Expat in Dubai drops truth bomb on anyone thinking of leaving UK

In a time when many Brits are considering leaving the UK in search of sun, tax breaks, and a fresh start, the idea of becoming an expat has never looked more appealing. Social media is flooded with influencers flaunting luxury lifestyles in far-flung places, from beachside cafes in Bali to rooftop pools in Dubai.

But behind the filtered Instagram posts and TikToks showing off five-star brunches, the reality of expat life can be far more complex. One British expat who knows this all too well is YouTuber Sukh Sidhu. After relocating to Dubai in 2020 with his wife, daughter, and their dog, Bert, Sidhu has spent the last four years building a life in the UAE.

While he’s quick to say they’re happy, he’s equally eager to share that the Dubai dream isn’t always what it seems.

In his video titled “7 Reasons You Shouldn’t Move to Dubai (Truth)“, Sidhu offers a reality check to anyone eyeing a move to the desert city.

From sky-high living costs to bureaucratic headaches and a surprising lack of good chips, his insights offer a sobering counter-narrative to the glamour often associated with Dubai life.

Sidhu begins by addressing the obvious, the weather. While the sun shines most of the year, the heat in summer is brutal, so extreme, in fact, that it effectively keeps people indoors for months.

He compared it to the UK’s winter, where cold and rain discourage outdoor activity, but notes that in Dubai, it’s the scorching temperatures that force you inside.

Then there’s the cost of living. Sidhu points out how prices have soared since he arrived, adding his home in Dubai Hills has more than doubled in rent over four years. He warned that while costs may seem reasonable if you’re coming from a major city like London or New York, those moving from smaller towns might experience serious shock.

In a moment of cultural levity, Sidhu laments the lack of proper British chip shops. For him, it’s more than just a craving, it’s symbolic of the subtle but meaningful comforts you leave behind.

Despite numerous restaurants trying to replicate the experience, he insists no one has nailed the authentic “chippy chip” quite like back home.

Among other issues, he also draws attention to one of the more serious aspects of life in Dubai is the absence of a social safety net. If you lose your job, there are no unemployment benefits or subsidised housing to fall back on.

Finally, he highlights how Dubai’s explosive growth has become a double-edged sword.

With rising demand, traffic has worsened, schools are under pressure, rents have jumped, and quality in some areas appears to be slipping. Sidhu believes the city is playing catch-up with its own success, something future expats should consider before committing.

Despite all of this, Sidhu is clear that Dubai still offers incredible opportunities, especially for those looking to grow a business or build wealth.

“We’re incredibly happy here,” he said. “But will we be here forever? I don’t think so. Right now, there’s just nowhere else that makes more sense, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

Expats in the UAE represent the large majority of the population – with many choosing Dubai as their next home. One of the reasons Dubai is so attractive is tax-free income, as well as a lavish lifestyle.

The population of Dubai has grown exponentially over the past five years, by some 475,000 according to government data. Out of 3.85 million residents, expats account for some 87%.

However, as noted by the YouTuber, the cost of living has become a growing issue in the city, particularly as the growing expenses are not being matched by rising salaries.

Salaries across the United Arab Emirates, Cooper Fitch projected earlier this year, will flatline in 2025, with an average increase of 0%, despite expected GDP growth.

Rents, on the other hand, rose by an average of 16% in the year ending in December 2024, according to CBRE’s head of MENA research, Matthew Green.

He told Business Insider: “This has been driven by a rapidly rising population, with new supply failing to keep pace with demand.”

Rizwan Tahir, professor of global management at the Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, also told the publication: “The disparity between escalating living costs and stagnant salaries poses financial challenges for many expatriates.”