Cost of living in Dubai: break down of expenses and how to save
I'm planning to move to Dubai and I am trying to gauge the cost of living. I've heard mixed things about how expensive it is versus the salary I'd earn. Can anyone provide a rough breakdown of monthly expenses for a single person? I'm looking at things like accommodation, transportation, groceries, utilities, and entertainment. Any tips on how to save money would be greatly appreciated!
I moved from the US to Dubai, and I found that basic groceries and eating out isn't much more expensive than back home, but rent and entertainment are higher. I'd recommend finding a job with accommodation included or at least a place to live in a less expensive area. Also, supermarkets like Carrefour and Spinneys have decent prices on groceries, but always compare with other stores since prices vary widely.
Dubai can be very expensive, but there are ways to save. For example, public transportation is cheap and reliable. Also, eating out can be pricey, so consider cooking at home more often. Additionally, look for deals and discounts on entertainment and activities.
If you're looking at renting, you'll be surprised how expensive it is.
Making the most of free activities in Dubai is key to saving money. There are plenty of parks, beaches, and markets to explore. Also, many museums and cultural sites offer free entry on certain days.
A usual work day is 8 hours, but it's rare that you leave at 4:00PM. There will be meetings, more meetings, more meetings and lots of 'follow ups', this is common. A lot of people I know in Dubai don't leave until 6PM or 7PM. Some days you will spend more time commuting than working.
Living in the outskirts in Dubai is definitely cheaper. But you need to be careful and choose a decent area, some areas in Dubai can be dangerous. If you're 20-30, you might want to think about living in the city center or close to it, otherwise you'll need a car and that's more expenses and time wasted in traffic.
For those asking, yes, you can have alcohol in Dubai. No, you can't find it in every store or restaurant, but there are plenty of places to buy and drink it. I was surprised at how expensive it was. However, I prefer the gym over the bar so I'm not complaining.