Page 15 | Meant to be moving to Dubai in 4 weeks

Medesres · 2026-03-01T15:42:26+00:00

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.

HandfulOfMoths · 01/03/2026 18:59

Ooihuko · 01/03/2026 18:01

Yeh geographically but I am surprised the UAE got involved this quickly.

Sweden is nearer to Russia, would it stop you going there.

Given this news, I wouldn't move to dubai, the political situation has shifted

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It’s been very clear for months that tensions were building between the US (and Israel) and Iran. It was also very obvious that Trump is volatile and very likely to react non-diplomatically. Putin is much less likely to impact Sweden. They are not comparable situations.

thegreatreckoning · 01/03/2026 19:01

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 01/03/2026 18:50

Exactly this but posters write how they wouldn’t go to this area for all the tea in China every bloody time a post like this comes up.

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Perhaps it will help her, because she can look beyond her greedy mates and their pools and servants, instagram influencers and googling supermarkets, and do some research into the history of the place, the geo politics of the region, and the reasons why people feel strongly that these shiny gulf states are not somewhere desirable to move to. She can then make an informed decision whether to go ahead with the planned move or call it off. She can no longer claim ignorance if she decides to go ahead. Knowledge is power, forewarned is fore-armed and all that. She’d also do well to look into her rights with regard to her children if she hates it and her husband decides he’d like to stay on.

Papyrophile · 01/03/2026 19:05

I am so fecking fed up with the casual judgement. I have spent quite a few months all told in Dubai, and not at champagne brunches. It is a much more subtle form of control. And frankly, when compared to the UK, a much nicer place to live, because everyone has to regulate their behaviour. Kids are not permitted to rule the roost or run riot.

Vivienne1000 · 01/03/2026 19:05

Ponoka7 · 01/03/2026 15:54

This reminds me of being in Egypt and other holiday makers being disgusted when they found out that they were in Africa.

The lifestyle is great, as was being near the top in every society built and relying on slavery. Best of luck.

My husband worked in Egypt for a year, he was living in a hotel above the American Embassy. When the Embassy was bombed, he was fortunately at work. He left that night with his rucksack until things settled.

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 19:07

Papyrophile · 01/03/2026 19:05

I am so fecking fed up with the casual judgement. I have spent quite a few months all told in Dubai, and not at champagne brunches. It is a much more subtle form of control. And frankly, when compared to the UK, a much nicer place to live, because everyone has to regulate their behaviour. Kids are not permitted to rule the roost or run riot.

or be gay? Lovely place ….. not!

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:08

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 18:44

Are you actually serious? You think not being progressive is acceptable?

Do you have children? How would you feel if they were gay? Disown them would you?

It’s safer than the west? Rubbish!

Its morally bankrupt as well!

Do you not like living In a civilised countries the UK, if you think it’s ok to be so morally bankrupt, I hope you live in Dubai, you’re not the sort of person suited to a civilised country.

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I'd still love my children if they were gay.

It is safer. Violent crime is lower. You can walk around in public, wearing flashy stuff and not have it stolen by hooligans on bikes. People express they feel much safer there.

I've only ever been to Dubai for holidays. But my family there have loved their time there and have all had successful careers in the Dubai private sector. Compared to the UK, Dubai can build things quicker and more cheaply. They aren't hindered my NIMBYISM and stupid planning laws and can just get shit done.

TheDaysAreGettingLongerAtLast · 01/03/2026 19:09

I wouldn't choose to live in Dubai for all the tea in China.
Women do not have equal rights there and they treat immigrant workers from India or Africa very badly.
You can find sunshine elsewhere.

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 01/03/2026 19:10

OldForANewMum · 01/03/2026 16:56

OP, I've read your original post, all your subsequent posts and a good selection of the replies. First, in the current situation it is literally impossible to tell what will happen in 4 weeks, as of today. You're going to have to live with the uncertainty for at least a few days, possibly for weeks or months. As others have said, your OH needs to be in very close contact with his bosses in the UK and with those already out in UAE and keep up with events as the position emerges.

However, as with some other posters, I am horrified but not surprised as your near- total lack of knowledge about the reality of the UAE, and its proximity to Iran is not the biggest issue. For context, I worked for a particular global company for 5 years with a prominent presence in UAE and for a 6 month period I spent 10 days a month working there. That was pre-Covid - lockdown then hit and I spent the rest of my time at the company working remotely with the same colleagues in Dubai. I have travelled a lot both for work and leisure, and never bothered to go to Dubai on my own dime for most of the reasons others have stated, however I was quite glad to go there for work as it was interesting. It was also, crucially, broadly winter when I was spending time there (October to February) which is a good time to be out of the UK for 10 days a month in sunshine.

