| Background Information to the United Arab Emirates | | | | many companies advertising rental accommodation in |
| and Dubai: - | | | | the classified sections of local newspapers and they |
| Dubai is one of the seven states that make up the | | | | offer everything from private villas to luxury |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE); it is located in the Middle | | | | apartments or even shared accommodation. |
| East. The UAE borders the Gulf of Oman and the | | | | Whatever your budgetary and lifestyle requirements |
| Persian Gulf and is situated between Oman and Saudi | | | | are, the specialist relocation and housing companies will |
| Arabia. The United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 | | | | be sure to have something to assist you. If you prefer |
| by the then 'Trucial States' after their independence | | | | to find your accommodation privately and avoid any |
| from Britain. | | | | agency costs, many people use supermarkets notice |
| The UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers, | | | | boards to advertise or request accommodation. |
| the council is made up of the seven emirs and they | | | | In terms of which areas of the city offer the type of |
| appoint the prime minister and the cabinet for the | | | | accommodation you are after, Jumeirah, Umm |
| country. Despite being ultimately ruled by the Supreme | | | | Sequiem and the Safa Park area are upmarket and |
| Council, as with the other six states, Dubai maintains a | | | | offer villa-type accommodation. Satwa and Garhoud |
| large degree of autonomy from the UAE when it | | | | also offer villas but are slightly cheaper. Rashidiya, |
| comes to general decision making for the city's | | | | Mirdif and Al Quoz are mainly Arabic areas and they |
| development. | | | | actually attract a lot of expats. |
| Oil was first discovered in the United Arab Emirates in | | | | If you are after an apartment the most popular areas |
| the 1950s, before that the country's economy was built | | | | are around Bur Dubai, the Sheikh Zayed Road with |
| on fishing and pearling, since 1962, when Abu Dhabi | | | | cheaper flats are available in Deira, Satwa and |
| became the first of the emirates to begin exporting the | | | | Karama. Some of the more exclusive apartment |
| oil, the country's economy has been completely | | | | developments offer shared gym and pool facilities |
| transformed. | | | | together with garaged car parking and the like. |
| Sheikh Zayed, who has been the president of the | | | | Education |
| UAE since its inception, quickly understood the | | | | If you are considering moving to Dubai with family and |
| economic potential for the country from the oil industry. | | | | are interested in finding out about the education |
| He has continued to ensure that each of the emirates | | | | system and the availability and quality of schools, one |
| benefits from the oil generated wealth, he has insisted | | | | of the best ways is to ask around! Because of the |
| on the reinvestment of oil revenues into the healthcare | | | | numbers of expats in Dubai there is actually a large |
| system, the education system and the general national | | | | number of primary and secondary schools from which |
| infrastructure. | | | | you can to choose. Most schools are private fee |
| The development of the oil industry has led to a large | | | | paying schools and really the best way to get an idea |
| influx of foreign workers to the UAE, in fact Dubai's | | | | of the reputation of a school is to ask friends, |
| population is the fastest growing in the world and the | | | | colleagues and other expats who live in Dubai. Many |
| foreign population makes up about three quarters of | | | | of the schools also have their own websites where |
| the entire UAE population! As a direct result of this | | | | you can learn about the curriculum they follow, after |
| fact the UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the | | | | school programs etc. |
| Gulf, with other cultures and beliefs tolerated. Dubai has | | | | When it comes to enrolling your child in the UAE there |
| also been quick to understand the need for | | | | are a few restrictions you should be aware of. For |
| diversification. Oil in the region is only projected to last | | | | example you are not allowed to change your child's |
| for about 30 years and so Dubai has successfully | | | | school during the academic year...unless approval is |
| embarked upon a major diversification program aimed | | | | given by the Ministry of Education and the |
| to at developing industries and commercial enterprises | | | | circumstances are 'special'. This means that you have |
| to take the place of oil as the predominate commodity | | | | to make sure the school you choose for your child will |
| of the state's economy. | | | | definitely suit them. Another restriction you should be |
| The climate in Dubai is sub-tropical and arid or desert | | | | aware of is that is you move to Dubai on or after the |
| like. The city enjoys almost year round sunny blue | | | | 1st May each year you can't enrol your child into the |
| skies. Rain is infrequent and if it does fall, it falls in the | | | | schooling system for that year. Instead you'll have to |
| winter. | | | | enrol for the beginning of the new school year which is |
