Guide

Dubai Nightlife: The Best Bars for Women in 2026

The Best Dining Offers in Dubai: Chic Restaurants, Lounges, Beach Clubs and Girls Nights

Sink Into Serenity: Inside Dubai’s Most Luxurious Sand Bath Experience at Cinq Mondes Spa

The Case for Music: Why Dubai’s Expat Mums Are Choosing Aureus

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series - An Experience They Keep Coming Back To

Top 10 Most Affordable Budget Airlines in the UAE For Your Next Trip

Outdoor Movie Nights Return to JLT Dubai: Cinema Under the Stars Is Back for the Winter Season

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

Dubai Just Launched a Travel Influencer Academy

Classifieds

Jobs

How to Get a UAE Influencer License: Step-By-Step Guide & Requirements

Dubai Announces Pilot Launch of 4-Day Work Week For Employees

UAE Job Loss Insurance Claim Rejected? Here's Why It Could Happen

How to Claim UAE Job Loss Insurance: Eligibility and Step-by-Step Guide

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

Can I Get Fired in the UAE For My Mental Health Condition?

Dubai Dedicates AED 150 Million Government Support Fund For Influencers

How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in the UAE

The UAE's New End-of-Service Programme, Explained for Residents

Events

Don’t Miss It: DAZ Festival 2026 is the Ultimate Family Day Out This April

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series - An Experience They Keep Coming Back To

Wicked Makes Its Middle East Debut at Dubai Opera and It's Unmissable

Outdoor Movie Nights Return to JLT Dubai: Cinema Under the Stars Is Back for the Winter Season

Real Madrid World is Celebrating World Football Day With AED 199 Tickets

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025: Announced and Expected Dates

Win Cash Prizes Up to AED 300 For Every Kilo Lost With UAE's Weight Loss Challenge

Eid Al Fitr 2025 in the UAE: When is the Long Weekend?

Ramadan 2025 in Dubai: List of Ramadan Markets to Explore

Education

The Case for Music: Why Dubai’s Expat Mums Are Choosing Aureus

AL JABR EFI Opens Its French Nursery and Kindergarten in Dubai

Why Expat Families in the UAE Are Choosing Online School Over Traditional Classrooms

Dubai Private School Hosts Rare Art Exhibition: "Royal Lineage Across a Thousand Years of History"

The Education Plan Every Expat Parent Wishes They’d Started Sooner

Art, Culture, and Inspiration Come Alive: A One-of-a-Kind Celebration at BC Academy

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Punishment or Rewards - Aware Parenting with Eva from Kisari.Kids

Back-to-School, Reimagined: How UAE Families Are Choosing a Smarter Start to the School Year

Embark on a Summer Adventure at Kids First Group Universe!

Money

Divorce in Dubai Explained: A 2026 Guide to UAE Family Law, Custody and Your Rights

The Legal Framework of Real Estate in Dubai

Marital Breakdown & Divorce: A Guide for Expat Mums Living in Dubai and Across the UAE

The Education Plan Every Expat Parent Wishes They’d Started Sooner

How to Pay UAE Fines in Instalments Using Tabby

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

UAE Unveils New Official Dirham Symbol, Inspired By the Country's Flag

6 Financial Resolutions to Make for the New Year

Meet Dr. Hassan Elhais: A Pillar of Legal Expertise for Expats in the UAE

Home

The Legal Framework of Real Estate in Dubai

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Punishment or Rewards - Aware Parenting with Eva from Kisari.Kids

Are "Own Visa" and Freelancer Visa Domestic Workers Legal in the UAE?

Hiring a Maid in the UAE: 5 Legal Red Flags

Ask a UAE Flower Shop: Your Most Common Questions, Answered

FYI Dubai is Banning All Single Use Bags From June 1

Carrefour's 'Choose Better' Programme is Here to Reward Healthier Choices With 10x the Points

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Pet Breeding in the UAE: Is it Allowed and Where to Find Legal Pet Breeders

Car

How to Convert a Non-UAE Driving License in Dubai: A Complete Guide

Booking Taxis in Dubai: How to Hail a Taxi Through WhatsApp

What Are the Requirements For a Car Loan in Dubai?

