In a recent blog on networking with billionaires, I mentioned a mate who was thinking of moving to Dubai, and he had some reservations. Would it be right for him, would he be too much of a small fish in such a massive pond, would he get ahead and make it all a success? I moved to Dubai in December 2020 – a Covid refugee! I always feel like I am an advocate speaker for Dubai as I love living here so much and think the benefits for both business and lifestyle are enormous – so obviously I told a friend that he shouldn’t even hesitate and should immediately make the move! But it did get me thinking – what exactly are the benefits of a move to Dubai? How would I write it down formally for someone who needed to consider the decision? Well, here it is – my Top 21 reasons to make the move to Dubai!
1 Amazing job opportunities
A lot of really big global corporations have chosen to have a significant presence in Dubai. That means there are plenty of amazing job opportunities – as well as Dubai also attracts major investment opportunities from businesses all over the world, so there is a thriving variety of exciting and rewarding employment opportunities – from real estate and banking to hospitality and retail, marketing and financial services.
2 There’s no income tax
A big plus for any entrepreneur, and it’s a mastermind strategy. All the income you earn in Dubai is tax-free. Yep. So, your entire annual income is yours, with no tax deductions. This makes Dubai one of the best destinations for anyone looking to make a mark, grow and thrive – quite simply, in Dubai, your earning potential is much greater.
3 People speak English
Of course, Arabic is the official language, but when it comes to doing business, English is very widely spoken in Dubai. From signs and menus to proposals and documents – you’ll see English everywhere. You can find your way about and do business without the need to learn a new language or get everything translated.
4 It’s less restrictive than you’d think
Because Islam is the official religion in Dubai, people often think it’s intolerant or unwelcoming. Of course, there are some rules that you’ll have to respect, but the Emirate is keen to attract the best people to Dubai, so they are also tolerant of other ways of life. So, Dubai is one of the more moderate. You can enjoy the fantastic bars, clubs and restaurants in Dubai and even eat and drink during the day during Ramadan.
5 It’s a city of innovation
Dubai has undergone an incredible technological and architectural transformation, from a small port to a global hub – in just a few decades. What’s more, since 2013, the Smart Dubai initiative has transformed the city into an intelligent hub. They are becoming paperless, developing incredible AI tech, helping loads of startups get going and pushing to become the happiest city in the world!
6 It’s a very safe place to live
Alongside Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Dubai was ranked among the top ten safest cities in the world in 2020. Petty crime is very low, and you get used to seeing expensive cars left outside a shop with the keys in the ignition, or a laptop left on a table in a café. You actually get so used to it that when I go back to England I have to make a conscious shift to locking doors, not wearing a fancy watch in public and just generally taking extra care to beware of the undesirables!
7 You’ll meet people from all over the world
Now, most major cities around the world are tourist-friendly, but I have to say, Dubai’s ex-pat community is next level. An incredible 85% of people are from elsewhere – coming to make a life there, bringing expertise, energy and ideas from all over. It makes it one of the best places on the planet to network. If I look at my friendship circle, out of the 20 closest people to me there are probably 7 different nationalities – seriously multi-cultural!
8 Extraordinary architecture
Dubai is world-famous for its amazing buildings – from the iconic Burj Al Arab to the phenomenal Burj Khalifa that stretches half a mile into the sky. The scale is amazing. The buildings reflect the optimism and strength of the economy – may be living among these extraordinary towering towers helps people look up and dream big! I have lived in Dubai for over 2 years now and I can honestly say that it never gets boring to see these sights – I am still wowed every time I go 80 floors or higher up these types of buildings!
9 There is great weather
I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of the cold and wet! Dubai suits me down to the ground with perfect weather most of the year. Not a cloud in the sky, with long, warm days that are just perfect to enjoy the clean beaches, and stunning pools, and sitting outside in the evening – not bad! Ok, it gets super hot in the summer – but there is plenty of air conditioning!
10 Good education
The educational standards for international schools in Dubai are really high and most of them offer the British education system, with the National Curriculum of England taught in the primary schools and IGCSE and A-Level qualifications offered at the senior level. Of course, if you are not a citizen, you’ll need to pay for education, but the quality is world-class!
11 A vibrant social life
One of the things I enjoy is the varied and vibrant social life here in Dubai. The people are diverse and the range and quality of things to do are exceptional. It’s easy to join a private beach club and then enjoy everything they have to offer. This, in hand, brings about some great networking opportunities. You can look to show off your skills (I do this as an expert business consultant) and meet potential new clients, investors or business partners. There are sports clubs, clubs, bars and restaurants with a huge choice of cuisines – it’ll take a lifetime to try them all!
