15 Common Misconceptions About Living in Dubai
When I first told my friends and family that I’d be moving to Dubai, there was a lot of skepticism. “Is it safe there?” “Do you have to cover your hair?” “Isn’t it too expensive?” These were all questions that people had about my big move. And as I would quickly learn, these are among the many misconceptions about expat life in Dubai.
If you’re thinking of moving to Dubai or traveling here for a vacation, and you’re not quite sure what to expect, here is a breakdown of some of the most common myths about living in Dubai! It’s also important to note that Dubai is changing rapidly.
The Dubai of 20, 10, and even just 5 years ago is very different than what you’ll experience today. In the case of Dubai, it’s important to have up-to-date information about what things are really like!
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15 Common Misconceptions About Living in Dubai
1. It’s unsafe
When I tell people that I live in Dubai, the most common response is, “Is it safe there?” After living here for a few years, it’s almost funny to hear that response because Dubai is probably the safest place I’ve ever lived or traveled.
As a woman, Dubai feels almost astonishingly safe. I’ve never felt on edge about getting around town alone, taking taxis, walking alone at night, or doing anything at all. There are a lot of strict rules and laws in the UAE but with that does come an absurd amount of safety and very low crime rates. So if you’re worried about whether Dubai will be a safe place to live or travel, don’t be!
2. Everyone is rich
In the media, Dubai has a reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous. This side of Dubai is very real, but it’s also made up of a very small minority.
Most people in Dubai are just normal people, like me, who don’t drive Lamborghinis, live in lavish villas, or dress in Versace clothes. Trust me when I say that you’ll find expats from all walks of life and economic backgrounds hailing from countries around the globe living in Dubai.
3. All parts of Dubai are glitzy and glamorous
If you go off of what you see in the movies or social media, you might have the impression that the entire city of Dubai is dripping with glitz, glamour, wealth, and architectural and engineering feats. Don’t get me wrong – the areas of Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah (pictured above) are ridiculously impressive and they truly are the stuff of movies.
But take some time to dig a little deeper and you’ll find that it’s not all movie magic.
4. Dubai is a country
A lot of people think that Dubai is a country but it’s actually a city in the country of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is made up of seven emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
5. Dubai is the capital of the UAE
Because Dubai is the most well-known emirate in the UAE, it’s often mistaken as being the capital. But the capital of the UAE is actually the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi!
6. Dubai isn’t a good place for women
The idea that Dubai is a bad, unwelcoming, or unsafe place for foreign women is another one of the most common misconceptions about living in Dubai. In my opinion, these notions couldn’t be further from the truth.
In my case as an American, non-Muslim woman, I’ve never felt anything but safe and welcome in this city. I can’t speak for everyone but I’ve also never met another expat woman living here who doesn’t agree.
7. Women have to cover their hair
Women do not have to cover their hair unless, of course, you’re going inside a mosque. In that case, there is a dress code, including wearing an abaya.
8. It’s tax-free
It’s true that there is no income tax in Dubai. But as of 2018, there is a 5% VAT on many goods and services, as well as a lot of random taxes like the 5% rental tax for residents, 10% tax on hotel rooms for tourists, and service taxes at some restaurants and hotels. So the idea that it’s 100% tax-free is a bit of a misconception.
9. You have to speak Arabic
Dubai is actually made up of roughly 85% expats, which means that although Arabic is the official language, English is the common language and it’s widely spoken. I have now been living in Dubai for a few years, and don’t speak any Arabic (not that I’m proud of that!) because I really haven’t had the need to.
10. You can’t drink alcohol
You can absolutely drink alcohol in Dubai. Dubai is a very liberal emirate in many regards, including alcohol consumption. When it comes to buying alcohol in Dubai, there are some quirks that you may not be used to when compared to your home country, but all in all adapting to the rules here is not as hard as you might think.
Just to give you an idea, restaurants have to have a special license to serve alcohol. But in Dubai’s touristy areas, you’ll find tons of restaurants and hotels serving beer, cocktails, and wine.
When it comes to buying alcohol in Dubai to take back to your home or hotel room, you will only be able to purchase it at an official alcohol store. Alcohol is not sold in grocery stores or convenience stores. But again, you’ll find these alcohol stores in all the touristy areas and expat enclaves in Dubai.
If you’re not a UAE resident, you’ll just need to bring your passport to make a purchase. If you are a UAE resident, then you’ll need to apply for an alcohol license (it’s super easy; just check out my guide!).
11. You can’t buy pork
Being a Muslim country, it’s widely assumed that pork is off-limits in the UAE but that’s another common misconception about living in Dubai. It is true that restaurants need to have a specific license and specific kitchen facilities to serve pork but if you can’t live without your bacon fix, you won’t have to look hard.
There’s even a restaurant in Dubai called Notorious P.I.G. that serves pork everything. And when you shop at grocery stores, you’ll find that there are separate sections for non-Muslims (usually tucked away in a corner), where you can find all your pork products.
12. There’s no nature
A lot of people think that Dubai is just a concrete jungle that’s been plopped in the middle of the sand dunes. And I guess that’s kind of true.
But what many don’t expect is there to be any nature or green spaces and that’s actually another myth. First off, Dubai is located along 72 kilometers of coast along the Arabian Gulf, which means that Dubai is home to beaches galore!
But Dubai also boasts massive natural mangroves that are teeming with a wide range of bird species, fish, turtles, and other wildlife. There’s even a massive annual flamingo migration to Dubai’s mangroves every winter which is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the city, in my opinion.
Like other areas of the UAE, Dubai is also dotted with lush wadis (river valleys), which are a blast to explore after a heavy rain.
13. It never rains
Speaking of rain; it does, in fact, rain in Dubai. The city obviously doesn’t get a ton of rain but when it does rain in Dubai, it often pours for days on end. The city usually gets a few storms a year that can even leave things quite flooded. (This city was not built to withstand a lot of rain!).
14. It’s always hot
Dubai is blisteringly hot (and humid!) in the summer when temperatures reach 40°C and beyond. But it’s not always that way. Dubai typically starts heating up starting in May with the hottest months of the year being in July and August.
While things remain hot until October, the weather is absolutely perfect from November until April. In the heart of winter is when the city will usually see some rainfall as well as some, dare I say, “cold” days. If you’re visiting in the winter, you may want to pack a light jacket. Plus, don’t be shocked if it’s not always prime beach weather in winter!
15. You shouldn’t visit during Ramadan
Even as recently as a few years ago, visiting Dubai during Ramadan presented some challenges to tourists – mainly restaurant closures during the day when Muslims fast. But nowadays it’s business as usual in Dubai and if you ask me, Ramadan is one of the very best times to visit Dubai.
There’s something magical about this time of year. I love participating in iftars, a lavish meal when Muslims break their fast at sunset. Plus, you’ll find all sorts of festive night markets and Ramadan events taking place all month long, not to mention the Ramadan sales at malls, hotels, and local businesses!
