The real expat life in Dubai: Beyond the glitz

Dubai away from stereotypes

Dubai is the showcase of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cosmopolitan city, a hub for young, dynamic talent, ambitious investors, and ingenious startups, Dubai is a city that never sleeps. It is constantly innovating, building, and expanding. Yet, this might just be one side of Dubai—the one flaunted on social media, dazzling aspiring expats. Have we been misled? While “misled” might be too strong a word, expats share their experiences of "their" Dubai, far from the clichés.

Dubai is not just for the ultra-rich

Of course, luxury cars roam the chic neighborhoods, and the gleaming malls and towering skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa turn heads. The world sees Dubai's luxurious downtown and surrounding areas. But Dubai is much more than that. Expats speak of a more mundane daily life, away from VIP events. Just a 20-minute drive away from the bustling city center, the cost of living is much more affordable. Away from the exorbitant prices of popular downtown restaurants, you can find meals for under $20, discovering local food blended with other cuisines.

Expats insist that living in Dubai without being a millionaire is possible. However, they do not deny another reality that hits directly at the wallet: the cost of living is soaring, driven by rising rent prices. In 2024, a single person is estimated to spend about 3700 AED per month (around $1000) on accommodation in Dubai. They also recognize that not all expats will share the same experience of life in Dubai. There isn't a single reality or lifestyle model for all foreigners living in Dubai.

Women can work in Dubai

This is a misconception that makes expatriate women in Dubai bristle. Yes, women work in Dubai. They even believe they have access to more opportunities than in other major countries. The government claims to work towards gender equality and highlights its good position in the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) ranking. In 2023, the Institute ranked the UAE 22nd out of 177. The UAE is just behind Germany (21st) but ahead of France (24th) and far ahead of the United States (37th). Unsurprisingly, Northern European countries top the list (Denmark is 1st, followed by Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland). Additionally, a 2020 law enshrines equal pay in the private sector. Women participate in the government; in 2015, the government created a Gender Balance Council.

Yet, between official statements and impersonal statistics, doubts persist. This is due to a still "masculine" vision of life in Dubai. Women supposedly don't have a place in the male-dominated public space. However, they testify that living in Dubai is safe, even for single women. The city is renowned for its safety.

Learning English and Arabic is important

Two contradictory ideas clash. Some foreigners believe that learning Arabic is unnecessary and that speaking English is sufficient for integration into the cosmopolitan city. Others argue that English isn't the ultimate language and that one must speak Arabic. They remind us that Arabic is the official language.

The reality is that foreigners wishing to settle permanently in a country are always encouraged to learn its language. Expats in Dubai acknowledge that it is possible to immigrate without mastering Arabic. Especially for short-term immigrants, one might not have the motivation to take classes (though mastering survival vocabulary remains essential). However, if one plans to stay in Dubai or elsewhere in the country for a long time, learning the language is advisable.

Migrant workers and immigrants in Dubai

As we discuss stereotypes about expat life in Dubai, it's important to know which foreigners we are talking about. Many articles distinguish expats from migrant workers. When Dubai hosted COP28 with great pomp in late 2023, another scandal broke out. "Migrant workers" or "immigrant workers" were working under a scorching sun while the law prohibits working during the hottest hours of the day. A report by the British NGO FairSquare published on October 20, a few weeks before COP28, revealed that workers, mostly from South Asia and Africa, had participated in the renovation of Expo City, Dubai's convention center. This incident reminds us that not all foreigners are treated equally in Dubai, as in many other cities worldwide.

For some, it's simply a financial issue. Wealthy expats have the best salaries and the lifestyle that comes with it. Others, unfortunately, don't earn enough to live comfortably. But other foreigners wonder when one becomes an expat in Dubai and when one becomes an immigrant or a migrant worker. They observe, without wanting to fall into stereotypes, that expats working on construction sites and performing tough jobs are "migrants," less regarded than others. Conversely, foreign professionals, including the middle class, are closer to the idea of expat life in Dubai.

Dubai is not the United Arab Emirates

Finally, foreigners in Dubai remind us of the basics that we too often tend to forget. Multiple articles and testimonies about Dubai are often confusing or misleading, either out of ignorance or the desire to make it simple. But starting at the beginning is essential: the United Arab Emirates is not limited to Dubai. Dubai is an emirate with a city of the same name. Dubai City is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. The UAE comprises seven emirates, namely Abu Dhabi (which also has the capital of the same name), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

When we talk about the luxury of life in Dubai, we often mean the life of the city and, more specifically, its poshest neighborhoods. The overwhelming majority of the Emirate's population lives in Dubai city. Nevertheless, Dubai is not limited to its luxury and Instagram photos. Foreigners living there want to show the other Dubai, which is far from the glitz and closer to the residents.