Being in Business in Dubai: An Expat Interview

Dubai, UAE

Ingrid is a French expatriate who has lived in various countries throughout her professional career. She sits down with ExpatsEverywhere to talk about her life in Dubai. In this video, she discusses cost of living, changes that she has seen in the past couple of years, and what it's like being a marketer in such a global ever-changing market like Dubai.

Dubai City Profile

Dubai is a fascinating city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city has an amazing skyline with incredible structures. It also has every name brand shop under the sun. However, all of that comes at a cost. Despite high costs, Dubai can be pretty affordable. In addition, Dubai has actually dropped several spots from 19 in 2017 to 26 in 2018 when it comes to cost of living globally.

Expats Benefits

This global city and business hub has been attracting expats and foreign businesses for the past couple decades. It has huge tax benefits with tax free salaries on offer to expats. Dubai is also a major transportation hub for both passengers and cargo, making traveling in and out quite affordable.

Industries for Expats

It would be hard to discuss Dubai and not bring up oil. Dubai's development in modern times is certainly linked to the country's oil wealth, however, a lot is being done to diversify. Expat jobs center around oil and gas, education, tourism, health care, and retail management.

Climate Survival

Dubai's geographical positioning has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages too. The climate for some expats could be a major turn off. High temperatures in Dubai can be above 90 F (34 C) for 6 months of the year. Those outdoor temperatures mixed with robust air conditioning inside can leave people freezing inside of buildings. Take Ingrid's advice on what to pack and wear when going around Dubai.