If you’ve been on the lookout for a new home abroad, Dubai must have been on your radar. After all, that’s most likely the reason you landed on this post.
Dubai, and the rest of the emirates in the UAE, has one of the fastest and easiest ways for people to migrate. Where many countries require countless days and documents, the UAE’s embracement of tech to reduce administrative delays means you can get your residency in mere days once you’ve applied.
That and the 10 other reasons I’m about to tell you should be compelling enough to consider moving to Dubai in 2023.
Oh, and if you didn’t know, Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It’s a surprisingly little-known fact that Dubai itself is not a country. It’s like a state. The other six emirates in the UAE are Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, and Ajman.
So everything that I say about Dubai also applies to the rest of the emirates.
Let’s dive into 10 reasons why you should consider moving to Dubai in 2023.
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1. No personal income tax
I have never met anyone, neither in-person nor online, who likes to pay taxes. I mean, yeah, taxes are important, but if you look at how your tax money is spent, you’re bound to be disappointed. Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could live somewhere where you pay absolutely zero taxes?
Perhaps the most well-known fact about Dubai, and the UAE in general, is that there are no personal taxes here. Residents may say that you do pay a “Dubai” tax thanks to the moderately higher cost of living. But at least you’re paying for a better quality of life!
So if you come to Dubai and get a job here, you pay absolutely no personal income tax. The same is true for remote workers as well. This alone is the biggest motivator for people around the world to set up camp in Dubai and other emirates of the UAE.
Make sure to consult your tax advisers, though, as you could be liable for paying income taxes in your home country if you’re remitting your earnings back home.
2. Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world
Something that often doesn’t get mentioned enough is the ultimate safety and security everyone enjoys in the UAE. The crime rate is exceptionally low in the UAE, making it one of the best countries to live in.
Petty crimes like theft do occur rarely in very few areas of the country, but it’s negligible to the point that if you exercise common sense, you’ll never be a victim.
And yeah, don’t listen to those social media influencers showing how you can just leave your belongings in the car with the key inside. They are doing that in the upscale areas of Dubai under the watchful eyes of a million security cameras and staff.
I’m not saying your stuff will be stolen if you’re in other areas of the country, but common sense should prevail.
3. Sunny, warm climate all year round
This one is not my personal favorite, but I know it attracts millions to this warm country in the middle east!
If you’re tired of the gloomy, wet, and freezing climate in your home country — yes, I’m looking at you folks from the UK and Canada — you’ll love the warm climate of Dubai and the rest of UAE.
With bright, sunny weather all year round, you’ll be looking forward to waking up every day and venturing out.
Although the temperature gets unbearable during the summer months between June and September, the fact that nearly everything — from bus stations to the littlest of shops — is air-conditioned means you’ll never have to sweat if you get a car.
And during winter months, it gets chilly at night, especially if you venture out in the desert, but it’s never freezing. Just a few layers of clothing, and you’ll be enjoying winter in no time!
Who has ever enjoyed winter in Canada?
4. The UAE has a strong economy
We don’t realize it, but a strong economy can lead to a better lifestyle, and you just need to look at the quality of life in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
The UAE is home to numerous multinational companies, and Dubai is a bustling global hub and a popular tourist destination, contributing to the country’s robust economy.
The Arab Emirate Dirham, or AED for short, is the local currency in the UAE. It’s pegged to the US Dollar, which means if you are saving or investing in the country, you aren’t as affected by currency fluctuation as some of the other currencies in the world.
5. One of the best infrastructures in the world
It applies to all of UAE, but Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, have one of the world’s best infrastructures.
The roads and highways are extremely well-maintained, and road signs and markings are always in top-notch condition. Ample public transportation in the city, with an extensive network of metro, buses, and trams, will allow you to move anywhere with ease. Not to mention all transportation is fully air-conditioned, so you will be comfortable while commuting.
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and home-grown service ‘Careem’ are readily available everywhere.
And if you like to drive, the entirety of the UAE is open to you with sufficient parking spaces. Excellent road conditions mean driving in the UAE is a pleasure, although you will see some congestion in major cities during peak hours.
Going to a mall for shopping and don’t feel like parking yourself? Valet parking is available in nearly all shopping malls across the whole country.
The UAE’s convenient location in the world means you can fly out nearly anywhere in the world from Abu Dhabi or Dubai International Airport. Direct flights to many of the world’s largest cities are available via Emirates and Etihad, two of the world’s leading airlines.
That’s not all; the country is a step ahead of many other first-world nations when it comes to embracing technology. Many services are available through the web and apps. From obtaining your residency card, called the Emirates ID, to paying your bills, getting your driving license, and registering a car in your name, nearly everything can be done online using the relevant apps and websites.
Don’t get me started on the benefits of having a credit card. Almost every bank and business has its own reward system. So if you pay attention to these when spending, you could get a ton of benefits in the form of cashback, discounts, and even gifts!
If there’s one thing that desperately needs improvement, it’s the customer service. As many residents frequently complain on social media, customer service in many places — like banks and mobile phone operators — leaves a lot to be desired.
It’s not all 100% perfect, as any resident will tell you, but the infrastructure is excellent enough that you’ll really feel like stepping into the future.
