Making life in Dubai a whole lot smoother…
That’s a fascinating fact! With around 88% of the UAE’s population being expats, it’s clear that Dubai is a true melting pot of cultures and nationalities. The rapid influx of new residents creates a dynamic environment, and experienced residents certainly play a crucial role in helping newcomers adjust to the lifestyle and customs of the city.
Dubai can be both exhilarating and challenging to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with its unique way of life. From understanding local laws to discovering the best spots for food, leisure, and entertainment, there’s a lot to learn. Sharing tips on topics like the rental market, public transport, essential services, and cultural nuances can go a long way in helping newcomers feel at home.
Whether it’s understanding the etiquette around the local cuisine, finding the best beach for a quiet retreat, or learning how to deal with Dubai’s scorching summers, there’s no shortage of wisdom to pass down to the next wave of expats. It’s all about embracing the blend of modern comforts and rich traditions that make Dubai so special!
It sounds like you’re starting with some great tips! Here are a few additional life hacks and insights that could be helpful for newcomers to Dubai:
Before you arrive: Get your documents attested
If you don’t want to be permanently with the visa title of ‘desk clerk’, we highly recommend that you have your degrees verified before you arrive. This also applies to marriage certificates. Taking care of this beforehand will help you avoid expenses, complications, time delays and possibly desk clerk duties.
Understand the rental market
Finding a place to live in Dubai can definitely be a daunting task, especially given the city’s fast-paced rental market and wide variety of residential areas, each with its unique vibe. As Mr. Joshua Pargin, a property expert in Dubai, suggests, there are a few key tips to keep in mind to help streamline the search for your new home in this vibrant city.
Mr. Pargin’s Top Tips for First-Time Renters in Dubai:
- The Rental Market Moves Quickly
One of the biggest hurdles in Dubai’s rental market is the speed at which properties are rented out. If you find something that suits your needs, don’t hesitate – make your decision quickly, even if it’s slightly above your budget. It’s common for popular properties to be rented within days, sometimes hours, of being listed. Being proactive can make all the difference. - Choose a Location Based on Your Daily Needs
With Dubai’s sprawling layout, it’s tempting to look at properties across the city. However, it’s important to focus your search on areas that align with your daily commute and lifestyle. If you’re working in Downtown Dubai, there’s no point looking in remote neighborhoods like The Springs, as the commute could be a hassle. Think about your work, leisure, and transport needs when choosing a location to minimize your time spent in traffic and maximize your convenience. - Watch Out for “Too Good to Be True” Listings
If you come across a property online that seems too good to be true – such as an incredibly low rent for a great location or a new building – be cautious. It’s possible the listing is just a “lead farming” tool, which means it’s designed to attract inquiries but the property may no longer be available. Always verify the listing and don’t be surprised if the property is “gone” by the time you inquire.
Additional Tips for Navigating the Dubai Rental Market:
- Ejari Registration: An essential step after finding a property is registering your rental contract with the Ejari system. This official registration ensures your tenancy agreement is legally recognized and is necessary for many services, such as getting a Dubai residence visa, opening a bank account, or setting up utilities like electricity and water. Make sure to complete the Ejari registration process through the Dubai Land Department.
- Dynamic Rental Pricing: Rental prices in Dubai can fluctuate greatly depending on the area and market conditions. To get a clearer understanding of how much you should be paying, use tools like the Dubai Smart Rental Index, which provides up-to-date market data on residential rental prices in various neighborhoods.
- Property Viewings: Always try to schedule property viewings in person. While online listings and photos can give you an idea, seeing the place firsthand will help you assess the neighborhood, amenities, and condition of the property better.
By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the Dubai rental market efficiently and find a home that suits your needs without unnecessary stress. Happy house hunting!
Find your beach
Dubai boasts miles of stunning coastline, with some areas getting a high-end makeover while others just vibe in their natural beauty, offering a wide range of beach experiences. There are spots where the waves hit hard, making them perfect for surf sessions—Sunset Beach and North Beach are top contenders in Dubai, though you’ll find even better surf locations in the Northern Emirates, like Tim’s Reef in Fujairah. The city’s beach clubs cater to all types of vibes, with varying levels of service and entry fees that you can often redeem. Some public beaches are chill and less crowded, like Jebel Ali Beach or Jumeirah 1 and 2, but if you’re into a livelier scene, the busier beaches come with great perks. As the saying goes, “Life’s a beach,” and luckily, when it comes to Dubai’s coastline, you’ve got plenty of options on where to set up camp.
Throwing a housewarming? Do a Barracuda run
The classic “big black bag” road trip to Umm Al Quwain’s iconic beach resort and Barracuda liquor store. It’s the throwback expat hotspot for scoring discounted booze and getting hit with those “what even is this?” reactions from quirky European spirits you haven’t seen since your Tenerife days in ’08.
