The epitome of luxury, Dubai offers expats the mystique of Arabia combined with technological wonders. Dubai is a multicultural, vibrant and futuristic city, combining the glamour of the Jumeirah district with the traditional buildings of the Bastakia quarter and the dhow wharfside. Offering every luxury going, the lifestyle is fantastic and the business opportunities unique.
Dubai is a multicultural, vibrant and futuristic city, combining the glamour of the Jumeirah district with the traditional buildings of the Bastakiaquarter and the dhow wharfside. Offering every luxury going, the lifestyle is fantastic and the business opportunities unique. Dubai is a city of religious and political leniency, with alcoholic sale and consumption allowed and
relaxed rules regarding dress and behaviour.The UAE is also the most politically secure country in the Middle East.
The central hub of Dubai is focused around Deira and Bur Dubai. Deira is home to Dubai’s modern skyline, but still hosts traditional souks (markets). In Bur Dubai, the juxtaposition between old and new is at its most striking, with the dhow wharfage.Traditional boats laden with cargo stand against the backdrop of modern architectural wonders. Jumeirah is Dubai’s glamorous district. It is the area of beach resorts, the famous Burj Al Arab hotel and the Palm Jebel Ali development. An affluent residential district is also located here. Dubai is continually modernising, and a wealth of new evelopments are underway.
Dubai’s economy and currency are stable, with inflation rates remaining low and the city enjoying a GDP growth of ten per cent annually. Dubai is a member of the World Trade Organisation, and is the world’s third most important exports centre. Jobs are plentiful. It is also possible to set yourself up as a freelancer or establish your own business in the free zone. The largest employment sector is services, particularly tourism. Only ten per cent of the city’s GDP comes from oil, compared with 30 per cent through tourism. Media, finance, ICT and property are the next biggest employment sectors. Dubai’s media industry is booming and offers many job opportunities for British media workers.The ICT industry is also flourishing since the opening in 2002 of the Media and Ecommerce free zone. Since then, 650 companies have been registered and 50 per cent of the world’s computers and their component parts have originated in Dubai.
Wages are slightly higher than in the UK, and because there is no income tax, your net pay each month is much more than it would have been back home. It needs to be, because the cost of living is high. Since 2002, about 5,000 apartments have been built, ranging from Dh292,000 (£42,000) to Dh5,600,000 (£800,000). Property development is likely to continue apace.The most wellknown development is the Palm Jumeirah, but there are a number of others. If you are looking for apartments outside developments, the more exclusive areas are Jumeirah, Umm Seqiem and the Sata Parkland area, while cheaper options can be found in Satwa and Garhaud.The primarily Arabic areas of Rashidiya, Mirdif and Al Quoz are also receiving a lot of expat interest. The more expensive property options come with luxurious lifestyle packages such as a gym, pool, parking and regular maid service. Expect to pay an average of Dh8,400 (£1,207) per month for a two-bedroom rental apartment, and about Dh1,160,000 (£166,667) to buy a two-bedroom apartment. A four-bedroom house will set you back roughly Dh2,480,000 (£356,322).
KEY FACTS
■ Population: 1.1 million ■ Airports: Dubai Airport, Tel: 00 971 421 62525 ■ Medical: Al Mousa Medical Centre, Tel: 00 971 345 0745 ■ Schools: American School of Dubai, Tel: 00 71 434 40824 ■ The Apple International School, Tel: 00 971 434 44441/434 20363 ■ Rentals: With tourism increasing by over 30 per cent since 2002, this is a red-hot investment ■ There are a number of higher profile developments where you can purchase an apartment for rental purposes ■ Rentals for a twobedroom apartment average Dh8,400 (£1,207)
■ Pros: Easy to find a job ■ The lifestyle is luxurious and second to none ■ Job prospects are enormous, with plenty of great opportunities ■ Three championship golf courses
and the option to pursue a wealth of sports, culture and social activities ■ A safe city with excellent healthcare and educational facilities ■ Economic prospects are excellent, with ten per cent GDP growth per annum and a diversified economy ■ Cons: You do need to have a lot of staying power to be successful ■ Business is all about who you know, and making good contacts is essential ■ The lifestyle is expensive and living costs are very high ■ You have to be prepared to do things the Dubai way and adapt to a different lifestyle and working hours.