| Temperatures range from lows of 10°C to | | | | usually the beginning of September. |
| extreme summer highs of 48°C. The average | | | | Health |
| maximum daily temperature in January is 24°C | | | | Another consideration you may have if thinking about |
| and the average maximum daily temperature in July is | | | | relocation to Dubai may be the state of the health |
| 41°C when humidity is very high. | | | | care system available there. It is fair to say that Dubai |
| About the city of Dubai | | | | has many very well equipped hospitals and surgeries. |
| Dubai is recognised as the commercial and tourism | | | | Dubai's Department of Health and Medical Services |
| capital of the UAE and is globally regarded as one of | | | | runs Dubai, Rashid, Maktoum and Al Wasl hospitals, |
| the most sophisticated, futuristic and cosmopolitan | | | | with Dubai Hospital one of the best medical centres in |
| cities in the world, in fact Dubai is something of a | | | | the entire Middle East. Al Wasl is a maternity and |
| phenomenon! It is an Arab Muslim society with the | | | | gynaecology hospital. |
| fastest growing foreign population in the world, and it | | | | The Department of Health also run out patient clinics or |
| has successfully developed harmony through ethnic | | | | surgeries and in addition there are a number of quality |
| diversity. It is a city with unrivalled levels of economic | | | | private hospitals in Dubai offering in and out patient |
| energy and architectural ambition, a unique city of | | | | facilities - e.g., The American and Welcare Hospitals. |
| contrasts where the most modern and architecturally | | | | Overall both the private and publicly offered health |
| stunning skyscrapers stand alongside traditional | | | | care services in Dubai are first class. |
| beautiful Arabic structures. | | | | Working |
| The experiences and attractions available in Dubai are | | | | Working in Dubai you will enjoy a tax free salary and |
| many and varied. From the miles of immaculate | | | | all shop goods can be bought at tax free prices, |
| beautiful white sandy beaches to the richly exotic | | | | making it an incredibly attractive city to international |
| Arabian heritage, from the awe inspiring majesty of | | | | workers and international companies. Job opportunities |
| the desert to the lively international bars, restaurants | | | | in Dubai and diverse and plentiful, particularly since the |
| and nightclubs - a visitor to Dubai is guaranteed an | | | | additions of the Media and Internet cities...Dubai is a city |
| incredible, never to be forgotten experience. | | | | expanding its horizons at an unrivalled rate. |
| In 2003 Dubai was voted safest holiday destination in | | | | It is important to mention that some countries |
| the world by Conde Nast Traveller magazine, and in | | | | worldwide have tax laws enabling them to tax their |
| fact Dubai is recognised globally as one of the safest | | | | nationals on their worldwide income. It is important to |
| cities in the world. Living in Dubai you will find that it is | | | | check your status with an international accountant |
| virtually crime-free with the Dubai police ensuring | | | | before taking up employment in the city. |
| personal safety and security. Anyone found guilty of | | | | Lifestyle |
| committing a serious crime will be severely punished. | | | | Dubai has a thriving expat population who make the |
| Alcohol and drug related offences are considered | | | | most of their tax free lifestyle in this amazing city of |
| serious. | | | | opportunity. The nightlife in the city is excellent, with |
| The economy of the city of Dubai is a mainly | | | | cocktail bars, wine bars, themed bars and typical British |
| service-driven economy, with every business amenity | | | | or Irish pubs available, many of which offer food and |
| from banking to telecommunications offered. | | | | entertainment as well. |
| International trading and industrialisation are actively | | | | High standard international cuisine is available in the |
| encouraged through the provision of favourable | | | | city's many restaurants and if you are looking for lively |
| taxation advantages, offshore status, specialist free | | | | evening entertainment there are numerous night clubs |
| trade zones etc. Recent innovative projects in the city | | | | around the city. Some of the clubs attract international |
| include the foundation of Dubai Media City and Dubai | | | | DJs; there are also Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian |
| Internet City, bringing 21st century technology to Dubai | | | | nightclubs offering entertainment with singers and |
| in the world's very first 'Free Zone' wholly dedicated to | | | | dancers. Dubai also welcomes international touring |
| e-business. | | | | singing and entertainment acts which cater to all tastes |
| Day to Day Life in Dubai | | | | and ages...from traditional theatre groups to ballet, from |
| Accommodation | | | | opera to international rock and pop bands - all are |
| If you are considering moving to Dubai one of your first | | | | regular visitors to the United Arab Emirates. |
| thoughts will no doubt be finding somewhere to live. | | | | You can be assured of an exciting pace of life in |
| This is not something you'll find too tricky, there are | | | | Dubai and a high standard of living. |