As rare as people ask, what are the disadvantages of living in UAE? Before moving to that country, it is always wise to consider the pros and cons of living in UAE. Such information allows you to weigh the two, thus making an informed decision as to whether the move is good for you. Remember that moving is a daunting task and quite expensive most of the time. So, wouldn’t it be a waste of time, money, and effort to move to a new place, including UAE, only to find it unsuitable for you? Our discussion is about the disadvantages of living in UAE. It also helps you manage expectations upon arriving in the country.
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Cons of Living in UAE
One must admit that people often focus on the pros of living in UAE and overlook its cons. The weather is known for being sunny, which is ideal for beach lovers. Expats love the country because of the excellent job opportunities. The tax-free income is yet another plus. Nonetheless, there is a side of the same coin that’s not worth forgetting: the demerits of living here. The disadvantages of living in UAE include:
Strict Cultural Practices
For an individual from a liberal country, cultural practices in the UAE may feel relatively strict. After all, the country’s rules restrict practices that such countries find okay and legal. One of them is being drunk in public and more so being disorderly due to the drunkenness. A medication like Codeine is illegal in UAE, yet some countries offer it even without a prescription. Public display of affection isn’t allowed either. However, kissing, hugging, and holding hands in public is okay if the parties involved are spouses.
Restricted Freedom of Expression
One can’t say without any fear of contraction that peaceful protests are one of the ways of expressing grievances in UAE. So, if you are used to that, you may have to give up on things you perceive as rights in your home country. However, not that these protests aren’t illegal, but the restrictions are significant enough to make you feel like you aren’t enjoying that freedom at all.
Remember that the UAE is strict on slander, defamation, and such rules. Such activities can land you into legal battles, and the strict laws revolving around them can worsen the situation. That’s why you should be careful when posting something on social media. Calling out a company for bad services or even goods may begin a legal battle if you aren’t careful.
A Need to be Employed While Living in UAE
Whereas visiting the UAE is easy, residing in the country can be challenging. You need a work visa to do so, which demands a job. This employment dependency is often one of the cons of living in UAE. You can visit UAE with a tourist visa, but its short lifespan means it isn’t an option for someone looking to live in the country for a long time.
Since your employer sponsors your residency, you need to maintain your job to enjoy this sponsorship. If you lose your job, you need to find another one as soon as possible. Losing a job could lead to challenges, including stress for you, your family, and your dependents.
Different Values and Culture
UAE’s beliefs, customs, and traditions will most likely be unfamiliar unless you come from an Arabic or Muslim country. That would mean adapting to the new traditions, which is often confusing and challenging. That means being relatively uncomfortable until you get used to these cultural differences.
An excellent example is the UAE’s working days. You are most likely used to working from Monday to Friday in your country. Living in UAE means working from Sunday to Thursday.
During Ramadan, you may feel the cultural differences even more than on regular days. For instance, working hours become shorter than usual. This holy month also demands fasting, and you must do some things the holiday demands. For example, you shouldn’t eat or drink in public until the daylight hours are over.
High Cost of Living in UAE
The cost of living in UAE is relatively high, and that’s indisputably one of the disadvantages of living there. It often waters down several pros of living in UAE, including tax-free income and relatively high salaries. Paying bills, including school fees, utilities, transportation, groceries, and rent, requires digging deep into your pocket. So, keep that in mind to avoid being surprised if you are making much money but hardly saving a penny.
Weather
It is a sword that cuts from both sides since it can be good or bad depending on the time of the year. Since we are on the disadvantages of living in UAE, let’s look at its wrong side. From July to October, the heat becomes too high. Even wearing glasses is challenging because of the high humidity, which fogs them within minutes. The hot weather makes indulging in outdoor activities hard, if not impossible.
Final Words on the Disadvantages of Living in UAE
It is advisable to weigh the pros and cons of living in UAE. Only then can you decide if you should live in this country? Fortunately, we have highlighted the disadvantages of living in UAE. Whereas there are advantages, living comfortably despite the demerits is what often matters. So, look at these cons and see if you still want to leave your country for UAE.
