10 things I wish I knew about Dubai before moving here

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Here are 10 major facts about Dubai, UAE that I wish I had known before I moved across the globe as a young American.

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1. Dubai is unbelievably humid.

Seriously, what is wrong with the internet. Why did no one tell me? How could I not know?

When I left the US, I knew Dubai was crazy hot, but you kind of assume it's a dry heat—you know—because of the desert.

When I moved here in 2016 I landed in early September. I didn't have time to be in awe at the skyline or I was shook at how humid it was outside. It felt as though I was walking into a hot shower.

I had my taxi driver stop by a gas station so that I could take out some dirhams (UAE currency) from the ATM, and the window panes of the gas station were dripping water from all of the condensation outside.

On a recent trip in 2023, I finally experienced Dubai in mid-July… It was like living in a foggy, hot sauna. Phew.

2. Transport is affordable and effortless.

The Dubai Metro System is impeccable. There are stops almost every mile or so and they're very easy to get to. Even my school has a metro stop right in front of it, not even 1-minute walk away.

The best thing about the metro is that it costs only 3.5AED (1USD/.88EU) for each ride.

Taxis are also very cheap and have a minimum of 12AED (3.2USD/3EU) for every ride—most 5 to 10minute rides don't even end up exceeding the 12AED if you don't end up in traffic.

Taxi drivers are also some of the most friendly people I've met in Dubai. I always seem to end up in a  conversation with them of where they're from and what brought them here. There are many stories of rich visitors forgetting millions of dollars worth of jewelry and cash in taxis, and the drivers going to huge lengths to return their belongings.

3. Yes, Tinder is a thing.

Before I came here I always heard how restrictive the UAE government was in terms of personal usage of apps, software, etc. But since being here I've really not noticed a difference in my daily life.

I cannot confirm personal usage of said meet-up app, but let's just say it works. As do other dating apps like Hinge, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid, Match, etc. (I promise I'm not using all of these Mom, LOL).

Yes, it is a Muslim country, but because there are so many expats living here at dating apps like Tinder are somewhat widely used.

Other apps that I was worried about not working, but do, include:

• Snapchat (but you can't Snapchat live video)
• Netflix (but like 3/4 of the shows aren't viewable)
• WhatsApp (but you can't WhatsApp call)
• iMessage

4. Everybody vapes.

Smoking tobacco is definitely more a part of the culture here as shisha (hookah) has been a cultural norm of the Middle East since forever.

When I first visited Dubai in 2016 I was shocked to discover that everyone smoked here… indoors! Especially in clubs and bars, people smoking shisha at every couch and countertop, and cigarettes at every hand in the bar.

I know used to come home smelling like a pack of Marlboros. Yuck.

In 2024, things have improved marginally. No more smoking indoors and cigarettes have drastically dropped in popularity. Yay!

Smoking hasn't though—it's just been replaced by vaping.

5. People really are that rich.

I'm not sure why this was so unexpected to me. Dubai is literally famous for having the most luxurious, extravagant, gaudy, people in the world.

But it's truly another thing to see it in real life.

The Lamborghinis and Audi's filling my university's parking lot… The casual yacht parties on Wednesday evenings… The apartment parties in the Burj Khalifa…

When I walked into the Mall of Emirates I looked at the stores immediately around me. When I only saw Balenciaga, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Audemars Piguet, etc. I knew I wasn't in Kansas (read: Virginia) anymore.

Of course, they do have affordable stores here. I wish I'd known that Carrefour is a popular store here—basically the Walmart of the Middle East. I wouldn't have packed my pillow and sheets with me coming here!

I usually shop at the Ibn Battuta Mall because it's also metro accessible and because the prices are better than the Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates, and they still have all my favorite stores such as Sephora, Forever 21, H&M, New Look, and New Yorker.

6. It's actually safe. Ridiculously safe. Solo traveling ladies, I promise!

This was really a surprise. I'd heard before I came here that Dubai was a very safe city because the punishment for breaking laws is so severe. Turns out that is completely true. So let me eliminate some of your biggest fears right now:

No, I never fear a terrorist attack, bombing, or kidnapping in Dubai.

No, I've never been attacked or profiled here for being Black, and American, and a 5'2″ woman.

No, I've never had anything stolen from me. I've left my Macbook, iPhone, GoPro, and wallet out in the open in restaurants and beaches and it was always there when I came back or turned into security. Seriously, every. single. time.

No, I've never felt unsafe getting into a taxi while intoxicated in the middle of the night. As I said, the taxi drivers here are closely monitored and are more importantly very kind, hardworking people.

Of course, don't go out of your way to be irresponsible. This is still the UAE and no matter how Westernized it may feel, it's in your best interest to always follow the laws and customs here.

That means try not to belligerently drunk in public, don't disturb the peace with fighting or cursing, don't dress scandalously when in public areas like the mall.

💡 Did you know that Dubai has a digital nomad visa? If you're looking for paths to move here and work remotely for yourself or a foreign (non-UAE) company, you could live here on their digital nomad visa!

