living in dubai

A person, who wants to move to Dubai in order to pursue a dream job and an added income, is more concerned about the cost of living in Dubai. How expensive is Dubai? Do the benefits that it offers come at a high price?

Recently, ECA International, a consultancy firm, conducted a survey of 92 nations and came to the conclusion that Dubai is the fourteenth most expensive city to live in. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates a ten percent rate of inflation across the UAE and believes that it could be much higher in Dubai.

A foreign expatriate will have to invest almost a million euro to legally own a decent property in Dubai. Most people prefer to rent an apartment and find that it accounts for fifty percent of the cost of living. The rent depends on the quality of the apartment and the area. A single bedroom apartment will have a rental fee of around 800 euro per month. A furnished place demands an added 25 percent. Fortunately, this includes utilities, home maintenance services, and laundry. You could be charged extra for refuse collection and road maintenance. If you are lucky, the landlord will pay for refuse collection and road maintenance.

Ultimately, your cost of living depends on your lifestyle. In Dubai, food and clothing could be cheap if you purchase local products. Local food items, fruits, vegetables, fabric, material, and accessories have a flawless quality and are available at cheaper rates. The price of wine and spirits is slightly lower than in the UK, but higher than the average European prices. International favorites, available downtown, will create a deep gash in your budget. Clothing budget will be relatively lower than what it is in the West because there is no need for winter attire.

Dubai imposes low import duties, and this ensures less expensive electronic items, such as televisions, hi-fis, photographic equipment, computer hardware and software. The cost of these electronic items is slightly less than it is in Europe.

To some extent, Dubai’s government has subsidized water, electricity, and gas, which it owns, in order to provide inexpensive electricity and water for the locals. Utilities are cheaper than in most European countries. However, beware of the air conditioning bill. It could touch the skies, especially during the hot months of summer.

For many reasons, living in Dubai could be a pleasure, though expensive. First and foremost, it provides a safe and secure living atmosphere. Secondly, it cares a lot for the education of its citizens. Some of its 88 public schools and 132 private schools are affiliated to major universities, such as Harvard, which provides myriad educational opportunities. Thirdly, Dubai boasts of having one of the world’s best transportation services. Fourthly, it is reported to have the highest employment rate in the world. Around one third of its population earns 6,000 euro per month. At present, there is a great demand for jobs in the areas of engineering, mining, oil, health care, construction, and architecture. The warmth, friendliness, and professionalism of the locals are an added bonus that makes living in Dubai a heart-warming experience.