Living in Dubai - Sharing 10 insights from 4 weeks in Dubai | Dubai Diary Podcast

🎙️ Join Adam and Sara as they share their experiences of relocating to Dubai with their family.

1️⃣ Adapting to the Climate

The scorching Dubai heat has forced the family to adjust their daily routines. They've shifted to later evenings and night swims to cope with the extreme temperatures. Adam notes, "Between the hours of like 11 and 3... it is unbelievably hot. Like you just don't go out." This adjustment has led to later bedtimes and wake-up times, creating a new family rhythm that revolves around avoiding the midday sun.


2️⃣ Essential Pre-Move Knowledge

One of the biggest challenges the family faced was understanding the documentation requirements for their move. Sara emphasizes, "The documents that we needed for the boys visas... if we'd have known this in the UK, everything just would have been a lot easier to sort." This insight highlights the importance of thorough research and preparation before relocating, particularly regarding visa processes and document attestation.


3️⃣ Replacing UK Comforts

The move has revealed what each family member misses most from their life in the UK. For Adam, it's the intangible sense of being "at home," which he's working to recreate by building new communities and friendships. Sara, on the other hand, misses her Peloton bike, showcasing how personal habits and routines can be disrupted by relocation. These reflections offer valuable insights into the emotional aspects of moving abroad.


4️⃣ Work-Life Balance Shift

The relocation has significantly impacted their work routines. Sara has found increased productivity due to time zone differences, saying, "I've got all morning, without any distractions, to get into like real deep work." Adam, however, is grappling with the lack of dedicated office space, highlighting the challenges of working from home in a new environment. This contrast demonstrates how relocation can affect work dynamics differently for each family member.


5️⃣ Cost of Living Realities

Dubai's cost of living has surprised the family in various ways. Adam notes, "Dubai's amazing at extracting cash from you seamlessly," pointing out how easy it is to spend money without realizing it. However, Sara has discovered unexpected savings, stating, "There's definitely lots more deals to be had in Dubai than the UK." Their experiences shed light on the nuanced financial landscape expats must navigate, balancing higher costs in some areas with savings in others.


6️⃣ Maintaining Connections

Staying in touch with family and friends back home has required some adjustments. Sara shares, "Zoom is the way forward... WhatsApp video calling and FaceTiming doesn't work." They've had to explore new apps and methods to maintain their relationships, highlighting the importance of adaptability in communication. Adam adds the need to "find more regular time to just hang out with family," emphasizing the effort required to maintain long-distance relationships.


7️⃣ Crucial Transition Skills

Both Adam and Sara identify communication as the most critical skill for a smooth transition. Sara notes, "We're all on this adventure together and we're all going to go through different emotions." Adam adds, "We are probably communicating more effectively in the last four weeks... than I think we ever have." This insight underscores the importance of open dialogue and emotional support within the family during the relocation process.


8️⃣ British Conveniences Missed

When asked about British conveniences they miss, Sara mentions "Salad cream because I haven't managed to find it yet," while Adam surprisingly states, "I don't miss any." This difference in perspective showcases how individual experiences of cultural adjustment can vary, even within the same family. It also highlights the importance of being prepared for changes in product availability when moving abroad.


9️⃣ Adapting Shopping Habits

The family is still adjusting to new shopping routines and understanding their living costs. Adam shares, "We're actually just discussing this at the moment in terms of going through the Weo Bank statement, because I don't have a good grasp of what the living costs are here now." Sara adds, "It's not like we're ordering a weekly shop and planning." This insight reveals the challenges of adapting to a new financial ecosystem and the importance of tracking expenses closely during the initial settling-in period.


🔟 Advice for Relocating Families

Adam emphasises the importance of unity: "It's an adventure for the entire family... making sure that everyone's on the same page... and over communicate everything." Sara focuses on practical preparation: "Make sure you have all the documents you need sorted in the UK before you move, e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc." These tips encapsulate both the emotional and logistical aspects of a successful international relocation.