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The Top 20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai (in no particular order!)
By Tia O'Neill


Living in Dubai is not wonderful and glamorous, as many would have you believe. Forget about what you've read, seen, and heard; those shiny buildings and manmade islands are all just smoke and mirrors. There are so many things wrong with this place that I have decided to compile a list, a must read if you are considering a potential move to Dubai.
1. There is no standard address system making mail-to-the door delivery impossible. In fact, it makes anything nearly impossible. The taxi driver, here for only two days, and having learned English from old Beatles albums has no clue where your house is. He won't tell you that of course, he'll just keep calling and saying, "Okay, okay. Yeah, yeah." When you purchase something that requires delivery they do not have an address line, but a box where you are expected to draw a map. Not able to draw a map? Explain like this: I live on the street after the airport road, but before the roundabout. Go past the mosque and make a U-turn.
2. The government blocks all web sites that it deems "offensive" to the "religious, moral, and cultural values" of the UAE. That's hard to swallow for a freedom loving American, but I get it. I do not understand, however, why all VOIP access and related web sites are blocked. I guess the government also takes offense to people inexpensively contacting their families back home. You're welcome to call using the analog service provided by the government-owned telephone monopoly, but it will cost you a whole lot more. So much so, in fact, your frequency of calls will be greatly diminished if you can afford them at all. The government says VOIP is blocked for security reasons, yet even the residents of communist China and North Korea have access to these inexpensive calls.

3. It is really hot outside. Not Florida in July hot; Hot as if you were locked in a car in Florida in July with sufficient humidity to make it feel as though you are drowning. Hot as in 120 degrees with nearly 100% humidity. Do not look to the wind for relief. This is the equivalent of pointing a hairdryer on full blast directly at your face. Pour fine moon dust-like sand over your head as you do this and you get the picture.

4. There are too few trees, plants, and grass – or living things aside from us crazy humans, for that matter. Ever see a bird pant? I have. In my opinion, human beings were not meant to live in such a place. If we were, there would be sufficient water and shade. The only greenery around are the roadside gardens planted by the government, who waters the hell out of them in the middle of the day. Thanks a lot! Didn't you say we should cut down on our water consumption because you are unable to keep up with the demand? I have an idea: let's all move someplace where it's not 120 degrees outside.
5. This country prides itself so much on its glitz and glamour that it put a picture of its 7-star hotel on the license plate. Yet, the public toilets in the king-of-bling Gold Souk district are holes in the ground with no toilet paper or soap. Hoses to rinse your nether regions, however, are provided. This results in a mass of water on the floor that you must stand in to pee. Try squatting without touching anything and keeping your pants from touching anything either. Oh yeah. It's 120 degrees in there too.
6. This country encourages businesses to hire people from other poor countries to come here and work. They have them sign contracts that are a decade long and then take their passports. Even though taking passports is supposedly illegal, the government knows it happens and does nothing to enforce the law. These poor people are promised a certain pay, but the companies neglect to tell them they will be deducting their cost of living from their paychecks, leaving them virtually penniless – that is, if they choose to pay them. Companies hold back paychecks for months at a time. When the workers strike as a result, they are jailed. Protesting is illegal, you see (apparently this law IS enforced).
These people will never make enough to buy a ticket home and even if they do, they do not have their passports. They live crammed in portables with tons of others, in highly unsanitary conditions. The kicker: they are building hotels that cost more to stay in for one night than they will make in an entire year. Things are so bad that a number of laborers are willing to throw themselves in front of cars because their death would bring their family affluence in the form of diya, blood money paid to the victim's family as mandated by the government.
7. Things are not cheaper here. I'm sick of people saying that. I read the letters to the editor page of the paper and people say to those who complain about the cost of living rising here, "Well, it's cheaper than your home country or you wouldn't be here." The only thing cheaper here is labor. Yes, you can have a maid – but a bag of washed lettuce will cost you almost $10.
8. There are traffic cameras everywhere. I consider this cheating. Where are the damn cops? I drove around this city for weeks before I ever even saw a cop. Trust me, they need traffic cops here. People drive like idiots. It's perfectly okay to turn left from the far right lane, but speeding even just a couple of kilometers over will get you fined. These cameras are placed strategically as you come down hills, or just as the speed limit changes. Before you know it…BAM! Fined. Forget to pay the bill and your car will be impounded..
9. The clothing some of these women wear makes no sense to me. I understand that as part of your religion you are required to dress in a particular way, but a black robe over your jeans and turtleneck and cover your head when it is 120 degrees outside? In the gym some women wear five layers of clothing…sweatpants and t-shits over sweaters with headscarves. Yet the men's clothing makes absolute sense: white, airy, and nothing underneath but their skivvies.
10. People stare at you. I am sick of being stared at. I'm stared at by men who have never seen a fair-skinned blue-eyed woman before, or who have and think we are all prostitutes so it's okay to stare. They stare at me when I am fully covered or with my husband, and even follow me around. It's beyond creepy and has brought me to tears on more than one occasion. The staring is not limited to men, either. I'm stared at angrily by female prostitutes who think I am running in on their territory by having a few drinks with my husband at the bar.

