You've got a job offer from some Dubai based company and you are confused if your salary is good enough to support you and your family, in case you decide to shift? Are you mesmerized by the spectacular developments going on in Dubai and you are planning to tour Dubai in your vacations? Or you are interested in investing in Dubai real estate and you need to know the cost of living before you finalize your investment decision? In any of the above scenarios, you must be looking to get an idea of cost of living in Dubai. Cost of living is generally described as the cost of basic necessities of life. Let's have a look at what kind of prices you can expect for these basic necessities like residence, food, transportation and entertainment.
Food & Drink:
Dubai has got a variety of food, both in terms of cost and cuisines. Fast food chains (McDonalds, KFC, etc) are still relatively cheaper than other big cities; also the South Asian food restaurants offer quite inexpensive meals. If you are living on a limited budget then going for the locally made food items can be a wise move, instead of buying imported stuff. You don't need to worry about quality in either way. Similarly, the prices of drinks also differ; Alcohol is expensive (and available only at licensed bars and restaurants) however soft drinks are not that costly.
Shelter:
Dubai is regarded an expensive city mainly because of it's ever increasing rents and real estate prices. The chief reason behind these hikes is the demand factor. If you are visiting Dubai as a tourist, you will be spending a big part of your budget on your hotel stays. If you need to save on that, try searching for some less expensive hotels in the old city. If you are going there to work, chances are that your employer will provide you with accommodation. If not, you can share residence with someone or get a place to live in Sharjah or Ajman, which are not far away.
Transportation & Entertainment:
United Arab Emirates has got some of the largest oil reserves so oil is quite cheap in this part of the world. If you are having your personal conveyance, you'll find traveling quite easy on your pocket. Other options include bus service, metro or taxis (they can be expensive though). Dubai is not short of entertainment options either, which may seem a little bit expensive but given that they are often once in a lifetime experiences, they are well worth it.
Real estate prices & rents:
Someone coming from London or Tokyo will not find the city extremely expensive but the prices do hurt expatriates arriving from countries like Pakistan or India. Sky rocketing rents and high prices are making it hard for lower class (which mainly consists of labors) to reside in Dubai. More and more workers are now looking to settle in the neighboring estates where rents are much lower than Dubai.
Cost Of Living Dubai
I am not sure if anyone has noticed this, but Dubai has been welcoming so many foreigners to live in the country that it makes me wonder what is so great about the place. Everyone wants to live in Dubai and according to them, they want to “live a good life” there. I have been researching and found some interesting facts about Dubai. Here I present to you the top ten reasons why Dubai is definitely better than UK.
The economic opportunities in Dubai are the very first reason. It is undeniable that Dubai is the fastest growing economy, with above 15% on the previous year and the percentage is doubling every year. Billions have been in and out of the country and no wonder there are so many opportunities in Dubai for you to explore. Do you know that you don't have to pay income tax in Dubai? I didn't know until a few minutes ago. So you get to earn all you can earn in Dubai and you get to keep all of it too. There is no better reason to go and live in Dubai.
If you are a die-hard shopper, living in Dubai is living in heaven. You get to shop until you drop, literally. First of all, you must not miss the Dubai Duty Free Shops, which are the best in the world. Second, you must shop in Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival (January to February) and Dubai Summer Surprises (June to August). The living standard in Dubai is much higher than any other countries. It is possible for you to live a upper scale lifestyle and have access to high-class residences and driving the coolest cars in town.
You will never get bored in Dubai. With so many nightclubs and bars, you are sure to have more fun than you ever imagine. You'll be satisfied with the services and have a great night out every night. Dubai nights are filled with vibes and colours that will make your head spin. Another reason is that Dubai has the busiest airport in the world. There are flights coming in and out of Dubai all the time. So, accessibility is never a problem in Dubai. You can catch direct flights to almost anywhere you want to go. The best part is you can expect the air crew to speak about 8 languages or more.
You don't have to worry about education in Dubai. Most of the schools in Dubai follow the British curriculum or the American curriculum. There are other choices, such as a French school and an Australian school. Your kids are sure to get the best education in Dubai, there is no doubt about that. In Dubai, you can expect to get world-class infrastructure. Everything in Dubai is in tiptop condition, so you will have to catch up with the development if you don't want to fall behind.
For art lovers, you will never be disappointed in Dubai. Dubai is the home of all cultures. There are more than 180 different nationalities working and living in the same place, so there is sure to be more culture and art than anywhere else – not only as far as art in concerned, but music, theatre and best of all, cuisine! Dubai is also making its name in the international sports arena with excellent players in Tennis, Horse Racing and Golf. It is great entertainment for sports fans and art lovers.
The last reason why Dubai is better than UK is simply the security. Everyone wants to feel safe, and Dubai is probably the safest place on Earth. You can walk around at night without fearing that anyone might attack you. There is no doubt that once you have landed in Dubai, you feel safe just like being home. Dubai is definitely a better place than UK - and anywhere else in the world.
Both Williamking & Rakesh Gaikwad are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.