Careem Box is basically a butler-on-demand
The Careem app is packed with life-simplifying features (think food delivery, Hala taxis, luxury chauffeur rides, fee-free money transfers, bike rentals, and grocery shopping) – but its hidden gem is probably its biggest flex. Careem Box is essentially a personal courier service, your on-demand butler. Left your phone at The Nice Guy’s bar last night? Too hungover to go grab it? No worries – Careem Box will handle it for you. Whether you’re too lazy or just too out of it to pick something up, drop it off, or move it across town, there’s an app ready to do the heavy lifting. And the phone retrieval. Not that we’ve ever done that, of course.
Source local water
This is one of those life hacks you learn early on in Dubai. When a restaurant asks if you want water, your automatic response—like a reflex to an emergency broadcast—should be: “Local water, please.” It’s not a rule, but honestly, I’m not sure I could tell Masafi from Evian in a blind taste test, and shelling out extra for fancy packaging just feels like something only the Dubai Bling crew would do.
Join the Humantra race
And if you’re looking to boost your water with some extra goodness, you can get Humantra electrolytes delivered right to your door via Deliveroo.
Avoid the “same price as normal taxi boss” taxis
Spoiler alert: They’re not. And they’re usually not even properly licensed. Often cruising around in fleets of Lexuses… Lexi? Lexium? (definitely not the legit Careem/Uber rides that you book through an app). These rogue drivers typically lurk around hotels, post-brunch hangouts, festival exits, or mall parking lots, approaching you with tempting lines like “Where are you going?” or “Same price as a regular taxi.” You can report these unlicensed taxis, or drivers offering unmetered services, to the RTA at (800)9090.
Find the world under one roof at Dragon Mart
“It’s like someone downloaded Amazon,” was my takeaway after my first visit to Dragon Mart, the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside of mainland China. Pianos, pagodas, paragliders, drones, phones, astroturf, telescopes, washing machines, motorbikes, hi-fi systems, routers, electric tin openers, bathrooms, golden thrones, helicopter rotors, boat motors, steam engines, sculptures, pulpers, porcelain vultures, folders, polystyrene boulders, or even a full battalion of terracotta soldiers – you name it. Whatever your home décor, transport, or even Cuban coup preparation needs, if at first you don’t find it, just head over to Dragon Mart.
Take your admin woes to DESCO
They print stuff, snap photos for passports, visas, and licenses, help with basic design layouts – and while I don’t have the exact stats, I’m pretty sure you’re never more than 50 meters away from one in Dubai.
Explore Old Dubai
Sure, the shiny new Dubai, with its flashy skyscrapers and cutting-edge tech, is a thrilling place to explore. But if you want to dive into the city’s vibrant, experience-packed soul, take a stroll right through its heart
Swap your driver’s license
Even if you’ve got a driver’s license from your home country, you’ll eventually (and usually pretty soon after arriving) need a UAE driver’s license to legally drive in Dubai. Some nationalities can transfer their license directly (this includes most of Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Turkey, and a few others – check with the RTA or get a full list). You’ll need an Emirates ID and an RTA eye test, but the whole process is pretty straightforward. If you’re holding a license from another country, you’ll have to pass a driving test to get a UAE license, though you can now bypass the mandatory lessons through the Golden Chance scheme.
Cafu brings the petrol to you
It’s not just that you can get almost anything delivered in Dubai—it’s that you can usually have it brought to you for a surprisingly low fee. It’s convenience at its finest. And if there’s one delivery service that always blows the minds of newcomers, it’s Cafu. Forgot to fill up your car on the way home? Worried about that blinking fuel light as you crawl to the nearest gas station? No worries—you can have a mobile pump come to you, wherever you are in the UAE. And they’ll get there with Nissan-Patrol-speed, too, with their priority package delivering in just 20 minutes. They also offer vehicle services, interior and exterior valeting, battery boosts and replacements, inspections, and new tyres.
An essential guide for new people in Dubai
Level-up those air miles
A credit card isn’t for everyone. It’s probably best to steer clear if you’ve ever thought things like “free money,” “future me problem,” or “debt is just a construct.” In fairness, it is a construct, but it often turns into a downward spiral. However, if you can trust yourself to pay off the balance on time, resist overspending, and avoid those random, sultan-level shopping sprees, there’s a whole range of credit cards that let you rack up Skywards Miles and Marriott Bonvoy points.
The 20kph buffer zone
The speed limit is the speed limit, but in Dubai, it’s usually the limit (whatever the sign says) plus 20kph. That’s the sweet spot where the ever-vigilant, ever-fining speed camera squad is set. Go just 1kph over that, and you’ll be treated to a light show. Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, there’s no such buffer—if the sign says 140 and you’re cruising at 141kph, it’s ticket city, and the new resident is you.
