Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Brits who moved to Dubai, how's life?

252 replies

Southparkt · 02/10/2025 13:31

I had several friends who moved to Dubai in the last 3 years and they are really loving it and have no plans to come back. We have been considering a move as we have young family and will be very thankful if we can afford to have nannies and driver etc as our friends have. They feel more relaxed in the sun and can afford big house with swimming pool etc. We are high earners here and used to have nanny for our oldest but if we keep spending at that rate, we can never retire here with the Cost of living increases.
I am looking to hear from Brits who moved to Dubai and how life feels like now?

OP posts:
Original poster
Southparkt · 02/10/2025 13:32

Is there an equivalent of Mumsnet I can join for UAE?

OP posts:
HoskinsChoice · 02/10/2025 15:46

Are you aware of the utterly disgraceful lack of human rights there? And that it is full of entitled chavs who are more interested in fake tans, fake designer brands and botox than the busloads of slaves that the UAE attract under false pretences before removing their passports from them? Do you want to live like that? And, more importantly, do you want to bring your children up in a country where that kind of thing is OK?

Original poster
Southparkt · 02/10/2025 15:54

HoskinsChoice · 02/10/2025 15:46

Are you aware of the utterly disgraceful lack of human rights there? And that it is full of entitled chavs who are more interested in fake tans, fake designer brands and botox than the busloads of slaves that the UAE attract under false pretences before removing their passports from them? Do you want to live like that? And, more importantly, do you want to bring your children up in a country where that kind of thing is OK?

I think it's too harsh and exaggeration of reality

OP posts:
Original poster
Southparkt · 02/10/2025 15:54

HoskinsChoice · 02/10/2025 15:46

Are you aware of the utterly disgraceful lack of human rights there? And that it is full of entitled chavs who are more interested in fake tans, fake designer brands and botox than the busloads of slaves that the UAE attract under false pretences before removing their passports from them? Do you want to live like that? And, more importantly, do you want to bring your children up in a country where that kind of thing is OK?

Have you lived there ever?

OP posts:
Downplayit · 02/10/2025 15:58

Absolutely not wrong about the total lack of respect for human rights - particularly womens. On another note have you thought about your children and their future? If you move and stay there they would have to pay international fees if they want to go back to a UK university and they wouldn't automatically get visas in the UAE when they are adults which leaves them having to return alone to their home country which won't feel like home. That's quite a terrifying thought!

Enigma54 · 02/10/2025 16:02

HoskinsChoice · 02/10/2025 15:46

Are you aware of the utterly disgraceful lack of human rights there? And that it is full of entitled chavs who are more interested in fake tans, fake designer brands and botox than the busloads of slaves that the UAE attract under false pretences before removing their passports from them? Do you want to live like that? And, more importantly, do you want to bring your children up in a country where that kind of thing is OK?

This 100%
Wouldn’t touch that part of the world if you paid me!

ColinOfficeTrolley · 02/10/2025 16:02

Southparkt · 02/10/2025 15:54

I think it's too harsh and exaggeration of reality

Show quote history

Then you really do need to educate yourself.

Your high earning friends with their pools and nannies may not see that side of it, but men and women are trafficked there under false pretences. The women are forced in to prostitution when men do the most deplorable things to them.

In fact there was a bloke in the news recently who trafficks women from Nigeria as black women are a commodity over there. The men the pay to piss and shit on them.

This goes on in Dubai because it attracts bored rich people.

Google is your friend here.

Just because people who live there are blind to it, doesn't mean it's not happening.

Bamboozledbylife · 02/10/2025 16:03

I'd rather reign in my spending and be in a country not supporting the abhorrent lack of human rights found over there. But I'm sure you'll be happy with your driver's and servants...

childrenwatchthefools · 02/10/2025 16:07

would you really want drivers and nannies? Is that aspirational? It certainly isn’t for me. I like to look after my own children… also employing people to be my servants seems a little 1800. I can’t imagine anywhere I would rather live less than UAE.

Derbee · 02/10/2025 16:08

Southparkt · 02/10/2025 15:54

I think it's too harsh and exaggeration of reality

Show quote history

Then you really need to educate yourself. It’s easy to live the high life and enjoy the lifestyle. But with a young family, when you see the migrant workers looking longingly at your babies and children because they desperately miss theirs so much, you know that they don’t have access to their passports and can’t return to wherever they’re from.

When you drive past new malls and stadiums, you just need to gloss over the trafficked people who are working and dying in 50°c heat.

Yes, I’ve lived in the Middle East as a child. It can be a charmed life for high earning expats, but the murky underside is horrific.

