There are lots of people who are deciding to move to the UAE. Many move there due to work commitments or to forge a new career path, while others love the idea of the lifestyle that the country has to offer.
One of the main questions that people are likely to ask before they make this big move is which of the Emirates is going to be the right one to live in. The UAE is made up of seven emirates, and although Dubai and Abu Dhabi are probably the best known internationally, each offers a slightly different lifestyle.
So, to help you decide, we have put together our guide to the seven Emirates and some of the main things to think about when choosing where to live in the UAE.
Which UAE Emirate should you choose?
If you are still at the early stages of deciding where to live, this quick overview gives you an idea of what each Emirate is known for:
- Dubai: Fast paced city life, career opportunities, entertainment, shopping and a large international community.
- Abu Dhabi: A slightly calmer city lifestyle, with plenty for families and a strong focus on culture.
- Sharjah: A more traditional and family focused environment, often with lower housing costs than neighbouring Dubai.
- Ajman: A smaller Emirate that can appeal to people looking for more affordable housing while remaining within reach of Sharjah and Dubai.
- Umm Al Quwain: Quiet, less developed and suited to people who prefer a slower pace of life.
- Ras Al Khaimah: A strong option for people who enjoy beaches, mountains and outdoor activities.
- Fujairah: East coast living surrounded by mountainous scenery, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sea and outdoors.
There is no single Emirate that will suit everyone, so your workplace, budget, family circumstances and preferred lifestyle should all play a part in your decision.
Dubai
If you are someone who wants to enjoy a vibrant and fast paced life in your new home, then you are going to want to consider Dubai as your Emirate of choice. Dubai is well known for offering a high energy approach to city living and is packed full of restaurants, entertainment, shopping and attractions.
Dubai is not only home to a busy social scene, but it is also where you will find towering skyscrapers, large shopping centres, internationally recognised restaurants and plenty of beaches. There is also a huge international population, which can make settling into life in the UAE easier for people arriving from the UK. Dubai's official tourism organisation describes it as a major business hub with a highly cosmopolitan population and extensive entertainment and leisure options.
It has to be said that if you are thinking about living in Dubai, you are going to need to be prepared for a faster pace of life. Housing costs can also vary considerably depending on the area you choose, so it is worth looking beyond the most famous neighbourhoods when deciding where to live.
If Dubai is already looking like the right option for you, our guide to removals to Dubai explains more about planning your relocation from the UK.
Abu Dhabi
For those people who want to take a more relaxed approach to life, they may find that Abu Dhabi is a great option. As the UAE's capital, it is still a major modern city, but the pace can feel a little more measured than Dubai.
This Emirate is full of cultural landmarks, museums and mosques. It is home to attractions including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the growing Saadiyat Cultural District, while families will also find a wide range of activities and residential communities.
Abu Dhabi can therefore be a particularly appealing choice for families and professionals who still want the facilities of a major city but do not necessarily want to be at the centre of Dubai's faster paced lifestyle.
Of course, Abu Dhabi covers a much larger area than just Abu Dhabi city, so where you work and how far you are willing to commute should be considered before choosing a neighbourhood.
We also have more information specifically for anyone planning a move to Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah
If you are more budget conscious, then you may find that Sharjah is a better option for you. Here you will find a wide variety of museums, restored heritage areas and residential communities, and it has a noticeably more family focused feel than some parts of neighbouring Dubai.
Housing is one reason that some people consider Sharjah. Rental costs are generally lower than in Dubai, which means it can be attractive to families and professionals who want more space for their budget. Some residents even work in Dubai and live in Sharjah, although the commute is something that needs to be considered carefully before deciding to do this.
That said, an important consideration if you are planning on moving to Sharjah is that it has a more traditional approach than Dubai. Sharjah is a dry Emirate, so alcohol is not available, including within international hotels.
For some people, this quieter and more traditional environment will be one of Sharjah's biggest attractions. Others may prefer to be closer to the nightlife and entertainment available elsewhere, so it really comes down to the type of day to day lifestyle you want.