Take this experience as an example. I have yet to use my bank card anywhere in the UAE. Apple Pay is so universally accepted that all you need to pay anywhere is your iPhone (or Android for Google Pay). And you know you aren’t going anywhere without your phone anyway!
6. The most diverse and expat-friendly population in the world
You may be noticing a pattern here. I’m using too many superlatives with ‘the best/most in the world.’ Although many of them may not be technically accurate, they are true in some sense!
Dubai welcomes people from literally all over the world. Its destination as a global hub means people not only visit Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates with a fully planned vacation, but sometimes, they land in Dubai or Abu Dhabi airport and get out to collect some unforgettable memories.
This means if you take a stroll through Dubai Marina’s beautiful promenade or enjoy some seascapes in any of the country’s stunning Corniches, you’ll not only meet locals but also people from literally all over the world.
Of course, it’s not just tourists.
Did you know that an astonishing ~89% of the residents in the UAE are expats? Yes, only about 11% of the 10.1 million people living in the UAE are local. The rest hailed from different parts of the world. (Source)
This makes the UAE one of the best (here we go again!) places for expats. Many of the country’s facilities are designed with the expat population in mind.
For example, English is widely spoken, and all official websites, announcements, and signage have an English version.
So you won’t even have to learn Arabic to go about your daily life here in the UAE. But if you learn the language even a little bit, it’ll be appreciated by the locals.
This exposure to such a diverse population means you’ll be engaged in a rich mixture of culture, tradition, and people with different backgrounds.
Not a bad deal to spend the best years of your life in, right?
7. Plenty of things to do for an exciting lifestyle
Is your city boring? Do your mind and body hunger for a lot of activities and a life of excitement?
Dubai has you covered.
In fact, this is one area Dubai is best known for. The endless stream of activities.
It’s impossible to list the many things you can do in Dubai and the other emirates without turning this post into a book. But suffice it to say that you can spend your time in thrilling activities like theme park rides, water rides, skydiving, and parasailing.
Head out for a desert adventure by partaking in many of the ‘desert safaris’ if you fancy. Enjoy a memorable desert sunset after some thrilling dune bashing in a 4×4 or driving an ATV or camel-riding in the desert. Watch some belly-dancing in a true Arabian-style tenting, followed by a romantic dinner and overnight camping.
You can also head in the opposite direction — out into the sea! Plenty of cruises are available. Rent yachts of different sizes or get yourself a captain’s license if you fancy manning a boat on your own.
Explore the iconic landmarks across the country like Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, etc.
Your wallet’s never too heavy for Dubai. If you fancy shopping, head over to Dubai Mall, and experience your bank account shrink faster than the speed of light.
You see, many of these sound like touristy things, and don’t get me wrong, they are. But living in Dubai doesn’t stop you from enjoying an exciting life of activities.
You don’t have to do all this just because you live in Dubai. But it’s cool that you can….because you’re in Dubai!
8. Dubai is a great place to raise a family
All that glitter and glamor and the promise of a thrilling and exciting life may give you the idea that Dubai or the UAE is just a place for a memorable vacation. But that’s not the case. Due to the country’s religious values, Dubai, and all other emirates, is actually a great place to raise a family.
With plenty of schools offering curriculums the same as in your home country, and plenty of family-friendly activities, including many catered for the young ones, you can raise kids here and give them a safe and sunny childhood.
All of the above — the best infrastructure, higher quality of life, safety and security, and the country’s family values — makes for an incredible home away from home that your children will thank you for.
9. Start your next business in the UAE
Have a business idea and need a global hub to connect with other entrepreneurs and customers? The UAE is one of the best places to start a business.
Even if you’re building digital products and services that will serve customers around the world, the UAE’s welcoming infrastructure, coupled with incredibly low tax rules (you don’t pay corporate taxes until your business reaches a reasonably high amount of profit), should make it the first choice for setting up your business.
Free zones across the country allow you to set up businesses under specific government authorities, which can help you with a lot of resources — including hiring should you need it — and obtain residency so you can live here and manage everything by yourself. In fact, setting up a business is one of the fastest ways to get a UAE residency.
Did you know that companies can be 100% foreign-owned? You don’t have to hire locally if you are starting up small but do keep in mind that the recent Emiratisation rule requires hiring locally if your company reaches a certain headcount.
10. Dubai is a city of opportunity
Whether you’re looking to start a business or join one of the many multinational companies hiring people in Dubai and the UAE, it should be evident now that Dubai is a city where your dreams can come true.
The city makes huge promises, and with the right mix of networking, skills, and a little bit of luck, moving to Dubai can be a life-changing experience for you.
However, if there’s one thing that I’d suggest before you make your move to Dubai, it’s this:
Make sure to secure a job first.
Unfortunately, it’s a terrible idea to move to Dubai without having a job offer in hand. If you don’t have a stream of income, you could chew through your savings in no time.
Although plenty of opportunities exist, Dubai being a global hub means there exists an endless supply of talent. That makes it quite difficult to get your foot in the door.
So if you’re planning to get employed in Dubai, make sure to secure a position first before you book that ticket!