climate in Dubai will be similar to yours, but it won’t. The humidity can surprise you, and even though it is much better during the winter months when the temperatures are lower, it’s still there.
So bring a lot of light clothes with you or buy them once you are settled in your new home. In fact, you might want to think about buying some of the traditional clothing of Dubai (called dishdashas) because it is light, doesn’t take up space, and protects you against the heat of the sun.
Just like the humidity causes cultural shocks, cultural shocks can also exist between westerners and people from other religions. Muslims make up the majority of the population in Dubai, so it is important to be respectful of their beliefs and their culture.
There are a lot of rules and regulations that come with living in Dubai as an expat, and not following them can get you into trouble, so make sure you do your research before arriving.
This is probably the most difficult thing for many people, especially when your currency doesn’t have the same value back at home. Rent in Dubai is not cheap, and neither are necessities. So think twice before moving here if you’re not sure you can afford it. Also, keep in mind that you will have to pay for everything in cash because credit cards are not accepted everywhere.
Most people who move to Dubai have a job lined up. It is almost impossible to get a visa without one, so make sure you apply for jobs in advance and in the right way. If your company is sponsoring you, make sure you know all the requirements; otherwise, it can be hard to get a visa. Moreover, if you have children, it’s a good idea to have your husband or wife with you so he/she can help with the paperwork and the kids.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, Dubai is not the place for you because your options will be limited. While there are plenty of vegan options in cafes and restaurants, most of the main dishes are meat-based.
And if you can’t eat pork either, then you might want to stay away from Dubai because it is everywhere, and the majority of restaurants serve it. That being said, the vegan options you can find are usually really tasty and quite filling, so don’t despair.
As a westerner coming from a country where there aren’t many limitations on alcohol, your biggest shock will probably be how expensive it is in Dubai and how restricted the laws are when it comes to drinking. The government has created many laws that limit the sale of alcohol in Dubai. Most bars, clubs, and restaurants are forbidden to serve it. And if you want to drink outside, make sure you know what areas allow it because you can’t just drink wherever you like.
The cost of living in Dubai is estimated to be 150% higher than New York City, making it the most expensive city to live in globally. Taxes are also very high, with personal income tax at 3% and corporate tax at 55%. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment can range from $1,850 to $5,000. 1 Litre of milk is about USD 1.50, and a half-liter bottle of water costs roughly $8 USD.
The Burj Khalifa stands at 2,717 feet tall (taller than three empire state buildings stacked on top of each other) and took five years to build, costing $1.5 billion USD to make. Aside from that, Dubai has the largest shopping mall in the world, the largest airport in the world (in terms of international passenger traffic), and will soon have the longest road in the world when construction is finished.
Dubai follows Islamic law and therefore has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking or smoking in public. If you are caught, penalties include imprisonment and deportation. You can bring alcohol into the country if you plan on drinking in the privacy of your hotel room, though keep in mind that you will have to order it through room service, which charges an exorbitant fee.
Dubai is a conservative Islamic city, and public displays of affection are not tolerated. Kissing, even on the cheek, can lead to arrest and deportation. Moreover, dressing inappropriately is not allowed, so it is recommended that you keep your shoulders and legs covered. Kissing or not, it is best to dress modestly when visiting Dubai.
With summer temperatures averaging around 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit), it is no surprise that Dubai experiences high levels of humidity year-round. While the winters are milder, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), the weather can still be quite uncomfortable. You will want to consider the time of year you choose to visit Dubai and pack accordingly.
Dubai may be known for its extravagant malls and skyscrapers but make no mistake about it; this city is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which includes Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain. The UAE is a dry country, and alcohol is only available in licensed venues, so if you are looking to drink, Dubai may not be the best place for you.
As mentioned before, Dubai follows Islamic law, which prohibits drinking and dancing in public. As a result, Dubai has very little nightlife. If you are looking for a good time, you may want to think again before coming here. However, it is still a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of other fun activities that will keep you entertained for your entire trip.
Is the UAE the best option for wealthy digital nomads and expats?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFqR031b7e8&ab_channel=AdamFayedPodcast%28ExpatandHNWIinvesting%29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLJl03fCSsI&ab_channel=AdamFayedPodcast%28ExpatandHNWIinvesting%29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0xggk1GdWs&ab_channel=AdamFayedPodcast%28ExpatandHNWIinvesting%29