Introduction

Dubai is one of the most sought after destinations when it comes to people looking to relocate.

The government has introduced incentives such as the freelance/nomad visa or the Golden visa in an attempt to attract talent and improve foreign travel.

But before moving to Dubai or any other Emirate, it is important to do your due diligence and get to know whether it makes sense for you to pack up and settle in one of the ‘best’ cities in the world.

Liam Ottley is a YouTuber and Entrepreneur who lived in Dubai for 2 years. He runs a business that educates people on setting up and growing their AI agencies called the AAA Accelerators.

He published a YouTube video giving honest feedback on his experience living in Dubai. Watch it below or keep reading the article to explore his list of pros and cons.

The Pros

• The Weather. He says the weather, especially between October and March is perfect.
  Related: What is The Best Time to Visit Dubai if You Are on a Budget?
• Efficiency and convenience. He gives an example of having Amazon Prime and getting products delivered just a few hours after ordering. He adds that Careem being a super app has added to the convenience.
  Related: Is The Uber App Available in Dubai?
• Focus and productivity.
• Motivation. Seeing wealth everywhere kept him motivated on achieving success for himself.
• Safety. Dubai is one of the safest places in the world. He says that it is one of the places where he can wear his watches and jewelry without worrying.
• Networking. There are high-level business people from around the world that congregate in Dubai. Having access to such people can be beneficial for your career or business.
• There are strict drug laws which he says are good for creating a health and good environment for one to focus.

The Cons

• The dating scene. 70% of the population is male while 30% is female. Also, he reiterates that some of the people who go to Dubai are there for the wrong reasons making it difficult to find a genuine partner.
• Lack of community. He says that Dubai lacks a sense of community compared to other parts and cities in the world
• Lack of nature.
  However, by the time one is moving to Dubai, you should know that you will not be surrounded by forests and caves. With that said, the UAE has other emirates that can give you something close to nature, that is, Furjairah. And if that is not enough, you can visit other countries like Oman or take a short trip to Europe.
• Strict law enforcement. On the other side of this spectrum, he narrates how police in Dubai are quite scary.
• Lack of rejuvenating leisure. He says that most people go to parties and clubs as a form of leisure which he does not like. However, I do believe there are plenty of activities to do in Dubai that are rejuvenating.
• Poor business infrastructure. According to Liam, opening bank accounts, getting services like accounting, or receiving payments through popular payment platforms like Wise is hard because the government usually promotes local platforms
• High cost of living. He says products and services are 40% more expensive than where he is from and one has to be careful not to get into a financial pit.
• Reputation. He says being associated as an entrepreneur based in Dubai makes people think of you in a certain way which negatively affects your reputation.
• Isolation. He says it can get isolated as there is no strong sense of community and everyone is on work mode.

Who Should Move to Dubai

• Entrepreneurs from small countries who want to challenge themselves. Liam comes from New Zealand, a place he says he felt like a big fish in a small sea and therefore wanted to challenge himself.
• He also individuals who earn a lot of money, and can actually benefit from the tax breaks can move to Dubai
• Young professionals who are willing to sacrifice community for the sake of their career progression
• Those who have friends and family to help support them

Who Should Not Move to Dubai

• He says individuals who come from large countries like the United States, who have a lot of opportunities locally should not move to Dubai.
• Those who have a hard time adhering to strict laws.
• Those who struggle with spending as Dubai will entice you to spend.
• Individuals who are not earning enough to justify moving there.

I hope summarizing his video gives you a glimpse of what it is like living in Dubai.

If you have a different perspective to share, feel free to contact us through our contact page.