Dubai Public Commute Timings & Road Closures for New Year's Eve

UAE Petrol Prices Will Increase in August 2024

Head's Up! Dubai Taxi Fares Will Increase in May 2024

UAE Announces New Fuel Prices For May 2024

Missing UAE License Plates: How to Report a Lost Plate or Reclaim Yours

Authorities to Waive All Dubai Traffic Fines Incurred on April 16

Wellness

Managing Anxiety During Uncertain Times: Practical Strategies to Stay Mentally Strong

Top Tips to Have a Healthy Heart in the UAE

9 Warning Signs for Breast Cancer

Where to Get Free Breast Cancer Screening in the UAE 2025

Win Cash Prizes Up to AED 300 For Every Kilo Lost With UAE's Weight Loss Challenge

Discover "The New You" at Zieda's Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai

Top Ladies-Only Gyms and Fitness Centres in Dubai

Say Goodbye to Wrinkles With Mediclinic's Botox Mondays Offer

Get Expert Healthcare and Wellness Delivered to Your Doorstep in Dubai Within 30 Minutes

Shop

Shopping In Dubai

Best Online Shopping Sites in Dubai and UAE

An A-Z Guide to Dubai's Popular Malls

What To Wear At The Beach In Dubai

14 Hilarious Realities of Visiting Dubai Mall

Every Day is a Discount Day on THIS Deals Site

Cityland Mall Preview: Dubai's New Nature-Inspired Shopping Mall

EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Living in Dubai and working in AD

32

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 08:06

HI<
I am a single American in my 30's. Currently I live and work in AD.
I've only been in the UAE for 6 months.
This weekend was the first time that I spent any time in Dubai.
WOW!!!! What a difference. I was in tears over how much more
"western friendly" iit is there.
I was also shocked at how low rental prices are compaired to AD.
So now I am seriously thinking of moving to Dubai and doing the commute everyday.
Does anyone have any advise?
All responses are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cristy

Log in to post new content in the forum.

610

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 18:57

I'm just starting my 3rd week of commuting between Trade Centre and a place 5 mins after Maqta bridge. On a good day it's been taking me 1hr 10mins to get there, 1hr 20mins to get back. The worst part of my journey is when traffic grinds to a halt post MOE on the way back...... I'm finding it do-able, and I'm lucky that my office hours are 8.30 to 4pm so I leave at 7am & am normally parked by 8.15am, and if out the door by 4pm I'm parked at home by 5.30pm, which isn't toooo bad. Last Thurs however was the exception when it took me 2hrs 15 to get home and witnessed the aftermath of no less than 4 accidents along the way (shunts rather than full on smashes, but enough to halt traffic), and yes the road is full of total IDIOTS!! A previous comment was wise - stick in the 2nd to fastest lane and just let the nutters pass you by on either side, oh and keep you distance from the car in front no matter how much bullying there is from behind. DH works here in the Trade Centre area so moving to AD is not an option for us (not that we'd want too anyway), saying that we are DEFO looking to move Marina / Palm / Ibn Btta end to ease my journey. We'll need 2 cars (we only need 1 right now as DH walks to work), but bless him, he said I moved all the way to the UAE for his job, the least he'll do is move a few kms up the road & fund a new car for my job :-) I think ultimately if you can put up with the travelling and move Marina end of DXB it'll be a good move for you. HTH! x

68

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 12:16

Ive done the commute for a just over a year now - since i arrived. We have a pool car and so the drive is split between people and the palm exit is pretty easy - no traffic compared to dubai marina, emirates hills and the greens. Funnily enough - the far right lane is the worst! you are best to stay in the 2nd to fasted lane and people just go around you. I dont find the traffic bad in the mornings - we leave at 6:50am. Although if my office was in the centre of AD i would think twice about the commute as it can add another 20mins -30mins to your journey

180

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 12:12

Having worked for 2 year in Dubai - my company decided to relocate to AD. I had to commute from Bur Dubai to ICAD every day - it took nearly 2.5 hours just to get home. Luckily I found a new job, 10 minutes from home! Yay ... I could only do it again if I lived in the Marina/JBR or Disco Gardens - otherwise no chance.

