2 Years in Dubai | Brutally Honest Review

Summary

In this personal reflection, the speaker shares their experience of living in Dubai, weighing the pros and cons. While Dubai offers a luxurious lifestyle, economic opportunities, and safety, it also imposes significant social pressures, isolation, and a lack of community. The speaker discusses the challenge of adapting to the city’s culture, the strain of working across multiple time zones, and the harsh summer climate. Ultimately, the decision to leave was driven by a need for a healthier, more connected social life and better air quality. Despite these drawbacks, the speaker encourages others to experience the city, acknowledging its unique appeal.

Takeaways

• 😀 The pressure to compete for status in Dubai is strong, with material symbols like luxury cars and watches being prevalent, which the speaker initially felt compelled to consider despite not being naturally inclined to this lifestyle.
• 😀 Dubai’s social scene is isolating and cliquey, making it difficult to break into social circles. The speaker had to work hard for a year to make meaningful friendships.
• 😀 Networking events in Dubai, often centered around business, tend to be transactional rather than fostering genuine friendships, making the speaker feel disconnected from the social scene.
• 😀 Time zone differences between Dubai and countries like the UK, the USA, and South Africa created difficulties for the speaker, leading to late meetings and irregular working hours.
• 😀 Despite living by the beach, Dubai lacks natural green spaces, which the speaker missed, though there are beautiful desert landscapes outside the city.
• 😀 The government and police in Dubai have significant authority, contributing to the city's safety, but also creating a sense of fear about unintentionally breaking the law or offending someone.
• 😀 Dubai’s strict laws around behavior (e.g., public conduct, relationships, and drinking) can create anxiety, with a constant awareness of potential consequences for minor missteps.
• 😀 Although Dubai is beautiful and offers business opportunities, it’s challenging to find a true sense of community, and the speaker found the overall atmosphere to be disconnected from a “soul” or heartbeat of the place.
• 😀 The lack of a normal, integrated social life in Dubai was a major factor in the speaker’s decision to leave, especially when compared to the ease of socializing in places like the UK.
• 😀 The harsh summer climate and poor air quality in Dubai made living there uncomfortable for the speaker, with the need to adapt to extreme weather conditions for half the year.
• 😀 The speaker’s primary reason for moving back to the UK was to be closer to their team and business, but the lack of community and the environmental factors also played a significant role in their decision.

Q & A

What is the speaker’s primary reason for moving away from Dubai?

The speaker's primary reasons for moving away from Dubai were to be closer to their team for business reasons and to have a more integrated community life, as well as concerns about air quality and social isolation.

How does the speaker feel about the constant urge to compete for status in Dubai?

The speaker feels conflicted about the constant urge to compete for status in Dubai. While they have never been one to flaunt wealth, they mention that Dubai's culture creates a strong pull towards flexing and acquiring expensive items like watches and cars, which felt unnatural to them.

What are the challenges of the social life in Dubai as described by the speaker?

The speaker finds Dubai's social life isolating and difficult to navigate. They mention that social circles are hard to break into, and networking events often feel superficial. The city encourages isolation, making it challenging to build meaningful relationships.

How does the speaker describe the time zone issue in Dubai?

The speaker points out that Dubai’s time zone makes it challenging for entrepreneurs working with teams across multiple continents. They often found themselves working late into the night due to the time difference, which affected their work-life balance.

What is the speaker’s opinion on Dubai’s nature and green spaces?

The speaker mentions that while Dubai has beautiful beaches and desert landscapes, the city lacks natural green spaces. They feel disconnected from nature, as there are no fields or meadows to enjoy, despite some efforts to improve this.

How does the speaker view the police and government authority in Dubai?

The speaker acknowledges that Dubai's strong police presence and autocratic government contribute to safety, but they also feel a subtle fear of making mistakes or violating laws due to the strict control. This creates an atmosphere of caution among residents.

What does the speaker think about Dubai’s competitive culture?

The speaker finds Dubai's competitive culture stressful, as it often feels like success and status are defined by material possessions and wealth. While they acknowledge the city's potential for success, they do not enjoy the pressure to compete in this way.

Why does the speaker mention the lack of a community in Dubai?

The speaker expresses that there is no strong sense of community in Dubai. They describe the city as a place where people are often isolated, and social life is fragmented. They found it difficult to build genuine connections and felt the city lacked a 'heartbeat' or soul.

What is the speaker’s opinion on Dubai's lifestyle in terms of work-life balance?

The speaker feels that the lifestyle in Dubai, particularly for entrepreneurs, is demanding and often leads to a poor work-life balance. Late-night work due to time zone differences and a lack of personal connections made it harder for them to feel fulfilled.

What does the speaker advise for people considering moving to Dubai?

The speaker encourages people to visit and try living in Dubai if they feel it might be a good fit for them. However, they caution that Dubai's culture might not be suitable for everyone, especially those seeking community, natural green spaces, or a less competitive lifestyle.