Is Dubai Actually Right for You?
This isn't a sales pitch. It's an honest look at who thrives in Dubai, who struggles, and how to know which one you'll be.
From someone who's lived here 3 years and helped 25+ people make the move — including the ones who left.
12 min read • Updated December 2025
What's in this guide
The 60-second verdict
Dubai in one sentence: A hyper-functional, tax-free city where you trade cultural depth for infrastructure that actually works and more money in your pocket.
Move here if: You're optimizing for income, want a stable base with global reach, and care more about what works than what has "charm."
Skip it if: You need nature, seasons, a bohemian scene, political freedom, or you're on a tight budget.
The honest truth: Dubai isn't better or worse than other places. It's just very specific about who it serves. If you fit the profile, it's excellent. If you don't, you'll be miserable.
The real pros
Not the marketing fluff. The actual reasons people stay.
0% income tax
This is the big one. No income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax. If you earn $150K, you keep $150K. In most Western countries, you'd lose 30-50%.
Caveat: US citizens are still taxed globally. You'll need to file and pay US taxes.
Genuine safety
Not marketing safety — real safety. Women walk alone at 3am without thinking about it. You leave your laptop at a coffee shop and it's there when you come back. Violent crime is essentially nonexistent.
Infrastructure that works
Internet doesn't drop. Power doesn't go out. Roads are perfect. Government services are digitized and actually function. After dealing with bureaucracy elsewhere, this feels like the future.
Central to everywhere
6-hour flight to London, Singapore, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Istanbul. You can reach 4 billion people in half a day. The airport is world-class, and Emirates flies everywhere.
Easy to do business
Company setup in 1-2 weeks. Bank account in days (not months). Free zones let you own 100% of your business. Hiring is straightforward. The government actively wants businesses here.
8 months of perfect weather
October to May is genuinely beautiful — 20-30°C, sunny, beach weather. If you escape for summer (many do), you get year-round warmth without European winters.
High quality of daily life
Modern apartments, good gyms, excellent restaurants, reliable services. Everything is designed to be convenient. Deliveries in 15 minutes. Healthcare is excellent. Day-to-day life just... works.
The real cons
The stuff that makes people leave. Be honest with yourself about these.
Summer is brutal
June to September is 40-50°C with high humidity. Outdoor life stops. You move between air-conditioned spaces. If you can't travel during summer or don't enjoy mall culture, this is genuinely difficult.
It's not cheap
Rent is expensive. A decent 1BR apartment in a good area is AED 6,000-10,000/month ($1,600-2,700). Socializing revolves around restaurants and brunches. The tax savings only matter if you earn enough.
No path to citizenship
You will always be an expat. Even after 20 years, you're on a visa. Golden Visa gives you 10 years, but it's not permanent residency in the European sense. You're always somewhat temporary.
This bothers some people deeply. Others don't care. Know which you are.
Cultural constraints
It's more liberal than other Gulf states, but still conservative by Western standards. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Dress codes exist in some places. Alcohol is available but regulated. Ramadan changes daily life for a month.
Transient community
85% of the population is expat. People come and go constantly. You'll make friends who leave after 2 years. Building deep, lasting relationships requires more effort than in stable communities.
Limited political freedom
You can't criticize the government or royal family. Self-censorship is normal. If you're someone who posts political opinions online or attends protests, you need to understand this isn't the place for that.
Lacks "soul"
Dubai is 50 years old. It was built fast, by design, for function. There's no old town, no historic neighborhoods, no organic culture that evolved over centuries. If you need that, you won't find it here.
Some people love the newness. Others find it soulless. This is personal.
Who thrives in Dubai
Based on the people I've seen succeed here — and what they have in common.
If you make $100K+ and want to keep more, the math is simple. You're trading tax for location.
Perfect fitYou need reliability over vibes. Fast internet, safe streets, easy travel. Dubai delivers.
Great fitLow taxes, easy company setup, access to emerging markets. Good place to scale.
Great fitSafe streets, good schools, family-friendly culture. Kids can roam free.
Great fitNo tax on pensions, warm weather, good healthcare. Popular with early retirees.
Good fitNo income, capital gains, or inheritance tax. Stable jurisdiction. Excellent for wealth preservation.
