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I live in Dubai, ask me anything

1000 replies

britindubai · 20/10/2026 06:34

Ask away, I’ll give you my honest thoughts and opinions

OP posts:
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11
britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:28

RedToothBrush · 20/10/2026 09:39

There's been a few cases which are documented, where British citizens have been approached in the street to hand over their phones.

People who have taken a photo of anything related to bombing have been arrested - even if they have not shared that image.

People who have been critical of the government on social media have been arrested too.

At this point, the British Embassy gets involved. Just because you have not been in this situation, doesn't mean you might not need the British Embassy at some point.

Tbh your wisdom on this particular issue is something I would question by the very existence of this thread. Even though you are sticking to the line. You just don't know if you have got the tone /content exactly right. You don't know whether it still leaves you open to problems and yes actual arrest. Unless of course you are actively being employed by UAE to keep up appearances.

At this point I would be extremely mindful about what happens if the war with Iran escalated. The Emir of Qatar stating that war is coming and you should be ready for anything should be ringing in your ears. He didn't say it to scaremonger. The PM of Egypt saying there are massive problems ahead with security, food and political instability echoing the Emir should be taken seriously. The notifications put out by the US, UK and multiple Western countries should be in your mind. The issue of food self sufficiency and power should be in your head looking at Russia and Ukraine. There are fears that Iran will look to invade it's neighbours as a line of last resort should the shit start to hit the fan. That includes UAE. UAE is particularly exposed to food and water shortages btw.

You may suddenly find yourself feeling the need to ask the UK government at some point in the not too distant future. The reality may be, you will probably be on your own. The lifestyle you have now might be great. I'm not arguing with that. Is the lifestyle really worth the risk level at this point?

The lack of awareness of just how fragile and on a knife edge that is, despite all the evidence out there and what you will be aware of on the ground with warnings on mobile but don't talk about here (and should not do for your own safety given my first point) is just ostriching. That's fine. That's your decision. But if it happens there will be plenty who have gone on about the lifestyle being so great, who gets the most awful of reality checks that defensive security is something that has value too. I don't think there will be too many sympathetic voices in the UK and there will be a lack of public support for an active understanding fire rescue mission.

There will be no getting out. I hope your assertion about 'why would I need the British government' is honest in that respect. Remember as a guest, you won't be the priority. You don't control access to resources. In an emergency the foreigner premium will be valueless at ground level.

The airports are the first target. Water, internet, energy and logistics will be high on the target list. I hope you are well prepared. And I hope none of this ever happens.

I personally wouldn't want to lying in bed at night, hearing the alerts on my phone and ignoring it yet again and have that moment of self doubt kick in and realise I'm stuck and it's too late to get out.

This thread almost feels like it's you trying to convince yourself it's so amazing, worth it and to ultimately prove it to the world in order to crush those creeping moments of self doubt at 4am. I'm not buying it tbh.

Hey, yep we will ask you anything on MN. We also will offer counter considerations whilst you try to Sell The Dream.

Edited

I do totally appreciate this and these thoughts are always on my mind.

I think what i was getting at about UK government helping out is the perception people have that many are over here earning tax free money but when it gets desperate we need help getting out on free flights etc. I personally don’t need that help but I completely hear you that if it goes beyond that point that I cant get my own flight then what will we do.

I kind of think that if it’s at that point then not many places in the world will be safe

OP posts:
Fernsarethebestplants · 20/10/2026 10:30

I do think there is change in attitudes in some of the ME.

I don't think the OP is one to tell us about it. She (he?) doesn't know that Dubai is one of the major hubs in the world for aviation, and its closure caused chaos across other regions, as people stop there before getting flights out to SE Asia and Africa. It's open now of course, but it was closed for a while, due to the issues with being in airspace in which warfare is carried out even if they are not protagonists.

I'd like more details about how your children have thrived. And whether you have a nanny. And a nuanced discussion about the schools and nurseries out in Dubai, how they are going to fit in back home in 5/6 years.

I don't really want these details; I just know you don't have them! Surprise me!

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:31

DrySherry · 20/10/2026 09:37

I love Dubai, but I couldn't manage the summers. The heat is on another level. Do you holiday somewhere cooler or just stick it out by staying indoors running the ac ?

we escape the summers to the UK and Europe

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 20/10/2026 10:32

The kind of person who would ask those questions won’t be living there in the first place, apart from anything else.

Absolutely this too.

And Dubai has already had a wave of people leaving because they started to ask some of those questions following the start of the war with Iran, because they understood the risks of being in UAE had fundamentally changed from 18 months ago.

Those still there have to, by definition either be the trapped, the naive or the ostriched.

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:32

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:31

we escape the summers to the UK and Europe

Don't you have to work in the summer?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:32

Idunkia · 20/10/2026 10:02

Until something like this happens, then cue the indignation and outrage.

Sorry what is your point here?

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:34

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:12

Why move back if Dubai is so much better?

