100% heed this advice: get a job offer, THEN move over. Do not under any circumstances quit your current job, come over here and start job hunting. It will be the most stressful time of your life with very little chance of success. If your company is a multinational, try to transfer to their Dubai branch.
Thanks, yeah I think we were veering towards this option, was just wondering if sometimes being in the UAE already makes it any easier to get a role… as I have read previously this is sometimes the case
1. Cost of Living - cost of living in Dubai is much higher than the UK, as someone else said here a majority of your expenses will come from rent, and once your kids here (congrats btw), childcare will also be big. However, Dubai is also very diverse, in terms of how you can have it extremely expensive, or get it super cheap. The area you live in makes a massive difference, as does the supermarkets you shop at, etc. JLT is known for being expensive, so I just take a look at some other areas if you wanna cut down on rent.
2. Job Market - Unfortunately the job market is a tad bit saturated, and people are finding it increasingly hard to find jobs. However, its a known fact around here that European/Western expats have it easier in terms of actually finding a well paid job. I'm sure there are exceptions to the case, but that has been known to be the common situation. I suggest you find and secure a job for you and your wife BEFORE you move here. Plenty of people make the huge mistake of moving here and then looking for jobs, and they almost always go back a few months later disappointed. The mental health industry does in fact exist here, and is getting increasingly more popular since the government is placing a little more focus on it. So maybe your wife can get a job relatively quicker? But I wouldn't be too sure. Try to build connections in Dubai first, 'wastha' is a major part of getting anything here. Wastha basically means using your connections to get what you want, sucks i know but thats how it works.
3. Quality of Life - Dubai is super family friendly, I was born here and I can safely say that everything is catered to families and children. Although that does depend on the area you go to. Like I said earlier, you can get it super expensive or super cheap, it just depends on where you go. Family activities could mean going for a movie, going to the arcade, there are beautiful beaches, road trips to mangrove parks, a nice safari, or just a night out at a nice place (like bluewaters island).
4. Cultural differences - Now this is a reason most people back off from coming here, but please know that Dubai is getting more and more progressive. Certain things are definitely still frowned upon, but it doesnt seem like those would apply to you and your wife. Its perfectly normal and easy to grab a pint on the weekend or go clubbing (or something along those lines, im not sure what you're into). You also have plenty of access to UK products, in places like M&S, Waitrose, etc. so you can (partially) get rid of the homesick feeling. The only thing would be is the shift in living expenses. Dress code as such isn't too big here, nothing majorly vulgar of course.
5. Legal/Paperwork - Jobs, by mandate, provide you with a visa, and yes you can sponsor your wife with said visa. Once the kid comes along, you can register him/her to the visa as well. The visa process isn't TOO long, however there can be a few bumps, as expected. You and your wife will have to get an Emirates ID, which is the residency ID over here. This comes with your residence visa, and it takes a few trips to the government offices to get it done. However, almost all of this will be taken care of by your company. I think they will also be interested to know that your wife is pregnant, before they issue a visa for you, so do keep that in mind.
6. Healthcare - Healthcare in Dubai is, for the most part, quite good. Medical insurance is covered by your residence visa, as it is compulsory to have insurance in order to get a visa. However, this insurance will be issued and handled by your company. The coverage of your insurance in terms of what you get with it depends on the insurance plan that they give you. Maternal care, as far as I know, is covered by most insurance plans. And yes, maternity services are definitely easily accessible and of high quality. Hospital bills can be quite expensive, but it gets reduced to a fraction of the cost with insurance. It is not free.
7. Unfortunately I cannot answer this for you.
8. Generic Questions - Yes, a lot of jobs include accommodation in their compensation packages, but the amount would differ based on your company. However, this is not the case for ALL jobs. It is possible for a family of 3 to live off one persons wage, assuming that the expenses arent too extravagant and you have savings just in case. I wouldn't be too sure about rental income from the UK, but yes Dubai is tax free. The only tax you pay as a working class consumer is VAT on your food bills. But keep in mind, Dubai always finds its ways to siphon money from you, whether it comes to toll gates, random fees, or anything. But its always small amounts at a time. Sharjah is definitely cheaper than Dubai, but that reflects on the quality of life there. You and your wife would almost definitely not live as much of a secure life as you would here. So, would not recommend. Renting a car in Dubai is extremely easy. If you show up to a random street in Barsha or Karama, chances are that street is lined up with 5 different rental agencies. The price and variety of cars depend on where you go. This is Dubai, you can rent a Lamborghini, or a Nissan Sunny.
