We made the move. Here's everything that happened in our first week living in Dubai as a family of four.
The Airport Surprise
We got off the plane, queued for passport control, and a guy turned to us:
"So you finally made the move! I've seen you guys on TikTok."
We were recognized at the airport. Week one. Dubai is smaller than you think – and the expat community is already building.
First Night: Bedrock Sports Bar
We landed, showed the kids the apartment, and went straight to Bedrock at Pier 7 to watch England in the Euros.
Awesome sports bar. We went twice in two days – once for football, once for F1 (Hamilton won at Silverstone while we watched from Dubai).
Great atmosphere, multiple screens, and the start of making Dubai feel like home.
Marina & JBR: Our Happy Place
Dubai Marina to JBR is about a 10-minute walk. We already feel comfortable here from previous visits.
- Great restaurants
- Awesome beach
- Close to Ain Dubai
- Feels like holiday mode 24/7
We'll do a proper tour video, but if you're looking for a base – this area is hard to beat for vibes.
Restaurant Review: Aprons & Hammers
Started a new series: 60-second restaurant reviews.
The Verdict
- Best Mac and Cheese of my life
- Lobster roll: "Absolutely to die for"
- Good sushi
- 4-5 kids menu options
- Incredible view if you eat outside
The Cost
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Family meal (4 people) | 431 AED |
| In GBP | ~£91 |
Definitely a treat meal, not everyday dining. But worth it for JBR.
After that: Cheesecake Factory for dessert. If you love Big Bang Theory – yes, it's as cool and tasty as it looks. Oreo milkshake for the win.
The Heat Is No Joke
We tried to film outside. The camera literally overheated and died.
We arrived at Aquaventure at 2pm – 46°C. First time out in peak heat. We looked like we'd already been on the water rides before we even got in.
"There is zero chance of recording outside in this heat."
Lesson learned: Midday heat in summer is brutal. Plan accordingly.
Aquaventure Annual Pass
We knew we wanted this before we moved. Day passes are punchy – around £200+ for a family of four.
With the annual pass, we could arrive at 2pm and not feel rushed. No "max value" pressure. Just chill.
Big thank you to the grandparents who contributed. Every visit, we're thinking of you, Big G!
Getting Gas Connected
We assumed gas would just... work. It didn't.
UniGas: Call them up, someone comes in 48 hours, gets it connected. Until then? We ate out.
Add this to your post-move checklist.
The Big Shop: Food Costs
Sara does the food shopping at home. Understanding weekly costs was important for us.
The Verdict
Food costs are comparable to the UK.
We did a price check at Giant Hypermarket vs Tesco. Very similar.
The Yorkshire Tea Discovery
Critical information for any Brit:
"I managed to find Yorkshire Tea bags. Absolute win. I was using Lipton and guys – it just does not compare."
Giant Hypermarket stocks Yorkshire Tea. Save yourself from Lipton. Thank me later.
Not sponsored by Yorkshire Tea, but Sara would wear the t-shirt for free.
Building Amenities: Why They Matter
Our building (Waves Grande in Sobha Hartland) has amenities that are changing our life:
- Gym: 18 steps from our front door. No excuse not to go.
- BBQ area: Bookable for a couple of hours
- Pool
The BBQ Moment
We booked the BBQ area, cooked as a family, and sat there thinking:
"This is why we made the move. For this specific type of quality time together."
Those are the moments that make it real.
The Kindness of Strangers
One of the boys' observations:
"People really respect children here. We met this random guy called Sean. He wanted to play with us, and he saw we had an empty water bottle and were sweating – he gave us some of his water."
Small moments. Big impact on how Dubai feels.
Work Life: The Anxiety
Kids on holiday. Us in an apartment. Used to have separate home offices in the UK.
There's some anxiety about how work will work here. Solutions we're exploring:
- Communal workspace downstairs
- Local coffee shops
- One in the bedroom, one in the living room
We'll figure it out. Will share what works.
School Schedule Heads Up
Something we're excited about:
Friday is a half day. Kids finish before lunch. Extended weekend every single week.
Amazing for family time. Challenging for work commitments. We're not booking anything after Friday lunchtime.
The MacBook Decision
Riley needs a laptop for school. Reggie doesn't, but we sold his gaming PC before moving.
Discovery: You can get Minecraft on Mac.
Decision: Both boys got MacBook Airs.
We set them projects – typing practice on Monkey Type, presentations on what they learned at the Crocodile Park. Keeping them busy with learning. Worth the money.
How It Feels
Emotionally? We've been so busy it feels like we've been here longer than a week.
"We haven't really had time to be sad. We're still in holiday mode – and I think it'll stay that way until the boys start school."
It'll go through phases:
- Holiday mode – Until school starts
- Adventure mode – Work cadence, kids sharing school stories
- Normal mode – Whatever that looks like here
The Vlog is becoming therapy – the only time we sit down and actually talk about how we're feeling.
Week One Summary
| What Happened | Notes |
|---|---|
| Got recognized at airport | Small world! |
| Found our spots | Marina, JBR, Bedrock |
| Survived 46°C | Camera didn't |
| Got gas connected | UniGas, 48 hours |
| Found Yorkshire Tea | Giant Hypermarket – essential |
| First family BBQ | The moment it felt real |
| Aquaventure pass activated | Thank you Big G |
Planning Your Move?
- Take the neighbourhood quiz – Find your ideal area
- Full rental cost breakdown
- Work with Sara – Get hands-on support
Week one done. Bring on week two. 🇦🇪