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Dubai for Expats – What You Should Know Before Your Move

Dubai, located on the Arabian Gulf, has become a very popular travel destination. In many ways, the emirate is famous for its superlatives: it has the largest mall (Dubai Mall with over 1200 stores), the tallest building (Burj Khalifa with 164 floors), and the most luxurious hotel (Burj Al Arab). But it is also a popular expat hub and more and more foreigners are going to Dubai to work and live there each year. Many services and government websites are available in English and Emiratis make for a mere 15% of the overall population. Residential Areas and the Cost of Living Although the quality of life can be very high in Dubai, you need enough cash to fully enjoy all of its luxuries while staying in Dubai. While Dubai has always been an expensive place to live, the current inflation has caused the cost of living to rise significantly. This is most of all apparent in the rising costs of accommodation and, for those who move to Dubai with their family, the tuition costs for international and private schools. Groceries may also amount to more than expected as international brands and goods often cost a pretty penny. In addition, the daily commute to work and the maintenance costs for a car also take a financial toll on many an expat’s budget. Dubai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. New construction sites are sprouting up like mushrooms to accommodate not only future visitors but also residents. While the choice of residential area largely depends on how affordable it is and on its proximity to your place of work or your children’s school, there are some neighborhoods which are just a little bit more popular among expats than others, such as Al Barari, Al Barsha, Jabel Ali, Emirates Hills, and Burj Dubai. Social Etiquette in Dubai Despite the high number of expatriates living in Dubai, it is important to note that the UAE is still a Muslim country and many local customs are influenced by that. For instance, alcohol is not easy to come by and rather expensive, many shops are closed during the month of Ramadan and, particularly for women, a more modest behavior is required than what you might expect. For instance, public display of affection should be kept at a minimum. It might be ok to hold hands but hugging and kissing in public should be avoided even if you are married to your partner. Unruly drunkenness, possession of drugs, sex outside of marriage, adultery, and homosexuality are illegal as well. Make sure that you know the law before moving to Dubai and abide by it. More often than not Dubai’s officials will execute a zero-tolerance-policy and you won’t get away with anything less than a fine. In addition, there is a dress code which particularly women should abide by. Try to cover your shoulders, knees, and cleavage. While this dress code might not be strictly enforced in tourist areas, Dubai’s malls have thoroughly implemented it. If you don’t cover yourself up while going on a shopping spree, you might be asked to purchase more modest clothing or leave the mall altogether.



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