22 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO DUBAI!

Hello my lovely people,

I hope this gives you more insight into Dubai! There were some other things that I forgot to mention but maybe I'll do a part 2 at another stage. Ultimately, there is no perfect place. Dubai is close to perfect but not quite there yet.

And please don't get me wrong: I LOVE it here!

TIMESTAMPS:
0:39- Not all luxurious
1:34- Cost of living is high
2:14- Chlorine
2:59- Public transport
3:33- Cars
3:59- Service, service, service
4:37- Capitalism
5:59- African/ Caribbean products
7:15- City life
7:40- Video calls
8:18- Friday finish
8:39- People watching
9:19- Stay indoors
9:27- Roads
10:53- Laws and regulation
11:45- Disney+ and Netflix
12:11- Healthcare
12:21- Money protection
13:10- Prayers
13:41- Alcohol
14:05- Pork
14:27- Race and roles

all socials: @tobes_x

[damilolaalamu]

Can you do a video on how you moved to Dubai or how to get a job in Dubai if you are from Europe?

[LikeAGentlemanPlease]

I’ve been looking for someone tell an honest story about Dubai. You got a new subscriber.

[unknownfem]

The reason why they close at 12:00 on Fridays is so that people can pray. The reason for them possibly not closing the malls and food places is there could be foreigners working in those places. Its disrespectful for you to call it stupid.

[FS-wlxs]

Finally a real and honest video on living in dubai. I've been here for 8 years and take it for what it is but have noticed a lot of videos popping up on what to expect living in dubai and they're generally only showing a tiny positive side to it. This is 100% accurate, You've covered so much on the reality. The negatives aren't necessarily bad, you get used to a lot of it, but it can be very different to what people expect

[shivangi]

For those wondering...Friday is Sabbath for those who follow Islam. Same as Christians with Sabbath on Sunday.

Thought this was common knowledge but if you stay in an Islamic nation, Fridays and the month of Ramadan are going to be a time for prayer. Expect businesses to slow down.

[fozzy]

I lived in Dubai for nearly four years from 2010 and absolutely loved it, it is an extremely safe country with loads to do.
Dubai is all about making money, embracing the capitalist system and enjoying life's pleasures, if you don't like or respect this just don't move there.

You can make a lot of money in Dubai but you can also very easily fall into the trap of spending a lot of money and end up leaving the country next to broke, I know a lot of people that this happened to as they spent all their money over a bar, flashy cars and a fancy apartment, do not fall into this trap, their is no need to.

The three most expensive or key things financially you need to be careful and budget on are your accommodation, your car, and buying alcohol, partying and going to restaurants.

Buying food in supermarkets and general services like dry-cleaning and food deliveries are actually very fairly priced compared to London in my experience.

My best advice is to spend the most of your budget on a nice place to live that suits your needs with good facilities but don't go overboard, the same with a car don't go crazy, just get what you need, set a budget for everything that's comfortable for your self and leaves enough from your earning to enjoy yourself and to save.

Go easy on the night life and the glamorous outings, after being in Dubai for a while you will get multiple invites to events and nights out every day from work colleagues and people you meet and it is very easy to get sucked in, do not do this (unless this is what your here for), budget, be comfortable and have fun.

I earnt a lot of money as a salesman selling investment property in Dubai, but after my first year I only had a few thousand Dirham's in my pocket and was waiting for my next commission check, I was probably spending 20-50k Dirham a month on going out, it was crazy.
Luckily my two senior bosses briefed me up on a few things and I reigned it in, I lived very comfortably and still had a lot of fun but budgeted, so when I left Dubai to come back home for family reasons I bought a home for cash and had plenty to start the next stage of my life with.

Dubai is a great place to live and work, if your thinking of going just do it, when I first went all my family and friends was against it but after 6 months of being their all were shocked in a good way or jealous of the life I had, it was amongst the best years of my life, and the way my country is going at the moment I'm likely to move back in a few years.

But whatever you do, especially if you earn good money, be careful about being pulled into the party life 24/7 and spending lots of money plastic and irrelevant stuff.

Little tip on restaurants, that are good and well priced, look where the taxi drivers, workers go to eat, these restaurants may not be all the glitz's but the food is often amazing and very well priced.

I could talk all day about Dubai, but my advice is to just go, and if you earn good money don't be an idiot and waist all your money.

[dday]

The 12 noon closure on Fridays is due to observants of Jumah prayer (equivalent to Sunday worship for Christians) which starts at 1p.

[baijuthomas]

Only a Londoner could send this message with a reality check. Was skeptical before i hit the video, glad i watched this .Thanks.

[Dezwrr]

This video has been a plethora of help. Me and The Wife are considering countries to move to, and Dubai is one of them.

[Bellolamb]

Lived in Dubai for just over 3 years. Left in 2017 because I was done with the caste system and absolute facade of it being a world city. I completely agree with what you saying here - the PR on dubai is luxury everything. But it was all too common to see posh hotels/apartments right next to a construction sites with the poorest of the poor working in the scorching heat. I don’t get how people are indifferent to it. I also felt that the service industry was bordering servitude. For anyone planning to live there, you’ll always be ranked based on your race and passport. I had some amazing times there so don’t want to end off on a bitter note! But it definitely had its expiry date for me.

[Mari_]

*takes note* this is actually really insightful! Thank you ☺️

[ioriginale]

When I lived there in 2020-2021 I looked up where to find black hair products on Instagram and within an hour I was in Deira picking up black hair products at a shop near the Gold Souk to wash and style my 4C natural hair. It was definitely much less selection but your staple brands were there - Shea moisture, African Pride, Creme of Nature etc. And yes I took the train. As a New Yorker I still cannot drive, therefore I do not have a license and the only times I wish I had a car was when I had to travel far distances - basically into Deira to find obscure or cheaper products. For alcohol you can hitch a ride from a friend and stock up in Arjan emirate, where the prices are the same as America.

[josetshim]

Thank you for the insight! I am considering moving to dubai mainly for financial reasons, I live in Belgium and taxes are overwhelming almost 60% of all my earnings...

[drfaithabraham]

Thank you for sharing this. People always rant and rave about how great it is but this is real life and in real life we know that everything is not a bed of roses

[sandyla]

Not all arabs are living their best lives, or at least not anymore. I'm an English teacher, and I always get rejected for being arab, not a native. Although, at my current workplace, i get praise for my proficiency and good techniques. Also, natives get paid higher than everyone and have plenty of benefits.
So basically, your salary is decided based on your passport, not just in teaching, but in general.

[wanjawandia]

I’ve been thinking about moving to the UAE for a while now. This video is so informative. Thank you.

[nehax]

Omg, I’ve been taking NOTES from this video! Thank you soo much!

[rozhanix]

First, thank you for being honest and second, i love your makeup 🥺 so

[danniinthedesert]

I agree with a lot of this and I’m a fellow Brit. Just a few things:
Dubai was very much Dubai 7 years ago 😂 20 years was different. I moved there 2013.
I’m not sure what you mean about cafe culture? If you go to Jumeriah etc. The locals hang out a lot in cafes.
Also you do still need a license in Dubai to drink at home, the change was that you no longer need it to drink in bars. Abu Dhabi got rid of the license completely but Dubai you still need it to buy & consume alcohol in your home.
WhatsApp is banned cause terrorists were using it to communicate using encryption.

[adrianjoseph]

That was spot-on!
Having lived here long enough, i can attest to this as very insightful for many.. 👌🏾