rowell

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Bus...That_Of_The_UK

My opinion...........realistic and based on facts

Aikman7981

Sure... as realistic as those artist's renderings for new property. Obviously Dubai really does it for that guy. Funny how he never mentioned being terrorized on those 8 lane motorways by suicidal drivers. Or how crime here is under-reported by the local news agencies who are state controlled.

If your idea of a cross-cultural evening is an American, a Brit and a Australian then yes, Dubai is a melting pot.

There were no lies in that article and I believe the author was sincere so good for him.

co durham boy

seems a pretty fair article , the comments astound me though, some people are so fu**ing bitter , what they dont understand is that 99% of the people i know here work bloody hard for every penny they get, i can only speak for the industry iam in , yeah its far from ideal but if you an make a few bob for yourself and your family and better yourself then crack on !!!

Ethos83

'As there is no form of welfare state for non-nationals, it rewards industry and does not tolerate spongers.'

Uh? What about Emirati spongers? Plenty of those too. Westerners are out here to allow the Emiratis sponge off the state.

'This is in direct contrast to the UK, which seems to bend over backwards with the benefits culture for nationals and immigrants alike, milking the UK economy and making honest hardworking taxpayers upset.'

Very good point. This is probably the most significant aspect of the UK I'd change tomorrow. Perhaps Cameron will be able to make a dent in removing this self-entitled welfare state.

'The cost of living in Dubai is more expensive than the UK. For example, even though it is “tax-free”, a shirt in Next here will cost anywhere between 20-40% more than the UK price. Groceries are in general more expensive, dining out and general socialising with a beer is more expensive. This is offset, however, by the fact that in my opinion people here are paid 20-50% more than they would get in the UK for a comparable job.'

Maybe this was the case once, but I don't think salaries are noticeably higher than the UK anymore. A bit more, but most of the savings are eaten up by the higher cost of living so it's become largely a moot point.

'The cost of transport is very cheap compared to the UK – a 50km taxi ride would cost around £12 here, fuel costs 10% of the UK price and cars cost 20-30% less here than UK.There is still a form of road tax/vehicle registration but it is less than in the UK. Car insurance is fixed as a 3-5% of the car value so generally is cheaper than UK.'

Owning a car is still damn expensive. Petrol may be cheap and I appreciate the flexibility having a car gives me, but it still cost more than my transporation budget when I lived in London and relied on the tube, bus and trains. A lot more.

'The road system is all brand new and planned rather than evolved so although it is much better than the UK, that is probably an unfair comparison.As a resident here though, using the motorways that are seven and eight lanes wide means less traffic and congestio.'

New, yes. Better? Hell no. There are far fewer roads than in the UK and traffic along the main arteries are always clogged except very early in the morning. Al Wasl is a nightmare at peak travel time.

The chap here obviously never had to commute to Sharjah.

'Medical care and schools are all private and some are reasonably priced while some are expensive. Depending on your job, company and level, your company picks up all or part of these.'

This part of people's packages is rapidly changing. School fees was one of the first benefits my company eliminated when the crunch hit. Schools may be private but they aren't necessarily better, and most schools are under the GEMS ownership and a lot of people have had issues with the GEMS management style, both from parents and teachers. There are good schools in Dubai but they are few in number, difficult to gain a place in, and there's nothing comparable to a first rate state or independent school in the UK.

'You get at least a month in holidays plus statutory public holidays (of which there are more than in the UK). In general if a UK holiday, such as Christmas, doesn’t fall on the weekend most companies give this as discretionary too.'

Can't really comment as I can't remember how many holidays I got in the "UK but on the other hand I spend much of my holidays trekking back home to see the folks whereas in the UK I saw them on weekends and could save most of my holidays for proper travel.

'There is a considerable police presence, partly due to the fact that any motor vehicle accident must have police attend and they are there within 5 minutes. They are everywhere and they are positive and friendly.'

And the UK police aren't? I imagine this probably a subjective topic but I have always found UK police to be friendly, reasonable and hard-working.

'For example, my wife is eight months pregnant and couldn’t cross the road because it was a busy junction of many lanes. The passing police patrol stopped the traffic to allow my wife to cross – can you imagine even seeing a police officer in the UK, let alone them doing this?'

Police don't have to do this in the UK do they? We have proper crossing at intersections and pedestrians have automatic right of way. I have been in far more danger crossing Dubai streets on foot than UK streets. In the UK cars actually slow down to let me cross unlike out here.

'There is very minimal crime; in comparison with the UK it is negligible. People feel safe walking around at night, from restaurants and coffee shops.'

