Living in Dubai is the dream of a luxurious and tax-free life filled with golden opportunities. However, social media often paints the picture of glitzy skylines, high-paying jobs, and a glamorous lifestyle. Indeed, all these things are true, but the real struggle, costs, and challenges of building a life in Dubai as an Indian.
A social media influencer and YouTuber, “Vaishali”, have shared her personal experience as an Indian expat in Dubai. Today, we will break down the myths, the opportunities, and the realities that truly define this journey through her video in our expat interview series.
Job and Salary Reality for Indians in Dubai
“Every Indian is rich in Dubai” is one of the misconceptions about living in Dubai. The truth? Most of them start from the bottom. However, you should consider yourself lucky if you are hired directly from India, especially with more than five years of experience. Yet, most people move to Dubai and begin their career at entry-level positions, often with a starting salary of below AED 10,000 per month.
Is living in this emirate hard? Not really! Vaishali shared that many Indians achieve financial growth that could take years to reach back home after two years of experience and some job switches. So, the initial years could be full of struggles if you search for jobs in Dubai for Indians. Still, consistent efforts can eventually lead to a comfortable standard of living.
Cost of Living in Dubai: The Hidden Truth
Undoubtedly, this city is one of the most attractive destinations in the world. However, it is also among the most expensive cities in the world. Remember, it is a fact that social media always hides.
According to Vaishali, a studio apartment in Old Dubai starts at around AED 4,000–6,000 per month. However, a one-bedroom flat could cost significantly more. So, rent consumes a significant share of most salaries. In addition, shared accommodations with partitions and bed spaces are common for bachelors. Similarly, families face high expenses in rent, groceries, and school fees.
Dubai indeed offers tax-free living, but the cost of living balances out the advantages. So, daily essentials, housing, and transportation can be up to three times more expensive. Indians may earn more in Dubai compared to India, but expenses also rise proportionately. However, anyone can deal with this problem via budgeting wisely.
Work Culture and Growth
Indians are the backbone of the workforce in Dubai, as they make up to 38 to 40 per cent of the population of the UAE. Plus, Indians play an important role across industries, like retail, IT, healthcare, and construction.
This is true that the work culture of Dubai differs from India. Hence, it is a more multinational and professional environment, from various countries working together with strict hierarchies.
That said, many still find the Dubai work environment better structured and more professional compared to the traditional Indian system. It is a place where skill and adaptability matter as much as hard work.
Social Life and Community
Dubai feels like a “home away from home” for Indian expats in Dubai due to a massive Indian population. There are temples, Indian restaurants, Diwali celebrations and grocery stores. Thus, all these remind you of everything from India.
Dubai also has a social divide based on income and status. Plus, the luxurious lifestyle seen on Instagram shows only 10 to 20 per cent of the Indian community. In addition, the rest lead modest, routine-driven lives, working hard to sustain themselves in the city of dreams.
Read more:
