DXBtoDOH

The UAE has always been busy (my experience, I'm well aware that pre 2000 it was much quieter and a lot of people liked it for that). But it has still changed. Dubai felt smaller in 2006-2010, expat circles were tighter, everyone (and I mean everyone) lived in the same handful of areas close to one another. Every time I went out I always ran into people I knew. Barasti used to be a chill and fun place. I used to pop into there solo without making any plans in advance because I was guaranteed to run into a bunch of mates or coworkers. Outside Dubai the rest of the country was decidedly more provincial and real. The East Coast was literally untouched. There was only a few hotels.

I still like Dubai and the UAE. I think it has a good future.

scrubbedexpat141

Sorry, I meant more about you as a person having spent a while here but still interesting.

DXBtoDOH

I'm older

Yeah, I've changed. We all change. I don't regret my time in the UAE. Just that different things are now more important to me.