Dubai, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
#845
,
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Dubai is a global city and business hub in the Middle East, known for its modern architecture and luxury lifestyle. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 3.4 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is the UAE Dirham (AED). 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is treated and generally safe to drink, though many prefer bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity supply: 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Etisalat and Du, offering various prepaid and postpaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most international cards are accepted, and banks like Emirates NBD and ADCB cater to expatriates. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and long-term rentals yielding around AED 2,500 to 5,000 monthly. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted across the city. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and holiday home rentals are popular, especially in areas like Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget-friendly hostels include Dubai Youth Hostel and Atana Hotel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Area are prime tourist spots. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Areas like Dubai Marina and JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers) are recommended for their coworking spaces and amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork in Dubai Marina and Regal Tower are prominent choices for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Arabica Cafe in Jumeirah Beach is popular for its ambiance and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech meetups and expat get-togethers frequently occur at Dubai Internet City. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Dubai Expats Meetup is a vibrant community for networking and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem and Uber operate extensively throughout the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | UU Bike offers rental services and dock stations across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Jumeirah Beach is the closest and most popular beach area. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Emirates is the main airline, connecting to regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways dominate international travel. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Key roads include Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Quds Street. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is a major transport hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | NOL Card system covers metro, bus, and water transport access. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and taxis or ride-sharing apps effectively connect to nearby cities like Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dubai Hospital is the premier healthcare facility in the region. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Studio offers various classes in Dubai Marina. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Gold's Gym have numerous locations offering memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services can be found easily; notable ones include Laundry Dubai. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Zomato and Deliveroo are widely used for food deliveries. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Shawarma or Al Harees for a local culinary experience. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Look for Wild & The Moon and Govindas for plant-based dining. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Atisuto and Baked by Melissa are famous for their pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Dubai Spice Souk offers affordable local foods and spices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.ae and Noon.com are primary online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Talabat offers grocery delivery from various local supermarkets. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Areas like JBR and Downtown Dubai are known for vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | The Basement is a local pub with craft beers in Dubai. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The White Bar in the Meydan Hotel offers a range of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Global Village features numerous street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Top international spots include Zuma for Japanese and Ronda Locatelli for Italian. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Palm Jumeirah are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Dubai Museum and Alserkal Avenue are noteworthy cultural sites. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Al Fahidi Historic District showcases Dubai's heritage. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Grand Mosque and Jumeirah Mosque are prominent spiritual sites. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Dubai Food Festival and the Dubai Shopping Festival attract many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Al Quoz hosts contemporary art galleries and cultural hotspots. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Dubai Opera offers a luxurious venue for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are must-visit markets. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Clubs like White Dubai host international DJs regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Al Seef Area features vibrant street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Arabian Culinary Club offers cooking classes featuring local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art Sawa in Alserkal Avenue exhibits contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Bastakiya District features restored buildings over 100 years old. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood represents traditional emirate architecture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Hatta Mountain, about 1.5 hours away, offers hikes and kayaking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve features protected wildlife. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Dubai Marina has promenades perfect for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | At the top of Burj Khalifa provides stunning skyline views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is known for migratory birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Kite Beach has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Aramex offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Places like iFix offer electronic repairs across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table tennis clubs can be found at many community centers. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The British Council offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is a new cultural hub and reading space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Dubai Community Center hosts various cultural events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Keen gamers can check out Geek Garage for a good gaming experience. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casinos are not prevalent; however, gaming machines are available in select hotels. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 13,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AED 520,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 9,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AED 360,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 11,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AED 660,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 8,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AED 510,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AED 800,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 7,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AED 584,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 0% corporate tax rate for most entities. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No dividend withholding tax. |
| 🏦 Tax System | No income tax for residents; revenues primarily from VAT. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% personal income tax. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 5%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict CFC rules exist, encouraging foreign investment. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property tax; registration fee only. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Property registration fee is 4% of the property value. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Dubai's zero income tax policy is very appealing for digital nomads. |