Expat Story: A Filipina in Dubai

ABOUT

Molli is a Filipina who speaks 2 languages which are Tagalog (her mother tongue) and English. She currently works as a Business Development / Relationship Officer for an insurance company in the UAE.

When and why did you move to Dubai?

I moved to Dubai in 2015. Honestly at first it was due to boredom and then eventually, it aligned with what I’ve always wanted to do which was to explore the world.

Moving to Dubai

What should people consider before deciding to move to Dubai in 2023?

Two things: First is that even though UAE is one of the most accommodating countries to live in, it is still an Islamic country and it is just appropriate to respect their culture and practices which may heavily differ from yours if you are not a Muslim. Second is the weather, it can get really warm here with the temperature rising up to 50 °C during the summer months (July to September).

How did you find an apartment? Did you use a website or agency?

Renting an apartment here in Dubai is easier compared to the other parts of the world. Here, for as long as you can pay for it, then you will be accepted. There is also no shortage as there are so many properties and a whole lot more are under construction. Property Finder and Dubizzle are the most popular sites for property rental/sale here.

How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)

They offer tourist sim cards and once you already have your UAE identification card number which is called EID (after being employed or having your residency approved), you can open a bank account and register a mobile number. Once you have your EID everything will be fast and easy.

Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Honestly, I didn’t experience it as I got hired and got my residency approved in a month’s time. Medical insurance is provided by the company once you are employed. You can also pay for your own but you have to be a resident as far as I know.

What about housing, are you renting a home? How much do you pay?

I am currently living in a shared apartment. My share is 2500 AED (680 USD at the time of writing) for a single room with a private balcony. I share the bathroom with 2 other ladies and there is one common kitchen. There are total of 7 of tenants in our apartment.

What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?

Convenience, maybe a little too much. I was overwhelmed at first but now I’m used to it. Most things are automatic, new, fast, and advanced. It will probably be hard to adjust once I move out if I ever will.

What do you recommend bringing when you move?

A fighting spirit. You’re gonna need it a lot (laughs). Kidding aside, not much because VAT is only 5% here so the goods are cheaper. Goods that come with services and experiences on the other hand are really expensive. Another FYI is there is no income tax here.

Where do foreigners usually live?

Basically everywhere since expats make up about 89% of the population here.

Living in Abu Dhabi

What stores do you find useful in your daily life in Dubai?

Carrefour (a French hypermarket) since it has almost everything you need and Spinneys for their wide variety of delicious ready-to-eat food options.

What are your favorite areas in Dubai?

I like Dubai Marina, JBR, and the Palm for their amazing views.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Dubai?

I would say it depends on your lifestyle because most of the good and fun things here are expensive. Without the glamorous lifestyle, you can live comfortably with a budget of between 6000 AED to 10,000 AED (1,633 USD to 2722 USD at the time of writing) if you’re single.

Did you feel safe as a woman?

Absolutely. Of course there are some places that I wouldn’t be so comfortable to stay at but in general, it’s very safe. Even petty crimes are rare.

What are the best beaches?

It depends. For tourists I would recommend The Beach in JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), The Pointe (The Palm), and La Mer (soon to be J1 Beach, it’s under reconstruction and rebranding). They have nice views, many dining options, water sports, entertainment, etc. For people who would like to stay out of the crowd and prefer quiet surroundings, it’s best to visit The Secret Beach. For people who like to drink and socialize, they can go to Barasti. For extreme water sports lovers like me, Kite Beach and Umm Suqeim Beach are the place to be. Dubai is known to be an extreme sports hub.

Anything to recommend to future expats?

I recommend living in areas near the beaches to enjoy free leisure. Do not try to compete with the rest of the people wanting to be seen as rich or big shots. Loans are so easy to get approved here so if you will not discipline yourself, you might end up being more broke than when you first came. Only spend what you can actually afford.

Can you drink alcohol in Dubai?

Yes but only in designated places. I will also recommend not to do it during the Ramadan season as a courtesy since this is a holy month for the Muslims. A license is also required for you to buy alcohol in liquor stores if you want to drink at home.

Was it easy making friends and meeting people; did you mainly socialize with other expats?

It depends on your personality I guess. Dubai is like New York, whether you gain friends or be included in a social group entirely depends on your interests (like partying, going out, etc). I am more of a loner.

What are you allowed and not allowed to do in public?

PDA is probably something that you would want to avoid.

What are your favorite museums or exhibition centers in the UAE?

In Dubai, it’s probably the Museum of the Future. I also like the Louvre in Abu Dhabi.

What is your favorite city in the UAE (other than Dubai)?

Ras Al Khaimah. They have the cleanest beaches and best glamping sites.

Final Thoughts

Is Dubai better than Abu Dhabi?

My answer will be biased since I live in Dubai, hahaha. Dubai is more lenient and with more entertainment options and it probably has one of the most convenient transportations in the world. Abu Dhabi is more for people who want a quieter ambiance.

Can you tell us something about Dubai that we might not know?

I think it’s very important to emphasize that taking photos/videos of other people without their consent is prohibited here, you could be served a fine or face jail time. Recording a conversation is also illegal.

What is the most recent thing you’ve read in the news about Dubai?

Something worthy of mention is the change of law when it comes to cohabitation and having a child outside marriage. Here are the excerpts from some local news magazines here:

Cohabitation: It is pertinent to note that cohabitation of unmarried couples is not a crime anymore in the UAE if there are no objections by their legal guardians.
– Khaleej Times

Having a child outside marriage: A new criminal code is among the most significant changes in the UAE’s legal reforms. It decriminalises consensual relationships outside marriage and stipulates that any child conceived as a result of such a partnership will be acknowledged and cared for, state news agency Wam reported. Any couple who have a child outside marriage “will be required to marry or singly or jointly acknowledge the child and provide identification papers and travel documents in accordance with the laws of the country of which either is a national, considering the applicable laws of that nation”.

“Failing this, a criminal case would introduce a prison term of two years for both correspondents.”
– The National News

How are the young Emiratis similar or different to older generations?

Younger generations are more open and exposed to different cultures which makes them more liberated compared to the older generations.

What are your plans for the future? Are you working on anything particular?

I am currently trying to complete my second degree. Once done, I am planning on moving to another country that offers citizenship. Citizenship is currently not being offered here and I need to find a place to retire.

What are the biggest challenges that Dubai faces today?

Salary gap is way too big between people of different nationalities. The sad reality is, this is prevalent in most parts of the world so I’m not sure if you can consider this as a Dubai problem.

Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of?

I would say I am grateful to experience and witness advanced technology that is constantly being displayed here, it’s just fascinating. The convenience and safety of living here that I might not be able to experience in most places is also the thing that I am most thankful for. It’s not everywhere that you can use your phone or wallet to reserve a table in a crowded food court right? Being able to walk anytime without fearing for your safety. Losing a belonging and having it back in no time, separate metro cabins for men and women, having almost everything delivered 24/7 (it could be a carton of milk or a piece of onion, it doesn’t really matter, it can be delivered to you anytime and this is not even an exaggeration), the list goes on.

Are expats rich in Dubai?

Yes and no. There are a lot of rich people here but the middle class/below middle class/poor dominates the ratio just like anywhere in the world.

Thank you Molli, I love that you are able to give up the latest news about living in Dubai, I feel like it’s such a different world from what I am used to! I wish you all the best in Dubai and in your next adventure!