11. Prostitutes? Oh hell yes, there are prostitutes. Tons of them. So, let me get this straight, I can't look at a naked picture of a person on the Internet in the privacy of my home, but it is okay to go out in public and buy a few for the night?
12. Alcohol can only be sold in hotels and a handful of private clubs. A person must own a liquor license to consume in the privacy of their own home. To obtain a liquor license you must get signed approval from your boss, prove a certain level of salary that determines how much you are allowed to buy, and then submit several mug shots (aka passport photos) for approval. Pay the fee and the additional 30% tax on every purchase and you may drink at home. Then again, you can just pick up a few bottles in the airport duty free on your way in to the country, but two is the max. Why not just drive out to Ajman where it's a free-for-all and load up the SUV? It's easy enough, but crossing the Emirates with alcohol is illegal – particularly in the dry emirate of Sharjah, which just happens to lie between Dubai and Ajman. Go figure.
13. Not only do you have to get your boss's approval to obtain a liquor license, but you must also get the company's approval to rent property, have a telephone, or get satellite TV.
14. Back to the craziness on the roads: If I see one more kid standing up and waving to me out the back window while flying down the road at 160 kph…whatever happened to seatbelts?
15. When is the weekend again? Let me get this straight: the weekend used to be Thursday and Friday, but no one took off all of Thursday, just a half day really. Now the government says Friday and Saturday are the weekend, but some people only take off Friday, others still take a half day on Thursday, but some might just take a half day on Saturday instead. Anyway you slice it, Sundays are workdays and little business can be accomplished Thursday through Saturday.
16. There are few satellite television operators:. The movie channels play movies that are old and outdated. Many of them went straight to video back in the States. Every sitcom that failed in the US has been purchased and is played here. Old episodes of Knight Rider are advertised like it is the coolest thing since sliced bread. The TV commercials are repeated so often that I am determined NOT to buy anything I see advertised on television here just for thee principle of it. When I say repeated often, I mean every commercial break - sometimes more than once.
17. The roads are horribly designed. Driving ten minutes out of the way to make a U-turn is not uncommon. People are not able to give directions most of the time (remember reason #1), and the maps are little help because most have few road names on them, if any. Where is interchange four? You just have to hope you got on the freeway in the right place and start counting because they are not numbered. Miss it and you'll likely end up on the other side of town before you are able to turn around and go back.
18. Taxi drivers are dangerous and smell. Taxi drivers work very hard here to earn a living because travel by taxi is still relatively inexpensive, even though the cost of living is not (see reason #7). Because of this you may have a driver who has had little sleep or the opportunity to shower for several days. Many of these drivers have just as much difficulty finding their way around as you do, but add to this a third-world country driving style and extreme exhaustion and, well, remember to buckle up for safety.
19. Speeding is an Emirati sport and Emirates Road is just an extension of the Dubai Autodrome. I know I keep mentioning the roads, but really, much of this city's issues are encompassed by the erratic and irrational behavior displayed on its streets. Visions of flashing lights on even flashier, limo-tinted SUVs haunt me as I merge on to the highway. Local nationals are somehow able to get the sun-protecting dark window tint denied to us lowly expats and use it to hide their faces as they tailgate you incessantly at unbelievably high speeds, their lights flickering on and off and horn blaring repeatedly. It doesn't matter that you can't get over, or if doing so would be particularly dangerous, they will run you off the road to get in front of you. Don't even think about giving someone the finger; the offense could land you in jail. Tailgating is, unbelievably, legal.
20. Dubai is far from environmentally friendly. Ever wonder how much damage those manmade islands are doing to the delicate ocean ecosystem? Coral reefs, sea grasses, and oyster beds that were once part of protected marine lands lie choked under a barrage of dredged up sea sand. Consider the waste that occurs from erecting buildings on top of these sand monsters and from the people that occupy them coupled with the lack of an effective recycling program and you have an environmental disaster on your hands. Add to this more gas guzzling SUVs than fuel-efficient cars on the road and the need for 24-hour powerful air-conditioning and its evident that the environment is not high on the priority list of the UAE.
So while I'm sure there are benefits to living in Dubai, tax breaks, multi-cultural environments, and beautiful buildings aside, reconsider your plans to move here if any of the above mentioned reasons strikes a chord within you. Dubai is a city caught in an identity crisis. Struggling somewhere between its desire to be a playground for the rich and its adherence to traditional Islamic roots, rests a city that lacks sufficient infrastructure to support its delusions of grandeur. Visit if you must, but leave quickly before you are sucked into its calamitous void.