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 12:04

I have been commuting for the last 14 months to AD and not too bad. I quite often car share if I can which helps, and its nice to have some company. I think its worth the drive, as my colleagues hate living in AD and come to Dubai whenever they can. Just expect accidents from time to time and move out of the way of the nutcases, and you will be fine!

143

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 11:45

I agree with Sticky Wicket... After a cushy life in DXB being told i "had" to relocate to the AUH office I did "The commute" for four months (al warqaa to city centre Abu Dhabi)..... honestly, its was ****. Laura I admire your enthusiasm on it, how long have you been doing it? they say after you have done something for 11 days it becomes routine (quote one of our engineers, although not sure where he got that from). If you live at the Lakes and work at MBZ area or Yas then an hours commute is not too bad i guess....but mine was quite an extreme 2.5hrs each way.....depressive or what! The traffic is bad all the time, from the perspective of idiot drivers...i dont think one day passed without someone doing something stupid! Stay to the right and you are still mauled by weaving, speeding fools. or those who are literally scared of the road conditions and limp along at 80, forcing you to overtake ever closer to the speeders.....when there are accidents, its likely you will be sitting there for quite a while...unless you drive up the hard shoulder and may or may not be taken out by a land cruiser or something of similar size racing down there are 80-100 past said halted traffic. I hear what your saying about AUH being quiet compared to DXB, but honestly, to do it (the commute) by choice i think you have to be mad to do it if its longer than an hour....just my opinion.... (I left that company and was lucky to find something dxb based again, i am safer and definitely more valued)

68

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 10:51

Hey, I do that commute everyday and i think its fine. In london i would spend an hour door to door to get to work (walk, train, walk) so its not actually that different apart from im not standing in the rain waiting for a late train, haha. Yes the traffic can be bad when there are accidents and there are some crazy drivers - but get out their way and its fine. Anyway - hope that helps. Only thing i would say is that it depends where you live in dubai and where you work in AD. I live on the Palm and work near AD airport/ Yas island and its 45mins door to door?

63

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 10:18

My husband does it! We live in Dubai, he works in Ad and drives every day. 1.10 h to go and to return....i keep telling him i don´t mind moving to AD to make his life easier but he doesn´t want!He prefers living in dubai

Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 10:11

HI< I am a single American in my 30's. Currently I live and work in AD. I've only been in the UAE for 6 months. This weekend was the first time that I spent any time in Dubai. WOW!!!! What a difference. I was in tears over how much more "western friendly" iit is there. I was also shocked at how low rental prices are compaired to AD. So now I am seriously thinking of moving to Dubai and doing the commute everyday. Does anyone have any advise? All responses are greatly appreciated. Thanks Cristy Grass is always greener or can appear so. Dubai has the affect when you first come, it soon wears off. The commute is exhausting and dangerous, stay where you are and just come for visits.

1234

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 10:07

As long as you are happy to spend about 1-1.5 hour each way every day on the road, then it shouldn't be a problem for you. just choose the house in dubai closer to dubai marina and ibn battuta, so it's easy for you to get on the abu dhabi road :)

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 09:35

Darling, I admire your optimism. But I think it will be a long, long time before AD catches up to Dubai in terms of amenities. It's hard to imagine anything topping the cathedral of consumerism that is the Dubai Mall. Perhaps someday, but it's still quite a few years away and in the meantime I easily understand why people choose to live in Dubai and commute to AD. lots of people do it. there is more to do in dxb, but then it costs more if you are going out all the time. yes the rents have always been much much much cheaper, and you can also have more flexible payments, and the facilities are much better. but driving up and down that road is a killer!!! and i mean that literally too! i would suggest you look at al reef which is out past the airport then you are sort of closer to ad but not in ad central. eventually you will be able to move into al ghadheer when they build it on the border of ad/dxb. the malls in ad will improve, they will have more than dxb when they have finished. new ones to open are in baniyas, huge one with car4 and cinema. the rest of delma mall in mussafah, mushrif mall off airport road, deerfields up at al bahia, the new ikea at yas along with yas mall. so all in all they will be much better than dxb for shopping. what i am saying is that they are building lots more malls here, whereby 14 years ago you had to go to dubai for shopping and that was to Deira City Centre, which was the highlight of all the malls back then, now obviously there is more choice. over the years all the other malls have grown up. and that is what is happening in ad. ad will have the biggest ikea here, apparently will be 4 times bigger than the other ones! and so with all the other malls they are defo improving. imo i do not like dubai mall, and moe, the only one that i go to is ibn! yes i understand why people commute but my hubs has done that commute years ago when the road was only 1.5 lanes wide, and used to take 3 hours and since they have upgraded it, but its a killer!

