Relocating to Dubai – What Should You Expect?

Dubai is one of the most popular places to move to for people across the world, and from the UK in particular. It has been estimated that there are just short of a quarter of a million Britons living there, and this trend shows little sign of slowing down.

Here Greens Removals, who offer high-quality, competitively-priced removals to Dubai, look at what you can expect if you are relocating to this United Arab Emirates city.

The High Salaries…

As it has a growing economy, Dubai is prepared to pay well to attract the right sort of workforce, particularly in tourism, high-tech industries and the financial sector. If you are relocating to Dubai for work reasons, you may already know that it also helps that there are extremely low levels of taxation. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that there are some indirect taxes that you probably won’t be used to, such as toll roads and alcohol duty.

…and the High Cost of Living

The flip side of this is that Dubai is not a cheap place to live, relative to the rest of the UAE. To put it into some perspective, the city came in at no. 31 in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey for 2022 covering all the major cities in the world. Housing costs account for a lot of this. Food and eating out can also be expensive, but needn’t be if you know where to look. However, Dubai is still relatively cheap if you are comparing it with cities such as London and New York.

You Don’t Have to Learn Arabic – But It May Help

The official language of Dubai is Standard Arabic, which is used on signs, on TV and in newspapers. However, English is the city’s second language, partly because there is such a thriving British expat community. So you shouldn’t have to learn Arabic, but you may find it will help on a practical level; and locals will appreciate the fact that you have made the effort. On a wider note, Dubai attracts workers from all over the globe, so there may well be a smattering of other languages spoken as well.

The Different Laws

Swearing in public (and online) and public displays of affection such as kissing in public are all illegal in not just Dubai, but the whole of the United Arab Emirates.

There is also a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, and the sale of alcohol is tightly controlled as well. Taking pictures of public buildings (and of people) is also illegal, as is posting them online. Even charity fundraising can be a problem, so check with the authorities first. However, with a bit of common sense and respect for local customs, you shouldn’t have any problems.

The Heat

Wherever in the world you are moving from, you should be prepared for the hot weather you will face in Dubai. The average summer temperature hits 40^oC (just over 100^oF). However, you shouldn’t be tempted to expose too much flesh. The general advice is to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing which mostly covers the shoulders, knees and arms. (All of this applies to men as well as women). That way you won’t offend any Islamic sensibilities which advise people to dress ‘modestly’ either.

Fortunately, the winters are comparatively cooler, with the temperatures averaging around 23^oC (73F).

Removals to Dubai with Greens Removals

At Greens, we can offer a variety of moving options if you are relocating to Dubai.  We can pack your items for you, or provide you with all the boxes and containers you’ll need to do it yourself. We can also insure you for the duration of the move in the unlikely event of anything going wrong.

You can either have a dedicated shipping container for your belongings, or we can send them as a groupage or part-load with other customers. Smaller items can be sent via air freight as well. Don’t worry if you have any large or specialist items (as well as pets) because we’ve moved them all before. We can also help with all the paperwork (remember you will need a job to qualify for a permanent residency visa, and access to the country’s education and healthcare systems).

If you are moving to anywhere in the UAE - not necessarily just Dubai – then we can help. Just follow this link or call us directly on 0800 0484688 for a free quotation.