Exactly one year ago, we packed up our life in the UK and relocated to Dubai as a family of four – two kids, two adults, and zero idea what we were really getting into.
These are the things we wish someone had told us before we moved. Whether you're planning a relocation, already here, or just curious what family life is really like – this is our honest breakdown.
1. Dubai Isn't a City You Just Walk Through
We thought we could get by on taxis. We were wrong.
Dubai is a destination city, not a wandering city. You don't stroll between cafés and shops like you might in London or Manchester – you drive everywhere. You choose somewhere to go, do it, then jump in a car and move to the next spot.
"If you're moving here as a family, you will almost certainly need a car."
We quickly realised that with rugby, school commitments, and just wanting to get out and about without worrying about taxi costs, we needed our own wheels. We leased for the first year.
Exceptions (Where You CAN Walk)
- Business Bay ↔ Downtown/Dubai Mall
- JBR ↔ Bluewaters
- Marina ↔ JBR ↔ Bluewaters
If you're visiting as a family and want to explore on foot (outside of summer), these areas work well.
2. Leaving Holiday Mode is Harder Than You Think
When you arrive, everything is exciting – the sun, the skyline, the lifestyle. The first 3-4 months we barely noticed the heat because we were still in tourist mode, doing attractions, spending time at the pool.
But Dubai will extract money from you if you let it.
"I relate Dubai to Vegas – if you're a gambler, Vegas is the best place in the world to take your money. If you come here without a plan and stay in holiday mode, this place will just continue to extract money from you."
There's no limit to what you can spend. Enjoy the honeymoon period, but get yourself into a routine as quickly as possible.
3. Kids Adapt Way Faster Than Adults
Our biggest concern was Riley (11) and Reggie (9). Would they cope leaving friends and family? Would they enjoy school?
Turns out – they didn't skip a beat.
What Helped
- Kept them in the loop throughout the whole process
- Took them on school tours – didn't make it solely our decision
- Let them get excited about the move
"Kids are way more resilient than you think. Take them on the journey with you so it doesn't feel like a shock or a surprise."
4. Admin Has a Very Specific Order
Dubai's admin ecosystem works in a specific sequence. Get it wrong and you'll delay everything.
The Order
- Arrive in country → Medical + biometrics (wear trousers or they won't let you in!)
- Get your visa
- Get UAE phone number (needed for everything else)
- Open UAE bank account
- Secure property
Critical Tip: Attest Documents BEFORE You Leave the UK
We didn't do this and regretted it. You'll need:
- Marriage certificate (attested)
- Birth certificates (attested)
- Any other official documents
It's cheaper and faster to do this in the UK. Don't learn the hard way like we did.
Yes, Cheques Are Still Real Here
For a city so progressive and forward-thinking, you'll need a chequebook. Landlords require post-dated cheques as a guarantee for rent payments.
5. Track Your Costs – Dubai Can Rinse You Fast
When you first arrive, dirhams feel like Monopoly money. Something costs 100 AED and you have no context for what that actually means.
Track everything. Build a spreadsheet. Convert to your home currency so you understand what you're spending.
Surprise Costs to Watch
- Driving fines – Your license is connected to your phone number. Every fine arrives as a text. Adam keeps getting hit with 420 AED for "failure to comply with lane management."
- DEWA bills – Our electricity/water was ~700 AED in the apartment, jumped to ~1,200 AED in the villa.
- Random fees – They come out of nowhere. Stay on top of it.
6. Early Mornings Are Your Secret Weapon
One of the biggest perks of living in Dubai: you wake up 3-4 hours before the UK.
Adam's Morning Routine
- 7:00am – Leave house, drop kids at school by 7:15
- 7:45am – Gym
- 9:00am onwards – Coffee shop hop and work
If you work with UK clients, this is a massive productivity boost. No one's emailing you, no one's calling – you get deep work done.
"I truly feel like I've got a full day's work done before midday. You've already won the day before the UK's even woken up."
This is one of the key reasons we'd struggle to move back.
7. These Apps Will Make Your Life Easier
Dubai runs on apps. Here are the ones we use every week:
| App | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Waze | Navigation – better than Google Maps here |
| Careem | Super app – taxis, groceries, pharmacy, food delivery in one. Pay 19 AED/month for premium. |
| Privilee | Gym + beach + pool access at top hotels. Game changer for families. |
| Let's Work | Co-working spaces across the city |
| UAE Pass | Government-verified ID for accessing services |
| Deliveroo | Food delivery – compare prices with Careem |
| The Entertainer | 2-for-1 offers across meals, activities & more |
Is Privilee Worth It?
Adam was skeptical – "another bougie subscription" – but gym memberships here are expensive, and we use Privilee daily. The kids use it at weekends for beach clubs. It pays for itself quickly.
8. Choose the School First, Then Decide Where to Live
We cannot stress this enough.
Dubai traffic is no joke. Most schools start between 7:15-8:00am. That means early starts – and even earlier if your kids take the bus (some leave at 6:20am!).
Why School Location Matters
- A "15-minute" drive can become 30-40 minutes in traffic
- School buses leave even earlier than driving yourself
- You'll do this commute Monday to Friday, every week
In our first year, we lived close enough to walk to school. It was life-changing. Now we drive 25 minutes and miss that walk every single day.
"If walking to school is an option for you, take it. It's priceless. Trust me."
School Selection Tips
- Visit in person – You can't judge from KHDA ratings alone
- Take the kids – Let them feel the school, not just you
- Then look for property nearby
9. You're Not at Home Anymore – And That's a Good Thing
Dubai is a true melting pot of cultures. You need to approach that with respect and curiosity.
What We Learned During Ramadan
We're not Muslim, but living in a Muslim country means Ramadan affects everyone:
- Schools have shorter hours
- Social routines change
- Many restaurants are closed during fasting hours
We didn't know anything about Ramadan before moving (maybe naive), but we took time to learn – why it happens, what it means. The kids learned at school too.
"Be mindful, be respectful, and you'll have an absolutely fantastic time here."
Don't treat Dubai like a bubble. Immerse yourself in the place.
10. Community Isn't Optional – It's Everything
This is arguably the most important one.
When we moved, we enjoyed the honeymoon period for 2-3 months, then went straight into work mode. We didn't think about the thing we took for granted back home: friendship circles.
The people you know are there, even if you don't see them every day. We didn't build that out in Dubai – and after 6 months, the isolation hit hard.
"Dubai can be a very isolating place. You have to put yourself out there if you're truly thinking about making this home."
That's Why Sara Started Sadeeqa
It started with coffee mornings with a few school mums. Then people kept asking, "When's the next one?" It grew from there.
Sadeeqa is now a female community in Dubai for friendship, connection, and support. The goal: no woman ever feels lonely here.
Community doesn't happen by accident. You have to do the work and build it.
Quick Reference: The 10 Things
| # | Lesson |
|---|---|
| 1 | You need a car – Dubai isn't walkable |
| 2 | Get out of holiday mode fast |
| 3 | Kids adapt faster than you think |
| 4 | Admin has a specific order – attest docs in UK |
| 5 | Track every cost – dirhams are Monopoly money at first |
| 6 | Early mornings are gold dust |
| 7 | Get these apps: Waze, Careem, Privilee, UAE Pass |
| 8 | Choose school first, then location |
| 9 | Respect the culture – learn about Ramadan |
| 10 | Community matters most – build friendships early |
Thinking about making the move? Take my neighbourhood quiz to find the right area for your family, or check out my relocation package if you want personalised help with schools, housing, and the whole process.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out directly. We'd love to grab a coffee and help make sure your transition to Dubai is as smooth as possible.