Every year, tens of thousands of people move to Dubai. But why are so many people emigrating to the city? What makes this desert oasis so fiendishly popular?
In this post, we find out. We take a look at some of the reasons why professionals and their families are upping sticks and leaving their native countries. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s Sunny Almost Every Day Of The Year
If you’re tired of living in cloudy temperate regions and want more sun, then Dubai is the place to get it. Meteorologists estimate that it gets more than 340 days of sunshine per year, meaning that the weather is almost always perfect.
What’s more, you can actually enjoy it, unlike many other major cities. Dubai authorities invested considerable sums of money into making beautifully landscaped areas around their cities, allowing you to take a stroll, enjoy the beach, or even go to the park.
During the summer months, temperatures soar to over 40°C. But it’s a dry heat, meaning that your body can stay cool by sweating. If you get too hot, then there are plenty of air-conditioned buildings to cool off nearby.
It Has A Stable Economy
Oil states typically have turbulent economies. But that’s no longer the case with Dubai. The city has invested in diversifying its economy significantly over the last twenty years and today, it is virtually unrecognizable. Like other modern cities, it hosts a vast array of industries, each of which contributes to the stability of the entire system. Even if oil prices fall, it doesn’t affect the city all that much anymore.
It Offers Some Of The Best Malls On The Planet
In hot cities, shopping is a great way to get out of the heat and enjoy some home comforts. Most have massive air-conditioned malls full of modern brands.
Dubai takes this concept to the next level. It is unlikely that you will ever see more impressive malls in your life. Shopping occurs across multiple floors, with both local, regional and international brands present for you to peruse. Just be prepared to pay a lot of money. Prices aren’t cheap.
It Has Low Gas Prices
With fuel costs going up across the world, cities with low gas prices are rare. But in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, it’s a reality. The authorities do everything they can to keep gas prices lower than in other places across the world.
Part of the reason for this is the low gas taxes. Consumers aren’t paying at the pump for government policy.
Another reason is local oil production. UAE doesn’t need to incur costs shipping oil to markets around the world. It just produces it locally.
It Offers Accommodation For All Budgets
If you go on a site like Zoom Property and search for properties in Dubai, you’ll notice that you have a lot of choices. While high-end penthouses dominate the headlines, they are not the only properties available in the country. There are many others.
If you want a low-budget option, you can find one here. There are plenty of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments available. What’s more, practically all of them have been built since 2000, meaning that you always get property built to modern living and accommodation standards.
It Has Great Education
Families often move to Dubai for work. There are many opportunities in the city, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Expatriates from English-speaking Western countries take their kids with them so that they can have a life together.
Fortunately, Dubai invests heavily in anglicized educational curricula. There are numerous opportunities for children to learn more about the world around them and get a world-class education. Many locally educated kids graduate from high school and then go to the UK and US for higher studies before starting their careers.
It’s Easy To Get A Visa
Some countries make it difficult to get a work visa. You have to fulfill a whole host of requirements before they will let you in. But in Dubai, it is considerably easier. You don’t have to fulfill the same level of requirements. As long as you have a job, you can stay for up to two years before you need to renew. Plus, once you’ve been in the country for a certain length of time, you can get a passport and obtain citizenship. You can also pay your way into the country by investing large sums of money.
There Are Numerous Sporting Events
Dubai wants to make itself the center of the sporting calendar. And to do this, it is turning itself into a cultural and sporting capital. Thanks to the diversity of ex-pat cultures in the city, there are numerous sports and festivals to enjoy. Football, formula one, and tennis are all important sporting highlights in the city, giving you a chance to see some of the world’s biggest stars.
It Has Religious Freedom
Even though Dubai is a Muslim country, it permits religious freedom. There is little to no tension between Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists in the city. The authorities welcome and encourage all beliefs in an attempt to make the city as multicultural and inviting as possible.
It Offers Excellent Healthcare
Finding great healthcare in the Middle East can be challenging. But like a shining city on the hill, getting it in Dubai is rather easy. Residents reside in the knowledge that if they do get sick, help is always available. They don’t have to travel further afield to get it.
There Are Some Wonderful Dining Experiences
Many of the world’s top restaurants and chefs want to set themselves up in Dubai and cater to the city’s elite residents. There’s tremendous competition to produce the most delicious and experimental food. And that means there’s always something new to try on the menu.
You will find plenty of Michelin-starred establishments in the city. And you will discover examples of food culture from all over the world, prepared in many cases with fresh, local ingredients.