Living in Dubai, UAE: An Expat Guide

Dubai is what you would call an expat hotspot. When expats make up approximately 80% of the population, how could it be anything else? You might not even meet a local Emirati during your entire time there if you don’t do business locally.

So, why is Dubai so popular? Sure, everyone knows that you don’t pay income tax in Dubai and that’s certainly a major lure, thanks to the UAE federal government. Life in Dubai is very high-tech – futuristic even – and definitely luxurious. It’s like Las Vegas, without the casinos.

What Time of Year Is Best to Live in Dubai?

You definitely don’t want to be spending time in Dubai from May to September, when temperatures soar and people can just about manage to scurry from air-conditioned car to air-conditioned house.

The Best Neighborhoods in Dubai

The neighborhoods in Dubai are loosely defined; there are no street addresses. This means it could be a total nightmare to get a parcel delivered, but if you can look past it, Dubai offers plenty of neighborhoods with numerous amenities.

The downtown is where it’s at. With all the cafes, nightlife options, and plenty of amenities nearby, you would never have to leave this area if you lived in Dubai. The Marina is another popular neighborhood, not to just moor your yacht but also to live. Go people-watching at the water’s edge and enjoy the numerous cafes and the perfect private beach club that’s within easy reach.

What is the Cost of Living in Dubai?

The cost of living in Dubai can easily compare to the costs of living in London or New York. It’s one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Cafes and restaurants are extremely expensive, on average – think $12 beers and $5 cappuccinos.

And because it’s a desert where everything has to be imported, groceries aren’t exactly cheap either. Renting a luxury flat in a central area will easily cost $5,000 a month, but at least properties are abundant. A decent rental apartment will cost less.

How Accessible is Dubai?

The main airport serving Dubai is the Dubai International Airport and it holds many accolades: – The world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic, – The sixth-busiest cargo airport in the world,

– The busiest airport for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, – The airport with the highest average number of passengers per flight, and – The list goes on…

When it comes to connectivity, Dubai has nailed it. Meanwhile, the region itself is connected by roads only, so you’d have to take your car out to visit nearby cities and emirates, e.g. Abu Dhabi.

How Safe is Dubai?

Did you know that Dubai police drive Bugattis, Ferraris and Lamborghinis? And yes, it’s all for the show, because Dubai is one of the safest cities in the region, second only to Abu Dhabi. According to The Economist’s Safe Cities Index, it’s safer than Rome and Beijing.

That’s remarkable because it’s such a diverse city. At the same time, pick-pocketing and muggings are unheard of in Dubai. That’s probably because it has strict laws that are tightly enforced and the crime levels are extremely low because of that. Expats and tourists are unlikely to run into safety issues.

How Open is the Culture to Outsiders?

There is no need to learn Arabic to thrive in Dubai. English is the most widely spoken language. So, although Arabic is the official language, you can easily get by without it. And, seeing as 80% of Dubai’s population is foreign, you could safely assume that it is quite open to outsiders.

If you’re a wealthy man, this will certainly be true. You’ll be widely accepted. If you’re a woman, a racial minority (i.e., not white or Arabic) or a member of the LGBTQ community, you will have a less than pleasant time in Dubai due to the many restrictions. Friendships are fleeting in Dubai, a city where people come and go all the time. Expats often prefer to make friends with their own kind.

The Boots-on-the-Ground Nomad Perspective

Overall, Dubai is a great option for those seeking a luxurious nomad base. The visa Dubai is extremely easy to come by and setting up a business is encouraged in Dubai. You can also set up a bank account with no problem at all.

As always, moving to Dubai is not a simple decision to make. Lots of carefully planning should take place before you make any geographical moves. Business tax, personal tax, residency requirements and everything in between – we can help you with that here at Nomad Capitalist.