Dubai fascinates and thrills in equal measure. Its exotic buildings and culture attract many people because of its reputation as a lavish, even opulent, place to live. Many people from all over Europe and the rest of the world have relocated to Dubai to experience a new culture and take advantage of employment opportunities they may not have had at home. However, Dubai is much more than a posh vacation spot. As a result of its long and illustrious past, which spans many thousands of years, it is also a significant cultural center. It’s glamorous and architecturally significant at the same time. Even though the city is rife with incongruities, that only serves to enrich the experience of living there. Those who visit it quickly realize why so many people want to make it their permanent residence. I’m curious as to what you think are the most appealing aspects of life in Dubai for an international resident.

Climate

For the most part of the year, the temperature in Dubai is very high. We’re not kidding around when we say it gets up to 36 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer, and they only drop to the low of about 19 degrees Celsius (or about 66 degrees Fahrenheit) in January before rising again. It’s no secret that Dubai is a popular destination for people who enjoy basking in the sun and who are sick of the rainy seasons in other parts of the world. Just make sure your place to stay has effective air conditioning if you value your ability to sleep through the night.

Housing 

There is plenty of housing in Dubai, and if you’re looking for property investment, it could be the ideal place to make a purchase. However, renting an apartment is no problem either, and pretty cost-effective too. Most of the apartments in Dubai are serviced and furnished, which makes moving from place to place extremely easy. 

Business Opportunities 

Anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged to visit Dubai. It’s the kind of community that cheers on new business owners, and there are plenty of wealthy individuals willing to put money into a promising venture. Businesses looking to take advantage of Dubai’s booming economy should set up shop there or consider moving there.

Downtime

Dubai is more than just a place to put in long hours at the office and bring home a fat paycheck (although that is part of it). Having a good time is a key component. While the city’s business opportunities may be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear its name, there are plenty of ways to have fun when you have some spare time. You can never get bored because something new is always being developed. You could, for instance, take a trip to the beach, go shopping at the famous, enormous mall, have fun at the Motiongate theme park, or have a good time at a nightclub or a family-friendly rave.

Luxury

In Dubai, you’ll find nothing but the finest quality anywhere. Because of that, living there is desirable. The only drawback is that you will constantly be reminded of the disparity between here and everywhere else. The simple solution is to stay put; that way, you won’t have to deal with subpar amenities like unreliable service, crumbling roads, or underequipped classrooms.

Tax-Free

Making a profit is exciting, but there is always the nagging problem of handing over that cash to the government. It’s not fun to see how much of your paycheck or bank account has been taxed, even though you know that the money is going toward maintaining the country’s infrastructure. Actually, in Dubai, the opposite is true. There is no income tax because the country is so prosperous already. You’ll have more money to put into savings, and you won’t have to worry about making any mistakes in your tax calculations or incurring any penalties as a result.

Transportation 

If you want to buy or lease a car in Dubai, you certainly can do (cash is preferred), but with such a good public transportation system, it may not even be necessary, saving you even more money. The Dubai Metro is always kept clean and runs so smoothly and efficiently it’s really remarkable, especially the first few times you use it. What’s even better is that it’s – relatively – cheap. If you prefer to stay above ground, that’s fine because there are plenty of well-maintained buses to get you where you need to go. There are lots of taxis available if you like the idea of your own space, and as for air travel, once you have been granted a resident’s visa, you won’t even have to wait in line at customs. 

Published by HOLR Magazine.