People keep asking for more "vloggy" content – what does a normal week actually look like living in Dubai as a family?
So here it is. Unfiltered, unscripted, and very sweaty. From Riley's graduation (complete with a stretch limo for 164 kids – the most Dubai thing ever) to co-working meetups, gym-hopping, paddle games in Al Quoz, and yes... getting locked out of the house at 2:15am.
Monday: Graduation Day
Riley graduated! And because this is Dubai, the kids got picked up in a stretch limo. 164 children. Maximum Dubai energy.
After the ceremony, Sara and I headed to the gym – a place called Chance at Fountain Views (opposite Dubai Mall). It's my favourite gym because it has a sauna AND ice bath included, which is rare.
We access it through Privilee – an app that gives you access to hotels, beach clubs, and gyms across Dubai. Worth every dirham.
Co-Working Discovery
Next door to the gym there's a co-working space called Cloud Spaces. Met up with a friend called Stokeley, played some pool (he beat me, but his break was so bad I captured it for the vlog).
I'm also trialling an app called Let's Work that gives you credits for co-working spaces. Still working out if the maths makes sense versus just paying directly.
Tuesday: Morning Routines & Founder Dinners
Why Early Mornings Hit Different Here
One thing I love about living in Dubai: you can get an hour's work done, hit the gym, then get a couple more hours done before the UK even wakes up.
"There's no better feeling than getting deep work done while your inbox, messages, and Slack are completely silent. You've won the day before the actual day even started."
Flat 12: Cars Meets Coffee
Met up with Fasil and Stokeley at a place called Flat 12 – a coffee shop that's also a custom car showroom. American car scene vibes. Super cool spot I didn't know existed.
I've been hosting dinners for founders and people in e-commerce out here. Great way to build community and meet like-minded people.
Tuesday Evening: Timeout Market
If you've never been to Dubai, Timeout Market is a must. It's opposite Dubai Mall – a food market with lots of different choices, bars, and great views of the Burj Khalifa.
Budget Tip: Salt Burgers
There's a place called Salt nearby that does amazing truffle burgers. You can eat for like 10-12 quid with that view. Top value.
Wednesday: Gym Hopping
Found another Privilee gym at Silicon Central Mall – a mall you've probably never seen on the vlog because it's not the typical tourist area.
The benefit of Privilee is being able to knock about Dubai, get a gym session wherever you are, then head to a coffee shop to work. Flexibility is everything.
Thursday: One-Car Family Logistics
We're a one-car family at the moment. The juggling begins:
- Pick up Reggie from Sobha
- Riley's got a basketball game
- Sara waits, gets a taxi back
- Reggie's got rugby training (last one before summer)
- Surprise Joy Rides for the boys to celebrate graduation and their summer concerts
The Heat Reality Check
"It's so hot. And it's not even peak summer. The honeymoon period when we moved – we didn't notice it because we were excited, had more bandwidth, more family time. Now it's work mode. It's go time."
We're trying to figure out what to do over the kids' summer holidays. Thailand and Bali would be fantastic, but the time zone difference makes working tricky.
Rugby at The Sevens
I coach Reggie's rugby team now. Used to coach Riley's team for 4-5 years in the UK, came as a spectator here for nearly the first year, and now this little man asked me to coach his team.
Playing rugby at The Sevens stadium is awesome. Even at 6pm it's still very hot – but worth it.
Friday: Paddle Tennis & Night Out
Paddle Edition, Al Quoz
New paddle racket, all the gear, no idea.
Paddle tennis is officially Dubai's social sport. My friend Sam is basically the guy who always has a paddle racket with him wherever he goes – not just one, a whole bag of them.
I got into paddle with Sara and the boys, kept getting invited to games, and Sam made me feel reasonably good at it the first time. Second time made me feel like I needed to buy a racket. So here we are.
Paddle Edition at Al Quoz is apparently the bougiest paddle club. Beautiful venue with multiple courts.
Feb 30: Sushi, Cigars & Whiskey
After paddle, we headed to Feb 30 at West Palm Beach. The vibe:
- Really nice, chill atmosphere early evening
- Around 11pm the music picks up
- Closes at 1am
- Stunning views
- Sushi boats that are "400 AED each" – we finished one, then two more appeared 😅
Using Zofa Safe Driver
Don't even think about having a sip of alcohol and driving here. Zero tolerance.
But there's a service called Zofa – a safe driver gets dropped off at your car and drives you home. Your car arrives with you in the morning.
Cost: 70 AED from West Palm Beach to home (~£14). Actually seems cheaper than a taxi.
Wait time: They said 5-15 minutes, it was more like 30-35. But car's home. Worth it.
Friday Night: The Lockout
Small problem. I forgot my house key.
It's 2:15am. Family's fast asleep. In the UK, I'd know how to jimmy a window open, but I can't do that here.
"This is like the coolest temperature it's been in Dubai for as long as I can remember. I guess this is the time you have to be awake to go for a run and it not kill you."
Sara is not a happy bunny if you wake her up at night.
After three calls that weren't answered... Riley picked up. First time I've ever had to call my son to let me in. His Apple Watch vibrated and woke him.
Got in. Not too much trouble. Crisis averted.
Saturday: Recovery & Family Time
Few hours sleep. Feeling a bit jaded. Coffee meeting with my mate Sam who's starting some businesses.
Then down to JBR for:
- Aprons & Hammers – nice food
- Some knockoff Dubai chocolate (honestly better than the real thing and cheaper)
- Roxy Cinema – new Disney Pixar film with the boys
What a week. Riley graduated. Both boys had summer concerts. Paddle. Late nights. Early mornings. The full Dubai experience.
Practical Takeaways
| Topic | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Gym access | Privilee – worth every dirham for flexibility |
| Best gym | Chance at Fountain Views (sauna + ice bath) |
| Co-working | Cloud Spaces downtown, or try Let's Work app |
| Budget food | Salt at Downtown – truffle burger with Burj views, ~£12 |
| Paddle tennis | Paddle Edition in Al Quoz (bougie but beautiful) |
| Safe driver | Zofa – 70 AED, your car comes home with you |
| Night out spot | Feb 30 at West Palm Beach – chill early, viby late |
| Pro tip | Don't forget your house keys at 2am |
The Summer Heat Reality
It's getting to that very sweaty time of year. Even a 4-minute walk after a shower means you need another shower.
The honeymoon period when we first moved? We didn't notice it. Now we're in work mode, routines, school runs – you feel it. We're working out what to do over the kids' summer holidays to escape it a bit.
Apps That Made This Week Easier
- Privilee – Gym, pool, beach access everywhere
- Let's Work – Co-working credits (still testing)
- Zofa – Safe driver service
- Careem – Taxi backup when you're a one-car family
Want to know what living in Dubai is really like? This is it. Logistics, late-night lockouts, paddle games, school runs, and lots of community.
Thinking about making the move? Take my neighbourhood quiz to find the right area for your family, or check out the relocation package if you want hands-on help with the whole process.
Let us know in the comments – do you want more "week in the life" content, or do you prefer the big milestone stuff?