United Arab Emirates has established itself as a major economic hub in the world and at the heart of UAE lies Dubai, its crown Jewel. Dubai has transformed itself from just another emirate into a global city and has become home to millions of people from different cultures and backgrounds living and working together.
In this very spirit, we will today find out if living in Dubai is the right choice for you. We will factor in things like how many people live in Dubai and what the pros and cons of living and working in Dubai are. What are the best areas to live in Dubai? and important things to remember should you decide to live here.
Population of Dubai
UAE consists of seven Emirates, with Dubai being one of them. It is also the most populated Emirate with more than 3.6 million people and about 85 to 90 % of this population consists of expatriates living and working in Dubai. These expatriates come to Dubai from all over the world but a large portion of them come from countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
With its large and diverse expatriate population, Dubai is a unique place filled with distinct cultures, languages, cuisines, and traditions. Most important of all the people here live in peace and harmony and the deep-rooted Arab culture blends nicely with both modern and foreign traditions.
Pros and Cons of Living in Dubai
As with any other city in the world, there are some pros and cons to living in Dubai. However, considering Dubai has so much going for it, there many more pros than cons when it comes to living in Dubai. So read them all then decide if living in Dubai is for you or not.
Pros
Career Opportunities
Dubai has a strong economy that is growing at an exponential rate. This has resulted in new jobs and business opportunities being created every day. With its large financial, industrial, real estate, tech, and hospitality sectors, career opportunities in Dubai are infinite, and good salaries and no personal taxes only make Dubai more lucrative.
Quality of Life
Outside of Europe Dubai has one of the highest standards of living in the world. It has a first-class infrastructure with plentiful modern amenities like excellent healthcare, educational, residential, commercial, and leisure facilities, and best of all the city is known for its low crime rates and strong focus on safety.
Cultural Diversity
As mentioned before Dubai is a melting pot of different cultures. It has its own strong Arab culture and the global expatriate community adds more multicultural layers to it. This creates a unique social experience for people living and visiting Dubai, as they get to experience so many unique and different cultures in one place.
Entertainment and Leisure
Dubai is a 24-hour city that is always awake and has plenty of entertainment options for those who want to have fun. It has a great nightlife, with plenty of dining, sports, and arts facilities. Those who want more excitement in their life can go on safaris and those who just want to relax can enjoy the many beach resorts.
Tax-Free Income
Perhaps the biggest pro, Dubai has going for it, is that it has no personal taxes on income, etc. Dubai is also a signatory of the Double Tax Agreement, so expats don’t have to worry about paying large amounts of tax back home. This creates a lot of earning and saving potential for people looking to boost their income.
Cons
High Cost of Living
While prosperous Dubai is a relatively small city in terms of size and the cost of living can be very high when you factor in housing, healthcare, and education. Having to pay no taxes helps, but the luxury of maintaining a certain lifestyle in Dubai does come at a cost.
Climate
Dubai is practically built in the desert in the Middle East, which makes the weather here really hot, especially in the summers, when the temperatures can easily exceed 40°C or 104°F. This can be especially overwhelming for people who are not accustomed to such harsh weather.
Cultural and Legal Restrictions
Being part of the Middle East, Dubai has some strict laws and regulations and while fairly liberal compared to other places in the region, people still have to follow Islamic laws and customs. These restrictions may include a ban on alcohol and following a strict dress code.
Transient Population
Having a large expatriate population is both a blessing and a curse, especially if the population is transient. Considering how many people live in Dubai and most of them are transient, it is difficult to create a stable social network.
Residency Tied to Employment
UAE like most Middle Eastern countries, rarely offers citizenship, which means your residency is tied to your employment or business status and the loss of it means, the cancellation of your visa. So, there is never that sense of long-term security when living in Dubai.
Best Areas to Live in Dubai
Finding the right area to live in Dubai is dependent on your budget and lifestyle preferences. Nonetheless, we have compiled a list of suggestions for you.
Dubai Marina
A luxurious apartment complex with stunning views of the ocean, Dubai Marina is a really popular residential area. It is especially preferred by young professionals who enjoy nightlife, but at the same time is very accommodating to families with plenty of dining, shopping, and recreational facilities.
Downtown Dubai
Filled with iconic landmarks and located in the heart of Dubai, Downtown Dubai is a mix of both old and new. Being home to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, it is a perfect area to live, if you can afford it, as it has plenty of high-end apartments and penthouses.
Jumeirah
If you want to move away from the hustle and bustle of the city and want a quiet suburban feel then Jumeirah is the place for you. Situated not so far from the city it is a perfect place to raise a family as it has plenty of schools, hospitals, parks, and other such amenities.
Palm Jumeirah
For those who can really afford it and want nothing but luxury in their life then Palm Jumeriah is the place to be at. It is a man-made island that is home to beachfront properties, lavish villas, luxury condos, and plenty of hotels and resorts that offer entertainment for days.