12 You can drink alcohol
Yes. You can consume, store, or transport alcohol in Dubai, you’ll just need to get an alcohol licence even if you’re drinking at home or at a friend’s place.
All you need for a licence is your passport, a visa, a passport photograph, and an Emirates ID. But a word to the wise – even if you do have a licence to drink in Dubai, if you’re caught drunk in a public setting, you could land yourself a hefty fine, or even jail time!
13 They have robot camel jockeys!
OK, a bit random, but it is typical of the Dubai attitude! Camel racing is as popular in Dubai as football is in the UK. But because the camels are actually quite small, even a fairly short adult would be far too big, and the camels would be unable to race. The solution – they have developed tiny robot jockeys who ride the camels, steer and encourage them. These robots can cost anything between $300 and $10,000! That’s innovation as a solution!
14 It’s a natural paradise
While people will tell you about all the man-made wonders in Dubai – the world’s tallest building, islands shaped like palm trees, the Dubai Frame etc. nature is often overlooked. There are actually 320 species of birds that cross Dubai on their migrations in spring and autumn, so you might be lucky to spot all kinds of winged wildlife from eagles to broad-billed sandpipers!
I love a good hike and there are some incredible places to visit. I recently went to a place called Hatta which was a 90-minute drive away. We hiked, rode bikes, went on canoes in an incredible dam and then slept the night in a fancy caravan with a BBQ! Some of my negative mates back in the UK like to hate on Dubai and say ‘well there is no Yorkshire countryside there.’ Of course, there if no f*&^ing Yorkshire countryside!! But Dubai has plenty of its own beautiful, natural sites to visit.
15 Brunch is a must every weekend
Part of the laid-back atmosphere and a favourite for locals and visitors alike, this tradition has transformed brunch into quite a boozy banquet. There are plenty of all-inclusive feasts on offer – with an emphasis on pure indulgence. It’s not just leisure time too, plenty of business can be done over a smashed avocado, a flat white or a buck’s fizz!
And if you are looking for something for the whole family, brunches aren’t just parties for adults! I have been to some great child-friendly ones too – including a killer brunch with Father Christmas last December!
16 Low transport costs
The cost of operating a car in Dubai is low thanks to the incredibly cheap price of petrol. Taxi fares are also cheap, and the government is also making a major investment in improving public transportation.
17 …and that public transport is pristine
Take your pick. You’ve got the Metro, buses, taxis, water taxis, trams, ferries – you name it! Everyone uses the Metro – it’s clean and efficient, and under a pound for any journey. Taxis are super cheap, and you can also use Uber and Careem to get a car anywhere.
18 It is very female-friendly
Dubai is a safe city for everyone, but there are also various women-only facilities dotted around Dubai, including separate Metro carriages and ladies’ taxis. Some beaches hold female-only days, too. So, women can easily find their own space and feel even safer.
In nearly 3 years of living in Dubai, I have not once seen anything to back up the claims made about being made about women being disrespected here. All the ones I see are having the time of their lives!
19 Finally – a weekend!
Until the beginning of 2022, the working week in Dubai had been a little different, starting on a Sunday and ending on Thursday – because in Islam, Friday is a holy day so that’s when the weekend starts. However, since the beginning of 2022, the whole country now works Monday to Friday – with Saturday and Sunday off. They have done this so that the economy lines up with global markets and western schedules – and you get a proper weekend!
20 It’s the perfect global location
Every year, Dubai gets more and more accessible. The international airport connects you to most major destinations in the world, and because the Emirates is a popular layover destination for international flights from Europe to Asia and Australia, it is a hub for business as well as tourists. You can be back in the UK in just seven hours on a direct flight. (btw if you have never flown Emirates you have to try it! My favourite airline in the world!)
21 High calibre population and opportunities galore
One of the biggest attractions to life in Dubai for me is the quality of people I get to meet every day that I add to my network. Dubai has a population of just over 3 million – but it has over 52,000 millionaires and billionaires living and working here. This high concentration of wealth means you can move in the right circles, meet some incredible people and do some really great business. Aside from the people that live here, as Dubai is such a popular hub and holiday destination there are always people passing through too. The hardest thing for me is finding the time to be a business introducer & fit in meeting all these people!
There you have it – 21 reasons to make the move to Dubai now! I could have probably given 21 more reasons too as I couldn’t advocate more for life over here. Opportunity, safety, cleanliness, a hungry attitude, sun and some of the best-looking girls (and guys!) in the world. If you are thinking about a new life, whatever career path you are thinking of following, make sure Dubai is at the top of your list and get in touch if you’d like to learn more from me.
