Thinking about moving to Dubai with a young family?

[FraggleRock77]

Just that really. Can anyone offer an experience good and bad? Interested to hear about private schools, social opportunities with a DS 4 and young baby? Also social activities as a family? How long did you take to settle etc?x

You will get lots of negative opinions about the heat, the oppressive labour laws and women's rights.

I don't live there ( live in Asia) but know many many people who do/have done.

Make sure your package is good enough for a good house, school fees, car, high bills, medical, flights home and STILL be able to save.

International schools are good.

There is a big expat community, many of whom have young kids, but it is a meet in people homes/at the play area in the mall/lunch type of social scene, you don't run into people in the park, it's too hot!

I know people who have LOVED it. I know several who hated it. I don't think I would like it because after 14 years in Asia, I still haven't got used to arrogant drivers and well known families getting away with outrageous things (eg maid abuse, corruption, careless driving) because of who they are. UAE is worse than here.

Do not go if you can't have a reccy - you need one.

I wouldn't even visit Dubai let alone live there! Awful place that thrives on corruption.

I was in Qatar for 2 years, it was a boring place, I got fed up of Malls, I didn't really have any friends, the pollution made me ill and the driving was so awful that I never drove after sun down and got taxis if I didn't know where I was going.
On the plus side I had some fantastic holidays and now I'm back in the uk we've finally got double glazing in our house, I couldn't have stayed for more than 2 years though, I think if I did I'd now be in some sort of medication for depression as my life was so so dull and everyday was exactly the same as the last.

You likely won't live in Dubai itself, most of the people I know live further out, use the small malls for regular shopping etc, schools are close by, compounds have most things you need. Housing is actually cheaper there than in Doha or Abu Dhabi.
Everything is expensive, log in to LuLu or Carrefore websites and do a weekly shop, I've spent £10 on a bunch of grapes before). Do your research on one of costs, most people don't save anything the first year as school is generally £10k a year plus registration fees etc. agency take a % for signing a lease, lots of places rent is upfront, either one or two cheques (although up to 4 is becoming more common) our rent is 40,000pounds a year! We pay in 2 cheques, had to borrow half from employer then save and pay that back for the next one.
But we love it, kids love it. 5 years and counting.

We've been here for 10 years and are just now starting to think of coming home. It's a fab place with young kids but do your maths carefully -rent and school fees very expensive.

We lived there for 4 years with young kids - it was a great experience for us. Loved the winter months and being outside so much! The summer is crazy hot but we could still go to the pool everyday (lovely and chilled) or the beach early morning. There's masses of activities indoor for kids too - climbing walls, museums, planetariums and sofa play.

It's very expensive though, shopping, rent, utilities etc. Schools are good and there's lots of options. However don't be fooled by the fact you're paying for 'private' - the majority are equivalent to a good state school in terms of facilities, class sizes and standards. There are only a few that are private standard

all the dubai naysayers will jump on this, no doubt.

been here over 10 years and it's an amazing place to live. we are right in the heart of the city, a 4 minute walk from the beach. don't believe any of the stereotypes, it is open welcoming and tolerant.

it is eye wateringly expensive - schools and rent swallow all our money, so do a lot of budgeting before you come. i've seen people come and go in just a year as they had totally underestimated this.

all schools are private which is fiendishly expensive. you also need very good medical insurance too (usually provided by your employer or you will have to do it if you have your own business.)

We are outside all the time - apart from the very hot months, on the beach, in the park, in the garden. the benefits of blue sky and sunshine 360 days of the year can never be underestimated in my experience.

do you or your DH have a job offer?

