The Top 20 Reasons to move to Dubai - Deconstructing the Why Nots
Published by Dubai Expat January 23rd, 2008 in Education, Living, Moving, News, People, Tourism, Work.
I came across this post called “The Top 20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai (in no particular order!)” on the Net and felt that it did a pretty-good job of Dubai-bashing without necessarily substantiating everything objectively and looking at the pros. It’s a given that Dubai also has its weaknesses and flaws, but doesn’t every other place on earth? It’s important to look at the big picture and see how much this great city has also achieved in such a short span of time!
I, like most other expatriates have come to Dubai looking for good job opportunities, a decent standard of living and security. I think the city does a pretty good job of offering that to most people who’ve moved here for the right reasons and in the right frame of mind…! It would be naive to expect everything would be perfect and that everyone who comes to Dubai, like any other expat destination would be entirely happy. Hey - I have some issues that I’m particulary pleased about, but then again it all depends on your alternatives! If I have similar or other problems back home I have no right to gripe…and if conditions are better back home, why move in the first place?
Firstly, let’s take a look at the top 20 reasons not to move to Dubai taken from the article mentioned above and see if they hold any water (You can find and read the whole article here):
- No standard address system making mail-to-the door delivery impossible.
True, but this applies to a lot of other developing and emerging countries - definitely was not on my checklist when choosing to move to Dubai for a good job and life outside work. - The government blocks websites & telephony.
Again, true - but working online in Dubai for over a year, haven’t experienced any significant problems with what I need to get done, despite being a very active user. Granted, it would be nice if some social networks and sites weren’t blocked, but totally get the cultural reasons. Telephony blockage - agree, would be nice to save a little when making calls back home. - It is really hot outside.
In Summer - yes! But how long do people actually spend outside? It can be quite pleasant throughout the year…and winter isn’t too cold. Dubai actually gets a lot of tourism just because of the weather and beaches! - There are too few trees, plants, and grass – or living things aside from us crazy humans, for that matter.
Considering that this was barren desert a decade or two ago, what has been achieved in terms of landscaping and beautification is amazing! The amount of money spent in Dubai on irrigation and making real estate where expats live is just mind-blowing. And yes, there are other living things to be found…including birds! - This country prides itself so much on its glitz and glamour that it put a picture of its 7-star hotel on the license plate. Yet, the public toilets in the king-of-bling Gold Souk district are holes in the ground with no toilet paper or soap
Cultures differ. Not every nook and crany in a city can be spotless… not even in the developed world! Get used to it. This part of the world uses water hoses in the rest rooms - its not crazy - its more hygienic and just different. You cant change the world and it’s people to suit your comfort zone! - This country encourages businesses to hire people from other poor countries to come here and work.
So does every other country on the planet. This is an economic and societal trend that is as old as humanity. People will always go where they can enjoy better earnings so they can improve their personal standards of living or in warmer cultures, the standards of their families first. All the wonders of the world were built on slave labour - it should not be condoned and it just isn’t right that half the world lives in poverty - but what are we actually doing about it besides the rhetoric and the exclamations of disgust? Why pinpoint just one city or one country when the world still hasn’t come to grips with this issue and the biggest offenders are often the most developed? - Things are not cheaper here.
No one claims they are - it just depends on where you come from and what your lifestyle is like. - There are traffic cameras everywhere.
Yep. It’s a nuisance but it’s probably saved a lot of lives, given the great roads, cheap fuel, big & sporty cars and the tendency to enjoy the thrills of speed when given the chance. - The clothing some of these women wear makes no sense to me.
Culture evolves too. And not everyone feels opressed when following tradition. People drive change when they make up their mind to. - People stare at you.
??? Is the generalization necessary? Over 80% of Dubai’s population is comprised of expats - it’s hard to believe that every good looking woman in the city gets stared at? - Prostitutes?
Don’t support it either. But it is the ‘oldest profession in the world’ for a reason. There’s no way to curb it - it’ll always be present, only the visibility and access varies wherever you go. Can be avoided and certainly not on the checklist when deciding whether to move to a new country or city. - Alcohol can only be sold in hotels and a handful of private clubs / liquor licenses.
Dubai happens to be one of the more liberal Islamic countries in the region and most expats enjoy the freedoms afforded compared to say, living in Saudi Arabia or Qatar, where the controls are even more rigid. - Approval to obtain a liquor license, rent property, have a telephone, etc.