Dodge queues for administrative services
Alright, we’ve already mentioned “the E word” (ejari), but there are plenty of other acronyms (like DEWA, the utility provider) and oddly named documents you’ll need to deal with in your first few months in Dubai. One of the best pro-tips for newcomers is to check out the quieter government office at Al Barsha Mall. It offers a lot of the same services (ejari, RTA, typing centres, etc.) and even has a vehicle testing centre in the basement parking for your annual vehicle relicensing. While you might not be able to handle every admin task there, and the whole “take a ticket and wait” vibe still applies, we can pretty much guarantee it’ll save you hours in total wait time.
Zofeur is the ultimate safe driving option
When I first heard about this service, it felt like one of those classic “only in Dubai” hacks that really should be available everywhere. It’s a driver charter service where you can book a chauffeur on demand or in advance, and they’ll drive your car to or (let’s be real, it’s usually the latter) home from various spots around the UAE. Typically, it’s for those times when you’re too tired (or… yeah, you know) to drive yourself, whether it’s from a restaurant, event, or house party.
It takes a Village
Want to enjoy the Downtown vibe on a Karama budget? You should definitely check out The Outlet Village in Jebel Ali. It’s packed with discounted fashion brands and massive savings on big-name designers. That way, you don’t have to fake it or give it up until you make it.
Your nol card isn’t just for Metro rides
The humble nol card might be your ticket to the sleek Dubai Metro, but it’s got way more uses than that. You can swipe it to pay for everything from random trinkets to essentials at Almaya, Carrefour, Lulu, AllDay, and Zoom; some restaurants like 800 Degrees Pizza, London Dairy, and Burger King also accept it; you can use it for a royal wave in RTA taxis, and even at Zabeel Park and ENOC gas stations. Honestly, there’s no card quite like a nol card.
Embrace the shataf
That metal hose next to most toilets in the Gulf region. Look, toilet paper does the job, but if you spilled mango sorbet on your favorite cream sweater, would you just smear it around with napkins, or would you use some common sense and wash it off? Apologies if I lost you with that analogy, but it’s an important life lesson.
Do the cheap stuff
Dubai can definitely be pricey, but so can places like Paris, Mumbai, Sydney, or pretty much any major global city. That doesn’t mean it’s always expensive, though. You can spend the day on one of the city’s pristine public beaches for free, grab a Dhs6 shawarma for lunch, or enjoy Dhs15 biryanis; catch the epic fountain shows at the Burj Khalifa—no charge; entrance to Global Village, Miracle Gardens, or Dubai Garden Glow can cost as little as Dhs50, and you’ll still get change back; rent Careem bikes and cruise along the scenic cycle paths; hike the highlands; enjoy ladies’ nights; explore the souks; unwind in the museums; take an abra ride; hang out over chaat in Karama; the rental market offers plenty of options; public transport is super affordable; and there’s no shortage of happy hours and voucher apps for budget-friendly nights out. Oh, and petrol? It’s ridiculously cheap compared to most of the world. For more on free fun in Dubai, check out our guide to the best no-cost activities here.
Looking to sell/buy second hand stuff? Dubizzle
Best price, last price, cardboard box. Welcome to the democratization of eCommerce. Dubai’s go-to site for preloved listings. Just brace yourself for some intense buying and selling banter, and you’ll be good to go.
Join all the Facebook Groups
Facebook might have earned the “Boomer tech” label, with its mix of webcam selfies and endless right-wing Minions memes, but it still has its perks. The Facebook Group function, in particular, is hard to beat in terms of fostering community. It’s a goldmine for information, a sounding board, and a place to connect with like-minded people. There are countless Dubai expat groups, each offering varying levels of usefulness, but their ability to crowdsource answers and share recommendations outshines any AI algorithm I know. Whether you need advice, service recommendations, or just want to find your tribe, it’s a solid tool. The Dubai SubReddit is also a great resource to tap into.
Help for new people in Dubai
Instashopping
Instashop is an insanely useful app that pulls together a variety of grocery, pharmacy, and domestic service providers, delivering right to your door. In fact, with a decent tip, they’ll even make it inside your door. I’ve lost count of the number of times they’ve come through with crucial parmesan deliveries or lifesaving Telfast drop-offs at my home or office. Other apps in the same space include Barakat, a go-to for budget-friendly fresh fruit and veggie orders; Carnistore for your meat needs; Noon (think of it as the local Amazon) which can get you everything from consumables to electronics in under 15 minutes with their ‘Minutes’ service; Namshi, your fast fashion lifeline, also offering same-day delivery for those wardrobe emergencies; and Deliveroo and Talabat, which are probably the top food delivery apps.