654

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 09:12

Darling, I admire your optimism. But I think it will be a long, long time before AD catches up to Dubai in terms of amenities. It's hard to imagine anything topping the cathedral of consumerism that is the Dubai Mall. Perhaps someday, but it's still quite a few years away and in the meantime I easily understand why people choose to live in Dubai and commute to AD. lots of people do it. there is more to do in dxb, but then it costs more if you are going out all the time. yes the rents have always been much much much cheaper, and you can also have more flexible payments, and the facilities are much better. but driving up and down that road is a killer!!! and i mean that literally too! i would suggest you look at al reef which is out past the airport then you are sort of closer to ad but not in ad central. eventually you will be able to move into al ghadheer when they build it on the border of ad/dxb. the malls in ad will improve, they will have more than dxb when they have finished. new ones to open are in baniyas, huge one with car4 and cinema. the rest of delma mall in mussafah, mushrif mall off airport road, deerfields up at al bahia, the new ikea at yas along with yas mall. so all in all they will be much better than dxb for shopping.

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 09:08

lots of people do it. there is more to do in dxb, but then it costs more if you are going out all the time. yes the rents have always been much much much cheaper, and you can also have more flexible payments, and the facilities are much better. but driving up and down that road is a killer!!! and i mean that literally too! i would suggest you look at al reef which is out past the airport then you are sort of closer to ad but not in ad central. eventually you will be able to move into al ghadheer when they build it on the border of ad/dxb. the malls in ad will improve, they will have more than dxb when they have finished. new ones to open are in baniyas, huge one with car4 and cinema. the rest of delma mall in mussafah, mushrif mall off airport road, deerfields up at al bahia, the new ikea at yas along with yas mall. so all in all they will be much better than dxb for shopping.

511

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 08:54

Cristy I have been in AD 6 months and I feel I have given it a good go, but I really miss Dubai these days and find myself going back every weekend and I am now considering moving back. There are some things I love about AD, my apartment is fab but I find the weekends so boring now the initial excitement of being somewhere new has worn off and the malls are just terrible. I still use my Drs. and denstists in Dubai because I know them well, so apart from working here during the week, I am essentially still living my life in Dubai anyway. Two other girls in my department do the commute and it takes them 60 mins from the marina on a good day and the days when there was fog, it took maybe 80 mins. It will be helpful that I can carshare with them too as we can each drive one week which cuts down on the driving time. I have decided I am going to give it until the summer as I have some exams and things to do by then, so don''t really want to uproot now, but I defnitely understand your dilema, good luck!

774

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 08:41

We are leaving AD next weekend for Dubai. We've been in AD for three years and although I prefered AD over Dubai initially I am tired of nothing to do in AD and the sky high price of real estate. Plus I've been wanting a more American style neighborhood and house with a yard and we are getting exactly what we want in Dubai for what we've been paying for a flat in AD with no ammenities. My DH works outside of AD so his commute from our place on the Corniche has always been at least 40 minutes. On nights where he works late, he drives the 40 minutes home and sometimes can't find a parking space for half an hour to an hour, so tack that onto his commute and he's just spent a lot of time in the car. We are moving to Arabian Ranches and his commute will be longer from Dubai but it's all highway to his work and instead of coming home and circling the parking lot for a half hour, he can pull right into our garage. I think the quality of life is going to be much better in Dubai and I'm looking forward to the more western shopping malls and stores that I'm used to back home.

Log in to post new content in the forum.

