Dubai   

Established in the 18 th century, Dubai is one of the most popular cities in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. It is known worldwide for the special life one can live in it and the different activities that can be done. At first, Dubai was a small fishing village but it soon grew into becoming a cosmopolitan metropolis in the early 21 st century. Dubai is mainly focused on hospitality and tourism and millions of people choose to visit it every year as it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole world.   

 Life in Dubai is a mix of local culture and cosmopolitan lifestyle. In addition to that, Dubai has the second most five-star hotels in the whole world as well as the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa), making it one of the best places to visit. Dubai is known for its luxurious hotels and massive skyscrapers.   

Dubai is ruled by the House of Maktoum, which is a royal family.   

Living in Dubai: Pros                         

As many already know, living in Dubai has many pros. This is very clear since there are many nationalities in Dubai. You can find ex-pats from Lebanon, France, the United Kingdom, India, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and many other countries. Working and living in Dubai remains the dream of so many individuals and the reason is the advantages one can benefit from when living in Dubai.   

Here are the pros of living in Dubai:   

·         Job Opportunities   

Dubai is known for the jobs it can offer to its citizens and to ex-pats living in Dubai. The reason is that many international companies choose to have an office or another branch of their company in Dubai. Therefore, there are many job opportunities for ex-pats. Expats can even have the chance of working in a local company in Dubai.   

·         Good Weather   

As many already know, the weather in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most important assets that make living in Dubai enjoyable. It is amazing for individuals who hate winter and cold weather since for around 8 months, the weather in Dubai is perfect. The sky is clear almost every day and even during winter, it can never get way too cold.   

·         Great Education   

Dubai is one of the places where education is great. The standards in Dubai are very high whether in schools or universities. There are many schools in Dubai that adhere to the British education system and the National Curriculum of England is taught in primary schools. That being said, having graduated from a school or a university in Dubai is very beneficial.   

·         No Taxes   

The incomes that workers and individuals earn in Dubai are not subject to taxes. Therefore, ex-pats who wish to flock to Dubai can earn money without having to pay taxes. This means that individuals get to enjoy living in Dubai, the tax-free nation, and make use of the entire income. There are no sales taxes on the majority of goods and services either.   

·         Social Life   

Living in Dubai means having a vibrant social life since it is quite exceptional. One can find many private beach clubs to join, sports clubs, bars, restaurants, museums, beaches, and many other places that individuals enjoy. Also, living in Dubai makes it possible for individuals to taste many cuisines, whether Lebanese, European, Chinese, or other cuisines.   

·         Easy Access   

Over the years, Dubai has become very accessible. Its international airport offers flights to and for the most destinations in the world. This means that people can come to Dubai from all areas of the world and they can therefore go anywhere from Dubai. This makes it one of the most accessible places in the Middle East.   

·         High-Quality Life   

Living in Dubai means living the luxurious life one aims at. As the standards of living in Dubai is high, the crime rate is quite low, shopping is great, and there are many luxurious stays one can go to. Living in Dubai is safe, people respect each other, and they get to enjoy their life without distractions.   

·         English Language   

The English language is one of the spoken languages in Dubai. This means that living in Dubai is easy for the ones who know how to speak English, even if it is an Arab country with the Arabic language as the mother language. English is taught in schools, and universities, and is even used in everyday life by the ones who are originally from Dubai or from another country.   

·         Cheap Transportation   

Transportation in Dubai is cheap, especially if groups of 4 to 5 people are using the same taxi. There is also Dubai Metro which is considered to be another cheap transportation option in Dubai. The price of petrol in Dubai is not expensive, that is why transportation in Dubai is not as expensive as everyone thinks. Not to mention that the government is investing in public transportation to improve it.   

·         A Country of Religions   

The predominant religion in Dubai and in the United Arab Emirates as a whole is Islam. However, what makes living in Dubai very special is the respect of all religions. Dubai includes many religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and many more, and everyone respects all religions. That being said, expats are allowed to drink alcohol and eat meat in Dubai.   

·         High Wages   

Living in Dubai means fair pay and high salaries. Even if some consider that living in Dubai is not very cheap, the salaries in Dubai are high which makes it possible for individuals and ex-pats to save money. Therefore, with balance, individuals can succeed in saving money when living in Dubai.   