^ Ouch! Spot on.

True observations. Though lately I'm starting to think that the "multi-cultural" stuff should be on the negatives list as well. If you're here as a tourist then it's fine, but living here, dealing with other peoples ways everyday, day-in and day-out will just wear you out eventually

It wont be long till you see the magic words here: "if you don't like it here then leave". Attention, firefingers!

While all are true, but some are common to other countries, unless for the country called Heaven.

xty wrote:While all are true, but some are common to other countries, unless for the country called Heaven.

Pretty broad statement. Like which ones and which countries?

Long. I got lost after half of it. Even I don't whine that much, and I'm supposed to be one of the oppressed races.

yujinn wrote:

It wont be long till you see the magic words here: "if you don't like it here then leave".

Exactly, Why dont you

S & O Waving goodbye to Rupsmith, he doesn't like it here

sage & onion wrote:S & O Waving goodbye to Rupsmith, he doesn't like it here

btw "he" is a SHE ....
(by Tia .....)

I got bored..... reading all that!

If you don't like it, just go!

But remember, there are problems wherever you go!

Just try to find a place with problems that you are willing to accept!

1. wow i wouldnt want to meet tia, she seems to be a person who complains alot
2. Why start a thread about a useless subject such as this one? so that people dont come to the country?

I LOVE DUBAI

Actually Rupsmith is the short for Rupert Psmith the unforgetable Wodehouse character, famous for his eloquent verbosity and his elegant mannerisms, who, some critics contend, represents all that is best in the satire of Wodehouse.

To quote Wikipedia

Rupert Psmith (or Ronald Eustace Psmith, as he is called in the last of the four books in which he appears) is a fictional character in several comic novels by P. G. Wodehouse. He is one of Wodehouse's best-loved characters.

The P in his surname is silent, and was added by himself as he considers himself (with some justice) to be too remarkable to be a mere "Smith". A member of the Drones Club, this monocle-sporting old Etonian is something of a dandy, a fluent and witty speaker, and has a remarkable ability to pass through the most amazing adventures unruffled

Cleared that up.

As for the article itself, not really one to whinge myself, just got the forward and thought it made interesting reading.

I dont mind Dubai myself other than the fact that I pay a heck of a lot for a little studio. I actually think its a good thing that there are so many nationalities here - it makes for interesting observation - so many drastically different cultures trying to coexist. Imagine the Spartans and the Athenians doing that!

I get to watch my beloved Spurs every week at decent times with decent coverage and I train 3 times a week - so not much to complain really - Just hope we give the gooners a tonking this weekend.

