In the past several years, Dubai, undeniably has captured the attention of many foreign nationals. Many investors from different parts of the world, from the United States to Europe to Australia, are starting their own business ventures in the said emirate. This comes as no surprise since United Arab Emirates’ state of economy continues to improve.Investors are not the only ones flocking Dubai but expatriates as well. There is a fairly large population of expats in Dubai – those who are there for work and those who are there to start a new life. Moving to Dubai can be very exciting and refreshing, especially if you are tired of your city life in your hometown. The emirate has a lot to offer other than career and business opportunities, tax-free wage, majestic structures, and colorful culture. If you are fond of trying new things, then Dubai should be your go-to destination.
Before you start calling movers UAE to have your things relocated to Dubai, you must first learn the basics about this emirate. There are a lot of things to discover and experience in Dubai, and in order to enjoy them all without having to get into trouble, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the facts about UAE and Dubai.
Language – Most people in Dubai speak in Arabic, but other languages are also widely used, including English, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu. Hence, if you are coming from Australia or a western country, communicating with locals and other expats should be no difficult task.
Currency – The currency in UAE is dirham (AED). AED 1 is composed of 100 Fills. On January 2014, AUD 1 is equals to AED 3.23.
Taxi services – Taxicabs are relatively cheap to ride in Dubai. If you want to go around the emirate, you should not have a hard time looking for a cab since there are many. This is because the government employs roughly 70,000 taxi drivers to cope with the demand of the public.
Hotel room price – Hotel rooms in Dubai can be quite expensive. According to some websites, the average hotel room rate is at AUD 260. However, expect to spend more if you will be staying in a more upscale hotel.
Housing price – According to property firms, typical apartment in Dubai will cost you around AED 4,300 per square metre. However, if you are planning for a villa, ready some AED 5,400 per square metre. The price of houses in UAE is relative to its location. Apartments in Abu Dhabi are quite more expensive than those in Dubai.
Weekends – Unlike other countries, Dubai has a different set of weekends. The weekend starts in Dubai on Friday and ends on Saturday.
PO box – Another different thing about Dubai is that there are no street addresses. Most people living in the emirate have their own PO box for receiving letters though.
Expat community – Dubai has become the home of many expats from different parts of the world including Australia, United States, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, China, among other countries. Thus, finding a community of expats should be no hassle for you.
No income tax – It is common for government of other countries to implement income tax laws, but this is not the same with the UAE government. Dubai does not require income tax from employees, which means more take-home pay for workers.
If you think you are ready to hop into the Dubai bandwagon, contact some movers UAE now so you can start arranging your new life there. The emirate has good potentials, and if its government continues to do what is right, then you can expect that Dubai will grow even further.