Enigma54 · 02/10/2025 16:09

What do your friends think of living in a country where human rights are zero OP? Doesn’t it bother them? How do you think most people retire here?

tequilam0ckingbird · 02/10/2025 16:25

so what I'm reading is that you're well off/wealthy but not wealthy enough and want to live like royalty. To do this you have to move to a country so you can pay no tax.

You are happy to turn a blind eye to lack of civil rights and are willing to lose a number of freedoms. You will be able to employ staff but will be paying them poverty wages.

Ok then.

Enigma54 · 02/10/2025 16:28

Why do you need a driver? Can’t you learn to drive? And a nanny? Take care of your own children?

bigwhitedog · 02/10/2025 16:31

The reason your friends can afford nannies and drivers isn't because they're loaded, it's because those jobs are paid pennies over there. And yes, I have lived there.

Sera1989 · 02/10/2025 16:34

I know a few people who’ve moved there and one of my work clients is based there. It’s a very odd vibe, a lot of glamour and a lot of embracing a sense of privilege but everything seems very soulless. My client partners with a lot of local companies and venues and all the advertising only ever has white people in which looks weird

IsawwhatIsaw · 02/10/2025 16:35

It sounds vile , you couldn’t pay me to live there. Shallow materialistic place.

Moveoverdarlin · 02/10/2025 16:42

HoskinsChoice · 02/10/2025 15:46

Are you aware of the utterly disgraceful lack of human rights there? And that it is full of entitled chavs who are more interested in fake tans, fake designer brands and botox than the busloads of slaves that the UAE attract under false pretences before removing their passports from them? Do you want to live like that? And, more importantly, do you want to bring your children up in a country where that kind of thing is OK?

This is all such a stereotypical generalisation. It’s like saying everyone who lives in Essex has a vajjazle, a white Range Rover and works as a nail technician. Or every ex-pat in Spain likes bingo and karaoke.

I have worked in Dubai quite a lot recently and it’s not at all as you describe. I’ve travelled all over the world and bizarrely it’s one of the places I have felt most safe. You don’t see any chavs, I’ve never seen a fight or anyone pissed and everything is immaculately clean. I’m not saying I would live there, but it’s far from chavvy with fake tanned and Botox types.

Shufflebumnessie · 02/10/2025 16:51

I have absolutely no idea what Dubai is like but I recently saw an account on Instagram called insidefayeslife and the family has just relocated to Dubai (I think they lived there years ago too). You might find it helpful.

DrowningInSyrup · 02/10/2025 16:58

ColinOfficeTrolley · 02/10/2025 16:02

Then you really do need to educate yourself.

Your high earning friends with their pools and nannies may not see that side of it, but men and women are trafficked there under false pretences. The women are forced in to prostitution when men do the most deplorable things to them.

In fact there was a bloke in the news recently who trafficks women from Nigeria as black women are a commodity over there. The men the pay to piss and shit on them.

This goes on in Dubai because it attracts bored rich people.

Google is your friend here.

Just because people who live there are blind to it, doesn't mean it's not happening.

Show quote history

God that's abhorrent

OfKitten · 02/10/2025 17:03

Wow - harsh responses. @Southparkt Dubai is actually good, clean, and streamlined, but it is a significant change in lifestyle (eg if you are outdoorsy you may find it tough) and you have to be careful with money since you might end up spending more and more because there is that sort of culture (at it has been with some friends - they did not save as much as they thought). Also, the work experience you get over there may not count for much back in the UK if you are not going to work in the same company, getting a new job here may be tough.

Overall it's good but you have to make a careful and long term decision and plan it.

Spiderseverywherenow · 02/10/2025 17:05

You need to ask on living overs board, not aibu. Other emirates might be actually nicer as well btw. Depends on what lifestyle is one into.

randomchap · 02/10/2025 17:06

OfKitten · 02/10/2025 17:03

Wow - harsh responses. @Southparkt Dubai is actually good, clean, and streamlined, but it is a significant change in lifestyle (eg if you are outdoorsy you may find it tough) and you have to be careful with money since you might end up spending more and more because there is that sort of culture (at it has been with some friends - they did not save as much as they thought). Also, the work experience you get over there may not count for much back in the UK if you are not going to work in the same company, getting a new job here may be tough.

Overall it's good but you have to make a careful and long term decision and plan it.

Those responses are not harsh, they are a fair assessment of an abhorrent state.

Ygfrhj · 02/10/2025 17:06

It feels safe because it's a police state. Nannies and maids are cheap because they're paid very little and sometimes trafficked. But yes you can enjoy a nice life there, good weather in winter and plenty to fill your time.

Dearg · 02/10/2025 17:13

Totally agree with @ColinOfficeTrolley

We lived there a few years ago. No DC. Hated it.

The exploitation of workers from third world countries was heartbreaking.

Its very much a melting pot of cultures, and that can be fascinating, but those that do the domestic work are likely poorly educated - Nanny material?