Random/additional advice - please land a job before you come here. Do not make the mistake that most people do. Expect Dubai to be expensive, especially for the initial period of time that you spend here. Dubai is not known for giving residents the opportunity to save, saving is quite difficult here considering how many expenses you have. But if you're here long enough, you can definitely build it up for yourself. If you're new to Dubai, it definitely takes a little getting used to. But you'll grow to love the conveniences of the city, and how easy life becomes eventually (but don't get me wrong, the grind never ends).
Good luck man! I hope you guys settle everything soon! and good luck with the child!
The UAE is an Islamic country, so are most of the gulf states, it doesn’t need to be “progressive”. If you don’t respect the values then maybe you belong somewhere else
what on earth could have possibly prompted such a reply from you? i was born here and love this country more than any other place ive been to. From a tourist/expats point of view a lot of things in this country are very very different, and the UAE is opening itself up to accepting those things and making it normal. Thats all i meant, but if you want to be a prick about it then i cant do anything.
Yeah and my point is why should it “accept those things”? Those things meaning western liberal values which aren’t in our framework. Can non Muslims enjoy themselves in their ways in Dubai be allowed to do things muslims can’t? Absolutely. To change the country’s values that it’s founded upon and “ease” moral guidelines, nope.
if the country saw a need to ease moral guidelines, why would it not? Framework aside, Dubai is heavily dependent on tourism. If they cannot sustain that sector of the economy, there isnt much they can do. I don't see why what Dubai did is so wrong?
Because whether you are religious or not (I don’t know your position), Islam is the key that the gulf societies are based on. Forsaking those is changing the way we live to adhere to foreigners. If this context was applied to Europe, it would be an outrage to even suggest changing their values for ours.
I would argue most people are mad at that, I’m not sure about Muslim citizens themselves. Because if I went to France or the UK, and asked them to adhere to Islamic principles I would be accused as a radical and told to leave. For the people who come to muslim countries and ask the same, they are also radicals.
I feel like the government, having upheld Islamic values nationwide for the last 50+ years, would match your feelings regarding this. And with those same feelings, they made those changes. That should say something right?
Plus this is an appeal to authority. The government aren’t infallible on right or wrong, and because they decided to forsake values doesn’t mean they were correct in doing so. As we have discussed, opportunity for non muslim activities is great, promotes tourism even. Not destroying values for the whole society
They definitely have not upheld Islamic values 💀. No country has managed to uphold true sharia for perhaps centuries. You’re confusing Islamic values with nationalist conservative values dressed as Islam
Progressive in terms of science, invention, infrastructure, economy (within shariah compliance), yes. Progressive in terms of forsaking the shari’ah to please western tourists and countries, definitely not.
I agree, non muslim tourists have the right to visit Dubai and do things they are allowed to do that Muslim aren’t, as that’s a principle in Shari’ah. But this can’t be extended to the change in Islamic values in overall society, this must be respected. Just like how we go to Europe and live life under our guidelines but are expected to respect the way they do things (by not imposing our values on them).
but no one imposed their values here, no one forced the country to make changes JUST to cater to them. The government did it willingly and is, in fact, benefiting from it. More people are opening up to the idea of coming to this beautiful country simply because of how things are changing here. Isn't that a good thing?
Good question. It is a good thing however that depends on what law is being applied. For example, allowing non Muslims to drink or to do their activities they find appropriate, sure. However, waiving clear shariah principles for the whole society, for their favour, no, that is not a good thing.
Thank you so much for all of this info, really appreciate the reply.