Agree on this one - it IS limiting to expats, at least mentally, even though most employers wouldn’t have any problems with their workers getting any of these as long as they can afford it. Perhaps a way to control on defaulting, given the high percentage of expat labour in the country. - Back to the craziness on the roads: Seatbelts
A personal choice of everyone who steps into a car. Level of law enforcement varies on this issue, of course. - When is the weekend again?
Get out of your comfort zone and deal with the fact that you’re actually in a different part of the world! - There are few satellite television operators
And growing… for those who live for the Idiot Box. Enough said. - The roads are horribly designed.
Layout and access is improving - construction standards and quality of roads cannot be faulted however. A recent report said that the RTA in Dubai is planning to spend approximately 44 Billion UAE Dirhams building roads to meet the infrstructure demands in Dubai over the next decade. The city has grown tremendously over the last 5 - 10 years and the growth pains are natural. - Taxi drivers are dangerous and smell.
Not only is this ‘reason’ racist but also extremely biased and ignorant. - Speeding is an Emirati sport and Emirates Road is just an extension of the Dubai Autodrome.
Hence the radars. - Dubai is far from environmentally friendly.
True. Another growth pain from the rapid development and focus on economy. Possibly also stemming from the richness of natural resources and fuel in the region - less of a reason to conserve, but sure it will come.
The idea of the points above is not to get back at the author of the original post - everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, and making choices based on the same. However, I do cringe when I see lists like this and the objectivity of it all. It’s important to understand the true nature and background of why things are the way they are before drawing judgement and misleading others in the process.
So let’s see if we can figure out some reasons why one should move to Dubai?
- It’s the place to be! The world is watching Dubai! The amazing progress and developments have made it the envy of the region and showcase to the world of what’s possible with vision and intelligent use of resources.
- Great companies and great jobs: Dubai is now home to the whole gamut of corporations and companies who’ve scrambled to set up base here and get a slice of the economic pie. And they need talent.
- No Personal Income Tax: What more can be said? No TAX!
- Cultural diversity: Over 80% of the people living in Dubai are from other countries - you are guaranteed to find at least one person from the same city you come from…if not the same block! Really enjoyable if you’re scared to mix and learn.
- Great minds and great people: The best come to Dubai to be part of the show. You can learn from these great people and grow, have fun and compete!
- Hotels & Restaurants: Home to the best hotels and restaurants, some at the top of their game the world over. And plenty more to come.
- Sports, Leisure, Beaches & Fun: Great beaches, sports options, adventure and entertainment…from movies to cultural shows to group activities.
- Shopping: Depends on where you come from and what you’re looking for, but still a great place to shop!
- Accessibility: Dubai’s central location makes it very accessible from Asia and Europe, plus the rest of the Middle East.
- Infrastructure: Very decent and usable, constantly being improved to meet the growth and demand.
- Security: A very safe place to live in terms of personal security. Low crime rate.
- Political Stability: Very stable politically! Economic growth and political ties encouraging.
- Repatriation of Earnings: Earn and send back your money back home.
- A chance to shape the future: The need for talent and the extent of development actually means that you get to play a significant role in shaping the future in your niche or role, compared to working in boring saturated markets where everything has been done and the rules are already defined.
- Learn a new language! Learn some Arabic
- Tolerance: All religions and beliefs tolerated - no condemnation and violence stemming from tolerance issues.
- Weather: Great weather most of the year! Summer can be a pain but then everything is climate-controlled indoors.
- Family Friendly: A great place to raise a family.
- Education: Superb academic institutions and universities already in Dubai, with more coming in every year.
- Business & Investment Opportunities: Take a part in the development / Investment opportunities and partner locally or start your dream business on your own in the free zones.
This has got to be, by far, the longest post I’ve ever written, but I hope anyone reading this will get a better picture of what Dubai actually is like. One thing is for sure… you’ve got to clearly indentify WHY you want to move here and what your priorities in life are. No place is perfect - it’s only your perspective and attitude that make a place what it is. What do YOU think? Leave a comment and let us know.
25 Responses to “The Top 20 Reasons to move to Dubai - Deconstructing the Why Nots”
- 1 Pingback on Feb 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I couldnt even finish reading it.. lmaoooooooo Im just laughing off my ass cos lets be honest.. lmaooooooooo I complain as hell the same way but you are actually right.. Ok let me go finish reading and conclude……
Ok.. Ok I agree with your reasons why one should move..
