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AIBU?

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Original poster

Meant to be moving to Dubai in 4 weeks

967 replies

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:42

We've been planning a move to Dubai for a while now. Dh's work has an office out there and it seemed like great opportunity to live abroad and experience sth different. I've got a couple of friends out there already too who love the lifestyle.

Watching the news for the past 24 hours and I'm really starting to question things. I had no idea how close to Iran it was and who knows what might happen next. Part of me is hoping it will all be resolved soon but hard to believe.

My friend who already lives there has spent the night sleeping in one room with her dh and kids scared of all the missile noises.

OP posts:
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Nutmuncher · 01/03/2026 21:48

You had no idea how close it was to Iran and you have had intentions of moving there for a while? I hope recent events have given you a reality check, it’s in a very precarious location which is even more evident now due to recent events.

That glossy luxury facade hides a multitude of sins especially from those lacking in critical thought and knowledge of basic geopolitics.

Jerys · 01/03/2026 21:47

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:34

That's a well-thought-out, persuasive argument. I don't know how anyone can fail to be convinced! 🤣

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My DH works across the ME. And travels back and forth. He's been all around. We've very occasionally (if time, AL and money permits) joined him out there and explored. We've always found it safe, secure, clean and enjoyed ourselves. Have thoroughly enjoyed cultural events and sightseeing. Each country is different with its own unique things.

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:46

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:42

That's your second change of underwear in the space of ten minutes!

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PMSL! Fabulous argument!

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:46

likelysuspect · 01/03/2026 21:44

No you're not.

Nothing to boast about either.

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And I suppose you've never set foot in any part of the world that has any problems at all?

I would rather experience the world than sit at home po-faced. At least my money going into the economy would be helping locals.

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:45

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:39

Well I wouldn't live there now, would I!

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You really should… it’s a great place, give it a few weeks the “war” will be over and you can ignore the other issues.

likelysuspect · 01/03/2026 21:44

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:39

Like many other British expats who live in countries with issues, I would still move there if I wanted to. My cousin worked for KPMG in India for a few years, and their track record of human rights didn't stop him. But we are not as good as some people on here. 🤣😇

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No you're not.

Nothing to boast about either.

SomeOtherUser · 01/03/2026 21:43

YABU to want to move there, in my opinion. The lifestyle your friends enjoy is built on the back of slave workers.

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:42

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:39

And I think this thread shows that not everyone wants to live there, even if it’s so “glamorous”.

PMSL again!

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That's your second change of underwear in the space of ten minutes!

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:42

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:40

Yes, unfortunately you’re not.

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I'm not. I kick puppies in my spare time, too!

AleaEim · 01/03/2026 21:41

Most people I know of who move or holiday to Dubai, are a bit.. hmm how do I say this? Well they’re lovely but not the most curious/ educated 🤔 so it doesn’t surprise me that she didn’t read a map.

mullers1977 · 01/03/2026 21:40

SeriousFaffing · 01/03/2026 20:41

@Jerys

Why do you think they ‘just build it’ and do so ‘super fast’? What do you think has had to happen to enable this way of working?

(Hint: https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/modern-day-slavery-in-the-united-arab-emirates )

It’s widely agreed that the English planning system isn’t perfect and there is a lot of room for improvement but its heart is fundamental: development should benefit the community rather than just private landowners. But I’m leaving it here because I fear all of this chat will just fall on deaf ears.

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I can't believe a human could say ‘just build it’ and do so ‘super fast' - you are aware it's built by slaves and corruption. but don't care - its super fast!

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:40

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:39

Like many other British expats who live in countries with issues, I would still move there if I wanted to. My cousin worked for KPMG in India for a few years, and their track record of human rights didn't stop him. But we are not as good as some people on here. 🤣😇

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Yes, unfortunately you’re not.

babyproblems · 01/03/2026 21:40

I don’t really understand why you’d choose to move to Dubai in the current political climate.. I definitely would not be going!

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:39

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:38

I‘m just cannot comment on your “why would people hate to live there” it’s so bloody hilarious!

I mean come on!

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Well I wouldn't live there now, would I!

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:39

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:34

That's a well-thought-out, persuasive argument. I don't know how anyone can fail to be convinced! 🤣

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And I think this thread shows that not everyone wants to live there, even if it’s so “glamorous”.

PMSL again!

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:39

likelysuspect · 01/03/2026 21:22

Its a country that supports slavery among many other immoral issues.

Thats without all the practicalities of weather and environment.

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Like many other British expats who live in countries with issues, I would still move there if I wanted to. My cousin worked for KPMG in India for a few years, and their track record of human rights didn't stop him. But we are not as good as some people on here. 🤣😇

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:38

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:34

That's a well-thought-out, persuasive argument. I don't know how anyone can fail to be convinced! 🤣

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I‘m just cannot comment on your “why would people hate to live there” it’s so bloody hilarious!

I mean come on!

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:34

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 21:20

PMSL

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That's a well-thought-out, persuasive argument. I don't know how anyone can fail to be convinced! 🤣

SleeplessInWherever · 01/03/2026 21:34

@Spookyspaghetti

I take a dim view of overlooking human rights abuses to avoid paying into a democratic society and don’t find it aspirational.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Spookyspaghetti · 01/03/2026 21:30

corblimeyguvnr · 01/03/2026 21:20

Is that the limit of your knowledge about Dubai?

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Living in Spain never appealed to me and the boomer generation who moved there loved rubbing in everyone’s noses how much better it was than the U.K. (until Brexit) and I know that Dubai doesn’t appeal to me but all the younger millennials who are flocking their love to rub everyone’s noses in how much better they think it is. (mainly avoiding taxes) So by comparison it just seems like the modern equivalent of moving to Spain.

Obviously I’m also fully aware that it is built in slavery and that women and LGBTQ people have no rights there.

I feel very sorry for the families trapped in the current situation but at the same time I take a dim view of overlooking human rights abuses to avoid paying into a democratic society and don’t find it aspirational. Hope that helps.

Beetlebumz · 01/03/2026 21:29

You were going to move to Dubai and you didn’t realise how close it was to Iran?!! I would have thought that would be obvious.

Buddinghell · 01/03/2026 21:26

It’s not a democracy.
I mean we waste a lot of time in this country moaning about our leaders, US leaders and the royals but actually can you imagine living under an absolute monarchy?
I mean just for that alone it would have to be a serious swerve.

ArabiaArabia · 01/03/2026 21:26

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 20:43

Is Dubai next to Iran? Surely not! They’ve never advertised that!

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It tends not to be in the ‘Evade Rachel’ brochure.

A bit like they don’t tell people legging it the crown dependencies that they won’t survive the first winter in their lovely beach-facing cottage homes with the patchy WiFi connection.

MJagain · 01/03/2026 21:26

SuperSharpShooter · 01/03/2026 15:49

You didn't realise how close it was to Iran?

The mind boggles!

This.

YAB very U to plan a move to a country you know so little about

likelysuspect · 01/03/2026 21:22

FloofBunny · 01/03/2026 21:19

Why would you hate to live there? I mean, at the moment, I get it! But in normal times, expats have a great life there in the sunshine. I think it would be an experience. Make a change from wet, grey Britain, anyway!

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Its a country that supports slavery among many other immoral issues.

Thats without all the practicalities of weather and environment.

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