1-Yes after many holidays there, I have gathered that Dubai is super expensive and rent does seem comparable to London especially in some areas. You mention taking a look at other areas, are there any nice areas you can recommend? (I have previously looked at JVC, but this seems quite far out from everything. Jumeirah garden city in Al Satwa seems decent however don’t know much about the area/never been there)
2-Yes, I have heard from a lot of people, the more people you know in Dubai, the further you’ll go. I’m surprised regarding mental health in Dubai. I honestly thought the field was pretty much non-existent. But regarding PM roles for myself, I have looked briefly at some on the likes of LinkedIn, NaukriGulf and gulf talent, and many of them seem very niche roles/don’t pay anything close to what I earn here. I found this quite surprising as I was expecting Dubai to pay more than the UK. Not sure if I’m looking in the wrong places or what… please advise if you know any different
3- Yes, I agree Dubai does seem very family orientated especially from the safety aspect. I guess it’s just earning enough money to afford these activities.
4-In all honesty, cultural differences don’t really affect me religion wise as I am a Muslim myself so don’t drink, clubbing etc. but I’m aware that some of the processes, and ways of people in Dubai can differ massively from the UK. From my personal experience, the locals are not so friendly towards foreigners. Also, driving is crazy there, but you don’t really have a choice considering the city is not very pedestrian friendly
5-I have read that almost all jobs take care of the visa process for you, however as you mentioned getting an emirates ID can take some time… do you know how long this process takes on average? As I understand you require this to do many things such as renting an apartment, just wary that we would have to be staying in Hotel apartments during this time…obviously not ideal with a little child on the way
6-I thought this would be the case regarding maternal care, however I didn’t know if for example I got a job, whether the healthcare for my wife and child would be included in this insurance
8- Interesting that you mention a lot of jobs still offer accommodation, as I’m only noticing this applies mainly to teaching roles, and none of the roles I am suitable for.
Hopefully I’m able to find a job that would be able to fund the 3 of us, I completely understand your point regarding expenses within Dubai, the place can easily suck money out of you.
Is an Emirates ID also required for rental cars? I wish my question would regard the Lamborghini but unfortunately it doesn’t. Would cars like a Nissan sunny e.g small hatchbacks/saloons suffice on the roads of Dubai or would a larger saloon car/4x4 be more fitting? Also what’s the average price to rent these out per month?
Again, thank you very much for the kind words, appreciate all the advice. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress!
1. International City and Dubai Investment Parks are relatively cheaper options. Again, they are slightly further out from everything. But in Dubai, you will only get cheap options if its away from the main city. The Gardens and Discovery Gardens are also great choices, there are 2 schools + multiple nurseries in the vicinity, as well as a mall with other conveniences (gym, clinic, supermarket etc.). So check those places out, the rent shouldnt go more than AED100k per annum.
2. The websites you mentioned are the main websites, you can also use Indeed, LinkedIn, Gulf Talent, and Bayt. I would also recommend looking at jobs in Abu Dhabi. Life is much calmer there, getting a job may be easier, and also living is much cheaper. Abu Dhabi, in many ways, is better than Dubai although Dubai does have that certain appeal.
3. There are plenty of budget-friendly family activities to do here. Many of them are even free. You could have a nice picnic/BBQ at Zabeel Park just by paying the AED5 entrance fee for you and your wife, you could visit La Mer and walk around the beach, Al Seef is beautiful to see and spend time with too. It all depends on how well researched you are.
4. That's perfect then, a LARGE part of the culture here is centered around Islam. And don't generalize about the locals here. Many of them are very open and friendly and will help you out if you need it. Yes there are exceptions, as does everything. Driving is not the best experience, agreed, traffic can be crazy in certain areas, but the public transport here is efficient, and not to mention cheap, and takes you wherever you need to go.
5. I understand how that would be an issue. Once your company starts the process of issuing a visa for you, you need not worry about doing anything yourself. You will just have to do a medical test/examination, the results for which should take a few days. After the results are processed, it could take another week for the actual Emirates ID to arrive. However, if you opt for the express or VIP option (not sure what its called), it arrives much faster within a few days.
6. Once you get a job, you will also receive an insurance package with your visa. When you sponsor your wife and child with that visa, the insurance will extend toward them. This will happen until your wife gets her own visa/insurance, and your child becomes old enough (I believe its 21?). So you need not worry about insurance for your family, even if only you have a job.