18 and 19 got me dyingggggggggg….nice article
hmm
very convincing post
good job
Thanks for your comments on my article. You have some excellent points. Dubai does have many wonderful aspects that I did not mention. I admit the article was a bit of a rant, one brought about by extreme frustration. I will make no claim that it is properly balanced or without bias. Your post does a good job of taking care of that.
The only point I will disagree with you on is regarding the taxi drivers. My statement was not intended to be racist or ignorant. If you read on you will see that the reason I believe many are unkempt, and this is based on discussions taxi drivers themselves, is because they have little time to go home and shower or do not have access such facilities at all due to the low wages they make. The long hours they work to make ends meet also affects their response time and causes their clarity of thinking to be less than accurate, thus making riding in a taxi a potentially dangerous event. These factors would have the same impact on anyone, regardless of their ethnicity or skin color. Therefore I believe any accusation towards racism and ignorance is unwarranted.
As for some of my other ‘reasons”, please see the response I posted the below on another discussion blog. Not all of it relates to your comments, but it does add some clarity to my thoughts.
“As the author of this article I just want to be clear on a few things: I wrote this for “Escape from America Magazine”. Therefore it was targeted at Americans considering a move here, many of which do not have a clue beyond the constant glamorous stream of media advertising being shown on television.
Oh, by the way…I did research the weather. I understood what to expect and had visited for several weeks in the summer before moving here. My point was to describe what it feels like to someone who hadn’t experienced it before.
And yes, there is a mail system, but not to the door as in many other developed countries - as Dubai consistently attempts to present itself through advertising. I did not have a municipal address for the first six months I lived here. It made deliveries of furniture, setting up utilities, and other things a nightmare.
I do understand and respect the history of UAE national dress. I live here and I do see women covered in the heat walking here and there in the summer…and I feel for them.
As for the Thursday, Friday, Saturday day-off debate, my frustration is at the lack of coherence to any one scheme. When water is leaking from my ceiling and no one answers a phone from Thursday until Sunday morning, my frustration is at the water on the floor and the lack of standardization. Most of all, I’m not advocating a Sunday off. I’m not trying to impose my Christian values on anyone - I’m not a Christian. I’m just informing folks in the USA that things are different here - even though they look the same on TV.
This is just one of many of the sites on which I’ve been surprised to see my article re-posted.
Many people who find themselves in disagreement with me say the usual “GO HOME!” Well, it just so happens I am. Not because of the heat, not because of Sundays, not because of the traffic even, but because I’ve made too many friends with people in this country that are treated as second, third, and even forth class citizens. I know the truth about this “glamorous” place. I refuse to continue to support a society that claims to be modern and fair, yet treats people with such disregard. And let me be 100% clear on something, this fact is not limited to the locals, as many expats are to blame for poor treatment and turning a blind eye as well.
I will continue to travel, live abroad, and share my thoughts with others. I hope you continue to do the same.”
Sincerely,
Tia O’Neill
Thanks for taking the time to post your follow-up comments Tia - hopefully the past will prove to be a great learning base for building a better future here… it starts and ends with each and every one of us who tries to make that difference.
Hi,
Some valid points, but with respect Dubai has a long way to go before it will be accepted and respected as a REAL CITY,
Take some time out and look at Dublin,London,Boston………..even Newcastle
Real people ,real lives , no plastic/pretend
What u gonna do when we all leave ?
Miracle of the desert, dubai cares, city of gold, gateway to…….WHAT ?
Hi,
take some time out and reflect
Regards
Pat
[many expats are to blame for poor treatment and turning a blind eye]
Is perhaps what upsets you more as they should know better, but are lost in the insanity of it all, shame you’re leaving !
regards
pat
Whilst some of your ‘reasons’ are plausible, I’m still inclined to support Ms. O’Neill on this argument. As a born and raised Dubai brat, I’ve seen this country transform, and witnessed every catalysing event, over the past 31 years.
And, as desirable as it is to live here, I for one, count the days to my final departure from these sunny shores…at the end of this year (before anyone yells ‘Go home then’).
The longer I’ve lived here, the more I’ve pondered over why I’m investing in a country that continues to treat me like ‘just another expat’…a second-class citizen. Thanks, but I’ll take my money where I’m appreciated.
Lastly, I don’t fully agree with #14: A chance to shape the future - You’re hardly shaping the future when all your ideas are inspired and formed by those “boring saturated markets” out west. There’s a reason most companies seek, and most of the influential roles are filled with “UK/US/Australia-educated” individuals.