So a few random things I strongly urge you to think about, before you go - regardless of what happens with Iran:

The climate is almost unliveable for most Brits, no matter what they say. By April it is over 40 celsius most days and it isn't desert heat, it's humid. You go from air conditioned building to air conditioned vehicle to air conditioned building and that's the only way to survive. That alone would probably stop me moving there (and I've lived in SE Asia). I have colleagues and friends who grew up there and still find the climate almost unliveable, and that has worsened in recent years with climate change
I assume you're female. On a day to day basis, it's perfectly possible to live an apparently 'normal' Western-style life in Dubai as a woman, and never come into any tricky situations. But you are very much reliant on luck as you simply do not have the same human rights you have at home. In Dubai, everything is fine... until it isn't. My husband (note: husband - we're married) came out to visit me on one trip. I didn't change my name on marriage and so when he came out I got him to bring a copy of our marriage certificate with him. It's not common in tourist hotels but it's perfectly credible we might have had to prove our marriage or be breaking the law. I really mean this - look into your right, decide if you're comfortable living like that medium term. Have a serious think about how much you trust your OH, too
Visa, work, financial and legal matters - go and find expat forums and hang out on them to understand the position on all sorts of things. Be extremely careful of any financial entanglements when you're out there. It's very easy to come a-cropper legally in Dubai if you do things the wrong way.
It might seem like the money is good but remember there are almost zero public services (unless you are Emirati, which you aren't). You will pay for everything. Factor that in.
Again for context, I lived in a different, SE Asian majority Muslim country and would do so again. Religion is not an issue, culture is. I am an adventurous traveller and would never choose to live and work in Dubai (I was offered more than one job when I was working out there and I politely declined). Each to their own, but make sure you're making knowledgeable, informed, active choices about what you're doing.
Ethics - as others have said, there are some serious ethical issues underpinning Dubai's society.
Through work, I have friends in Dubai, some of whom are British born and brought up, and some of whom grew up in Dubai (none are Emirati though - you can be born and live your whole life in Dubai and never gain citizenship or any real rights under the law). They all live a very good life out there and they are there for reasons. But I don't think any of them would disagree with the down sides.

I think you need to treat this as a wake-up call to do the research you should've done previously. Nobody has a crystal ball so I may well be proved wrong within days or weeks, but I suspect the situation is going to blow over relatively quickly as Trump doesn't have the political capital at home to wage war for long in the Middle East. What Netanyahu does is anyone's guess but Iran is weakened and my guess is things will calm down, at least outside of Iran's borders, pretty quickly. If that is the case, great. But do your research whilst you have the chance. I have little doubt that whatever you OH has agreed to, in the current situation at minimum he will have an easy 'out' from his employer if you change your minds about going. You might find that even if the current situation calms down, you might want that.

I wish you well, whatever you decide. But please - research properly and make an active and informed decision.

This is very good balanced information that will be useful to the OP.
As opposed to the useless comments,there are many,by people saying they wouldn’t go there.

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:11

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 18:46

Exactly! Thank god!

Im not sure OP is suited to going, she doesn’t even bloody know where it is!

You know where it is, but agree with their standards…. Awful!

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I loved it there, if the price to pay for security, safety and no-income tax is to be a bit more modest in public, that's fine with me

anniegun · 01/03/2026 19:12

I am sure the OP will fit in well with some Middle East countries view that its a waste of time educating women

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 19:12

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:08

I'd still love my children if they were gay.

It is safer. Violent crime is lower. You can walk around in public, wearing flashy stuff and not have it stolen by hooligans on bikes. People express they feel much safer there.

I've only ever been to Dubai for holidays. But my family there have loved their time there and have all had successful careers in the Dubai private sector. Compared to the UK, Dubai can build things quicker and more cheaply. They aren't hindered my NIMBYISM and stupid planning laws and can just get shit done.

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But like a country that would offer the death penalty if they were gay?

Doesn’t surprise me you’ve been there on holiday adding to their economy!

Actions speak louder than words and support a country that among other things, threatens gay people with death speaks volumes.

I hope your children aren’t gay, they deserve better role models if they are!

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 19:13

"stupid planning laws"
😂😂

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 19:14

anniegun · 01/03/2026 19:12

I am sure the OP will fit in well with some Middle East countries view that its a waste of time educating women

This ⬆️

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 19:15

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:11

I loved it there, if the price to pay for security, safety and no-income tax is to be a bit more modest in public, that's fine with me

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A bit more modest in public, and completely straight. 🙄

SleeplessInWherever · 01/03/2026 19:15

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:11

I loved it there, if the price to pay for security, safety and no-income tax is to be a bit more modest in public, that's fine with me

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Turn the TV on and tell me how much safer it is.