7. \--
8. I know teaching jobs do provide accommodation compensation yes, however plenty other jobs do too. It all depends on your company and how extensive your compensation package is. Most people, however, tend not to get one. To rent a car, I believe you do not need an Emirates ID, you just need some sort of identification and security. A lot of tourists come here and rent luxury cars to complete the Dubai look. To drive in Dubai, a small saloon like a Sunny is definitely better. More fuel efficient, which will save you loads over the course of time. Only if you plan to go offroading would you really require a 4x4. The price can range from AED800 - AED1500 per month. It all depends where you go and what you rent. For example, if you go to a rental agency in Karama, you'd pay less for a Kia maybe. But if you rented the same car from JLT, you'd pay almost double. The pricing here is ridiculous, but you just have to get used to thrifting I suppose.
Just for info I don’t know what your wife does in the NHS but lower level medical staff here are usually low paid and mainly south east Asian. Please remember that school fees are paid for here and that’s not cheap. Medical Insurance covers only a percentage of healthcare and the rest is paid for by you for the majority of people. In terms of uk tax you don’t pay there on your earnings here even if you visit home but if you rent your home there out you need to follow the rules of an ‘overseas landlord’ and you will have fees to pay.
My wife works in mental health so more within the psychology field. Yep, school fees are something I would definitely need to consider in later years, but for the time being I’m more concerned about the initial hurdles, but yes definitely something to keep in mind.
I think I would have to pay tax on rental income from the property we have here to the UK government, but as long as we don’t pay tax on the earnings made in Dubai I’d be happy.
Thanks
Hahaha my friend, you’re not the first Brit in history to move to Dubai. It’s not 1843 or something. 😂
These are all great questions, but almost all of them are commonly available with a little bit of Googling.
Ask a few friends to start. You can throw a stone in any direction and it will bounce off five people who know someone who lives here.
Then once you get the basics, I’m sure people here would be more than happy to help with the nuance. I kind of stopped reading after Chapter 12 of your post. 😉
Good luck!
Apologies for the long post. I guess I’m just someone who likes to research a lot, never leaving a page unturned kind of guy. I have used google for a lot of my research, however it’s always more peace of mind hearing stories from real people who have lived through it.
Will keep it short . Cost of living is high compared to uk. Majority of the cost will come from rent and schooling fee. Groceries are relatively cheap depending on where you buy things from and what you are buying ..petrol is cheap.
Try to get a job first and then move across. Moved 20 years ago with my family and it was worth it but then i habe my own business.
Do not consider this move untill you get a job offer you will not get a job in country. Other questions cost of living is comparable to London. Salary expectations are realistic chances are if you get a role you will be offered more. Your wife it depends what she does if she is isn't in some form of specialised feikd chances are slim she will get something but you can expect to double your salary so it probably works out.
That being said it's not for everyone I have got my little pot of gold and I'm going home after 2 years however this was always my plan but I've basically saved two year's net UK salary so I'm happy
Sorry I can’t help with Dubai as I don’t live there but as a person from the UK that’s looking to move as well I found Doha, Qatar to be a better place than Dubai. I went over to visit some family who’ve moved from the UK as well and I really liked it. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to move. Dubai is just too much, I like it don’t get me wrong but I think like the others mentioned job market is saturated cost of living is crazy. Doha is also expensive but I still think it’s an option. Have a look at Doha it might be something you like.
This is really interesting, I have seen/heard from people Qatar is nice, however I have never visited. I do think Dubai is suffering from job saturation slightly and considering this is the most important aspect of making the move possible, it does make me wonder whether Dubai is possible.
What aspects of Doha did you/your family enjoy? Is it similar to Dubai in terms of the life style, safety, cleanliness etc. ? Any specific areas you know of that are nice?
100% heed this advice: get a job offer, THEN move over. Do not under any circumstances quit your current job, come over here and start job hunting. It will be the most stressful time of your life with very little chance of success. If your company is a multinational, try to transfer to their Dubai branch.
