I Lived in Dubai for 365 Days: An Honest Expat Review (From a London Expat)

My name is Tuomas Kivioja. I’m writing this from my apartment balcony in Dubai Marina, watching the sunset paint the skyline orange and pink. A year ago, I was staring out of my London flat window at… well, rain. Again.

Look, I’ll be straight with you from the start – moving to Dubai wasn’t some Instagram-worthy adventure story. It was messy, expensive, and honestly terrifying at times. But it’s also been the best decision I’ve made in years.

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I get messages daily asking about “the real Dubai experience” because, let’s face it, social media shows you yacht parties and gold-plated everything. That’s maybe 2% of actual life here. So here’s my unfiltered take after 365 days of actually living (not just visiting) in the UAE.

Why I Actually Left London (Hint: It Wasn’t Just the Weather)

Everyone assumes I moved for the tax breaks. Sure, keeping an extra £30k+ per year doesn’t hurt, but that wasn’t the main driver.

I was stuck. Properly stuck.

In London, I’d built a decent online business, had a nice flat in Zone 2, could afford weekend trips to Europe. By most standards, I was doing alright. But I felt like I was treading water while watching the city crumble around me.

Every conversation was about problems: housing crisis, transport strikes, crime rates, the weather (always the bloody weather). Nobody talked about solutions or growth – just complaints and acceptance that “this is how things are now.”

I’m not built for that. I get excited about improvement, about building something better. I need to be around people who think “how can we fix this?” instead of “well, this is just life.”

Dubai felt like the opposite of that energy. Every time I visited for business, I’d see massive construction projects, meet entrepreneurs from everywhere, and feel this buzz of possibility. The whole city screams “we’re not done yet – we’re going to keep getting better.”

That’s addictive when you’ve been living somewhere that feels… finished.

Read other exeprience: He Had ₹847, No Job & Broken English—Now He Earns 28,000 AED in Dubai!

The Safety Thing That Actually Changed My Daily Life

Right, this is where people usually roll their eyes and assume I’m exaggerating. I’m not.

Last month, my friend Sarah (originally from Manchester) was telling me how she walked home alone from Downtown Dubai at 2 AM after a work event. In heels. With her phone out, not paying attention.

In London, that’s a horror story waiting to happen. Here? It’s just Tuesday night.

I know it sounds mad, but I genuinely forgot what it felt like to not constantly check my surroundings. I used to do this thing in London where I’d mentally map escape routes when walking alone at night. Here, I catch myself being completely relaxed in situations that would have had me on high alert back home.

My laptop lives permanently on café tables when I pop to the loo. My car stays unlocked in most areas. I’ve seen people leave shopping bags on park benches while they go for a run.

The trade-off? Zero tolerance for acting the fool. Don’t start fights, don’t cause scenes, don’t be drunk and disorderly. Basically, don’t be the type of person who makes other people feel unsafe. It’s not rocket science, but it’s strictly enforced.

And before anyone starts with the “what about women’s rights” chat – mate, this is literally one of the safest places on earth for women. The stats back it up, and more importantly, so do the experiences of every female friend I have here.

Weather That Actually Affects Your Brain (No, Really)

I used to think people who moved countries for weather were being dramatic. Turns out I was just bitter because I’d never experienced proper sunshine.

The mental health difference is real. I wake up every morning knowing it’ll be sunny. Not hoping, not checking the weather app obsessively – knowing. That certainty affects everything: my energy levels, my planning, my entire outlook on the day.

Back in London, I was constantly fighting the weather. Tennis booking got rained out? There goes the weekend plan. Want to sit outside for coffee? Better hope it’s one of the three decent days this month.

Here, when I book something outdoor, it happens. Period. My routine is consistent, my vitamin D levels are probably through the roof, and I’ve stopped being one of those people who checks the weather every five minutes.

The summer, though… Jesus. July and August are properly brutal. It’s not just hot – it’s like living inside a hairdryer. I spent last August in Thailand and Malaysia because staying here would have meant three months of air-conditioned hibernation.

But here’s the thing – I was planning to travel anyway. If you’re looking for a place to live 365 days a year without ever leaving, maybe consider that summer situation first.

The “Lifestyle” Everyone Talks About (Reality Check)

Instagram Dubai and actual Dubai are completely different places.

Yes, you can live like a proper baller here if you want to and can afford it. Yacht parties exist, fancy restaurants are everywhere, and there’s always some ridiculous luxury experience to try.

But day-to-day life? I work from home most days, hit the gym in my building, grab dinner at the Lebanese place downstairs (which costs about twelve quid), and Netflix with mates. Exactly like London, but with better weather and no council tax.

The difference is choice. In London, even living modestly was expensive and limited. Here, you can choose your level. Want to spend £200 on dinner? Easy. Want to cook at home and spend £15 on groceries? Also easy. Want to live in a fancy building with all the facilities? Sorted. Want something basic but clean and safe? That exists too.

I probably do one “Dubai lifestyle” thing per month – desert safari, fancy brunch, boat trip, whatever. The rest of the time, I’m just living normally but with consistently good weather and lower costs.

The Money Bit (Because Everyone’s Thinking It)

Let’s just get the numbers out there.

In London, I was paying roughly 40% total tax on everything I earned. Here? Zero personal income tax. None. There’s now a 9% corporate tax if your business makes over about $370k, but even that’s nothing compared to UK rates.

