Where to Live: A Mini-Guide for Americans & Emiratis Swapping Their Homeland for Pastures New

posted on: Mar 27, 2020

With Dubai’s rise as an international hub of business and leisure, more and more Americans are choosing to visit, work and live in the UAE city. Similarly, with globalization drawing the poles of the international marketplace closer together, the movement of people between the United States and the Arab world is increasing.

Indeed, the USA provides one of the largest western groups to set up home in the UAE. And with the proliferation of American companies with bases or partners in Dubai, including Citibank, Johnson and Johnson, and American Life Insurance, the movement of the workforce between the West and the Middle East is greater than it has ever been.

In this mini-guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to live in Dubai for Americans making the move to the Middle East. We’ll also look at the ideal locations and things to consider for Emiratis moving in the other direction.

Most Desirable Locations in Dubai to Live

Whether you’re living in Dubai permanently or temporarily, you’ll want to know you’ve chosen a part of the city that you’re comfortable in. One that is safe, secure and close to basic amenities. Bayut, one of the leading property agents connecting buyers, sellers and tenants in the UAE lists everything from apartments to townhouses, villa compounds and penthouses with prices that range significantly based on type and city locale.

One of the most expensive – and desirable – places to live for Americans is Dubai Marina. A distinctive part of the “new Dubai”, the man-made harbor offers a picturesque setting for ex-pats with an abundance of shops and restaurants helping to fuel a bustling social scene. Downtown, where the Burj Khalifa can be found, is a similarly attractive spot for younger professionals.

Those wanting a quieter place to live can find one in Mirdif where low-rise apartments are spread across a friendly ex-pat community that is ideally located, being close to the airport. The Arabian Ranches is another place offering more reserved, recognizable suburbia.

Most Desirable Locations to Live in the USA

For those moving in the other direction, the USA’s richly diverse cities offer a potpourri of cultures that mean there’s somewhere for everyone. Many moving to the United States will end up in New York or Los Angeles due to the headquarters of so many major businesses being located in these cities. Their various districts, iconic in their own right and popularized by movies and TV, are unsurprisingly attractive places for foreigners living in America along with San Francisco, Austin, and Columbus.

In New York, however, former Dubai residents will enjoy the familiarity of the work of architect’s Fosters and Partners. The firm, which designed Dubai’s 80-storey The Index, is responsible for a number of New York skyscrapers such as Hearst Tower and the soon-to-be-completed 2 World Trade Center.

The movement of people between Dubai and America is likely to increase as these two international powerhouses’ connectivity evolves in the digital age. Whether it’s for business, education or pleasure, the Middle East is a desirable move for US citizens pursuing new careers and challenges while this is also true for Emiratis eager to sample a taste of the American Dream.

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