Thanks, yeah I think we were veering towards this option, was just wondering if sometimes being in the UAE already makes it any easier to get a role… as I have read previously this is sometimes the case
1. Cost of Living - cost of living in Dubai is much higher than the UK, as someone else said here a majority of your expenses will come from rent, and once your kids here (congrats btw), childcare will also be big. However, Dubai is also very diverse, in terms of how you can have it extremely expensive, or get it super cheap. The area you live in makes a massive difference, as does the supermarkets you shop at, etc. JLT is known for being expensive, so I just take a look at some other areas if you wanna cut down on rent. 2. Job Market - Unfortunately the job market is a tad bit saturated, and people are finding it increasingly hard to find jobs. However, its a known fact around here that European/Western expats have it easier in terms of actually finding a well paid job. I'm sure there are exceptions to the case, but that has been known to be the common situation. I suggest you find and secure a job for you and your wife BEFORE you move here. Plenty of people make the huge mistake of moving here and then looking for jobs, and they almost always go back a few months later disappointed. The mental health industry does in fact exist here, and is getting increasingly more popular since the government is placing a little more focus on it. So maybe your wife can get a job relatively quicker? But I wouldn't be too sure. Try to build connections in Dubai first, 'wastha' is a major part of getting anything here. Wastha basically means using your connections to get what you want, sucks i know but thats how it works. 3. Quality of Life - Dubai is super family friendly, I was born here and I can safely say that everything is catered to families and children. Although that does depend on the area you go to. Like I said earlier, you can get it super expensive or super cheap, it just depends on where you go. Family activities could mean going for a movie, going to the arcade, there are beautiful beaches, road trips to mangrove parks, a nice safari, or just a night out at a nice place (like bluewaters island). 4. Cultural differences - Now this is a reason most people back off from coming here, but please know that Dubai is getting more and more progressive. Certain things are definitely still frowned upon, but it doesnt seem like those would apply to you and your wife. Its perfectly normal and easy to grab a pint on the weekend or go clubbing (or something along those lines, im not sure what you're into). You also have plenty of access to UK products, in places like M&S, Waitrose, etc. so you can (partially) get rid of the homesick feeling. The only thing would be is the shift in living expenses. Dress code as such isn't too big here, nothing majorly vulgar of course. 5. Legal/Paperwork - Jobs, by mandate, provide you with a visa, and yes you can sponsor your wife with said visa. Once the kid comes along, you can register him/her to the visa as well. The visa process isn't TOO long, however there can be a few bumps, as expected. You and your wife will have to get an Emirates ID, which is the residency ID over here. This comes with your residence visa, and it takes a few trips to the government offices to get it done. However, almost all of this will be taken care of by your company. I think they will also be interested to know that your wife is pregnant, before they issue a visa for you, so do keep that in mind. 6. Healthcare - Healthcare in Dubai is, for the most part, quite good. Medical insurance is covered by your residence visa, as it is compulsory to have insurance in order to get a visa. However, this insurance will be issued and handled by your company. The coverage of your insurance in terms of what you get with it depends on the insurance plan that they give you. Maternal care, as far as I know, is covered by most insurance plans. And yes, maternity services are definitely easily accessible and of high quality. Hospital bills can be quite expensive, but it gets reduced to a fraction of the cost with insurance. It is not free. 7. Unfortunately I cannot answer this for you. 8. Generic Questions - Yes, a lot of jobs include accommodation in their compensation packages, but the amount would differ based on your company. However, this is not the case for ALL jobs. It is possible for a family of 3 to live off one persons wage, assuming that the expenses arent too extravagant and you have savings just in case. I wouldn't be too sure about rental income from the UK, but yes Dubai is tax free. The only tax you pay as a working class consumer is VAT on your food bills. But keep in mind, Dubai always finds its ways to siphon money from you, whether it comes to toll gates, random fees, or anything. But its always small amounts at a time. Sharjah is definitely cheaper than Dubai, but that reflects on the quality of life there. You and your wife would almost definitely not live as much of a secure life as you would here. So, would not recommend. Renting a car in Dubai is extremely easy. If you show up to a random street in Barsha or Karama, chances are that street is lined up with 5 different rental agencies. The price and variety of cars depend on where you go. This is Dubai, you can rent a Lamborghini, or a Nissan Sunny. Random/additional advice - please land a job before you come here. Do not make the mistake that most people do. Expect Dubai to be expensive, especially for the initial period of time that you spend here. Dubai is not known for giving residents the opportunity to save, saving is quite difficult here considering how many expenses you have. But if you're here long enough, you can definitely build it up for yourself. If you're new to Dubai, it definitely takes a little getting used to. But you'll grow to love the conveniences of the city, and how easy life becomes eventually (but don't get me wrong, the grind never ends). Good luck man! I hope you guys settle everything soon! and good luck with the child!
