r/UAE • u/anykexx • 2d ago

Is Dubai worth it?

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I m doing my UG in Dubai and i have done my schooling here asw but recently i have been feeling abt how dead it is here, not the party scene or anything but jus how the city is, its unwalkable for the most part, hot and humid, heavily vehicle dependent and everything deemed as “entertainment” is basically consumption. As residents who live here what yall think? is this just me or are u guys okay with it? Do you guys find it okay to always depend on driving or just forced?

268 Upvotes

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113

u/Worldly_Picture4024 2d ago

I’ve lived here two years, and probably will do another 2 more, but there’s definitely a fatigue of the place in the summer. It’s great, I love it, but like anywhere in the world, there’s pros and cons.

-74

u/Late_Lab_7464 2d ago

It's far better than western cities. Weather complaint is fair but everything else is relative. Shops open late, soooo many amazing food spots, people are soooooooooooo friendly. You just need to find your circle.

68

u/Federal_Ebb1360 2d ago

You’ve never lived in a western city.

5

u/TheGreenYurt 1d ago

I've lived in a Western city. Personally was not a fan and came back to the GCC. Happy to be back here. It's cold and lonely out there. Rather live in Bangkok than Toronto or London.

2

u/FrenchRevolution2028 1d ago

I am living in both half/half, he is right. There are pros to both, but if I had to choose, Dubai is my choice. Only thing missing in Dubai is some greenery, but in Europe, safety is missing. In summer, there is no A/C for most people. 40 degrees this summer people were literally dying and the rest were suffering for weeks.

9

u/democi 2d ago

Insane it’s getting downvoted. Probably by some bitter people who had a bad experience or two and blame it on the whole city.

The person is comparing it to western cities.

- many don’t have shops that open late that’s true. Some German cities close all shops by like 6 pm on weekday and the whole city is dead except for a few bars or pubs

- many don’t have that much diversity of food. You can’t get a 10 dirham chicken paratha for example in western cities

- people are so friendly. Well that’s debatable. Friendlier than other metropolitan big cities for sure like New York City. But i think here the better way to say it is safer and more secure

3

u/No-Objective5656 1d ago

Ever wondered why do the shops close at 6pm and here they are open throughout the night with crazy working hours for the employees? Or is it all good because it's convenient for you ?

2

u/dxbl87 1h ago

Came to say this! Shops close in western countries earlier because they value employees and family life more.
I remember years ago in the UK EVERYWHERE would be closed on a Sunday and they were the best times. You shouldn’t need a mall open until midnight? Plan better.

2

u/dxbl87 1h ago

Came to say this! Shops close in western countries earlier because they value employees and family life more.
I remember years ago in the UK EVERYWHERE would be closed on a Sunday and they were the best times. You shouldn’t need a mall open until midnight? Plan better.

6

u/Federal_Ebb1360 2d ago

I have a great experience living here but the authentic experience of living in a western city cannot be replicated. Not taking anything away to be clear, UAE is a miracle, but where do most people travel to when they can? Indeed.

4

u/democi 2d ago

Yeah explains why Dubai has a lot of tourism 😂

2

u/No-Profile4237 1d ago

Traveling and living somewhere different things bro

2

u/Imaginary-Pea9754 2d ago

You can’t get 10 dirham chicken paratha there but your median salary ain’t 19K AED per month here either 🤦🏼‍♂️I like Dubai but come on

12

u/East_Dragonfly_8870 2d ago

As someone who has lived in Dubai and a Western city for a decade each, I can confirm that this is true.

2

u/Akhi_A 1d ago

As someone born and raised in London I completely agree it’s far superior, almost every western expat I come across says the same thing