Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE consists of seven independent city-states, with Dubai being the wealthiest of the seven. The other six city-states are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ra's al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain.

Dubai was first discovered as a "small fishing village" in the early 18th century; this led to great population expansion. Businesses were also attracted to Dubai with its location near India and the Persian Gulf; importing and exporting products went through Dubai ports.

The city of Dubai is known for its large skyscrapers, in addition to its linguistic and cultural diversity. Languages spoken include Arabic, the city-state's official language; and English as a lengua franca, a language used between individuals that is not either person's native language. The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) is the nation's currency; one AED equals $0.27 USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

From manufacturing and production to food security and transport, Dubai offers many hands-on job opportunities. The city is known for manufacturing jobs; opportunities in manufacturing range from building electric cars to shipbuilding to making new pharmaceutical products for local residents. The food industry also plays a role in Dubai's economy. Food service jobs may include importing and exporting locally-grown products through an agribusiness (growing farm food), working in a restaurant or other food-related service, or e-commerce employment to process online transactions. One other notable industry in Dubai is its travel industry; Dubai is a popular tourist spot in the UAE. Jobs in the tourism industry include receptionists, transport drivers, and possibly being a tour guide inside one of Dubai's many attractions. From innovations in electric cars and manufacturing to working in an agribusiness, Dubai provides employment opportunities both downtown and in rural settings.

Cost of Living

Because of the city's amentities including recreation and public transportation, living in downtown Dubai is ideal. Downtown one-bedroom apartments average 5,185 AED ($1,410 USD) monthly, whereas three-bedroom units average 9,530 AED ($2,600 USD). For living in the suburbs, one-bedroom units cost around 3,400 AED ($925 USD) monthly, and three-bedroom units average around 6,600 ($1,800 USD).

Utility expenses, such as water, heating, and electricity, cost around 700 AED ($190 USD) per month. For internet use and cell coverage, monthly rates average 350 AED ($95 USD). As for transportation, gas prices average 8.70 AED ($2.37 USD) per gallon. If interested in owning a car, the lowest price point for brand-new vehicles is 70,000 AED ($19,000 USD).

Transportation

The public transportation in Dubai is one of the most innovative in the world, and all transit is run by the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA). Hop on the Dubai Metro, a fully-autonomous and efficient network. The Metro travels mainly around the city center, and it is captivating due to its state-of-the-art technology and convenience for travelling around the heart of Dubai.

Dubai also offers taxi services regulated by the RTA. These costs are very inline with other transit, including the Metro, buses, and even water taxis. Abras, or water taxis, are also an option for transportation. Instead of having to drive for 30 minutes to an hour to cross the Khor Dubai (Dubai Creek) by land, the water taxis take five to ten minutes to cross the creek. Other water taxis that go in areas the Abras cannot; some enter the Arabian Sea. Many residents buy a Nol Card, a debit-like card to be used for all Dubai public transit. This can be easily recharged as needed, making for convenient and affordable transportation around Dubai.

Recreation

From relaxing at the beach and skydiving activities to historic landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai has both ancient history and modern amentities. Skydive Dubai is a 13,000-foot freefall for thrill-seekers and provides stunning views of the city below. There is also a balloon adventure opportunity, with the pilot (an expert balloonist) guiding a balloon flight over the desert. This is known as Flying with Falcons by Balloon Adventures Dubai. For performing arts, the Dubai Opera House is home to a variety of performances in addition to opera. Concerts will include ballets, theatrical performances, and choral concerts.

The Burj Khalifa is also located in Dubai. As the world's tallest building, one can enjoy an elevator ride up the 160-story building and take in scenic views of Dubai. Nearby is the Dubai Fountain, located in a nearby park. Another place of historical interest is the Ehitad Museum, exploring how the seven Emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates came about.

Dubai is also well-known for its entertainment, ranging from cultural traditions to creative and performing art festivals. The population is primarily composed of the Muslim religion, with other religions including Sikhism and Catholicism. As for the art scene, the annual Dubai Art Fair highlights local contemporary art. The Dubai International Film Festival features both local and international movies. From unique outdoor activities including balloon-riding to historic city buildings and museums, Dubai offers a glimpse into both its historic and modern lifestyle.

Climate

Dubai's climate is a subtropical desert one, with warm, relaxing winters and very hot, humid summers. The warmest months are May through September, with highs easily in the low hundreds (38 to 42 degrees Celsius) and lows not much cooler than the low to mid 80s (26 to 32 degrees Celsius). December, January, and February are the coolest months, with highs between the low 70s and low 80s (23 to 26 degrees Celsius) and lows between the upper 50s and low 60s (15 to 17 degrees Celsius). Dubai does not see much precipitation, as the highest months (February and March) may see an inch or two per month; other than this, expect little to no precipitation.