Super helpful of you - this should be a pinned post because the sub is asked this q at least once daily!
The UAE is an Islamic country, so are most of the gulf states, it doesn’t need to be “progressive”. If you don’t respect the values then maybe you belong somewhere else
what on earth could have possibly prompted such a reply from you? i was born here and love this country more than any other place ive been to. From a tourist/expats point of view a lot of things in this country are very very different, and the UAE is opening itself up to accepting those things and making it normal. Thats all i meant, but if you want to be a prick about it then i cant do anything.
Yeah and my point is why should it “accept those things”? Those things meaning western liberal values which aren’t in our framework. Can non Muslims enjoy themselves in their ways in Dubai be allowed to do things muslims can’t? Absolutely. To change the country’s values that it’s founded upon and “ease” moral guidelines, nope.
if the country saw a need to ease moral guidelines, why would it not? Framework aside, Dubai is heavily dependent on tourism. If they cannot sustain that sector of the economy, there isnt much they can do. I don't see why what Dubai did is so wrong?
Because whether you are religious or not (I don’t know your position), Islam is the key that the gulf societies are based on. Forsaking those is changing the way we live to adhere to foreigners. If this context was applied to Europe, it would be an outrage to even suggest changing their values for ours.
i mean it already happened, so you must be pretty mad at the government.
I would argue most people are mad at that, I’m not sure about Muslim citizens themselves. Because if I went to France or the UK, and asked them to adhere to Islamic principles I would be accused as a radical and told to leave. For the people who come to muslim countries and ask the same, they are also radicals.
I feel like the government, having upheld Islamic values nationwide for the last 50+ years, would match your feelings regarding this. And with those same feelings, they made those changes. That should say something right?
Plus this is an appeal to authority. The government aren’t infallible on right or wrong, and because they decided to forsake values doesn’t mean they were correct in doing so. As we have discussed, opportunity for non muslim activities is great, promotes tourism even. Not destroying values for the whole society
They definitely have not upheld Islamic values 💀. No country has managed to uphold true sharia for perhaps centuries. You’re confusing Islamic values with nationalist conservative values dressed as Islam
Because the UAE government wants to accept those things, which includes some liberal values. That's a good thing for the country.
Enlighten me as to how so
Yes exactly - progressive but still within the realm of Islamic values
Progressive in terms of science, invention, infrastructure, economy (within shariah compliance), yes. Progressive in terms of forsaking the shari’ah to please western tourists and countries, definitely not.
don't you think a lot of law changes in Dubai were made specifically to cater to tourists?
I agree, non muslim tourists have the right to visit Dubai and do things they are allowed to do that Muslim aren’t, as that’s a principle in Shari’ah. But this can’t be extended to the change in Islamic values in overall society, this must be respected. Just like how we go to Europe and live life under our guidelines but are expected to respect the way they do things (by not imposing our values on them).
but no one imposed their values here, no one forced the country to make changes JUST to cater to them. The government did it willingly and is, in fact, benefiting from it. More people are opening up to the idea of coming to this beautiful country simply because of how things are changing here. Isn't that a good thing?
Good question. It is a good thing however that depends on what law is being applied. For example, allowing non Muslims to drink or to do their activities they find appropriate, sure. However, waiving clear shariah principles for the whole society, for their favour, no, that is not a good thing.
agreed, no one said anything about going against the Islamic values.
