It is also the name of the main city within the emirate of Dubai. Place a free ad and find what you are looking for today! This Emirate is like no other city in the world, full of life, energy and surprises in every corner. In addition, you will need to factor in the cost of educating any children should you settle in Dubai. Despite the traffic congestion seen at times, Dubai was the first of the seven Emirates to establish a comprehensive bus system. Public schools in Dubai are not usually an option for expats, but there are plenty of international schools in the emirate. An apartment is not always an economical choice as some apartments, due to their proximity to the beach for example, can command a high rental. Even with the introduction of VAT in Dubai (at a rate of 5% it is one of the lowest in the world) daily shopping costs are very reasonable. The facilities and lifestyle on offer are world class and although the cost of living is fairly high, the experiences you can get here are truly memorable. It is also one of the most moderate in terms of applying the rules of Islam to everyone’s everyday life. Get advice and assistance supplied and agreed on upfront from your employer to ease this initial period of adjustment that can actually put some people off staying in the emirate! With the exception of hotel bars and restaurants, drinking alcohol is … The capital Khartoum is popular among foreigners. A good home landscape includes major plants with two or three contrasting forms. As housing development began to rapidly increase, the Dubai Government acted to protect all parties involved in rental agreements and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) was established in 2007. Dubai supposedly has had this housing fee system but has not collected millions of dirhams a year from everyone who should pay,’ he added. I estimate that they have entered the Dubai market, whether businessmen or banks, and have created a bubble market. What’s more, you may be expected to pay for one year’s rent in advance. The programme allows you to travel to Dubai and stay there for up to a year working as a self-employed or for your employer abroad. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. With free car parking available at the stations and stops near shopping malls, passenger use of the Metro has increased since its 2008 launch. For others, there are more sports and sports clubs closely concentrated together within the emirate than anywhere else in the world! As a result of this, foreign buyers are allowed to own the freehold title to certain property in Dubai for example – this is not the case in all other emirates within the UAE. Whilst there is a law restricting the annual rate of school fee inflation to between 16 and 20 percent, schools find all sorts of ways to add on extras and this has seen annual inflation of up to 80 percent in school fees. You will need to deal with a bureaucratic system that combines some of the worst aspects of a paper heavy bureaucracy with an apparent lack of urgency to serve customers. Since the introduction of mandatory health insurance in Dubai every resident living in Dubai needs to be insured one way or another. No income tax in Dubai is a big deal for many professionals, plus there some additional tax advantages and some pitfalls as well. Rates have fallen considerably over the last few years and the real estate market now falls favourably towards renters. Most expatriates live in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, although Sharjah, close to Dubai is also an option and rents are lower. Increases in rental are now governed by Amiri Decree 2 of 2011. A true world-class vision of a futuristic forward-looking city, that still holds onto a conservative tradition that you will have to accept if you choose Dubai. However, the bureaucratic machine is being stripped down and rebuilt at a steady pace in Dubai. Learn where would suit you before you commit to renting a property in Dubai on a permanent basis. Dubai has the World's Tallest Building (Burj Khalifa), longest metro line (Dubai Metro), biggest man-made island (Palm Islands) and the largest shopping mall (Dubai Mall) to name just a few. Dubai Mall is normally a bustle of expats and tourists. Group VP at Red Sea Housing speaks about Modular Construction on the Business Breakfast, Dubai Eye. If you are seriously considering moving to Dubai, this is what you need to know before you move: For those who want to advance their careers, earn a tax-free salary, and live in one of the most exciting and vibrant locations in the world – Dubai is a top place to move to. In Dubai, your home is not so much your castle as your mini-palace. There are approximately 150 private schools; some purport to offer a curriculum based on a particular country. Dubai tax-free living has always been a magnet for skilled expats from all over the world. Filling US Expat Taxes As An American Living in Dubai, UAE. The recent changes that took place in the year 2020 have increased the opportunities available. However, if you already own property in Dubai and want to rent it out, the good news is that you can easily achieve yields of between 8 and 11%. One may say that the emirate’s heady days of constant economic expansion are over, for now at least, but there are still jobs in Dubai in many employment sectors. It’s a matter of personal choice and preferences and also finding out whether the opportunities Dubai offers (such as a good income not burdened with taxes) outweigh possible negatives. Living in Dubai is really what you make of it. An average standard four-bedroom villa in a popular expat area will cost anything from AED 110,000 in a community such as Mira or Mudon, whereas you’d be looking at AED 150,000+ in Arabian Ranches. However, after you familiarise yourself with it, getting around the city will become only easier. The cost of living in Dubai is on par with living in central London – i.e., it is quite expensive. Dubai Marina. Looking for housing options? “Negotiating a generous housing allowance is one of the most fundamental aspects of any expat package.” 5. When people chat about the cost of living in Dubai, one fact comes up again and again. They are clean and reasonably priced. Cultural centers are found in Khartoum. Dubai is one of the 7 emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, and is estimated to have in excess of 3.09 million residents. Although the cost of accommodation in Dubai has dropped since the 2008 economic upheaval, it is on the rise again. The summer months from June to September are almost unbearably hot and many expats take holiday time off during this period to return home. Adultery is a crime punishable by prison and subsequent deportation – as is getting into debt and even bouncing a cheque. Although there are government schools, they are for Emiratis. If you are not sure whether Dubai expat living is for you then you should definitely visit for vacation as there is so much to see and do here. That’s just one of the reasons it’s such a popular destination for expats. The City of Dubai is also the lifestyle hub for the entire region. Find a job, a place to live and everything you need in Dubai. Prepare for the hustle. It’s essential to understand whether Dubai is really as tax-free as it’s famed for and you can get to the bottom of it in our Tax in Dubai guide. Compare the Cost of Living in Dubai with any other city in the world. The educational standards in Dubai are excellent and new schools and colleges are being constructed almost annually. I am an American expat freelance travel writer living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates who writes about travel, culture, fashion, food and wine on my blog. There are pockets of calm and oases of tranquillity across the emirate, but there is also frenetic and relentless development occurring which can make life a little tiring and stressful at times. Buses also offer areas specifically designated for women in accordance with cultural and religious preferences. In fact, 85% of Dubai’s residents are expats or migrant workers. The city has everything from sun-kissed beaches, lavish shopping malls, … Let us find the best rentals. If you want to ride a motorbike in Dubai you need to have a license from your own nation, if you want to take tours off-road in the UAE you need to pass a desert driving course. Dubai is well known for its dynamic architecture and tax-efficient lifestyle, but there is so much more to living in Dubai as an expat.. The cost of living in Dubai is so high you need relocation costs, accommodation costs and your children’s education costs taken into consideration at the very least. Alcohol Consumption in Dubai. Expats in the UAE can follow their home nation’s law on divorce and inheritance. Many expats leaving Dubai are looking of offload everything from furniture to cars – look on forums and supermarket/employment place notice boards for bargains. aax_getad_mpb({ Housing. A landscape without strong, contrasting forms becomes as confusing as a melody without rhythm. Foreigner may not own property except in the emirates of Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. Big salaries and ultra-luxurious lifestyles… it’s no surprise that Dubai is an attractive place for many expats. Like any other place in the world, Dubai has a lot going for it as well as some major drawbacks.