From its humble beginnings to becoming a city of opportunities, Dubai has come a long way. Many people move to the city because of this reason. That said, moving to another city isn’t always easy. We have compiled a list of pros and cons of moving to Dubai to make the process easier.
Benefits of Moving to Dubai
If you’re looking for excitement, social life and fruitful career opportunities, Dubai is the place to be. Let’s go through the benefits of moving to Dubai in detail.
It is a Diverse City
Dubai is a diverse city. People from parts of the world with different cultures, traditions and religions move to Dubai for better career opportunities and lifestyles. There are several tourist friendly countries around the world, but Dubai is on a different level with 85% of the international city population made up of expats. This allows you to know new cultures and make new friends from different backgrounds.
English is Spoken Widely
English is a widely spoken language in Dubai making it easy for people from different parts of the world to communicate with each other. Naturally, over time you pick up some Arabic terms for instance if someone says “Yalla” it means hurry up and if you hear someone say “InshAllah” it means they are hoping for the best outcome of a certain situation. That said, there are many benefits for expats to learn Arabic in the UAE. Certain official languages have to be in Arabic. However, translators are widely available for people not that fluent in Arabic.
Tuesdays are Ladies Night
Tuesdays are ladies’ nights in Dubai. The hospitality industry offers many deals for ladies exclusively on Tuesdays inciting women for discounted meals, free drinks and complimentary shisha. Selected venues also offer complimentary pool or beach access to women, or mini-spa treatments. Usually, gents are allowed to accompany ladies but they will not get any discounts. Here is a list of popular restaurants in Dubai offering ladies nights discounts and deals.
It is a Safe Place
Thanks to the rules and regulations being practiced in the city, Dubai is a safe place to live in. From road safety to eating and drinking in public transport and swearing in public- there are fines in place to make sure the city is safe for everyone.
You can Find Women Only Areas
Dubai isn’t just a safe city but the Emirate also offers a number of women-only facilities such as separate metro carriages and ladies’ taxis. Moreover, some beaches also hold only female’s days. These women-only spaces have been built to make women feel safer in their spaces.
Well-planned Public Transport System
If you don’t have a personal car or don’t want to drive to work daily, you can easily use the well-planned public transport system of Dubai. The Emirate offers a number of public transport options including Dubai metro to buses in Dubai, Dubai taxis and water taxis, among others. You can also commute to the popular malls in Dubai using public transport.
Almost Tax-Free City
When discussing the pros of moving to Dubai, the Emirate being almost tax-free is an important one. Companies and individuals are exempted from taxes by the UAE Federal Government – meaning you keep all the money you earn. Moreover, the citizens are not obligated to pay taxes on property or capital gains. That said, there are certain taxes – such as import duties on goods from outside the country, and rental taxes.
Paradise for Bird Watchers
Dubai is a paradise for bird watchers. Over 320 species of bird cross the Emirate while migrating. During spring and autumn, visitors may get a chance to spot all kinds of winged wildlife, including broad-billed sandpipers, eagles and greater herons.
It is an Adventurous City
There is never a dull day in Dubai. From hustling around the city trying to get things done to meeting people from different parts of the world, or trying not to break any rules, the city offers a new adventure every day.
Ramadan and Islamic Holidays are Observed
The working hours are shortened to six hours during Ramadan. As for car parking, there is free public parking in Dubai during Ramadan and free public parking during Eid. Moreover, visitors and residents can experience beautiful Ramadan night markets set up across the city.
Cons of Living in Dubai
As with all parts of the world, each place comes with its own set of pros and cons. The following factors must be considered when moving to Dubai.
It has a lot of Traffic
Even though the city is constantly developing innovative skyscrapers and transportation systems, the problem of traffic persists. Almost everyone in the city owns a car and if you don’t avoid the rush hour, a 20-minute journey can transform into a lengthy and tiresome one.
It is a Hot City
If you can’t resist hot weather temperatures living in Dubai can be a problem with summer temperatures rising up to 40Cs. Although public transport, cars, malls, offices and residences are air conditioned, the walk from your car to the office building may be problematic but as soon as you enter the space, everything will be air-conditioned.
FAQs
Why is Dubai popular for expats?
Dubai offers tax-free income, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant multicultural lifestyle, making it an attractive destination for expats.
What makes Dubai family-friendly?
Dubai has excellent healthcare, international schools and a safe environment, ideal for families.
Is Dubai good for leisure activities?
Dubai boasts beaches, luxury shopping, fine dining and cultural attractions, appealing to a wide range of lifestyles.
That is all about the pros and cons of living in Dubai. If you’ve just moved to the city or are planning to move, here is a list of villas for sale in Dubai. If you wish to live in an apartment, go through these apartments for sale in Dubai.
Moreover, if you wish to live on rent, go through this list of apartments for rent in Dubai.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top property blog for more on moving to different Emirates of the country.
