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94% of Dubai’s 4.5 million residents are expatriates which means that over recent years the city has become a melting pot of cultures. Many of those choosing to move to Dubai have come for work, often bringing their family with them, and being part of this expat hub usually helps them overcome the challenges of moving to a new country. Adapting to a new work environment, finding a new home, a new car, and a new school for your children are the main challenges you will face. At Expat Motors, we have helped many new arrivals find a used car best suited to their needs. Moreover, we are all expats and know about the challenges that present themselves to new arrivals to Dubai.
Since most of Dubai’s residents have also come to the city to work, it is easier to fit in than you might think. The secret behind a successful expatriation is to create a home from home. In Dubai, there are plenty of places where you can source home comforts that will help ease any hint of homesickness.
From schools to estate agents and second-hand car dealerships such as Expat Motors, many businesses and institutions cater to the large expat community.
If you are moving to Dubai for work, you will likely meet other expats who will show you the ropes during your first weeks living in this magical city. However, adapting to your new work environment isn’t as difficult as it might seem because the large expat population means many businesses operate in English.
The standard working week is 48 hours but recent changes in the Emirati labour laws are geared towards enhancing work/life balance. There is for example talk of adopting a 4-day working week in the future. Therefore, making Dubai an increasingly attractive city for expats. It is estimated that over the last 5 years, the number of British expats moving to Dubai increased by 420%.
Despite having a modern metro system that opened in 2009, public transport is not the best way to get around Dubai. This is because of the city’s sprawling design which means attractions and amenities are far apart, therefore, making it more convenient to drive. It is no wonder then that 74% of all journeys across the city are made by car.
We recommend that expats who have just settled in Dubai should consider buying a car as it will make it a lot easier for them to commute and socialise. However, buying a new car isn’t necessarily the best option because the average age of second-hand vehicles on Dubai roads is only 5.2 years old compared to 9.4 years old in the UK, and 12.6 years old in the US. We would still advise you to drop by a used car dealer such as Expat Motors as they can take you through the intricacies of buying a car in Dubai.
In general, driving around Dubai is not much different from driving around the streets of other major cities. However, expats from the UK, Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand must remember to drive on the right! This means that on a motorway, the fast lane is located on the right and at intersections you will always give way to traffic coming from the left.
Another thing to remember is that as of recently, speed limits are being enforced much more strictly. Despite a +20 km/h buffer, exceeding these limits will result in a fine and points on your licence. So, stay on the right side of the law and drive within the speed limit at all times!Text here ...
