Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

BestMoversInDubai wrote:Hi everyone, I'm considering relocating to Dubai in the near future, and I'm wondering what to expect in terms of culture shock, adjustment difficulties, etc. BTW I didn't mean to sound negative in the title above- this will be my first time living in a Muslim country, and I'm actually quite excited about the new experience! I just want to know what I'm getting into so I can prepare. I'm originally from the States and I've been living in China for 5 years, so I'm no longer easily shocked by cultural differences. I'm looking for help from an experienced Dubai expat who can confirm what I've found out through my research, specifically:

-there's still a lot of construction taking place, so make sure your apartment isn't near a construction site. there will be construction nearly wherever you go, but noise has died down
-the road system is changing all the time, and if you miss your turn you may not be able to double back for a long time. not like the states where you can just take the next exit, but there's plenty of places to make a u-turn or turn around.
-there is no standard address system in Dubai, so giving directions and receiving mail is difficult. you'll get used to it, most people point out landmarks
-buying liquor requires a permit, and getting a permit is a complicated process. go to the mmi store, fill in application and wait to get called, not sure if you consider that difficult.

If I missed something or if the above no longer apply, please let me know. Thanks for any help you can offer!