Concord wrote:

xty wrote:While all are true, but some are common to other countries, unless for the country called Heaven.

Pretty broad statement. Like which ones and which countries?

Here we go:
1. Hot temperature? Try other Middle East countries and South Asian countries.
2. Prostitutes? In which country they don't exist?
3. Internet blocking? Try Thailand, some VoIP services & sites are blocked.
4. Environmental unfriendly? Try Singapore for the beach/island reclamation, even they take over other's territory.
5. Terrible addressing? Try Bahrain.
6. Traffic & speeding? In which busy city it doesn't exist?
7. Repeating satellite/cable programs? It's normal everywhere.
8. Discrimination? Try Malaysia for the treatment to fellow Indonesians (recent news: police harrasing tourists, police beating referee, employer beating housemaids).

More?

Oh well, there must be something positive about Dubai since everyone is moving there.

rupsmith wrote:7. Things are not cheaper here. I'm sick of people saying that. I read the letters to the editor page of the paper and people say to those who complain about the cost of living rising here, "Well, it's cheaper than your home country or you wouldn't be here." The only thing cheaper here is labor. Yes, you can have a maid – but a bag of washed lettuce will cost you almost $10.

Is this right? It's not what I've heard. Personally, I wouldn't buy a bag of washed lettuce, I'd buy a whole lettuce.

What about other foods, or is it just prepared foods that are expensive?

What about imported goods, let's say, for example, UK brand shampoos, or Coco Pops? As I understand it, they are slightly more expensive than they'd be at home. Am I being mislead by the books I've read?

What about electronic goods? Or designer clothes and handbags? Again, I've been told that these things are cheaper (than in the UK).

[edit]

Just thought I'd clarify, we live in London right now, which we find pretty expensive. Is it more expensive than London?

some of that does sound so true. I'm not female so I can't comment on being stared at but the driving is a major problem.
What are the prices in Dubai in comparison to other emirates ?

xty wrote:

Concord wrote:

xty wrote:While all are true, but some are common to other countries, unless for the country called Heaven.

Pretty broad statement. Like which ones and which countries?

Here we go:
1. Hot temperature? Try other Middle East countries and South Asian countries.
2. Prostitutes? In which country they don't exist?
3. Internet blocking? Try Thailand, some VoIP services & sites are blocked.
4. Environmental unfriendly? Try Singapore for the beach/island reclamation, even they take over other's territory.
5. Terrible addressing? Try Bahrain.
6. Traffic & speeding? In which busy city it doesn't exist?
7. Repeating satellite/cable programs? It's normal everywhere.
8. Discrimination? Try Malaysia for the treatment to fellow Indonesians (recent news: police harrasing tourists, police beating referee, employer beating housemaids).

More?

i agree with yea

A lot of whining, but as others have said much of it is bad elsewhere too.

- 120 degrees? Not where I've been. As a Scotsman I was genuinely dreading the summer coming, it's been absolutely fine apart from a few days! My daughter gets to go to the pool every day she wants too. When I was in Scotland, we couldn't go outside for the wind, rain and cold, we're much more active here.

- Traffic cameras? 100% behind them, plus the toll system. People who complain about either are undoubtedly the sorts of people I don't want on the road and I hope they lose their licenses soon.

- Need company approval for many things? Yes, but mostly this is because you sign up for everything you need whilst they are still processing your visa. Once you do it once, everything is fine.

- Men staring at women? Yes, a little unsettling sometimes but as a husband I've learned to deal with it - either stare at them back and give a wink when they catch your eye or shame the gits by shouting out "pervert" and pointing at them, you should see them scarper then (reserved mostly for those weilding camera phones). It shouldn't happen, but then again the amount of times my wife got hit on in UK nightclubs by unwanted males is as bad, at least the eerie little weirdos don't speak to you here

- Alcohol license? There shouldn't be any alcohol in this country at all, a 30% tax is hardly the end of the world for a privelage and if you buy the tax free wine and beer on offer every month then it's as cheap as the UK. You can bring 4 bottles through duty free each too

- Internet blocking? More and more areas being opened up to free internet. VOIP is widely available even in restricted areas, you just need stay away from Skype (even then many people say it works OK for them)

On the plus side, eating out is cheap, bars and nightlife very good, you can lounge by the pool or on the beach at the weekends, crime is very low and it's a gateway to many interesting places in the Middle East and beyond. It's what you make of it really, I certainly won't be heading home any time soon.

agree a lot with Scot1870.
As a fellow Scot I was dreading the heat of summer, but I'd rather be taking it easy in the sun than digging my car out of the snow to get to work.