Perfect fitWho should NOT move to Dubai
Honest anti-recommendations. If this is you, save yourself the trouble.
Under $3,000/month won't work. The tax benefits don't matter if you can't afford to live here comfortably.
It's desert. The beach is nice but it's not mountains, forests, or four seasons. If that matters, you'll feel it.
You will never become Emirati. If permanent belonging matters to you, look at Portugal, Canada, or similar.
You cannot criticize the government. If you're an activist or outspoken politically, this is a dealbreaker.
No underground scene, no struggling artists district, no counterculture. Dubai is polished and commercial.
4 months of 45°C+ is non-negotiable. If you can't escape in summer, seriously reconsider.
Homosexuality is technically illegal. While enforcement is rare, you cannot be openly out. Many LGBTQ+ expats live here discreetly, but know what you're signing up for.
The numbers that matter
Key stats that actually inform your decision.
How Dubai compares
If you're deciding between Dubai and another city, here's the quick comparison.
Dubai vs Singapore
- Dubai wins: Tax (0% vs 22% max), space, cost
- Singapore wins: PR path, public transit, stability
Dubai vs London
- Dubai wins: Tax, weather, safety, cost of living
- London wins: Culture, history, career depth, PR path
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
- Dubai wins: Nightlife, business hub, buzz
- Abu Dhabi wins: Lower cost, quieter, more space
Dubai vs NYC
- Dubai wins: Tax, safety, weather, cleanliness
- NYC wins: Culture, career, food scene, citizenship path
Next steps based on who you are
Found your fit? Here's the guide tailored to your situation.
What people actually say
A mix of perspectives — not just the happy ones.
“The tax savings changed my financial trajectory. I saved more in 2 years here than I did in 8 years in London. For that alone, it was worth adapting to the other stuff.”
“I miss seasons. I miss walking in the rain. I miss old bookshops. Dubai has none of that. But my kids are safe, my business is growing, and my stress is lower. Trade-offs.”
“I left after 18 months. The lack of culture and community got to me. Great place to make money, not where I wanted to build a life. No regrets trying it though.”
“As a woman, I feel safer here than anywhere I've lived. I walk home at night without thinking about it. That alone keeps me here.”
Common questions
Yes, genuinely. It consistently ranks in the top 10 safest cities globally. Violent crime is extremely rare. Petty crime exists but at much lower rates than Western cities. Women report feeling safer walking alone here than almost anywhere else.
Yes, but it's regulated. You can drink at licensed venues (hotels, bars, restaurants) without restrictions. You can buy alcohol from licensed stores with a permit (easy to get). You cannot drink in public or be drunk in public. During Ramadan, bars still operate but more discreetly.
Day-to-day, women work, drive, own businesses, and live independently without restriction. The dress code is modest by Western standards but not strict — no need to cover hair. The legal system has some gender-based differences in marriage and custody laws that you should research if relevant to you.
Depends on you. If you want underground clubs, indie film festivals, and counterculture — yes, it will feel boring. If you enjoy beaches, brunches, nice restaurants, fitness, and travel — there's plenty to do. Dubai is polished, not edgy. Know which you prefer.
Homosexuality is technically illegal in the UAE. In practice, enforcement against expats is rare, but you cannot be openly out. No holding hands, no rainbow flags, no public displays. Many LGBTQ+ people live here discreetly. Whether that's acceptable is a personal decision only you can make.
The transient nature can make deep friendships harder — people leave. But there's an active expat social scene with apps, groups, and events. If you're proactive, you'll meet people. If you wait for community to form around you, you might feel lonely.
Excellent for anything common. World-class private hospitals, modern facilities, well-trained doctors (many Western-trained). Health insurance is mandatory and covers most things. For very specialized procedures, some people still fly to Europe or the US, but 95% of needs are met here.
Yes. Spouses on dependent visas can get their own work permits relatively easily. Many couples both work here. The job market is active, especially in professional services, tech, finance, and healthcare.
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Explore further
This page reflects one person's experience over 3 years in Dubai. Your experience will differ based on your circumstances, expectations, and what you're optimizing for. Use this as a starting point, not a verdict.