What It’s Really Like Living in Dubai – My Honest Experience

The first time we visited Dubai, we were still living in Slovenia.
And honestly — we were amazed. ✨

The city looked futuristic, full of life, lights, and possibilities.
There’s always something happening in Dubai: endless restaurants to try, activities for every taste, and this feeling that the city never sleeps.

Two weeks there felt like a glimpse, not a full experience — because Dubai is a lot. You get tired just from exploring, but at the same time you don’t want to stop.

The hotels are amazing — there’s truly something for every taste and budget.

From affordable and cozy places to luxurious 5-star resorts, you can always find something that fits your style. Most hotels have pools, though not all of them offer direct beach access.

👉 Curious where we stayed? You can check it out here: Dubai stays.

What really surprised me was how convenient everything is in Dubai.
Shops are open 24/7 — something we haven’t seen in Europe for a long time — and that’s such a huge plus! You can literally get anything, anytime.

And it doesn’t stop there. Dubai has services that still feel futuristic compared to Europe — like fuel delivery straight to your home, or car washing right in your driveway. Everything is built around comfort and efficiency, and once you get used to that lifestyle, it’s hard to go back.

Find everything in one place — flights, stays, car rentals, cruises and fun things to do around the world. ✈️🏝️🚗

Later, we moved to Dubai and experienced it as residents — not just tourists.

We lived first in Business Bay, and later on The Palm Jumeirah, and I can tell you: each area feels like a world of its own.

Dubai isn’t a compact city like most European capitals.
It’s long and spread out, stretching from the old Deira and Creek area all the way to Dubai Marina and The Palm.

Getting from one end to the other can take 40–45 minutes, so choosing where you live really matters.

You can check the average weather HERE.

The real estate market in Dubai is surprisingly open — foreigners can buy property easily, even without a mortgage, directly from developers with flexible payment plans.

When we lived there, renting in Business Bay cost around €1,000 per month, while The Palm was, of course, more expensive.

Prices also depend on the season:
🏖️ June to August – cheapest months (but extremely hot!)
☀️ October to April – pleasant weather, higher rents and hotel prices

However, property prices have been steadily rising in recent years.
That’s not great news if you’re planning to rent long-term, but it’s actually a positive sign for investors, as real estate in Dubai continues to appreciate and remains in high demand.

During summer, you basically live indoors — malls, cafés, hotels. Even the sea feels like a hot bath, so swimming isn’t exactly refreshing.

We moved with our little Yorkie, Daisy, and that was an adventure of its own.

Dubai has a special system for pet entry — you need to submit all documents in advance, and when you land, your pet is taken by the airport veterinary service for inspection.

It’s safe, but it adds about 3–4 hours to your arrival process, so plan accordingly.

Once in Dubai, dogs are welcome in some residential buildings (ours included), though green areas are limited.

You’ll find pet-friendly cafes, salons, and even special treats, but keep in mind: the ground gets hot, so morning or evening walks are best.

What I loved most about Dubai is how alive and at the same time safe it feels.
People are polite, respectful, and friendly. You won’t see arguments, vandalism, or crime — it’s honestly one of the safest places I’ve ever lived.

After working 15 years in law enforcement, I naturally notice safety details everywhere I go — and in Dubai, the sense of security is unshakable.
It’s a place where you can walk alone at night without fear, where kids play outside freely, and where women and families feel completely safe.

There are strict laws in place for serious violations, and that’s exactly what keeps the city so calm and respectful — even though it’s home to people from every corner of the world.
Traffic is orderly, there are no reckless drivers racing down the streets, and interestingly, you almost never see police patrols — yet everything runs smoothly.
In all my time there, I never experienced a single random check or unpleasant situation.

No one stares, no one judges, and no one harasses you — it’s a city built on mutual respect.

You can dress freely, of course, but I personally believe in respecting the local culture.

Many tourists wear very revealing clothes — tiny tops and hot pants — and while no one will stop you or say anything, I simply don’t think it’s appropriate.
That’s just my personal opinion — modesty feels more in tune with the spirit of the place.

You can check updated safety statistics for Dubai here.

Food in Dubai is amazing — you can find literally everything, from European comfort food to Indian curries, Thai flavors, Lebanese dishes, and everything in between.

There are cozy cafés, casual eateries, fast food chains, and world-class fine dining restaurants with Michelin stars — truly something for every taste and budget.

One of the best (and most affordable) ways to eat out are the food courts inside every shopping mall.
They’re full of international choices — Asian, Arabic, Indian, American, Italian — all in one place.
You can grab a full meal for a few euros, it’s quick, tasty, and always freshly prepared.

I’m not a big fan of overly spicy food, so I usually went for milder options.
You can easily buy pork (in separate supermarket sections) and alcohol in hotels or licensed stores.

When it comes to groceries, Dubai has huge supermarkets like Carrefour, Waitrose, and Spinneys, but also countless small 24-hour mini markets on almost every corner — perfect for grabbing anything you need at any time of the day or night.

And if you don’t feel like going out (especially in the summer heat), delivery apps make life incredibly easy:
🍴 Talabat and Deliveroo for food delivery
🚗 Careem for transport, groceries, flowers, pet snacks, cleaning services, and even massages!

Most people in Dubai order food at least once a day — it’s quick, convenient, and surprisingly affordable.
These apps are true lifesavers, especially when it’s too hot to step outside.

Let’s be honest — living in Dubai can be as affordable or as luxurious as you make it.

You can live comfortably on a moderate budget, or you can easily spend a fortune if you love fancy dinners and 5-star weekends.

Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

• 🏢 Service or hospitality jobs (like shop assistants, hotel staff, or waiters) usually start from €600 to €900 per month.

• 💻 Office and administrative positions range from €1,500 to €2,500 per month, depending on the company and experience.

• 👩‍💼 Qualified professionals and expats typically earn between €3,000 and €6,000, sometimes more if bonuses or housing are included.

• You can check the numbers HERE.

Many companies in Dubai also provide employee housing or accommodation allowances, which cover rent, utilities, or even transportation — that’s one of the reasons why salaries can look lower on paper but still allow a comfortable life.

To live comfortably as a single person, you’ll need around €2,000 per month, including rent, groceries, and daily expenses. For a small family, around €3,500–€4,000 gives you a good standard of living.

Everyday expenses are reasonable:

• 🛒 Groceries are similar to European prices — some imported products are pricier, but local produce is affordable.

• ⚡ Electricity, water, and Wi-Fi together cost about €100–150 per month.

• 🏫 School fees vary widely, from affordable private schools to international schools that can cost several thousand euros per year.

The great thing is, you don’t need your own car.
Dubai has a clean, efficient metro system, and taxis are everywhere.

However, the metro coverage is limited — it doesn’t reach every neighborhood, since Dubai is such a long, spread-out city, so depending on where you live, you might still need to take a taxi for the last part of your trip. It also gets pretty crowded during rush hours — but overall, it’s safe, fast, and one of the cheapest ways to get around.

Taxis, on the other hand, are surprisingly affordable compared to many big cities.
You can easily get around using Careem, Uber, or Grab, and they’re usually quick, clean, and reliable. 🚗✨

If you do want to drive, you can use your international driving license for a while, or get a UAE driving license once you have your Emirates ID.
People drive on the right side of the road, and traffic is well-organized.

Buying property and starting your own business is surprisingly easy in Dubai — foreigners can own real estate and register companies without needing a local sponsor.
(But I’ll go deeper into that in my next blog 👀).

When you open a company, you can also apply for your Emirates ID — your official identification card in the UAE.

You need it for almost everything: renting an apartment, opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, or applying for health insurance.

Once you have it, you’re officially a resident, which brings plenty of benefits and easier processes.

💬 Note: I personally wasn’t employed in Dubai, as I had my own LLC business license there — so these figures are based on publicly available data and my general knowledge from living and working there.

One thing that truly stands out in Dubai is how spotlessly clean everything is.

You won’t see trash lying around, overflowing bins, or graffiti on the walls.
The streets are swept daily, the parks are tidy, and even the public beaches look like they’re cleaned every hour.

Even garbage collection is done discreetly — no ugly waste containers are standing around on the streets.
Everything feels organized, polished, and cared for.

And the public restrooms? Probably some of the cleanest you’ll ever see anywhere in the world.
They’re bright, air-conditioned, and always smell fresh — a detail that says a lot about how seriously the city takes hygiene and maintenance.

The only thing to keep in mind is the tap water.
It’s safe for showering, cooking, and brushing your teeth — but not ideal for drinking.
That’s because Dubai’s water mostly comes from desalination plants, where seawater is turned into freshwater through a process called reverse osmosis.

Basically, the salt and impurities are filtered out using high pressure and membranes — it’s an impressive system, but the final water often travels through long metal pipes, which can affect its taste and quality.
That’s why most residents prefer to drink filtered or bottled water.

As beautiful as Dubai is, I eventually started missing nature — the sound of birds, the scent of pine trees, the feeling of grass under my feet.

I grew up surrounded by forests, mountains, and wide open fields — and when you’ve lived that close to nature, you can’t help but crave it once it’s gone.

Dubai is a city of light and motion, full of life and opportunity, but not much greenery.
There’s the beach and the desert, yes — but no rivers, no waterfalls, no quiet forest trails.

And sometimes, even in all that sparkle, you realize how much you miss the simple peace of standing still and breathing fresh air. 🌿

Dubai is an incredible place for digital nomads, creatives, and entrepreneurs — a city that never stops moving, where ideas and opportunities are everywhere.

It’s perfect for those who love energy, luxury, and modern living.
It’s also great for families, with safe neighborhoods, international schools, and everything running smoothly — almost too smoothly sometimes.

But if you’re someone who loves nature — the smell of pine trees, quiet walks by the river, or hiking through the forest — Dubai might not be your forever place.

It’s made of glass, sand, and sea, not mountains and meadows.

And it’s also not the right fit for people who struggle with rules.
Dubai isn’t a dictatorship — but it does have strict laws and strong discipline.

For example:

• You can’t drink alcohol in public or appear drunk in public places.

• You can’t show disrespect to religion or the royal family.

• Public arguments, rude gestures, or inappropriate clothing can lead to fines.

• Drugs are completely forbidden — even small amounts or certain prescription meds can get you in serious trouble.

That said — if you’re a normal, respectful person, this won’t be a problem at all.
Rules in Dubai are clear, and they exist to keep everyone safe.
It’s a country built on order, respect, and tolerance — and when you follow that rhythm, life here flows easily.

One thing that makes it even smoother is the language — everyone speaks English.
From government offices to taxi drivers, communication is effortless, which makes settling in much easier than in most countries.

Dubai is a city of contrasts — luxury and simplicity, desert and sea, tradition and modernity.

It’s clean, safe, exciting, and full of opportunity.
But it’s also intense, hot, and fast-paced.

If you ever decide to live there, take time to explore each area, find a neighborhood that fits your rhythm, and don’t forget to look for the small joys — a sunset on the Palm, a walk by the Marina, or a quiet coffee in the middle of this buzzing, sparkling city. ✨