7. Yes, you can drink here 🍸

I had just turned 21 a few days before my move to Dubai and one of my greatest fears was that I wouldn't be able to have a celebratory drink here. But unluckily luckily for me, there is practically a bar or club in every hotel in Dubai. And there are a lot of hotels in Dubai.

The best thing about partying here is “Ladies Night”—and the best thing about Ladies Night is that it's every night! That's right ladies, you can get around 3 free drinks a night from different venues. I use Ladies Night, Dubai to see what Ladies Night deals are happening that night.

Dubai is also famous for its brunch specials which usually happen on Fridays Brunch is actually code for “Drunch” which is code for “get drunk and eat as much as you can from like 10AM-4PM for like 300AED”. It's always a good time.

8. Yes, people speak English. (And yes, people speak Arabic.)

As a student who moved to Dubai here to study Arabic and Islamic culture, you won't believe how much negativity I got for choosing Dubai.

“No one even speaks Arabic there”

“It's so Westernized everyone just speaks English”

“Why would you go to Dubai to learn Arabic?”

I agree with most people that living in a country like Oman, Jordan, or Lebanon may have been better to be fully immersed in the Arabic language to become fluent. But don't knock Dubai!

Arabic is still the national language of Dubai and it is definitely widely spoken. Though the country is very international and it isn't hard to hear Tagalog, Tigrinya, Urdu, Punjabi, Mandarin, etc. spoken as well.

English is also widely spoken! If you speak English you won't have any issue navigating the city.

9. You need to pack winter clothes.

I came here specifically because everyone told me it was summertime vibes all year round! Now it's early December and it's 60°F/15°C at night… I want a refund.

OK, so I'm dramatic. But I honestly assumed it was 90°F weather year round, and now I'm asking my mom to ship me my leather jacket from home. Go figure.

The intense air conditioning is also to be reckoned with dropping the average indoor temperature to 67°F. And because a majority of your days are spent indoors, you will be quickly buying some long sleeves and scarves to keep you warm.

10. Women do not need to wear a hijab every day.

Let me first say this: No, foreign/visiting women do not have to wear hijab or cover yourselves completely at all times.

We do not have to wear black.

We do not have to wear long abayas.

But we do need to know when to dress appropriately.

👗 Check out my recently updated blog post on what women can wear in Dubai for specific fashion advice and dressing scenarios!

Back in Virginia, I was hard pressed to see a woman in hijab. And if I did I would only be able to wonder where she was born or when she moved to the United States.

So initially, seeing so many women covered and men wearing the same white robes was an adjustment. I really thought every guy wearing the kandura (white robe with a long scarf on their head) was the Sheikh (king).

Disappointingly, this is not the case.

But sooner than I realized, seeing this style of dress became the norm. I've learned so much about Muslim dress here it's really been incredible. Not just Emirati dress but Pakistani, South Indian, Omani, and other countries too.

For example, before I came here I would have thought it was disrespectful or cultural appropriation to wear hijab if you weren't Muslim. But I've learned anyone can wear hijab—it's just a scarf. And you don't buy it at a special hijab store either, people wear hijab with scarves bought from Forever 21.

11. Dubai can be surprisingly affordable.

Everyone thinks that because Dubai is depicted as a city of Litz and Bammer, that it is extremely expensive to vacation in, live in, and even breathe in.

But I was shocked to discover that that's not the case!

First of all, much like any big city, there are, the parts that get shown on social media and the parts that don't. Depending on where you live in the city, your living can be dizzying, expensive, or surprisingly cheap. The Downtown area near the Burj Khalifa, and the marina are full of expats, and the areas you will see most advertise, so they are the most expensive.

You can absolutely skip the Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and Nobu and get an affordable dinner for around US$15 in Dubai. If you get to the outskirts of the city (which is only ever a 20 minute drive away) and grab super local food like Ethiopian or Indian food, your meals can be cheaper.

The one expense that blows everyone's budget in Dubai is rent. I don't really understand it because Dubai has a rental shortage, and you'll actually find tents of entire apartment apartment buildings entirely empty and not being. Live in Dubai is no cheap. Average rental cost be anywhere from $1,500 USD per room per month to your wildest imagination $$$$$. Average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment might be aroudn $3,000 USD. 

Dubai always seems to get a bad rep in Western media.

I'm not saying that all of it is without cause—there have been horrible things that have happened in Dubai. From people getting detained and imprisoned for things they might not have been for in other places in the world, to even reports of modern day slavery.

Objectively looking at it, these same exact tragedies have happened in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and most Western country as well.

That is to say, that no country is perfect and each has its pros and cons. And to that point because one country lives operates a certain way doesn't mean it's wrong—it means you need to open your mind and try to understand their perspective. Even if you don't 100% agree with it.

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Have you ever been to Dubai? Have any more questions about it? Let me know in the comments below, and please support my work 🫶🏽

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