The Pros and Cons of Living in Dubai (According to an Expat!)
I moved to Dubai in March 2022, and to be perfectly candid, I was really nervous about it. I knew that there would be pros and cons of living in Dubai, but I focused way too much on the cons. Like a lot of people, I was worried it would be too hot, too expensive, and too superficial. And, while Dubai can be all of these things, it didn’t take me long to realize just how much I’d fallen for the most common misconceptions about living in Dubai.
Spoiler alert – I actually really love living here and I’m really happy that I took the plunge. That being said, Dubai isn’t for everyone, and living here comes with its pluses and minuses. So, if you’re thinking of making a move and wondering what some of the pros and cons of living in Dubai are, I’m here to help!
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links I may earn a small commission (which I’m so thankful for!) at no extra cost to you.
The Pros and Cons of Living in Dubai
The Pros of Living in Dubai
The Perfect Winters
The winters are absolutely glorious in Dubai. From November to March, the weather here is pretty perfect with highs of 26°C (80°F) and lows of 15°C (60°F) during the coldest months. After enduring Dubai’s hot and humid summers (more on that in a bit), the winters are when everyone in Dubai is out and about, enjoying the mild weather.
From December through February, we even experience some days where things actually feel quite cold and don’t be surprised if you see people bundled up in warm clothes at least a few times during the winter. Dubai even gets a couple of very rainy days at this time of year – which is always exciting for everyone living here!
Despite getting a few days of rain and “cold” weather, the winter months are the most popular in Dubai, and tourists flock here to soak up the UAE sun while floating the day away at one of Dubai’s many picture-perfect beaches or hotel pools. I always feel lucky that I get to live in a bucket list vacation destination year-round!
READ MORE: 12 Fun Things to Do in Dubai in Winter
Safety
If you ask most expats what the No. 1 best thing about living in Dubai is, the answer will, more often than not, be “safety.” This is especially true for women.
Dubai honestly feels safer than any other city I’ve ever lived in. People are generally friendly and helpful, and I never feel like I have to worry about being pickpocketed on the Metro or walking alone at night. Plus, this might be the only place in the world where I don’t worry about leaving all of my stuff on the beach when I’m swimming.
In Dubai, it’s not uncommon to see people leave their expensive phones or handbags unattended on tables to reserve a spot at the mall when things are super crowded. It’s an actual thing here. While I’m not going that far, the feeling of safety is definitely one of the pros of expat life in Dubai.
It’s Tax-Free
One of the biggest perks of living in Dubai is that there is a 0% income tax. That being said, there are some taxes here, including 5% on goods and services. While alcohol used to be heavily taxed at 30%, that changed in January 2023 when the tax was rather suddenly removed on all alcohol sales!
It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
Dubai has a reputation for being really expensive. And it’s true that living in Dubai is expensive but it’s more than possible to keep costs down, live within your means, and even save money. Something I didn’t think was possible before moving here.
Living in certain areas, like where I live in the Dubai Marina, does come with a higher price tag. But if you do a little research and implement a few money-saving hacks, it’s easy to figure out how to save on costs in Dubai.
Dubai is also full of temptation when it comes to spending money. It’s not uncommon for people to move here and rack up debt on expensive brunches, nights on the town, and just generally living way above their means. But if you’ve got a handle on your expenses, it’s not only possible to live within your means but you can save lots of money while living here.
The Diverse Food Scene
Before I moved to Dubai, I had no idea just how diverse this city is. Dubai is made up of roughly 88% of expats hailing from everywhere from India, Iran, and China to the Philippines, the UK, Nigeria, and beyond.
One of the best things about living in Dubai is the diverse range of foods, especially if you love trying new things. From pure vegetarian Indian food, Palestinian knafeh, and Ethiopian beyaynetu to Indonesian gado-gado, Russian pelmeni, and Emirati balaleet, it’s easy to eat around the world in Dubai. And then there are the endless Western options, international chain restaurants, and vegetarian and vegan places, too!
That being said, when it comes to food, you can be as adventurous or non-adventurous as you want in Dubai. Wherever you’re from, chances are you can find your favorite foods here.
The Multiculturalism
Speaking of diversity, Dubai is easily the most multicultural place I’ve ever been. It seems like every time I meet someone new here, they’re from a place I know next to nothing about.
One of the most interesting things about living in Dubai is getting to experience Islamic traditions like Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, but also holidays and traditions celebrated by other cultures and religions. From the colorful, powder-filled fun of Holi and the lights of Diwali to the festive spirit of Christmas and Lunar New Year – always marked by fireworks shows, of course.
There’s Always Something Going On
Dubai is a bustling city. When it comes to things to do, Dubai has a reputation for being a place to party at nightclubs and go wild at boozy brunches. And while all this is true, there really is something for everyone here.
From joining sports teams and hiking groups to the endless concerts, cultural events, pop-up markets, museums, and more, there’s always something interesting to do here.
The Cons of Living in Dubai
The Hot and Humid Summers
When it comes to the pros and cons of living in Dubai, you should understand that the summers in Dubai are no joke. Temperatures spike to 40°C / 104°F (and go even higher) and the humidity is off the charts, making things feel infinitely hotter. Things generally start getting pretty hot and humid around May, when many of Dubai’s outdoor attractions close for the season. And these conditions last through September!
Being outside is just generally unbearable and even the ocean gets so hot starting in July, you won’t want to go in it (I learned that one firsthand!). In fact, many Dubai expats leave for the summer months if they can. Because my husband has the summers off and I work remotely, we always leave for the months of July and August, when the heat is at its worst.
Air Pollution
The air quality is not great in Dubai. Some days are perfectly crisp and clean and others can be a smoggy mess. It’s not something that bothers me too much. I’ve just invested in an air purifier to help combat it.
This is the desert, so dust storms do hit Dubai from time to time, too. These mainly happen in the summer and can reduce visibility in the city so drastically flights can get canceled.
Renting an Apartment
When it comes to things to know before moving to Dubai, you’ll want to understand that renting an apartment is not the most straightforward process. (I’ve written a complete guide to renting an apartment in Dubai here!)
First of all, agents are assigned to properties (usually in one area of town), not rental clients. So you can’t really go to one agent and ask to be shown a bunch of properties around Dubai. You’ll have a new agent show you each apartment you want to see.
And then there’s navigating all these new terms like chiller-free, DEWA, Ejari, Du, as well as getting and writing rental checks – it’s an odd system. Another thing that I’m not too fond of is that there is generally an annual hike in price each year, according to the RERA rental index (yet another fun term to become familiar with!).
Lack of Green Spaces
The reason I love living in the Dubai Marina is because I can look out my window and see the boats sailing in the marina, take a jog on the Marina Walk, or take a short walk and be at the beach. The Marina feels like an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. But most parts of town lack natural features and green spaces, which can get a little uninspiring. This is no surprise though, considering Dubai is in the desert.
If having nature and green spaces is important to you, there are certain parts of town that have lovely parks and lakes. There are even a handful of spectacular natural attractions in Dubai that are perfect for nature lovers. Think protected wetlands, rugged mountains, windswept sand dunes, and, of course, beaches galore!
It’s Challenging to Make Friends
This is a complaint I hear a lot from expats who have recently moved to Dubai, and I have to agree. For some people, it seems like making friends is a cinch. For others like me, it’s been a bit tough. I personally work from home which, of course, means my social interactions are limited.
Given the transient nature of the expat population in Dubai, a lot of people also complain about constantly saying goodbye to friends. While some people move to Dubai and never leave, a lot of people move here for a year or two and then call it quits.
Pin Me for Later!
