Dubai, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
#845
25.074282, 55.188538
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Dubai, a global city and business hub in the UAE, known for its modern architecture, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 3.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 AED ≈ 0.27 USD. The UAE Dirham is the official currency. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, but generally bottled water is preferred. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Du and Etisalat are the primary mobile providers, offering prepaid and postpaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International banks like HSBC, Emirates NBD, and FAB widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, serviced apartments, and short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Holiday Homes Dubai, and Vacasa offer numerous options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Dubai Youth Hostel and Rove Hotels offer affordable rates. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork Dubai, located in multiple locations including Marina Plaza. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | One Life Kitchen and Cafe is known for its excellent ambiance and wifi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups such as Dubai Digital Nomads group and Professional Meetups at venues like The Jamjar. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Dubai Expat Meetup Group on Facebook hosts community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem and Uber operate extensively in Dubai. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | RTA Bike Rental service is available in many areas and parks. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Jumeirah Beach, approximately 15 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Emirates Airlines is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are major international carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Sheikh Zayed Road offers easy access in and out of the city. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Metro Station is a central hub in the metro system. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Nol Card allows easy access to Metro, Bus, and Tram systems. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and intercity taxis connect to Abu Dhabi and other emirates. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dubai Healthcare City contains several top hospitals, including Mediclinic City Hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Ashram and The Hot House Yoga are popular destinations. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness 360 and Gold's Gym offer extensive facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Just Laundry are widely available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Zomato and Talabat are the leading food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Shawarma is a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Wild & The Moon and Plant Food offer great vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Sum of Us and Baked are known for their desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Al Shindagha Market offers a variety of local foods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Noon.com and Amazon.ae are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Carrefour and LuLu Hypermarket offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | JBR and Downtown Dubai are popular nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Crafted offers a selection of locally brewed beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Vault and La Cantine offer a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Bur Dubai area has numerous street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Zuma and P.F. Chang's cater to international palates. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are essential landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Dubai Museum and the Alserkal Avenue art district are worth visiting. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood offers insight into Dubai's past. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Jumeirah Mosque is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Dubai Shopping Festival and Art Dubai are major annual events. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Al Quoz and Alserkal Avenue are known for their art scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Dubai Opera hosts exceptional performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are iconic shopping experiences. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Places like Soho Garden and White Dubai host live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Al Quoz district features impressive street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Arabian Tea House offers cooking classes focused on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Third Line and Leila Heller Gallery are notable galleries. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House showcases traditional architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Emirati heritage is preserved in local museums and events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Hatta is approximately 90 minutes away for nature and adventure. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mangrove forests in Abu Dhabi provide beautiful scenery. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Dubai Marina Walk is popular for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | At the top of Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Kite Beach allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex and DHL provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Popular shops like iFix offer tech repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Club Dubai is a prime location for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | British Council offers English language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Dubai Public Library provides study spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Cultural and Scientific Association offers events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | LevelUp is a popular gaming lounge in Dubai. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Dubai does not have casinos, but gaming lounges are available. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AED 600,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AED 400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 13,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AED 780,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 8,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AED 480,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AED 12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AED 960,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AED 7,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AED 600,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 0% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% |
| 🏦 Tax System | No personal income tax. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% |
| 🧾 VAT | 5% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property taxation, but service fees apply. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 4% of the purchase price. |