Every country is what you make of it. I've moved around quite a lot.
My last posting was in Australia. A lot of living in oz was great, some of it wasn't. If you let the negatives get to you then you'll wake up every morning dreading the day and becoming less and less tolerant with people.

At least here we can get credit cards, loans etc easily enough with the appropriate NOC letters, passport photos........ (is there anyone in Abu Dhabi who doesn;t have at least 3 of my photos and a copy of my passport ??)
Most other places in the world you would need to show some kind of credit history within the country to get anything. Would you hand out money to complete strangers with no guarantees of ever getting it back ?

hottown wrote:Oh well, there must be something positive about Dubai since everyone is moving there.

Well there are positives and scot ^^ pointed some of them out. And it also does not mean that some of those things do not happen somewhere else and xty ^^ pointed some of those.

However, none of that makes any of the 20 points/observations untrue. To each its own. Just because it is someone's complaints/whines does not invalidate the point - somebody is gotta do it.

I thought the observations were spot on but that is no reason to leave. I heard antartica is extremely cold and harsh in everyway but I would love to go there (just need $30K spare for the trip!).

Bleakus wrote:

xty wrote:

Concord wrote:

xty wrote:While all are true, but some are common to other countries, unless for the country called Heaven.

Pretty broad statement. Like which ones and which countries?

Here we go:
1. Hot temperature? Try other Middle East countries and South Asian countries.
2. Prostitutes? In which country they don't exist?
3. Internet blocking? Try Thailand, some VoIP services & sites are blocked.
4. Environmental unfriendly? Try Singapore for the beach/island reclamation, even they take over other's territory.
5. Terrible addressing? Try Bahrain.
6. Traffic & speeding? In which busy city it doesn't exist?
7. Repeating satellite/cable programs? It's normal everywhere.
8. Discrimination? Try Malaysia for the treatment to fellow Indonesians (recent news: police harrasing tourists, police beating referee, employer beating housemaids).

More?

i agree with yea

With XTY?? I thought he was being sarcastic... he clubbed the worst qualities of 20 other nations n made them all Dubai's attributes.. to look more like dubai has all the worts qualities of nicest of places

CVB wrote:My last posting was in Australia. A lot of living in oz was great, some of it wasn't. If you let the negatives get to you then you'll wake up every morning dreading the day and becoming less and less tolerant with people.

I wonder what you didnt like about Australia??

.... unless you were selling kebabs in Cronulla Beach

Er... since when is Knight Rider *not* the coolest thing since sliced bread?

while the points are valid, i dont think someone from the USA should be cmplaining, we could all right a list of the problems in America!

dubai certainly is different from where i come from, but at least theres no dole scum, chavs, hoddies, aggressive behaviour and crime here.
miss newcastle......

Long live Dubai and all who sail in her, come on people, you know you love it.

LUV DUBAI

dave101 wrote:while the points are valid, i dont think someone from the USA should be cmplaining, we could all right a list of the problems in America!

dubai certainly is different from where i come from, but at least theres no dole scum, chavs, hoddies, aggressive behaviour and crime here.
miss newcastle......

USA certainly has its bad points. And people openly complain about them and diss their president. They are not hushed up to the degree it is done here. Too many yes-men here.

We all learn to live with problems instead of running away from them. Americans (and exploited Mexicans) continue to live in America. We continue here. The "if you don't like it then leave" people are a bunch of chickens who can't bear to face obvious problems.

Dag Namit!!!! What a long post!

Every place has positives and negatives.

Personally I LOVE Dubai!