🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates
#846
Nomad Score
7.0
Coords
24.4538352, 54.3774014
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Abu Dhabi, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1,500,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 200 Mbps (5G is widespread) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | UAE Dirham (AED). 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED (Pegged) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Safe for bathing/cooking; most residents prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Etisalat and Du; Visitor Line from Etisalat costs approx. 125 AED for 6GB |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Wio (Digital Bank), HSBC |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Apartment rentals (Annual), Hotel Apartments, and Airbnb |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, Apple Pay and cards accepted for everything including taxis |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Blueground (furnished 1+ months), Staycae |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Aloft Abu Dhabi (ADNEC area) - Approx. 350 AED/night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Yas Island (Attractions) or Saadiyat Island (Cultural/Beaches) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Al Reem Island (Modern high-rises, fast internet) or Al Khalidiyah (Community feel, cafes) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cloud Spaces (Yas Mall) - Daily pass approx. 120 AED |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Rain (Al Wahda) or Joud Coffee (Al Qana) |
| 💼 Networking Events | Abu Dhabi Business Hub and Hub71 startup events |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | InterNations Abu Dhabi and 'Abu Dhabi Expats' Facebook Group |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Abu Dhabi Taxi (TransAD) and Careem/Uber |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Careem BIKE (Stations across Corniche/Reem); TIER scooters |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Saadiyat Soul Beach (Entry fee 50-75 AED) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Etihad Airways |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Etihad Airways |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) connecting to Dubai; E10 to the city center |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Hafilat Card (Required for all city buses) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Intercity Bus E100/E101 to Dubai (25 AED, approx. 1.5 - 2 hours) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (Al Maryah Island) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Studio (Corniche) or Bodytree Studio |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First (Abu Dhabi Mall) or Warehouse Gym (Al Qana) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Washmen App (Pick up and delivery service) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Talabat, Deliveroo, and Noon Food |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Machboos (Spiced rice with meat) - Al Fanar Restaurant |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Wild & The Moon (Cultural Foundation) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | L'ADUREE (The Galleria Mall) or Godiva Cafe |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Lulu Hypermarket and Carrefour |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.ae and Noon.com |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instashop or Kibsons |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Yas Bay Waterfront and Al Maryah Island Promenade |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | No local breweries (alcohol served only in licensed hotels/venues); Craft by Side Hustle (Galleria Mall) is the first on-site micro-brewery |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | La Petite Maison (LPM) or Bentley Kitchen |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street fries and shawarma at 'Khafayef' in Al Khalidiyah |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Zuma (Japanese) or Hakkasan (Chinese) in Emirates Palace |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Qasr Al Hosn (the oldest stone building in the city) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abrahamic Family House |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula 1) in November |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Saadiyat Cultural District |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mina Fish Market and Al Mina Fruit & Vegetable Market |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Etihad Arena (Major International Artists) |
| 🎨 Street Art | Marsa Al Bateen district murals |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Jones the Grocer (various locations) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Etihad Modern Art Gallery |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Heritage Village (Abu Dhabi Corniche) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Jubail Mangrove Park |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mangrove National Park |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Al Wathba Cycle Track and Abu Dhabi Corniche Path |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Observation Deck at 300 (Etihad Towers) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (Flamingos) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Al Wathba Desert (Requires 4x4) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex, Fetchr, and DHL |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Virgin Megastore or Sharaf DG (Abu Dhabi Mall) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Abu Dhabi Racket Club |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Berlitz or Eton Institute (Khalifa City) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Qasr Al Hosn Library |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Hub at Al Maryah Island |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Pixoul Gaming (Al Qana) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | N/A (Gambling is illegal in the UAE) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 18,000 AED per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 810,000 AED) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 12,000 AED per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 540,000 AED) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 17,000 AED per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 1,190,000 AED) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 11,000 AED per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 770,000 AED) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 16,500 AED per m² (e.g., 110 m² = 1,815,000 AED) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 10,500 AED per m² (e.g., 110 m² = 1,155,000 AED) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 9% on taxable income exceeding 375,000 AED |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% |
| 🏦 Tax System | No personal income tax for individuals |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% |
| 🧾 VAT | 5% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, introduced as part of the Corporate Tax Law |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property tax (5% municipal fee on rental value) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% transfer fee for the buyer |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Yes, Remote Work Visa allows 0% personal income tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING ABU DHABI