Out of the 9.89 million people who live in the United Arab Emirates today, 3.38 million of them live in Dubai. And a good number of them are foreign residents, many of whom were relocated here or moved to this city to and for work. As the UAE is in the Middle East, you can expect the climate here to generally stay warm all year. Though it doesn't snow here during winter, the temperature does drop to an average of 67 °F. And since the city has become a major global hub, English is slowly becoming as common a language here as Arabic.
In terms of public transport, Dubai boasts some of the most advanced systems in the world. Its metro railway system, for instance, is actually driverless, relying only on the latest technology to maneuver the vehicle. While this may not sit all that well with many, it does keep up the precision of the system in reaching stops on time. Because of the vast bodies of water surrounding the city, you can also ride a water taxis and ferries to get to where to need to be. And, of course, taxis are everywhere in this concrete urban jungle. You can easily book one yourself with the help of a transportation app.
Out of the many major cities in the world, none upholds "city living" quite like Dubai. You'll rarely see any suburban areas here. It's mostly urban neighborhoods, each more exciting than the next. Yet, at the same time, remain pretty decent residential areas as well. The Jumeirah Beach Residence district is perhaps the closest one gets to live in a suburban-like part of the city. But even this neighborhood has tall towers, commercial areas, and the like. Meanwhile, those who enjoy the urban lifestyle will appreciate settling down in the Business Bay, Media City, and Downtown Dubai areas.
Dubai is a city for the big leagues. It's mostly luxury apartments, glamorous townhouses, opulent mansions, and the like. There's virtually no such thing as humble living in this very advanced utopia. And the living costs reflect that. If you're keen on renting here, expect to spend a minimum of AED3,000.00 to a maximum of AED18,000.00 a month. Whichever your rental fee falls on this spectrum will depend on the area and the number of bedrooms in your flat. But if you prefer to actually buy your own home here, you'll need to shell out about AED6,458.35 to AED12,500.00 per square meter!
It's safe to say that finding a job in Dubai is easier than landing employment in other major cities. With so many international companies and big corporations operating here, you'll certainly find a lot of opportunities to go for in this city. And it's because of that that the UAE's job market is one of the strongest right now, what with a low unemployment rate of 2.64%. But how does one go about job-hunting here? Going to expat groups to network will help! A good many of them consist of members with important positions within the corporate world. Also, logging into job-seeking sites like Dubai Jobs and LinkedIn will work too!
You also don't ahve to worry about bringing your kids along to live in Dubai. The city has many prominent schools, a good number of which are international institutions recognized all over the world. They will ensure that your children will get the high-quality education they deserve and need in order to ensure their futures will be bright. A notable example is Dubai International School which follows the Internation Baccalearaute program. This is the type of school that can get your kids into the best universities in the world. The same goes for the Gems Wellington International School, a British institution that even takes part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
When it comes to healthcare, the UAE's system certainly has everything going for it. It's a universal law that required all citizens and residents to get covered, be it through the public option or getting private insurance from the likes of Cignal Global and Allianz care. And in Dubai, there's also a handful of fine hospitals to back the system up. The Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Dubai Hospital, and the Latifa Hospital are all notable standouts. With all that said, it's no wonder the country's medical tourism is going strong.
With a general crime rate of 12.82%, it's safe to say that Dubai is far from being one of the most dangerous cities in the world. In fact, certain European capitals and popular American destinations have higher crime rates. Still, crime does happen in this city. The most common are corruption, bribery, drug-dealing, and theft. But as the city's crime rate suggests, they don't happen so often that they're cause for alarm. At the same time, you can remain safe in Dubai as long as you avoid a few places, such as Sonapur and Bur Dubai, the city's red-light district.
Moving to Dubai means you also have to understand the taxes in the UAE. And the systems here are extremely different from those in other countries. For instance, the country does not have an income tax. So even if you work here, you won't have to deduct anything from your salary for this sort of contribution. It seems the country has a big enough revenue that they don't need to impost an income tax to help keep various national systems intact. They do, however, impose a tourist tax. But it's more like a VAT than anything else.
Don't ever move to another country without setting up a local bank account. It should be one of the first things you do the moment you land at your destination. Fortunately, the process of opening one in the UAE isn't all that difficult. And considering that many international banks operate here, it's possible you might even be able to set it up even before you fly out here. Speaking of getting something local, a local SIM card is also an important must-have! At the very least, the country has many notable mobile networks to choose from, offering great plans at affordable rates.
Dubai is a shining city that's just so inviting, it'd be no surprise if you get relocated here. Or if you decide to move to this city on your own accord. In any case, this guide will help you with your transition, complete with the info you'll need in order to settle down here without a hitch!
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