My London expenses (Zone 2, nothing fancy):

• Rent: £2,500/month
• Council tax: £200/month
• Transport: £300/month
• Everything else: £1,500/month
• Total: £4,500/month

Dubai expenses (Marina, nice building):

• Rent: £1,800/month
• Utilities: £150/month
• Transport: £250/month
• Everything else: £1,200/month
• Total: £3,400/month

So I’m spending £1,100 less per month AND keeping thousands more because of the tax situation. Over a year, that’s serious money.

But here’s what nobody tells you – Dubai isn’t automatically cheaper. It’s just that you have more control over your spending. You can live expensively or affordably, but both options are generally better quality than equivalent spending in London.

The Culture Question That Actually Matters

“Dubai has no culture” is the criticism that annoys me most because it misses the point entirely.

Dubai’s culture isn’t about preserving the past – it’s about creating the future. The shared culture here is entrepreneurship, growth, and this weird optimism about what’s possible.

My mate group includes people from India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe, and North America. We don’t bond over shared childhoods or traditional backgrounds. We bond over shared ambitions and this feeling that we’re all here because we believe in building something better.

That’s a culture. It’s just a different one.

If you want traditional Emirati culture, it’s there – Old Dubai, cultural centers, local festivals. But most of us live in the international bubble, and that bubble has its own vibe that I actually prefer to the nostalgic backward-looking culture of a lot of European cities.

The food scene alone is incredible because you get authentic cuisine from everywhere, not just “international” versions of things. My local area has proper Lebanese, Pakistani, Filipino, Japanese, and Italian places run by people actually from those countries.

The Rules Everyone Freaks Out About

The “Dubai is so strict” thing is mostly outdated nonsense, but there are some cultural norms to respect.

Don’t do these things:

• Snog in public (holding hands is fine, full makeout sessions are not)
• Get hammered and cause trouble on the street
• Swear at people or get aggressive
• Disrespect local customs during religious periods

That’s basically it. I’ve been here a year and never once felt restricted. Most of my friends drink regularly, date normally, wear whatever they want, and live exactly like they would in any other international city.

The “strictness” is mainly about keeping public spaces respectful and safe. If you’re the type of person who thinks public decency standards are oppressive, maybe this isn’t for you. But if you can handle basic social norms, you’ll never notice any restrictions.

The Challenges Nobody Mentions

It’s not all sunshine and tax savings. Here’s what actually made me consider leaving:

The visa dependency thing is real. Your right to stay is tied to employment or business ownership. Lose your job and you’ve got 30 days to sort something else or leave the country. That creates a different kind of stress than places where you can get permanent residency.

The distance from family hits harder than expected. Missing birthdays, weddings, and random Sunday dinners because you’re 7 hours away adds up emotionally. WhatsApp calls help, but they’re not the same.

Friend turnover is constant. People come here for 2-3 years then leave. Just when you get close to someone, they’re planning their exit strategy. Building long-term friendships takes more effort.

Summer genuinely affects quality of life. Those 3-4 months of extreme heat aren’t just uncomfortable – they limit your activities and can proper mess with your mental health if you don’t plan for them.

Everything requires more planning. Want to visit family? That’s a £1,500 flight and visa considerations. Need something specific from home? Shipping costs are mad. Simple things become logistical challenges.

Would I Do It Again? (The Real Answer)

Yeah, absolutely.

But not because Dubai is perfect. It’s because the trade-offs work for where I am in life right now.

I’m single, run location-independent businesses, prioritize financial optimization, and get energized by growth-oriented environments. Dubai ticks all those boxes while solving problems I had in London.

If I wanted deep cultural roots, walkable neighborhood pubs, or to be close to aging parents, London would probably still win. But for building wealth, expanding businesses, and living comfortably while doing it, Dubai’s been brilliant.

The plan is to stay here as my base for the next 3-5 years minimum. The tax advantages alone will accelerate my financial independence timeline by probably a decade. After that, we’ll see what makes sense.

Should You Move Here? (The Honest Checklist)

Dubai works well if you:

• Earn £60k+ annually (£80k+ for proper comfort)
• Work remotely or run location-independent businesses
• Value financial optimization and wealth building
• Thrive in international, diverse environments
• Can handle visa dependency and administrative hassle
• Don’t mind hot summers or air-conditioned living

Dubai probably doesn’t work if you:

• Need to be close to family long-term
• Prefer deep cultural roots and local traditions
• Work in location-specific industries
• Can’t handle bureaucracy and visa requirements
• Prioritize walkable cities over car-dependent ones
• Struggle with heat or extremely controlled environments

Next Steps If You’re Seriously Considering It

First, visit properly. Not a long weekend tourist trip – spend 2-3 weeks here during the season you’d actually live here. Stay in different areas, work from cafés, use public transport, go grocery shopping. Get a feel for actual daily life.

Second, sort your visa situation early. Whether that’s finding employment, starting a business, or getting investor status, the visa is everything here. No visa, no life in Dubai.

Third, budget for setup costs. First year in Dubai is expensive: security deposits, furniture, getting set up. Plan for £15-20k in initial costs beyond your regular living expenses.

Fourth, connect with expat communities before you arrive. Facebook groups, LinkedIn networks, professional associations. Having a social network ready makes the transition infinitely easier.

The bottom line? Moving to Dubai has been brilliant for my specific situation and goals. It’s not paradise, it’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’re looking to optimize your finances while maintaining quality of life, and you can handle the trade-offs, it might just be the reset you need.

What questions do you have about the practical side of expat life here? Drop them in the comments – I read everything and try to respond to everyone.

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