Ajman
For those people who are hoping for a quieter slice of life with a lower cost of living, Ajman may be worth considering.
Ajman is the smallest of the seven Emirates, but its location close to Sharjah and Dubai means residents are not completely removed from the larger cities.
Housing can also be considerably more affordable than in Dubai. Current rental market data places Ajman among the UAE's lowest cost Emirates for apartment rentals, making it particularly interesting for people who want to keep their housing costs under control.
Life is generally quieter than Dubai, with residential areas and beaches playing a bigger part in everyday life. The trade off is that you will not have the same concentration of entertainment, nightlife and employment opportunities on your doorstep.
Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain takes the quieter lifestyle even further. It is the second smallest of the seven Emirates and has a much smaller population than the UAE's major cities.
As life is quieter here, it does not have the same large scale tourism and development found in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. That can be part of the attraction for people who want somewhere more peaceful, particularly if their work does not require them to commute regularly into one of the country's major business centres.
You will find beaches, coastal areas and a much more relaxed atmosphere. Housing can also be relatively affordable, although the smaller size of Umm Al Quwain means there is less choice when it comes to employment, schools, entertainment and other amenities.
It can therefore work very well for the right person, but your job location and everyday travel requirements are particularly important considerations here.
Ras Al Khaimah
Not everyone wants their time in the UAE to be centred around skyscrapers and city life. If you are hoping for your life to be a bit more active, then Ras Al Khaimah could be worth considering.
Here the focus is much more on nature and adventure, with beaches, desert landscapes and the Hajar Mountains all within the Emirate. Ras Al Khaimah is also home to Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, making it particularly well suited to people who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities.
There are still modern residential developments and resorts, so choosing Ras Al Khaimah does not mean giving up comfortable modern living. However, it offers a noticeably different setting to central Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
For someone who wants access to the outdoors to play a bigger part in their life in the UAE, it could be a very appealing alternative.
Fujairah
Fujairah also has a strong focus on nature and outdoor living, but it offers something quite different again.
It is the only one of the seven Emirates located completely on the UAE's eastern coast, rather than primarily facing the Arabian Gulf.
Here you will find mountainous scenery alongside beaches and coastal communities. Water sports, diving and days by the sea can therefore become a much bigger part of everyday life than you might expect when picturing the UAE.
Fujairah is generally better suited to someone who prefers a quieter environment rather than the constant activity of Dubai. As with Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, however, you will want to think carefully about where you are going to work. Choosing somewhere because it suits your lifestyle is only useful if the daily commute is practical too.
What should you consider before choosing an Emirate?
The lifestyle of each Emirate is important, but it should not be the only thing that guides your decision.
Think about where you will be working. The distances between some Emirates may not look particularly significant on a map, but commuting conditions can make a big difference to your working week. Living in Sharjah and working in Dubai, for example, can help reduce housing costs, but you also need to factor in the journey.
Look at housing costs in the areas you are considering. Dubai offers a huge choice of residential communities, although prices can vary significantly. Sharjah, Ajman and some of the northern Emirates may offer more space for your budget.
Consider your family requirements. If you are moving with children, look at schools before deciding exactly where to live rather than choosing the Emirate first and worrying about schooling afterwards. The distance between home, school and work can have a major impact on everyday life.
Think about how you actually spend your free time. Someone who enjoys restaurants, events and city life may feel much more at home in Dubai, while another person may happily trade that for the mountains and beaches of Ras Al Khaimah or the quieter pace of Umm Al Quwain.
It is worth researching individual neighbourhoods once you have narrowed down the Emirate too. Living in one part of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah can be a very different experience to living in another.
Moving to your chosen Emirate
Decided on where to head to for your big UAE move? Once you know where you want to live, you can start thinking in more detail about your relocation, including what you want to take with you, your moving date and how your belongings will reach your new home.
Pinnacle Removals & Storage provides international removals to the UAE from the UK, with support for moves to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates.
Choosing the right place to live can take some research, but spending time comparing the seven Emirates before you move should make it much easier to find somewhere that suits the life you actually want to lead.
