If you have considered Dubai as a destination for your move, you also need to know its advantages and disadvantages. In this article we will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of living in Dubai. Recently, with the arrival of more and more foreigners in Dubai, wages have decreased and it is not as easy as it used to be to find a job.
The unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the world, but the job market is highly competitive. Working hours are generally long and strenuous. There is no protection against dismissal and you can be laid off overnight. Those who live and work in Dubai do not have to pay taxes on the wages they receive. The business opportunities are significant. Dubai has a growing economy, and if you manage to succeed with your own business, there are considerable earning opportunities.
Dubai is an international city where people from all over the world live, many nationalities are represented here. 85% of Dubai’s inhabitants are expatriates. You will have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends with expats of different nationalities. Locals do not care much about foreigners in their country, they tolerate them but do not mind interacting with them.
Dubai is essentially a Muslim city, but there are people of different faiths who practice their religion freely. Citizens are not discriminated against on religious grounds, and the government takes a strict stance against extremism and follows a policy of tolerance. Unlike many other cities in the Middle East, people in Dubai are quite tolerant of smoking and alcohol consumption. However, there are many Islamic rules that must be observed (no kissing in public places, no sex outside of marriage, etc.).
On the social scale, natives come first; they are considered the elite and are treated quite differently than foreigners. They are followed by Americans and Europeans, and at the bottom of the scale are Indians and Asians. For citizens of underdeveloped countries, life in Dubai is very hard and often hides behind the city of glamor. Those who have the wrong passport can easily become victims of unjust treatment that violates their rights.
Dubai is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, and if your salary is not enough for the cost of living, it will not be easy to survive here (I would say a minimum salary of $3,000). Everything has to be paid for (health insurance, childcare, school, etc). Rental costs have increased recently. Private health care is very good, but expensive. Education, which is also private, is of good quality and expensive. But you will find everything related to entertainment and shopping in some of the largest shopping centers in the world. In summer when it’s too hot to go out, the whole city spends its free time in these malls. Nightlife, parties and entertainment are the order of the day here.
Public transportation is generally efficient and inexpensive. The subway and bus are convenient and comfortable. Cabs are cheap and plentiful. Driving in Dubai is stressful because of the high volume of traffic and risky because of the recklessness of many drivers, who are the cause of many accidents that occur daily in the city.
Obtain official documents such as work visas, residence permits, bank accounts, etc. This can be frustrating as it is difficult to navigate the various offices. Many documents need to be translated into Arabic. The bureaucracy and ever-changing regulations make life in Dubai a challenge for those who cannot muster the holy patience.
In summer, the temperature can exceed 50 degrees. It is too hot to live and walk outdoors. Therefore, most of life takes place indoors. Dubai, on the other hand, probably has one of the best winter climates in the world (24 degrees).
Living and working in Dubai – pros and cons
Living in Dubai, pros
- Good job opportunities
- Good business opportunities
- No taxes
- No crime
- More tolerance than other Islamic countries
Living in Dubai, cons
- Expensive health care
- Expensive education
- High cost of living
- Very hot summer weather
- People’s rights are often trampled on
- High traffic volume
Living and working in Dubai, conclusion
In Dubai, as in every country in the world, there are positives and negatives. Like any city in the world, Dubai can offer great opportunities or great disappointments. When you go to a foreign country, the first thing you should do is throw out your cultural conventions. Look at the culture of the host country and accept it without expecting to find what you are used to. This will greatly facilitate your integration into a society with completely different rules and culture.
Staying in this city is a good experience. Dubai is a place where people work for a certain amount of time, enjoy themselves, earn some money and then go back home. In Dubai you can stay as long as you are useful for the economy of the country, you have to work, respect the laws and the culture, and when the employment is over, everyone goes his own way.
If you want to have all the information about how to work in Dubai, I recommend you to read the article: How to work in Dubai
If you want to move to Dubai, you can read the article: How to move to Dubai