I haven’t said it is better, it’s tax free and we are future proofing our life.

We have a home and family in the UK which we love and plan to return to permanently

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:35

DotDotDoorDash · 20/10/2026 09:38

This threads has done nothing to disabuse me of the notion that Dubai is chock full of vapid, morally bankrupt wannabes who close their eyes to slavery because it suits them. But it’s ok because they’re not wearing shackles.

what an awful place it sounds.

No bankrupt wannabe here

OP posts:
Yetanotherone12 · 20/10/2026 10:36

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:34

I haven’t said it is better, it’s tax free and we are future proofing our life.

We have a home and family in the UK which we love and plan to return to permanently

Do you work?

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:37

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:34

I haven’t said it is better, it’s tax free and we are future proofing our life.

We have a home and family in the UK which we love and plan to return to permanently

Oh I am surprised. I thought you didn't approve of the Labour government, taxation or were bothered about equality and diversity?
Perhaps I misunderstood?

Gloriia · 20/10/2026 10:37

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:31

we escape the summers to the UK and Europe

What happens if you need a&e in the summer? Don't you think that expats should pay some kind of insurance to cover costs when back home as they don't pay tax?

Ireolu · 20/10/2026 10:37

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:12

Thanks, I don’t think I will be “pissing any one off”

....our family friends didnt either. Dad was in prison for yrs. Mum was in prison for 6 months. Their misstep would not have warranted the treatment they received in any democratic country. So yeah the advice remains try not to piss anyone off. Clearly you dont need to take it on.

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:38

hedgeknight · 20/10/2026 09:05

So this is a thread bashing the UK and immigrants.

Didn't take long

Do you call yourself an 'expat'?

I’m an expat, not here long term

OP posts:
Fernsarethebestplants · 20/10/2026 10:39

Gloriia · 20/10/2026 10:37

What happens if you need a&e in the summer? Don't you think that expats should pay some kind of insurance to cover costs when back home as they don't pay tax?

They have to pay. My friend has when she's returned for long summers.

Starlia · 20/10/2026 10:39

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:38

I’m an expat, not here long term

What’s the difference between an expat and an immigrant?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:40

toiletpaperthief · 20/10/2026 10:09

She probably runs to the NHS when a major health scare happens, and all paid by you and I @Missey85 . The worst bit is these people get to critizice their government while not contributing a dime.

not sure there will be an an NHS much longer but super grateful I can afford private healthcare

OP posts:
Gloriia · 20/10/2026 10:40

Ireolu · 20/10/2026 10:37

....our family friends didnt either. Dad was in prison for yrs. Mum was in prison for 6 months. Their misstep would not have warranted the treatment they received in any democratic country. So yeah the advice remains try not to piss anyone off. Clearly you dont need to take it on.

Yes i cannot believe anyone would take kids to such a dodgy place tbh.
One wrong sm post, one alleged 'crime', parents removed. It's all such a very tenuous existence

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:42

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:40

not sure there will be an an NHS much longer but super grateful I can afford private healthcare

You're not sure there will be an NHS for much longer?
Are you getting your information from the Reform Party, perchance?

Notonthestairs · 20/10/2026 10:42

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:40

not sure there will be an an NHS much longer but super grateful I can afford private healthcare

Why wouldn't there be an NHS in 5/6 years time?

Gloriia · 20/10/2026 10:42

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:40

not sure there will be an an NHS much longer but super grateful I can afford private healthcare

Private A&E in the UK? Where's that? Private fire and other emergency services?

Don't you think expats earning loads should pay some kind of insurance to cover use when home? All hypothetical as they don't but it is an AMA.

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:42

Gloriia · 20/10/2026 10:40

Yes i cannot believe anyone would take kids to such a dodgy place tbh.
One wrong sm post, one alleged 'crime', parents removed. It's all such a very tenuous existence

Edited

But she has Aircon and can buy Louis Vuitton in the Mall.

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:43

ExpressCheckout · 20/10/2026 09:55

Well, @britindubai, given your latent, casual homophobia, and obvious contempt for immigrants (oh, the irony), I'm quite pleased that you've left the UK. Have you got rid of your UK passport yet? Oh, there's a dilemma for you.

I’m not an immigrant, I’m an expat!

I have a home and family in the UK and plan on returning

Also why would I get rid of my passport, I am British

OP posts:
toiletpaperthief · 20/10/2026 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Fernsarethebestplants · 20/10/2026 10:43

britindubai · 20/10/2026 10:40

not sure there will be an an NHS much longer but super grateful I can afford private healthcare

Are you sure you lived in the UK, OP? Seems kind of weird that you don't know there isn't a private emergency/A and E service.

RhododendronFlowers · 20/10/2026 10:44

Notonthestairs · 20/10/2026 10:42

Why wouldn't there be an NHS in 5/6 years time?

This is a person who does not trust the "British media" (sic) .

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