20 Things They Don’t Tell You Before You Move to Dubai
Dubai welcomes newcomers with its shimmering skyline and intense heat. The city impresses people at first glance, but living here isn’t just about luxurious views and modern amenities. Life in Dubai follows its own set of rules, and it’s not always as easy as it appears.
Unique Mail Delivery System
Credit: pexels
With no standard street address or ZIP code system, mail delivery in the city runs on a patchwork of landmarks, phone calls, and guesswork. Most residents rely on P.O. Boxes, and even then, things can go missing. The Makani system tries to bring order with digital coordinates, but the city’s postal game still lags behind its skyline.
Connected But Limited
Credit: Getty Images
The moment you log on in Dubai, you’ll notice something’s missing. Beneath the tech-forward vibe lies an internet that’s carefully trimmed and tightly monitored. Some residents tiptoe around the restrictions with VPNs, but legal lines are blurry.
Surviving Intense Heat
Credit: Getty Images
Life moves indoors, not by choice but by necessity. By late April, the heat starts climbing past 104°F, often spiking to a blistering 117°F, and humidity turns every breath into a wall of steam. Shade doesn’t help much; even midnight strolls hover around 86°F. Malls, metros, and apartment towers are the only refuges, all powered by nonstop air conditioning.
Surprising Bathroom Practices
Credit: flickr
Toilet habits in Dubai might surprise you the first time you enter a bathroom. Instead of relying solely on toilet paper, most restrooms include a “shattaf”—a handheld bidet sprayer for cleansing with water. This practice, rooted in Islamic hygiene traditions, is standard across homes, malls, and hotels.
Unseen Workforce Powering Dubai
Credit: pexels
Nearly 88% of the UAE’s population is made up of migrant workers, mostly from South Asia and Africa. Many pay hefty recruitment fees to get here, only to face long hours, limited rights, and inconsistent pay. With no minimum wage for expats and restrictions on organizing, options for pushing back are few and far between. It’s a reality often overlooked in the city’s glossy image.
Budgeting for Dubai’s Costly Lifestyle
Credit: Canva
Daily life in Dubai can drain your wallet faster than you’d expect. Groceries can set a single person back AED 1,000 to AED 2,000 ($272 to $544) each month, while basic utilities often run between AED 500 and AED 1,200 ($135 to $327). On top of that, the city’s upscale lifestyle tempts residents with lavish restaurants and high-end entertainment at every turn.
Driving Under Surveillance
Credit: Getty Images
The city runs a razor-sharp road surveillance system powered by AI, keeping tabs on speed, tailgating, and lane discipline with uncanny precision. Speed limit changes can catch you off guard, especially on slopes or just before exits, and there’s no wiggle room. Even minor slips rack up fast—AED 300 for drifting just 20 km/h over.
Cover Up Respectfully
Credit: Canva
While you’ll see designer labels and trendy fits, public spaces like malls, mosques, and government offices call for covered shoulders and knees. Tight or sheer pieces might fly in photos, but they can invite side-eyes or security reminders in real life. A lightweight shawl or cardigan can go a long way, especially if you’re exploring beyond the tourist zones.
Rules of Enjoying Drinks
Credit: pixabay
While the city’s nightlife can rival any global hotspot, alcohol access isn’t a free-for-all. Non-Muslims aged 21 and up can enjoy drinks only inside licensed spots like hotel lounges, upscale bars, or private clubs. Outside these zones, it’s a firm no. If stocking up at home, residents need an alcohol license. Tourists, on the other hand, just need a passport.
Your Job Affects Daily Life
Credit: Canva
Life outside the office in Dubai often circles back to your job contract. For non-Muslim expats, something as simple as getting a liquor license usually starts with a no-objection certificate (NOC) from your employer. And that’s not the only thing—renting a flat, installing internet, or even setting up satellite TV can also require company sign-off.
Adapting to New Work-Life Rhythm
Credit: Canva
Dubai switched up its weekends in January 2022 by trading the long-standing Friday-Saturday break for a Saturday-Sunday schedule. Government workers now enjoy a 4.5-day week, with Friday wrapping up by midday. But not everyone’s clock adjusted so easily. The shift nudged traditions, disrupted routines, and created mismatched weekends for families working across sectors.
Navigating TV and Streaming Limitations
Credit: Canva
Catching up on the latest movies in Dubai isn’t always a smooth ride. Providers like OSN and Du mainly control satellite TV, but their offerings lean heavily on older titles. Du’s Free View, for example, is easy on the wallet but light on fresh releases, often rotating through the same familiar flicks. Even major streaming platforms come with limits.
No Easy Lefts
Credit: Getty Images
On many main roads, the classic left is off-limits. Instead, drivers must continue straight, sometimes for several kilometers, before looping around at a designated U-turn. It’s not just the detours. Sudden lane switches, sprawling interchanges, and signage that pop up too late can turn a routine commute into a real-time strategy test.
Environmental Trade-Offs
Credit: Getty Images
Dubai’s journey from a desert outpost to a megacity is remarkable, yet its environmental trade-offs are evident. Projects like Palm Jumeirah reshaped coastlines using millions of cubic meters of sand and rock, stirring up ecosystems and changing wave patterns. Efforts like the Sustainable City lean toward eco-friendliness, but rapid development often outpaces green goals.
Fast-Paced Nature of Friendships
Credit: Canva
Dubai’s expat life is bursting with energy, fueled by a population that’s more than 80% international, but the catch is—people come and go, fast. Many arrive on short contracts to chase career boosts or adventure, then move on and leave friendships in limbo. Between long hours and packed schedules, carving out time for connection can feel like a job itself.
Link Between Your Job and Your Visa
Credit: Canva
Losing your job can put your entire residency on the clock. Most expats are on employer-sponsored visas, meaning the grace period begins once the job ends. You have about 30 days to find a new role or shift to another visa before fines or deportation become part of the conversation.
Cars Remain King
Credit: Canva
With only two lines and 49 stations, Dubai’s Metro system favors key hubs and leaves sprawling neighborhoods and suburban pockets off the map. That gap means cars still rule the road.
The Less Glamorous Side of Dubai
Credit: Canva
Dubai delivers big on spectacle—glass towers, beach clubs, and malls that double as theme parks. But once you’ve worked your way through the greatest hits, the rest of the playlist starts to loop. Many flashier experiences are built for visitors and priced accordingly, so daily downtime feels more like a splurge than a staple.