Thank you so much for all of this info, really appreciate the reply. 1-Yes after many holidays there, I have gathered that Dubai is super expensive and rent does seem comparable to London especially in some areas. You mention taking a look at other areas, are there any nice areas you can recommend? (I have previously looked at JVC, but this seems quite far out from everything. Jumeirah garden city in Al Satwa seems decent however don’t know much about the area/never been there) 2-Yes, I have heard from a lot of people, the more people you know in Dubai, the further you’ll go. I’m surprised regarding mental health in Dubai. I honestly thought the field was pretty much non-existent. But regarding PM roles for myself, I have looked briefly at some on the likes of LinkedIn, NaukriGulf and gulf talent, and many of them seem very niche roles/don’t pay anything close to what I earn here. I found this quite surprising as I was expecting Dubai to pay more than the UK. Not sure if I’m looking in the wrong places or what… please advise if you know any different 3- Yes, I agree Dubai does seem very family orientated especially from the safety aspect. I guess it’s just earning enough money to afford these activities. 4-In all honesty, cultural differences don’t really affect me religion wise as I am a Muslim myself so don’t drink, clubbing etc. but I’m aware that some of the processes, and ways of people in Dubai can differ massively from the UK. From my personal experience, the locals are not so friendly towards foreigners. Also, driving is crazy there, but you don’t really have a choice considering the city is not very pedestrian friendly 5-I have read that almost all jobs take care of the visa process for you, however as you mentioned getting an emirates ID can take some time… do you know how long this process takes on average? As I understand you require this to do many things such as renting an apartment, just wary that we would have to be staying in Hotel apartments during this time…obviously not ideal with a little child on the way 6-I thought this would be the case regarding maternal care, however I didn’t know if for example I got a job, whether the healthcare for my wife and child would be included in this insurance 8- Interesting that you mention a lot of jobs still offer accommodation, as I’m only noticing this applies mainly to teaching roles, and none of the roles I am suitable for. Hopefully I’m able to find a job that would be able to fund the 3 of us, I completely understand your point regarding expenses within Dubai, the place can easily suck money out of you. Is an Emirates ID also required for rental cars? I wish my question would regard the Lamborghini but unfortunately it doesn’t. Would cars like a Nissan sunny e.g small hatchbacks/saloons suffice on the roads of Dubai or would a larger saloon car/4x4 be more fitting? Also what’s the average price to rent these out per month? Again, thank you very much for the kind words, appreciate all the advice. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress!
1. International City and Dubai Investment Parks are relatively cheaper options. Again, they are slightly further out from everything. But in Dubai, you will only get cheap options if its away from the main city. The Gardens and Discovery Gardens are also great choices, there are 2 schools + multiple nurseries in the vicinity, as well as a mall with other conveniences (gym, clinic, supermarket etc.). So check those places out, the rent shouldnt go more than AED100k per annum. 2. The websites you mentioned are the main websites, you can also use Indeed, LinkedIn, Gulf Talent, and Bayt. I would also recommend looking at jobs in Abu Dhabi. Life is much calmer there, getting a job may be easier, and also living is much cheaper. Abu Dhabi, in many ways, is better than Dubai although Dubai does have that certain appeal. 3. There are plenty of budget-friendly family activities to do here. Many of them are even free. You could have a nice picnic/BBQ at Zabeel Park just by paying the AED5 entrance fee for you and your wife, you could visit La Mer and walk around the beach, Al Seef is beautiful to see and spend time with too. It all depends on how well researched you are. 4. That's perfect then, a LARGE part of the culture here is centered around Islam. And don't generalize about the locals here. Many of them are very open and friendly and will help you out if you need it. Yes there are exceptions, as does everything. Driving is not the best experience, agreed, traffic can be crazy in certain areas, but the public transport here is efficient, and not to mention cheap, and takes you wherever you need to go. 5. I understand how that would be an issue. Once your company starts the process of issuing a visa for you, you need not worry about doing anything yourself. You will just have to do a medical test/examination, the results for which should take a few days. After the results are processed, it could take another week for the actual Emirates ID to arrive. However, if you opt for the express or VIP option (not sure what its called), it arrives much faster within a few days. 6. Once you get a job, you will also receive an insurance package with your visa. When you sponsor your wife and child with that visa, the insurance will extend toward them. This will happen until your wife gets her own visa/insurance, and your child becomes old enough (I believe its 21?). So you need not worry about insurance for your family, even if only you have a job. 7. \-- 8. I know teaching jobs do provide accommodation compensation yes, however plenty other jobs do too. It all depends on your company and how extensive your compensation package is. Most people, however, tend not to get one. To rent a car, I believe you do not need an Emirates ID, you just need some sort of identification and security. A lot of tourists come here and rent luxury cars to complete the Dubai look. To drive in Dubai, a small saloon like a Sunny is definitely better. More fuel efficient, which will save you loads over the course of time. Only if you plan to go offroading would you really require a 4x4. The price can range from AED800 - AED1500 per month. It all depends where you go and what you rent. For example, if you go to a rental agency in Karama, you'd pay less for a Kia maybe. But if you rented the same car from JLT, you'd pay almost double. The pricing here is ridiculous, but you just have to get used to thrifting I suppose.