But that’s just my two cents.
Great reply,
May i ask you how we as a residents can market the “Brand Dubai” to the Universe to create positive perception of dubai in the mind of target business professionals, tourists to Dubai and also to give Dubai citizens a clear national identity.
I’ll lived in Dubai for 4 months… well, I agree more with the top 20 reason to NOT move to dubai than yours.. sorry.
.going to start yours _own_ business? impossible! 51% of your company has to be sponsored by a local, so, is not, YOURS…
.free zone? They call these place free zone just for one reason. there’s no laws! I know some peoples that didn’t received the money after one month of probation and kicked out from dubai after they finished their work.. any boss in any company can do what they want with you… and you can do nothing, just pay for your plane and return at home. cool…
.prostitute everywhere in the world? show me a place in the world, where you cannot find more than 10% of pubs or disco without prostitute inside. ey.. we’ll speak about a MUSLIM place right? but it’s pretty funny to see inside that places muslim people eating pork, drinking alcool and barging with china and russian girls… and after that going at home and pretend to follow his religious rules… coherence rules dubai.
summer here he’s not only hot, is like the hell! its like you’ll put your head inside the oven. you’ll like to live for 6/7 months (from the end april to the end of october weather is horrible) inside a mall? forget to go in the beach and forget to go in the swimming pool. even in the night…
pollutions is everywhere. there’s no wind, and you eat sand, every days. the sky is almost orange (cause pollution and sands in tha air) than blue… photoshop its a nice tool. but the reality is different.
no one mix with no one other. 80% are exapts? yes but the “real” expats are only the 20% … others peoples are poor slaves from Bangladesh, Philippines China Pakistan.. they don’t want to mix with you. and probably you too… London is a mix of cultures. Dubai is like a place where everyones hang around with his fellow country and stop, most of the time. french with french, english with english aussie with aussie…
about that that’s not true that peoples work (and die!) like slaves everywhere. not with this % and conditions… yes, maybe in china, india or some places like that…. future of humanity? please, that’s can be only the future of YOUR bank account… and people speak about humanity… please.
houses (clean and with fresh water in the bathroom) are expensive. food are expensive. every month you pay more in the supermarket for the same food you’d pay the month before. there’s no control anywhere!
no one know how to drive and you’ll gonna risk your life every single day. taxis driver don’t _really_ know how to drive. and they smell. is not racism. it’s a fact.
A very safe place to live in terms of personal security? Low crime rate?
Propaganda. It’s only propaganda. Newspapers and Tv are controlled. There is an high rate of suicide (about poor people) burglary, crime in the streets… But no one speak about that. It’s worst than china here about freedom of information.
this is (maybe) the last, for example.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/world/middleeast/01dubai.html?pagewanted=all
By the way, enjoy dubai, if you can…
No one talked about Taxis in Dubai?
Taxis are operated by a hell of a greedy company. Drivers
are paid on commission basis and they work 12 hours a day
with no single day-off! Trying hard to make both ends meet due to
sales-based income, they inevitably avoid the traffic which results
in choosing the passengers not bound for Deira, Bur Dubai and
in any area where the dreaded heavy traffic exist. Forget the
fact that someone may have chosen to just walk 5 kilometers
distance or wait for 3 hours, it is a slap in the face of a resident
being deprived of public transportation.
Whoever is accountable for this, I regard Dubai Taxi as
a perfect example of a PROFIT-ORIENTED and RUDE
COMMUNITY SERVICE. Sooooo BAD!
Hey..A really well put together and soundly objective article! I am so glad. The article you responded to, I had read it a few days ago and got disturbed. Your article allayed my fears! so ..THANK YOU.
Would be great if you could also tell something on how to find a great job in Dubai!!
I live in the country of Belize at the moment . I am seriously considering moving to Dubai . I wonder If i would find a job , At the moment work as a senior consular officer , At a foreighn consulate . I am so anxiuos ,
Great article though , must say !
NO 1 REASON WHY NOT TO LIVE IN DUBAI
The cost of RENTS! Who can afford to live in Dubai now? We had a three bedroom villa which we rented for $50,000 U.S per year. Not even a great villa either and cheap by Dubai standards. Forget it. The land of sand and concrete is out of control.
