Myths about Dubai's lifestyles
Many misconceptions about life in Dubai can skew your perception. High rent, pet restrictions, and mandatory Arabic education for children are just a few of the common myths. Let’s dispel these false beliefs and uncover the truth.
Muth 1. It's very high rent in Dubai
This just isn’t true. There are many types of accommodation options, including both expensive and budget. It all depends on your personal preferences, financial abilities, the type and size of the property, the location, and the amenities available at the complex.
Let’s consider a family with one child and a monthly income of approximately AED 15,000 (USD 4,000). If they aim to spend around AED 3,600 (USD 1,000) per month on housing and prefer a 2-bedroom apartment in a neighborhood with good amenities like schools, kindergartens, parks, and shops, they could potentially find suitable options in the following areas:
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Neighbourhood
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Average yearly rental price for 2-bedroom apartments as of July 2023
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|---|---|
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Al Muhaisnah
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AED 39K (USD 10.6K)
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Al Qusais
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AED 43K (USD 11.7K)
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Al Warsan
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AED 46K (USD 12.5K)
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Al Quoz
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AED 50K (USD 13.6K)
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Dubai South
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AED 55K (USD 14.9K)
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Let’s calculate monthly expenses, if a family earns 15,000 UAE Dirhams (4,000 US Dollars) per month. After budgeting 3,600 UAE Dirhams (1,000 US Dollars) for housing, they have approximately 11,000 UAE Dirhams (3,000 US Dollars) remaining for other monthly expenses. this amount can cover costs such as groceries, clothing, entertainment, tuition fees, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses With careful planning.
Dubai’s rental market provides more affordable options for 2-bedroom apartments than many other major cities. To illustrate, here’s a comparison of yearly rental prices as of July 2023:
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Dubai
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AED 46K (USD 12.5K)
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|---|---|
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Sydney
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AED 132K (USD 36K)
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London
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AED 235K (USD 54K)
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Hong Kong
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AED 290K (USD 79K)
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Niseko
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AED 304K (USD 83K)
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Myth 2. To get a work visa, you must be working in a Dubai company.
This isn’t mandatory, In addition to employer-sponsored work visas, foreign nationals can obtain a Green Visa. This visa category is available to freelancers, students, investors, and self-employed individuals.
A Green Visa is valid for five years and grants the following privileges:
- to live, study, work, open a bank account, and avail of other services in the UAE
- to sponsor parents, sons who are under 25 years of age, and unmarried daughters of any age
- to circumvent the need for a local sponsor or employer
Note: To understand the Green Visa program better, its eligibility criteria, and learn how to apply for it.
Myth 3. Pet owners face limited housing options.
Although not all areas of Dubai allow pets, many communities welcome furry companions. If you’re moving to Dubai with your pet, consider these areas:
- Jumeirah Village Circle;
- Dubai Hills Estate;
- Downtown Dubai;
- Jumeirah Lake Towers;
- Dubai Sports Cit
These neighborhoods offer a range of pet-friendly amenities, including parks for walks, veterinary clinics, pharmacies, pet shops, grooming salons, and pet-friendly establishments.
Note: Need help finding the best pet-friendly Communities? We can assist.
Myth 4. Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
A single person in Dubai can expect to spend approximately AED 3,600 (USD 1,000) per month on essential living expenses such as food, transportation, utilities, and entertainment. This estimate is based on data from Numbeo and does not include housing costs.
To estimate the cost of living for a household of three—two adults and one child—we must account for fundamental expenses including groceries, transportation, utilities, education fees, and clothing.
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A single shopping cart of milk, bread, a 12 count carton of eggs, 2.2lbs of meat, 2.2lbs of potatoes, 2.2lbs of rice, 1.5 litres of water, and 2.2 lbs of apples
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AED 84.4 (USD 23)
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|---|---|
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Public transport – monthly pass
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AED 319.5 (USD 87)
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1 litre of gas
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AED 3 (USD 0.86)
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Utility costs – electricity, heating, cooling,
water, and garbage disposal – for a 915-sq.-ft apartment
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AED 697 (USD 190)
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Gym membership – monthly pass
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AED 260 (USD 71)
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Yearly tuition fees for one child at an international school
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AED 46.2K (USD 12.6K)
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Clothes and shoes from mass-market retailers
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AED 778.6 (USD 212)
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A three-person family can comfortably live on a monthly budget of around AED 8,600 (USD 2,300), excluding housing costs.
Myth 5. Arabic language proficiency is mandatory for enrollment.
Dubai offers a wide array of international schools. Instruction is provided in several languages, depending on the school and curriculum.
You can choose from various education systems, including European, British, and American.
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School
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Education System
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Teaching Language
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|---|---|---|
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German International School Shrjah
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German
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English and German
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Dubai British School
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British
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English
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Al Mizhar American Academy
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American
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English
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Russian International School
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Russian
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English and Russian
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Our Own High School, Al Warqa
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Indian
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English
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