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Moved to Dubai with two DC - 18 months in, here's what nobody told me

36 replies

daryaddnkv · 09/09/2026 13:22

Posting this because I read a hundred threads before we went and most were either "it's paradise" or "it's a soulless mall". Reality is somewhere in the middle and much more boring.

The bit people underestimate: school fees. Nursery through secondary, you're paying, and the good ones have waiting lists. We put deposits down before we had a flat. Budget for it properly, then add 10% for uniform, trips, bus.

Summer is genuinely hard. June to September you move between air-conditioned boxes and the DC get cabin fever. Most families we know go back to the UK for six weeks. Factor those flights in.

Housing: rent is usually paid in one to four cheques upfront, so you need a chunk of cash on arrival. Communities with shaded parks and a pool are worth more than square metres, we learned that the expensive way.

The good bits are real too. DH's commute is 20 minutes. The DC cycle to their friends' houses. No one blinks at a baby in a restaurant at 8pm. Healthcare is fast if your insurance is decent, so read the policy properly.

OP posts:
comeoncolleen · 09/09/2026 17:26

RamALamADingDong2 · 09/09/2026 16:10

Is the financial side worth it though? And is your plan to stay, or to earn, save and eventually return? (If you don't mind me asking!)

AI probably doesn't mind you asking. None of the questions have been answered so far.

MinPinSins · 09/09/2026 17:55

That is a bizarre list of pros, as literally every one applies to the UK. No one blinks an eye at a baby in a restaurant at 8pm, many people have 20 minute or shorter commutes (partner and I WFH), my estate is full of kids biking around, and good private health insurance gets you quick treatment.

What's a Dubai specific pro?

OctopusFriend · 09/09/2026 18:16

MinPinSins · 09/09/2026 17:55

That is a bizarre list of pros, as literally every one applies to the UK. No one blinks an eye at a baby in a restaurant at 8pm, many people have 20 minute or shorter commutes (partner and I WFH), my estate is full of kids biking around, and good private health insurance gets you quick treatment.

What's a Dubai specific pro?

Very true, and I'm even going to say that we get good healthcare from our local GP Practice!
Bizarre list, as you say.

ZeroSocialBatteryLeft · 09/09/2026 18:24

So the good bits are just like the good bits as other countries then.

And in other countries you have freedom of speech about the bad bits.

OctopusFriend · 09/09/2026 18:39

ZeroSocialBatteryLeft · 09/09/2026 18:24

So the good bits are just like the good bits as other countries then.

And in other countries you have freedom of speech about the bad bits.

Absolutely 💯

Cotopaxi · 09/09/2026 19:04

I understand that other people have different likes and dislikes, but nothing on Earth would persuade me to live there, or any other really hot country come to that. I'd miss the British countryside for one thing, and after the sweltering summer we've had I am enjoying early autumn like I have never done before.

GoldTie · 09/09/2026 20:29

Selkin · 09/09/2026 14:43

AI Slop written with Claude Sonnet 5.

‘The bit’ ‘genuinely’ ‘real’

I use Claude a lot. Useful, but ugh, the writing style.

BunkBedsArePeopleShelves · 10/09/2026 11:23

Cotopaxi · 09/09/2026 19:04

I understand that other people have different likes and dislikes, but nothing on Earth would persuade me to live there, or any other really hot country come to that. I'd miss the British countryside for one thing, and after the sweltering summer we've had I am enjoying early autumn like I have never done before.

I guess so. For example I like human rights and I dislike modern day state sanctioned slavery.

Those who live in Dubai are vice versa. Takes all sorts, hey? 🤨🤨🤨

OctopusFriend · 10/09/2026 13:22

BunkBedsArePeopleShelves · 10/09/2026 11:23

I guess so. For example I like human rights and I dislike modern day state sanctioned slavery.

Those who live in Dubai are vice versa. Takes all sorts, hey? 🤨🤨🤨

Yes, indeed!

CorporalJohn · 12/09/2026 09:31

Doesn't alter the fact that it's still on the fringes of a war-zone does it!

wisbech · 12/09/2026 10:59

LOL. Kids can cycle to their friends' houses, despite the heat/ humidity and horrendous traffic? Maybe if their friend lives in the same compound. But what if you are in Barsha, and the friend is in JVC?

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