Living in Dubai: Cons   

Living in Dubai has disadvantages as well. However, this hardly ever stops ex-pats from moving to Dubai and it does not necessarily affect the choice of moving out of Dubai.   

Here are the cons of living in Dubai:   

·         Expensive Rent   

Rent in Dubai might be expensive, especially for the ones coming from countries where rent is acceptable. Also, the bigger the apartment or the flat, the more expensive it, and this might cause a problem for many individuals living in Dubai since they will need to know how to manage their money to be able to pay rent and enjoy living in Dubai at the same time.   

·         Traffic   

Even if Dubai is very large and has an unlimited number of roads and highways, traffic congestion can indeed be terrible at times, especially around the holidays. It is important to mention that Dubai is quite filled with people and different nationalities and traffic is very normal. However, it might be frustrating for the ones who are not yet used to it.   

·         Intense Heat   

Living in Dubai is not the best option for winter lovers and the ones who hate heat. From June to September, the weather in Dubai can be very hot. Therefore, many ex-pats choose to travel during these 4 months to other countries with lower temperatures. Even if all malls, offices, and restaurants have air conditioning systems, walking in the street can be frustrating.   

·         Expensive Lifestyle   

Some goods can be very expensive in Dubai. Even if individuals go out to have a simple dinner, they might end up paying a significant amount of money. Also, other goods such as clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry can be somewhat expensive compared to other countries. This is the case in most areas of the United Arab Emirates as well.   

·         Strict Laws   

In some areas, the laws in Dubai can be strict and individuals might get prosecuted on so many occasions. Therefore, living life on the edge is not the best option when living in Dubai. One must be very attentive and always aware of the consequences of the things that he/she is doing. This might be tiring for some.   

Cost of Living in Dubai   

Having ranked as the 23 rd most expensive destination out of 209 destinations, Dubai is not as cheap as other countries. However, it is still less expensive than Abu Dhabi and New York.   

To be able to live comfortably in Dubai, individuals might need around AED 10,000 (around $2,700) to AED 13,000 (around $3,500) each month. Obviously, it all depends on the location, family size, age, and lifestyle choices.   

The average cost of living in Dubai is around AED 3,393 ($924) without rent. This obviously includes food and a lifestyle that is not very expensive but rather very balanced without having to spend so much money on outings and shopping.   

Places to Live in Dubai   

When it comes to places in Dubai to live, it is important to mention that there are so many options.   

Here are some options of places to live in Dubai:   

1.      Dubai Marina   

Dubai Marina is at the heart of the “New Dubai”. The Marina Walk is basically filled with a significant number of restaurants and shops. It is known for its waterfront apartment tower.   

2.      Downtown   

In Downtown Dubai, there is Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world, and the Dubai Mall which is the largest mall in the world. There are many villas and apartments to live in.   

3.      Mirdif   

Located just behind the Dubai airport, Mirdif is a popular residential base that includes apartment villas. It is considered to be a spread-out community.   

4.      Arabian Ranches   

Arabian Ranches is considered to be a very quiet suburb that is located outside the city. There are villas, schools, shopping complexes, hospital facilities, restaurants, and cafes.   

5.      Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)   

Jumeirah Lakes Towers or JLT is a somewhat affordable place to live in. It includes man-made lakes and even green spaces. One can find restaurants and cafes in JLT.   

6.      Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)   

Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is considered to be a long stretch of high buildings that are along the beach Marina. In this residential area, one can only find apartments.   

7.      Business Bay   

Business Bay is the go-to option for the business class community living in Dubai. Business Bay typically offers the best option for both life and work in a business environment in Dubai. It is considered to be one of the most expensive residences in Dubai.   

8.      Emirates Hills   

Emirates Hills is located beside the city. It is a suburb that has a wide selection of residential areas that are known as The Springs and The Meadows. It mainly includes villas.   

9.      Dubai Sports City   

Being the ultimate go-to option for sports-oriented individuals, Dubai Sports City includes many sports complexes and for a reasonable price.   

10.  Al Barsha   

Al Barsha is considered to be one of the major residential communities in Dubai. It includes many sports complexes and it is close to many educational institutes.   

Living in Dubai has pros and cons, just like any other place to live in. Therefore, individuals living in Dubai usually enjoy their everyday life as Dubai is considered to be one the best places to live in.