Life in Dubai raises a mixed thought of thrill, curiosity, and opportunities. Images of tall skyscrapers and large shopping malls may flood our brains, and behind these images, a few questions also pop up. Hence, gathering all pieces of information, we prepared a comprehensive guide so that we can easily navigate through the extravagant lifestyle and multifaceted culture of Dubai, along with hints of expat experiences of life in Dubai.
So, let’s dive into the hows, wheres, and whys of the most attractive Middle Eastern lifestyle.
Buckle up because Dubai is much more than a backdrop in Instagram shots and much higher than its superlatives.
What do people do for fun? Do you feel happy? Would you settle there? How hard is it to meet new people? Usually, these questions give us mixed feelings of curiosity and fear of the unknown.
All The Answers To Your Queries While Planning For A Life In Dubai
Dubai: The expat’s dream, true or false
Good news! There must be a reason why, that is, one day you are in the financial scene closing deals and the next day you are enjoying the Dubai nightlife scene. Dubai is much more than you ever heard of. Losing yourself in the Dubai Flex will not be a surprise, as this is the place where profession meets play.
The highlights:
- Booming economy: Dubai offers booming career opportunities and facilities like tax-free salaries and also diverse career options, helping expats to choose career options suiting their specialities.
- Multicultural cosmopolitan experience: It offers multifaceted cuisines and cultures with over 200 nationalities in one place.
- Low crime rates: Dubai is a safe place to raise a family with a strong legal force, which builds trustworthiness and a sustainable sense of security.
- Top world-class infrastructure: It provides the best cutting-edge healthcare facilities, the most updated transportation system, and an exclusive standard of living with skyscraper buildings and larger-than-life malls.
- Moreover: There are local souks and also shopping malls, diverse tourist and expat communities, a lot of real estate options, more international schools, and impressive skyline architecture in Dubai, and it is situated closer to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Some of the most exclusive experiences of expats
Coming straight from the mouths of expats, there are some valuable experiences to learn from. We generally know that Dubai is extremely safe, with very low crime rates – no muggings, robberies, or street violence. However, homesickness can be a challenge for many expats.
If your goal is to save and invest money in your home country, Dubai can be a great option. Permanent residency isn’t available, but you may be eligible for a renewable ten-year Golden Visa if you meet the criteria.
The city is incredibly clean, especially compared to many third-world countries, and is home to iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the Dubai Mall, the largest mall globally. While housing in Dubai can be expensive, getting a job and a driving licence could allow you to move to the more affordable neighbouring city of Sharjah.
A place where tradition meets modernity
Dubai provides a seamless blend of multi-cultures and traditions. Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates; hence, it became a tourist attraction. The Arabic culture, along with the modern architecture, provides a rich blend for visitors. This serves a wide variety of activities, sightseeing, and unique experiences.
Planning to move? All the pros and cons you need to know
Living Cost:
You need to mentally prepare yourself to keep a monthly budget of AED 10000 to AED 15000 to live a comfortable life in Dubai. Expenses will basically include food, utilities, transportation, and accommodation. This may vary according to your lifestyle and preferences.
Healthcare and education in Dubai
The UAE has no personal income tax, which makes its tax system attractive. However, essential services like healthcare and education are mostly private. They applied 5% VAT to goods and services, which is relatively low. Employers have to provide health insurance and also ensure that it covers the dependents. The healthcare system is modern, with international professionals, making the UAE appealing to both residents and expats.
Dubai has an array of International schools and several websites offer online application processes for admission.
The ultimate checklist before entering your dream life in Dubai
- Investor Visa option: They designed this visa to boost Dubai’s dynamic economy by attracting more and more foreign investors. There are two types of investor visas 1. Dubai investor Visa 2. Golden Visa. These visa options provide several benefits: investors and their families can reside in Dubai, they get full access to the booming market, and also, the UAE has no personal tax on income. They have to renew this visa after every 2-3 years.
- Employment Visa Option: They designed this visa option for employees whom the UAE-based employers hire. And also for employees who have required degrees or any qualification relevant to the job type. The options are the standard employment visa and the specialised employment visa. This type of visa holder has the benefits of full residency with family members and access to local services like healthcare, banking, and finance.
- Freelance Visa Option: They designed this freelance visa option for people who are freelancing in design, technology, or media. To become eligible for this visa, they must have the freelance permit or licence and must have the intention to work as freelancers. There is a freelance visa for individuals, and another one is a creative freelance visa that is for artists and creative workers like writers and designers.
- As per benefits, the freelancers get a flexible working zone, access to local services, and also can apply for sponsorship for their family.
- You need to have an offer for employment or an employment contract. You need to make sure that your employer will cover your insurance or you need to do it yourself.
- Make sure whether your employer will apply for your UAE residency visa or not
- You need a tenancy agreement as proof of address.
- Calculate and prepare a budget for monthly expenses, including fees, rental taxes, and other expenses.
- Set everything up in your local bank account before you settle.
Best places to start a better life in Dubai
Among many places, the most suitable area to live in Dubai is the Palm Jumeirah. This place is built keeping the family’s needs in mind. This place provides the best amenities for families and a family-friendly environment.
Let’s come to the point
When planning to move and settle somewhere, we always keep some criteria in mind. Hence, Dubai meets all the basic criteria that are set to settle in a country. It offers a high living standard, a booming economy to ensure a stable income, and a beautiful and entertaining place to live.