Someone mentioned to me that during Ramadan, it’s a serious offense to be eating, drinking or even chewing gum in public regardless of your origin and background…does this still hold true today?
WT,
It still holds true. Restos / hotels r all closed throughout the day during the holy month of Ramadan. U can hide n eat in your car like a thief though………, at least that’s what i did last year lol
What positive sides can the author of the article for moving to dubai find if one is deprived of his/her passport on arrival? isn’t it slavery? and then you will not know whether you will get it back or not when you want to or you will be made to pay fines just because people are too greedy here. a country of double standards. certainly, there are good and bad points everywhere but there is humanity also. here it is absent
I’ve read those reasons from Tina a few months ago before moving to Dubai and at the moment I thought the same that I think right now. You should take opinions knowing where the come from.
let’s go on, first of all, it’s funny, how posts from westerners expats from Europe or America or so called first world countries complain, and when you read them you feel like they are sad or forced to be here… come one… Let’s face it, you are here for a reason, MONEY, we all are, in fact, that’s a thing with this place, in some time people will start to leave and some other will arrive and so on… If the market keeps this rhythm, and that’s hard, let me tell you. Most of the complaining guys feel like second class citizens hahaha, that’s funny because most of you are the ones that make feel that way to expats in your home countries, maybe not you but the people that represent you in your homelands. For Americans, the people they call “Latin” it’s like an insult, Latin is a person that’s half black or something, that’s ignorant, first of all LOTS and i really mean LOTS of us are sons of Europeans and when can live happily with other people. So sorry but the argument that you feel like a second class citizen for me it’s stupid, that’s a fact that make my sneakers laugh.
So why most of you keep complaining, come back where you came and go on, i would like to leave Dubai in a few years, i don’t think this place to settle really, but maybe with the experience and money you make here you can find out that you can live in some other part of the world you never imagined happy.
Sorry if some of you feel offended but that’s how -i think- most of south American citizens see your experience here.
Most of t he comments about the locals way of living, clothing, laws, etc., just points out your imperialist thinking. No one owns the truth or the “real deal”, no people is being oppressed to do such things, it’s a cultural established creed and people are used to it, and you are not in position and neither have the authority to make them change, that’s a racist and imperial pro US way of thinking that’s pretty stupid and no applicable in most of the planet, sorry but most of you should learn the term respect. No offense, just my point of view.
seeking a design project management role .Whats it really like on a day to day basis.for instance are appartments close to the city ,or is it similar to London or Dublin in this regard . what ’s the favour pastime during the week end (Fri to Sat) or can one live asimilar live style to home as in London /Dublin Eire.Does any one know the everage salary per month for a design project manager and what expences generally will there be for example what is the cost of the following: Apartment/Food househole goods/local paper/petrol/transport/car.what is life like on a day to day ….can any one outthere explain.What time does the working day start/finish for the professional and what is there to do after work each day etcetc
Oh my God some people are so narrow minded! Bottom line if you decide to move to another country, deal with it and accept it for the way it is - if you can’t do that then go home! Dubai is an Arab country, albeit very westernised in comparison to other countries in the Middle East - it is a different culture!
hmmmmmm, all very interesting comments! The bottom line is that Dubai is an Arab country in the Middle East. While they are very ‘westernised’, they, like every other country in the world, have their own set of values and way of doing things. Nothing is perfect, but then which country in the world has got it 100% right? For anyone considering a move to Dubai, don’t accept any job offer, regardless of the money, until you have spent at least a week or two out here checking it out. Yes, the heat is intense. Yes, the traffic is crazy. Yes, women get stared at. Yes, the money you can earn is huge. Yes, the rent is ridiculous. Check it out for yourself and make your own decision. Is it for you? If so, come and live here with an open mind and enjoy it for what it is. Not for you? Don’t come!
Latam…. YOU said it, man!
I would never marry a guy from Dubai…all they do is showoff their cars and shop. Both native Emiratis and the Indian background ones are hypocrites who are big on Islamic culture, but they are the same men drinking at the pubs and trying to find Russian hookers on weekends. No thanks…I would rather go with a Westerner guy (muslim or not) who has had REAL relationships with girls, and who can relate to them as PEOPLE, not just someone to fuck. Oh yeah…and these Dubai guys are the same ones who freak out if their wife doesn’t wear an abaya or isn’t a virgin. i don’t like thet westerner guys who try to find a new model every year…but don’t think the dubai muslim guys are so innocent either.
-AUD GRL