Exercise outside while you can
The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) may be over for the year, but wellness isn’t just for the 30 x 30 days—it’s a lifestyle. The month-long fitness event certainly reminded us of how to make exercise exciting again, especially with the joy of working out outdoors. Think swapping beach runs for treadmills, punch bags for outdoor boxing drills, and regular yoga for moonlit namaste vibes. And as long as the weather’s on your side, if you’re keen to keep those alfresco gains rolling, here are some of the best spots in Dubai to stay fit with outdoor equipment.
Other essential apps
We highly recommend downloading the Dubai Police app—it lets you report accidents, file complaints, request permits, and even trigger an SOS beacon that’s tracked to your GPS coordinates. The UAE Pass app is also super handy for storing and accessing digital copies of all your important documents, like your visa and Emirates ID.
Don’t listen to the haters, the summer really isn’t that bad
Your first summer in Dubai is always the toughest, but with AC almost everywhere, how much time you spend in the brutal midday heat is mostly up to you. Even outdoor construction workers get siestas during the peak of summer. Plus, on weekends, there’s no shortage of indoor activities to enjoy (check out our guide to adult-focused fun here or family-friendly options here), along with plenty of temperature-controlled pools to chill in.
Read What’s On
Ah, the classic shameless self-plug. You saw it coming, I certainly did—I had these subheads ready long before I started filling in the details. But honestly, it’s solid advice. There’s no better way to stay updated on everything from new and existing leisure activities, live music, and restaurants, to mega-projects, festivals, concerts, regionally relevant movies & TV shows, bars, trends, transport updates, news, views, sports events, rule changes, hotels, residential communities, schools, beach clubs, pubs, and even Etihad Rail dispatches. You’ll find it all in print, online, and across your favorite social media platforms. Of course, other (less seasoned) info sources are available too.
du, Etisalat or Virgin
When it comes to your mobile service provider, you’ve got three main options. The coverage is solid across all of them, but unlike some other markets, you won’t find “free phones” bundled with your contract (without extra charges popping up elsewhere), so make your choice carefully. Virgin Mobile offers substantial discounts if you’re willing to pay for an entire year’s contract upfront. For fixed-line or home internet, you’ll usually have to go with whatever service your building or community is signed up for—although Virgin now offers 5G home broadband that lets you bypass this limitation. Whatever you choose, or end up with, keep in mind that using a VPN to access restricted sites is illegal in the UAE and comes with serious penalties.
Read up on Ramadan
And it’s not just Ramadan—Arab culture is one of the oldest, most beautiful, and innovative in the world. If you can, try learning the language (although, let’s be real, some of us have made it way too easy not to, looking at you, British people). But at the very least, take the time to read up on Ramadan. It’s the Holy Month, the most significant period of the year for Muslims, with a profound and meaningful purpose for its practitioners. Ramadan is when Muslims worldwide abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking from sunrise to sunset. Lasting about a month, it commemorates the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Extra tarawih prayers are held at the mosque, and each evening, 1/30th of the holy book is recited. Be respectful, be curious, and even if you’re not Muslim, try embracing the fasting ritual—it’s a powerful experience that offers valuable lessons.
In the unlikely event of you not finding something you need in Dubai: Shop & Ship
If you want to order something online and it doesn’t currently deliver to the UAE, that’s where Ship & Shop comes to the rescue. You have your product delivered to one of their locations in over 40 countries, and they’ll then ship it to Dubai for a fee—often in a timeframe that’s quicker than you’d expect.
Get a water filter for your shower
Before we get carried away, let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact that we can get water from any tap in the middle of a desert—it’s a modern miracle, right up there with plane Wi-Fi and crème brûlée. The majority of the water that comes through your household tap in Dubai is desalinated, and while it’s perfectly safe for most uses, some anecdotal evidence suggests there are ways to make it gentler on your hair and skin. You can pick up relatively inexpensive showerhead filters that screw on in just minutes.
If you’ve doubled down on X chromosomes, enjoy the thrills of ladies’ nights/days
If you’re a lady who enjoys a good soiree or a relaxed day out, you definitely won’t want to miss out on the ultimate feminine perk—ladies’ night/day. No matter where you go, any day of the week, you can expect major savings, and often, an open invitation to enjoy free access, dining, and drinks.
Looking for a taste of home? Park n Shop
Craving some hard-to-find snacks from back home—Irn Bru, Reese’s Puffs, Yorkshire Tea, Greggs sausage rolls, Frukti, Monster Munch, or Ragu? I can’t guarantee you’ll find it at Park n Shop, but it’s definitely your best bet if no one else seems to carry it.
Don’t skip sellanycar.com if you’re looking at trading up your vehicle
The way these services are marketed might make them seem like a last resort, but they really aren’t. This isn’t a desperate sale setup—the business model is solid, and the amount you’re offered for your car can actually be quite surprising. Don’t believe me? You can even get a free home inspection.