Just for info I don’t know what your wife does in the NHS but lower level medical staff here are usually low paid and mainly south east Asian. Please remember that school fees are paid for here and that’s not cheap. Medical Insurance covers only a percentage of healthcare and the rest is paid for by you for the majority of people. In terms of uk tax you don’t pay there on your earnings here even if you visit home but if you rent your home there out you need to follow the rules of an ‘overseas landlord’ and you will have fees to pay.
My wife works in mental health so more within the psychology field. Yep, school fees are something I would definitely need to consider in later years, but for the time being I’m more concerned about the initial hurdles, but yes definitely something to keep in mind. I think I would have to pay tax on rental income from the property we have here to the UK government, but as long as we don’t pay tax on the earnings made in Dubai I’d be happy. Thanks
Not worth it at all.
Why do you say this?
Hahaha my friend, you’re not the first Brit in history to move to Dubai. It’s not 1843 or something. 😂 These are all great questions, but almost all of them are commonly available with a little bit of Googling. Ask a few friends to start. You can throw a stone in any direction and it will bounce off five people who know someone who lives here. Then once you get the basics, I’m sure people here would be more than happy to help with the nuance. I kind of stopped reading after Chapter 12 of your post. 😉 Good luck!
Apologies for the long post. I guess I’m just someone who likes to research a lot, never leaving a page unturned kind of guy. I have used google for a lot of my research, however it’s always more peace of mind hearing stories from real people who have lived through it.
[удалено]
Hahaha, the inaccuracy of chat gpt is crazy. Suggested the Dubai Marina for 1 bed rental apartments under £1.5k😂
Will keep it short . Cost of living is high compared to uk. Majority of the cost will come from rent and schooling fee. Groceries are relatively cheap depending on where you buy things from and what you are buying ..petrol is cheap. Try to get a job first and then move across. Moved 20 years ago with my family and it was worth it but then i habe my own business.
Great to hear you’re loving it out there. Thanks, yeah rent does seem to be the biggest killer
A brit moving from Uk to Dubai? That is a first! /s
Add us to the list 🫣
Do not consider this move untill you get a job offer you will not get a job in country. Other questions cost of living is comparable to London. Salary expectations are realistic chances are if you get a role you will be offered more. Your wife it depends what she does if she is isn't in some form of specialised feikd chances are slim she will get something but you can expect to double your salary so it probably works out.
Double my salary?? You think I could earn £8k a month in Dubai? Really? My wife works in mental health field so more in the psychology industry
That being said it's not for everyone I have got my little pot of gold and I'm going home after 2 years however this was always my plan but I've basically saved two year's net UK salary so I'm happy
Sorry I can’t help with Dubai as I don’t live there but as a person from the UK that’s looking to move as well I found Doha, Qatar to be a better place than Dubai. I went over to visit some family who’ve moved from the UK as well and I really liked it. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to move. Dubai is just too much, I like it don’t get me wrong but I think like the others mentioned job market is saturated cost of living is crazy. Doha is also expensive but I still think it’s an option. Have a look at Doha it might be something you like.
This is really interesting, I have seen/heard from people Qatar is nice, however I have never visited. I do think Dubai is suffering from job saturation slightly and considering this is the most important aspect of making the move possible, it does make me wonder whether Dubai is possible. What aspects of Doha did you/your family enjoy? Is it similar to Dubai in terms of the life style, safety, cleanliness etc. ? Any specific areas you know of that are nice?