10 things you need to know about living in Dubai..
1. Choose the area you live in wisely. If you are young, single and earn a shed load of cash, you’ll be best placed in the JBR, Downtown and Marina areas of town. If like me you don’t have a bottomless bank account, JLT is a good alternative location being next to the metro and within walking distance from Marina but at more affordable prices. Oh and make sure you have a cheque book and enough cash to pay for a full year’s rent in advance.
2. Get used to buying ridiculous amounts of bottled water. Coming from the U.K. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a bottle of water in my life- why would I when I can turn on the tap and enjoy H2O for free?! But here where the tap water isn’t as palatable, I could build a house, and possibly buy one with the number of plastic bottles I get through each month.
3. Don’t expect the taxi drivers to know where they are going. Even if they say they do. Especially if they look a bit confused and ring their mate. You’ll more than likely end up going round in circles- make sure you have google maps, ways or maps.me on your phone at the ready! Uber and Careem also are widely available but slightly more expensive.
4. Prepare to meet a lot of obnoxious British people. Yeah those ones you came out here to avoid. You can’t miss them, they’ll be stumbling around drunk and shouting loudly. Don’t get too annoyed- they’ll probably be in jail soon.
5. Don’t assume you’re going to save money. You’re living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. If you want anything that resembles a social life be prepared to watch your bank balance plummet. Especially if you drink alcohol as the standard cost of a beer or wine is ten English pounds! Oh and that small punnet of raspberries is a fiver.. if you want your five a day you’d better be a millionaire! Otherwise onions are reasonably priced..
6. The winter is the best season where everything happens. Yes that’s right, November through to February, the coldest times of the year are the months you’re going to enjoy the most. You can swim in the sea without it feeling like its boiling you alive, you can walk outside without dying of heat stroke and you can enjoy a meal outside without your clothes soaked in your own sweat.
7. If you’re a female take advantage of the advantages. The metro has its own ladies carriage which are usually much less crowded, and ladies nights offer free drinks and discounted meals, simply because you’re a female, yay!
8. Get used to feeling like a potato when you’re going on a night out. The dress code is always ‘glam up as much as possible’. No heels no entry. Oh and watch out for the lip filled and Botoxed faces. People watching is a fun pastime.
9. If you’re going to drive brace yourself. Need I say anymore?!
10. Save your annual leave for the summer, when you will be desperate to escape the scorching temperatures. If that’s not an option then use your annual leave on your AC bill – you’re going to need it!
And that’s a wrap on my tongue in cheek guide to Dubai living.
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