NiceCupOfChai · 01/03/2026 19:15

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:53

I knew it was in middle east Gulf and obviously Iran is in that area too but I hadn't studied the map in great detail until today.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

Dh going to speak to his work tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't send him if it escalates

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If it escalates? What’s your bar for escalation? Because I feel that horse has bolted!

Papyrophile · 01/03/2026 19:16

To be gay.... I've known quite a few gay people who lived there, quite happily. But they weren't the out loud and proud gay people who needed to declare their sexual orientation at every opportunity.

Katypp · 01/03/2026 19:17

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 17:13

Two people you can name..

Hardly a comparison 🤣!

So, it would appear far from wanting everyone to “be kind” to OP, you’re actually the sort of person who is either living in Dubai, or thinks it’s a “great”
place…… it’s not!

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It's not a case of 'being kind'
It's more questioning how the OP's question has been answered by a million MNetters telling her they wouldn't go there and implying she is not as clever or moral as they are.
There has been a few helpful posts but they have been mostly drowned out by competitive moralising.

KimuraTan · 01/03/2026 19:17

SuperSharpShooter · 01/03/2026 15:49

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

The mind boggles!

This. People think it’s full of Westerners and somehow immune from the conflicts in the region. The image of Dubai as an expat haven has taken a serious hit. I‘m curious to see how the gulf states will respond because they have to do something to protect their citizens.

If I were you I‘d reach out to your prospective employer and ask what support they offer regarding the current situation. There are a lot of „ifs“ but my main worry would be the destabilisation of the region due to fighting factions of whoever is next in line to govern Iran.

BlimeyOReillyO · 01/03/2026 19:18

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:11

I loved it there, if the price to pay for security, safety and no-income tax is to be a bit more modest in public, that's fine with me

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A bit more modest, or we kill you….

And no income tax, what a great society, what happens to the poor there?

GreenCandleWax · 01/03/2026 19:18

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:53

I knew it was in middle east Gulf and obviously Iran is in that area too but I hadn't studied the map in great detail until today.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

Dh going to speak to his work tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't send him if it escalates

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I voted YABU because you wanted to go and live there, ignoring all the human rights abuses involved.

Jerys · 01/03/2026 19:19

TheDaysAreGettingLongerAtLast · 01/03/2026 19:09

I wouldn't choose to live in Dubai for all the tea in China.
Women do not have equal rights there and they treat immigrant workers from India or Africa very badly.
You can find sunshine elsewhere.

Edited

I have a female relative who has been there for 20+ years. She's thrived in her career. Many women say they feel so safe walking the streets alone at night compared to how they feel in many major western cities.

The house help I met is from India, she's treated very well (and her food tasted amazing).

BreadInCaptivity · 01/03/2026 19:20

@Medesres Aside from the current situation, given your posts, it’s clear your research into this move has been lacklustre at best.

The regional instability is hardly a secret, nor are the human rights abuses.

In all seriousness have you considered what would happen if you and your husband were to separate?

You may well not have right to remain if you are on a spousal visa and if you have children you will have no rights (as a female) to bring them back home unless your husband agrees.

DH used to travel there for work and beneath the “gloss” of expat “insta life” are some not so pleasant realities.

I wouldn’t go there on holiday, never mind to live.

The tax breaks, financial incentives, govt insta life investments in plush malls, hotels etc and govt funded PR are there for a reason: without them, stripped of the veneer of “western” sensibilities and glamour people simply wouldn’t go there to visit, never mind live.

MxCactus · 01/03/2026 19:20

Papyrophile · 01/03/2026 19:16

To be gay.... I've known quite a few gay people who lived there, quite happily. But they weren't the out loud and proud gay people who needed to declare their sexual orientation at every opportunity.

It's literally against the law to be gay there? I remember reading about a British woman who was raped by multiple men in Dubai. When she reported it, she was prosecuted and put in prison for three years for having extra-marital sex. It was not illegal for the men to have raped her - apparently their law is something like four men have to have witnessed a rape for it to be considered rape.

The laws against women, gay people etc there are absolutely barbaric. Why on earth you'd want to holiday somewhere like that I have no idea

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 19:20

Papyrophile · 01/03/2026 19:16

To be gay.... I've known quite a few gay people who lived there, quite happily. But they weren't the out loud and proud gay people who needed to declare their sexual orientation at every opportunity.

What!?!