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY

AL JABR EFI Early Childhood Centre | French nursery in Dubai

AL JABR EFI Opens Its French Nursery and Kindergarten in Dubai

Dubai women dining offers guide 2026

The Best Dining Offers in Dubai: Chic Restaurants, Lounges, Beach Clubs and Girls Nights

Best music schools for kids in Dubai | Aureus Academy UAE

The Case for Music: Why Dubai’s Expat Mums Are Choosing Aureus

Dubai Nightlife: The Best Bars for Women in 2026

Dubai Nightlife: The Best Bars for Women in 2026

UAE Family Law 2026 | Divorce, Custody & Personal Status Guide for Expat Residents

Divorce in Dubai Explained: A 2026 Guide to UAE Family Law, Custody and Your Rights

Managing Anxiety during Uncertain Times: Practical Strategies to Stay Mentally Strong

Managing Anxiety During Uncertain Times: Practical Strategies to Stay Mentally Strong

The Legal Framework of Real Estate in Dubai | Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy

The Legal Framework of Real Estate in Dubai

Top Online Schools in the UAE for Kids and Teenagers: CambriLearn

Why Expat Families in the UAE Are Choosing Online School Over Traditional Classrooms

A Guide to DAZ Festival 2026 in Al Ain | Tickets, Activities, Food & Beverages, Shows, Events & More

Don’t Miss It: DAZ Festival 2026 is the Ultimate Family Day Out This April

How to get a divorce in Dubai as an expat resident

Marital Breakdown & Divorce: A Guide for Expat Mums Living in Dubai and Across the UAE

Royal Lineage Across a Thousand Years of History exhibition at BC Academy International School Dubai news

Dubai Private School Hosts Rare Art Exhibition: "Royal Lineage Across a Thousand Years of History"

10 Essential Steps to Secure Your Child’s Educational Future

The Education Plan Every Expat Parent Wishes They’d Started Sooner

Psammotherapy at Raffles the Palm Dubai

Sink Into Serenity: Inside Dubai’s Most Luxurious Sand Bath Experience at Cinq Mondes Spa

How to Pay UAE Fines in Instalments Using Tabby

How to Pay UAE Fines in Instalments Using Tabby

Kisari Kids - Awareness Parenting Coach Eva Szorad Interview

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Punishment or Rewards - Aware Parenting with Eva from Kisari.Kids

Top online British and US High Schools in the UAE: CambriLearn

Back-to-School, Reimagined: How UAE Families Are Choosing a Smarter Start to the School Year

Top 10 Low Cost Airlines in the UAE

Top 10 Most Affordable Budget Airlines in the UAE For Your Next Trip

Top Nursery School Kids Summer Camps in Dubai 2025

Embark on a Summer Adventure at Kids First Group Universe!

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

Top 5 UK curriculum online schools for expat families and kids abroad

Top 5 Online Schools For Expat Families in the Middle East

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

Travel influencer academy in Dubai

Dubai Just Launched a Travel Influencer Academy

Central Bank of UAE reveals new official currency symbol for the Emirati dirham

UAE Unveils New Official Dirham Symbol, Inspired By the Country's Flag

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announces 3 best UAE government departments

Pictured: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at a UAE Cabinet meeting.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed Ranks 3 Best & Worst UAE Government Departments

New 10-Year UAE Residency Visa for Dubai Content Creators and Influencers

There's a 10-Year UAE Residency Visa for Dubai Content Creators and Influencers

Breakfast with penguins at Ski Dubai Mall of the Emirates

You Can Now Enjoy Breakfast With Penguins in Dubai

How to convert another country's drivers license in Dubai

How to Convert a Non-UAE Driving License in Dubai: A Complete Guide

Registrations open for EYFS curriculum Willow Children's Nursery in Dubai

Where to Choose the Best EYFS Children's Nursery in Dubai Marina

Outdoor cinemas in Dubai for the winter season 2024

The Best Outdoor Cinemas in Dubai to See Open-Air Movies This Winter

Executive Hospitality Programme at South View School in Dubai

Introducing the Executive Hospitality Programme at South View School Dubai

Expat legal consultants in the UAE | Dr. Hassan Elhais

Meet Dr. Hassan Elhais: A Pillar of Legal Expertise for Expats in the UAE

Saray Spa promotions at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

This Luxury Dubai Spa Has Some of the Very Best Breaks To Escape To

A Complete Guide How to Get an Influencer License in Dubai and UAE

How to Get a UAE Influencer License: Step-By-Step Guide & Requirements