Aside from being situated in a desert, Dubai is known for being steeped in rich history. It has famous golf courses, beaches, and landmarks, along with boat races, horse races and camel races. In addition, it is known for its markets, called Souks, which sell fabric, diamonds, and gold. As the largest Emirate in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is split into two sections of Dubai and Deira Dubai.
What is the cost of living like in Dubai?
The cost of living in Dubai for some things seems to be relatively similar to the cost of living in the United States. A fresh loaf of bread is a little more than $1 and a liter of milk is about $1.38. A dozen of eggs are a little over $2.50. For transportation, an hour in a taxi will run you about $14, and a one-way ticket on local transportation is about $1.30.
However, outside of these costs, other prices are closer to big city prices. A pair of Levi 501 jeans is $85 and a pair Nikes is $81. One month of utilities is about $133. For a one or three-bedroom apartment in the city center, you will pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, respectively. Outside of the center, a one-bedroom apartment is $900 and a three-bedroom apartment is $2,300. This is 63.8% of the cost of rent in New York.
What else should I consider before moving to or visiting Dubai?
The official language of the United Arab Emirates is Arabic, but the most widely spoken is English. This means you can get by fairly well without learning a new language-and you might not even hear it for the first few weeks of your stay.
For expatriates, there is no free health care in Dubai, and while the health care facilities in Dubai rank among the best in the world, health care is expensive. If you are considering visiting Dubai, make sure that you purchase an international health insurance policy.
Year round, the temperature in Dubai is about 77 degrees at its coolest. This makes heavy winter clothes unnecessary. For three months out of the year in the summertime, it is likely that you will be unable to leave your home due to temperatures of over 100 degrees every day. You should think about this if you have health problems or a problem with heat.
What are some interesting facts about Dubai?
Dubai activities are endless – home to the tallest building in the world, the biggest fish tank in the world, the largest shopping mall, the longest metro line, the biggest man-made island and the biggest indoor ski slope (with real snow) in the world and so many more.
Since Dubai is a part of the UAE, it’s tax-free. There are no personal or income taxes of any kind, ever. There is no door-to-door postal system so if you expect to ever get mail that isn’t couriered, you will have to get a post office box. Or you can seek other means of communication like online video chat at home.
In this city, the work week is Sunday through Thursday. Friday is an official day off. During Ramadan, work hours are reduced to 6 hours each day for everyone. Learn more about jobs on the official portal of Dubai Government. at If you plan on going out, know that you can only buy alcohol from a liquor store if you have a license, or at a licensed outlet. Also, if you’re looking for pork, you can find it in discrete corners of Western supermarkets. Speaking of food, eating in public is prohibited during fasting hours.
I am a traveler. I have seen lots of places – from exotic Asia to sophisticated Europe! What makes me appreciate every place the most are the warm people who welcome me – and their willingness to show their culture and tradition! Most of the events I really love, involve feasts and celebrations – each country, each ethnic group has a unique way of celebrating nature, and each has unique tradition – which is such a magnificent scene to watch. Truly, there is a lot to learn in the world – a lot of things to explore, and the journey never ends, well, at least for me ☺
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