Agree with Joanandmax with the schools although facilities are amazing my children's school has a dance studio, lecture theatre, lego room, and swimming pools but we are (well DH's company) are paying £££ for it and the academics are definatley not brilliant. Dubai is expat lite it is easy living no language problems lots of familiar shops, big expat communities. It is way too hot in the summer and to be honest can get very claustrophobic but it has been good for us. We have had lots of great holidays, it is great being by the beach and having access to swimming pools like Fatowl said you may either love or hate it definately do a proper reccie before you come out and do the maths it is very expensive here

Does anyone have any experience of moving to Dubai with a child going into year 10 and starting GCSE,s? I am so unsure about the move with my husbands job and am considering commuting instead with the children in their school holidays (youngest being 10). I have a good life here in the UK and am wondering if my life will be any better out there and if schooling is good especially at GCSE level?

You might want to bear in mind that your dc would need 3 years residency in UK to avoid overseas uni fees. Dubai schools tend to be oversubscribed so you may want to check which could accept them. Assume fees are part of his package.

With so many new schools opening, there are plenty of spaces in the ones I've spoken to recently.

Hi, we are planning to move Dubai from USA this summer. I have a 7 year old son, so I am concerned whether it is a good place to live with kids? Any suggestion would be helpful.

Hello djain feel free to PM me. Lived in Dubai for 11 years and love it 😊

I would love to move to Dubai. I have a 10 month old baby. I visited there last week and fell in love with the place. I am a small business owner in America and saw great potential for business in Dubai. Can you please give me some insight on how I can make my transition less painful and stressful

Bluebelle101 I'm just wondering if you ever moved to Dubai? My husband has had a job offer and I'm at the stage of researching Dubai. I have two children who are 10 and 12. Worried about education and lifestyle and leaving UK etc. Would love to hear pro's and con's?

hi i have a 13 year old and moving to dubai, can anyone let me know what life for kids is like there? what the schools are like, whats the best type of school to go for? will they have a better life there then in uk with kids of similar age, what activities are available.
also as a mum what kind of things i can do or what jobs may be available for us part time etc? pls any advice is greatly appreciated. many thanks al

@zara11

hi i have a 13 year old and moving to dubai, can anyone let me know what life for kids is like there? what the schools are like, whats the best type of school to go for? will they have a better life there then in uk with kids of similar age, what activities are available. also as a mum what kind of things i can do or what jobs may be available for us part time etc? pls any advice is greatly appreciated. many thanks al

Hi, have a look at www.whichschooladvisor.com for all things schooling in the UAE.

It’s a great safe place for kids to grow up. Your 13 year old will very likely thrive. Part time jobs are a nightmare to come by, mostly it’s only TA or Nursery work available part time.

Sorry meant to say - try British Mums Dubai on facebook for more questions.

@farfarawayfromhome

all the dubai naysayers will jump on this, no doubt.

been here over 10 years and it's an amazing place to live. we are right in the heart of the city, a 4 minute walk from the beach. don't believe any of the stereotypes, it is open welcoming and tolerant.

it is eye wateringly expensive - schools and rent swallow all our money, so do a lot of budgeting before you come. i've seen people come and go in just a year as they had totally underestimated this.

all schools are private which is fiendishly expensive. you also need very good medical insurance too (usually provided by your employer or you will have to do it if you have your own business.)

We are outside all the time - apart from the very hot months, on the beach, in the park, in the garden. the benefits of blue sky and sunshine 360 days of the year can never be underestimated in my experience.

do you or your DH have a job offer?

This is what I don't understand. You are outside a lot in nice weather, apart from the very hot months which makes it impossible. You pay huge amounts for school, rent and probably food.

What is the draw? There is no history that your will be seeing, just as you say eye wateringly expensive. Really, do you love that?

I don't have school age kids. We rent a 2 bed apartment in a premium area and own 2 cars. However, VAT is only 5%, there is no income tax, I can fill my car up for £10, we don't eat out more than once a week and when we do we use 2 for 1 offers, we buy groceries in Carrefour not Waitrose or M&S and I will always have an eye for a bargain. We are saving more than we ever dreamed possible and aim to stay here (both working) until I am 60 which makes DH nearly 64, if we can.