The UK is pretty safe too. I won't deny there is more crime in the form of burglaries but crime still happen in Dubai. Our villa was burglarised once. The danger of Dubai is that one can be lulled into thinking its so safe that you let your guard down, whereas in the UK we take safety precaution. Outside the high crime areas of London and most major cities, the vast majority of the UK is just as safe as Dubai.

The difference, however, is that Dubai doesn't allow the looming spectre of hoodies dominate our mindset of safety. The UK does have a problem with meanancing unemployed hoodies in public areas and causing trouble on the estates and in poorer neighbourhoods, and I give Dubai kudos in preventing an urban underclass from taking over the public sphere. Of course Dubai just deports all their crime problems whereas the UK can't.

'Apart from about three months a year, the climate is excellent. June, July and August can be unbearably hot and humid.'

Add August to the list. This past summer was very mild by Dubai standards and I didn't mind the heat. But I do miss the UK seasons.

'As an ex-pat, I would always view the pros versus the cons of living anywhere: as long as this place is better for me and my family, personally and professionally then I will stay.'

Good for you.

'As a result of all of the above I find people friendlier, maybe it’s because the sun shines every day, maybe it’s because the people who become ex-pats are just more social.'

Hmm. My experience has been that people are just as friendly or anti-social as in the UK. People are just as superficial or just as real.

'It is easy for people to criticise Dubai – lots of ex-pats were made redundant in the last 12 months so there are lots of people who are bitter. However, my guess is given the choice they would still be here. I know I would. Dubai is a very clean, ordered, polite society.'

There are lots of reasons to criticise Dubai that weren't mentioned in your article. Those aside, most Western expats are out here for a few years and they move on. The number of long term expats is still very small relative to the entire pool. Dubai is a fun place for a few years, but like most of my mates I have every intention of returning to the UK someday, or if not that, another Anglo country such as Australia or even the US.

'Quite a melting pot of nationalities and cultures but it works; it’s great.'

Absolutely.

Blue Cat

that tree at Wafi was last years

lionheart

A Police presence at any traffic accident within 5 minutes? More like 45 minutes...apart from 3 summer months, the climate here is excellent? Make that 6 months as its only really pleasant from mid-Oct to mid-April in my view...a 50km taxi ride here only costs 12 quid? We paid Dhs95 each way from Garhoud (not the airport) to Jebel Ali Beach Resort in a metered taxi...not all companies pay medical care and school fees...crime is plentiful here, but rarely gets reported...few people here are genuinely friendly coz its a "work hard, play hard" society...you can get a jail sentence here for doing very little, like showing the finger to a mad driver or having alcohol on your breath... I have little idea how bad things are in the UK right now but life in Dubai is far from perfect.

NorthernLad

Maybe that is the problem in the UK, people can give you the finger, then they get mad when you do it back, so they hit you and so on...

It seems a bit draconian, but I no longer give the finger to stupid drivers. As for driving with alcohol on your breath, well if anyone thinks having even a pint then driving is OK, they deserve what they get.

Of course Dubai isn't perfect, but economically is it any worse than the UK? Look at the banking bonuses, for doing what..bringing the country to its knees? We were back earlier this month and found the whole place depressing.

I find the Dubai-bashing tiresome now. I honestly think a lot of the comments you see are from people who are envious.

co durham boy

correctos !

Inselaffen

very much a rose tinted view of Dubai.

people may get 30 days holdiay but weekends are counted so it works out at no more thank in UK

Victor Meldrew

This is a (generally) realistic article which gives another viewpoint to the Dubai bashing which is currently doing the circuit.

Arrested for drinking and driving - whats wrong with that? If you know that giving the finger to a local will get you in jail - dont do it! It's simple.

What is irritating is people who live in the UAE who then complain and whinge about many aspects of life here. Everywhere has its problems.

Simple answer if you dont like it is to leave.

By the way, I get around 14 weeks holiday a year

co durham boy

i get 28 working days based on a 5day week

Bijilo123

I can see where the op is coming from although I think that his comparison excludes Emiratis and construction workers.

It struck me that to say clothing is expensive because a shirt from Next is 20% dearer in UAE may be a bit selective. I used to get all the kids clothes at LuLu.....

On balance this is a realistic view from someone who is quite happy being in Dubai but falls short of a Panorama Documentary.

Dubai GRO

I personally believe UAE, Dubai in particular, are sincerely trying to meet everyone’s expectations for an ideal living conditions but you can’t just have it all… no one’s perfect!

Just compare it with other GCC countries and you’ll know what I mean!

Cheers!

Victor Meldrew

Compare it with other GCC countries? what do you mean?

Dubai GRO

I meant ruthless immigration laws, poor infrastructure and intolerance in other GCC countries (Gulf Cooperative Council)