How suitable is Dubai for a young, single female living there full time? | ExpatWoman.com
 

How suitable is Dubai for a young, single female living there full time?

2
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 November 2018 - 19:14

I am a 26-year-old single female from the UK who is considering moving to Dubai. I will not be working, but getting a visa through buying an apartment, and living off savings I received via an inheritance.

Since I will not be working for a company, like most single women do, I am trying to understand what the situation will be like for me as a single female living in Dubai - without the support system of a company. I will be on my own so far as making all living arrangements, etc.

Friends and family have tried to put me off going to Dubai, for the following reasons that they have heard from the "media" over here:

a) Every week we get some horror story about Dubai in the press here: English tourists locked up for no good reason, then given legal documents in Arabic to sign, and given no interpreters, etc.

b) Women locked up for reporting rapes, since they "slept" with someone to whom they were not married.

c) Dubai not being a friendly place in general for single white females due to "Islamic" values.

d) If you ever get entangled in anything, no matter how unwittingly or accidentally - good luck, as you will be stuck.

e) It is illegal to be alone in a room with a man unless married - so does this mean we have to remain celibate?

f) You can't live there for 4 months of the year because it is way too hot.

g) Dubai's water supply at any one time only lasts for 7 days, and if ever there were any infrastructure problems like power cuts, you would both boil and die of thirst!

I know the media exaggerates things, so I wanted to speak to any single UK females who are living in Dubai to give me the real story of day to day life, and whether I could live there full-time without any problems.

Additionally, please give suggestions on the best/nicest place to live for a single female (I have a large budget so expense is not an issue).

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 November 2019 - 02:00
Hello I know this post is from 2018, I just wondered if you had moved and how you got on? I’m a 26 year-old single female from the UK looking into moving also!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2018 - 00:18
Thanks again. Are you able to recommend any particular apartment buildings in the JBR area?
8965
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 28 November 2018 - 15:13
Thanks very much for your helpful reply! I had a few other questions: 1) Is it safe to go for walks in the early morning along the beach? (In the JBR area, for example.) 2) During the Ma...
Yes it is safe. No bogeyman is waiting to kidnap you.... JBR is always busy imagine Marbella along the sea front. Yes it is cooler in the morning. No we do not have water or power cuts ( Where did you get that info from?) Thousands of British expats live here and have no issues whatsoever. It is a shame i cannot say the same about the UK
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 November 2018 - 08:20
Thanks very much for your helpful reply! I had a few other questions: 1) Is it safe to go for walks in the early morning along the beach? (In the JBR area, for example.) 2) During the Ma...
Glad to help. 1) It is very safe and very common to walk in the early morning in any decent area, like JBR. During the cooler months they have offered free yoga in the mornings too! 2) The temperature is the same for May to August, it is not dependent on the time. At 2am it is almost just as hot and humid as it is at noon. Wish I could tell you something better, but these months are just plain rough. Many people are okay with it, but I hate sweating right after leaving the house, so I just try to stay indoors as much as possible. 3) In the 3 years I've been here, no power or water cuts. Power and water cuts aren't common in expensive cities like Dubai. Let me know if you have any other questions!!!
2
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 November 2018 - 14:52
I can tell you my experience and a few random tips. I moved from America to the UAE in 2015, for a job. I came here alone, not knowing anyone, but the company I worked for did provide housing clo...
Thanks very much for your helpful reply! I had a few other questions: 1) Is it safe to go for walks in the early morning along the beach? (In the JBR area, for example.) 2) During the May-August period, is the temperature much cooler in the early morning? Or is it still very hot? 3) Has Dubai ever had any power or water cuts?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 November 2018 - 10:20
I can tell you my experience and a few random tips. I moved from America to the UAE in 2015, for a job. I came here alone, not knowing anyone, but the company I worked for did provide housing close to work (no roommates). My parents and close friends were worried about me moving to "the middle east" and tried convincing me to stay in America, but I wanted to try it. When I got here, I was in culture and environment shock. Though, I do not enjoy living in this country, it is totally safe, you just have to be smart. For example, don't get drunk and do stupid things on the streets, because the consequences will be more than in the UK. Don't say negative things about the UAE nor post inappropriate photos on social media, because "big brother" monitors everything here. Dating: you can freely interact with the opposite gender all you want, just mind your surroundings. For example, pda (beyond holding hands and a simple peck), is not allowed. I've been to a couple small bars/dance clubs and if my partner and I got "too close", a bouncer would tell us it's not allowed - I just laugh it off and back up. Date all you want! Clothing: since Dubai is full of tourists, people dress whatever way they want, and even though some places like the mall says to wear "appropriate clothing", it's not very enforced. I've seen many many girls wearing shirts and shorts that show more than they cover, and it's okay. I have been to many public places though, and will get dirty looks from some women wearing abayas, because I'm wearing shorts (fingertip length), a t-shirt, and flip flops - again, I just laugh it off because it is really funny to me. If you do visit a government place, then you will have to cover your shoulders and knees, or you won't be let in (I just wrap a random scarf around my waist most of the time). Weather: the sun shines most days. In the winter months (November-February) it can rain some (everything floods because this country was not built for rain, so there is no drainage) and gets "chilly" some days and nights. May-August are pretty rough, hot and humid. I stay in doors as much as possible during those months because my skin and the sun are not friends, and I hate sweating within 1 minute of being outside. Ramadan: you cannot publicly consume drinks nor food while the sun is up. Many restaurants are open for delivery or dine in if the windows are covered. Its odd, but it is what it is. Water: can't drink tap water, but can use it to cook pasta and brush your teeth. Just buy bottled water to drink. Tap water contains chlorine, so you can smell it when you shower and this causes hair to break easier. My hair is not noticeably thinner or anything, but it does fall out more in this country. Transportation: take appropriately marked taxis, nothing unmarked or "fancy" looking. Taxi's are all new cars and very obvious. Ignore anyone else who offers transportation (fancy cars or white lexus). Another random thing: I am a very average looking blonde, fair skinned, American (nothing noticeably special), and I had to adjust to specific nationalities staring at me, as if they have never seen a women before. It's gross, but I just ignore it. Thankfully, those nationalities probably can't speak English, so I've never heard any inappropriate comments before. Living areas: Marina and JBR are popular and busy areas to live. JLT is just across the main road, but much calmer. City Walk, anything around Dubai Mall, and on the Palm will cost you, but are probably nice. Hope that helped some!
 
 

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