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Six Reasons Why Dubai is So Popular with Expats
Dubai is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest tourist attractions – and also one of the most desirable places to go and work. Only one in six of the city’s working population was born in the United Arab Emirates, with many people moving here from around the world.
Hamiltons arrange international removals to all parts of the United Arab Emirates. Here we look at six of the principal reasons why the city has proved to be such a big draw for expats.
The Transport Connections
Dubai is one of the easiest destinations to get to, as the airport is the busiest in the world when it comes to the number of international passengers. In 2018, more than 88 million people used it, beating London Heathrow (75million) into second place.
The main carrier, Emirates Airlines, provides regular services to other parts of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and New Zealand. This means, if you are based here, you have a wide choice of holiday destinations, and you should find it easy to travel back to your home country. Once you are in the city, you have plenty of choice of how to get around – by car, bike, taxi, boat, metro, tram and monorail.
The Economy
Originally Dubai’s economy was founded on oil, but in the past few years it has developed into one of the world’s biggest centres for high-tech, tourism and financial services. In order to sustain this growth, the economy relies on a large international workforce, and companies are prepared to pay well to attract the right sort of candidate. This means many people need removals from the UK to Dubai for work reasons.
The country also has an extremely low level of taxation, as the authorities don’t impose any individual taxes, although there are some indirect taxes, such as toll roads and alcohol duty. Most goods, including food, are tax-free, so you should be able to treat yourself to the odd luxury – and there are plenty of shopping malls full of designer names – or boost your savings.
The Weather
If you don’t like rain or snow, then Dubai could be the place for you. The city enjoys, on average, 342 sunny days every year. Daytime temperatures have been known to exceed 40C, so the advice to newcomers is to drink plenty of water, exercise early or late in the day, and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Wearing too little, particularly in public places, can cause problems as the city’s main religion, Islam, requires people of both sexes to dress respectably.
The authorities have recognised that the climate can create problems for non-nationals, so there are plenty of swimming pools and water parks where you can cool off. You can also take a dip in the sea – Dubai is on the south-eastern coast of the Persian Gulf and there are plenty of sandy beaches to choose from. In addition, most of the public buildings and shopping malls are equipped with air conditioning.
The Lifestyle
This is one of Dubai’s big draws. The culinary scene, for instance, is notable not just for its quality but its variety. Because there is such a cosmopolitan workforce, you should be able to find cuisine to your taste. And many Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs have bases in Dubai as well –Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay both have eateries in the city.
There are plenty of leisure pursuits to enjoy if you are worried about your waistline. And there are three football teams competing in the UAE Pro-League, while sports fans can also see many of the major stars – there are top-level tennis and golf tournaments every year, while the Meydan Racecourse hosts the Dubai World Cup for thoroughbreds.
It’s Child Friendly
Dubai isn’t just a place for the corporate high-flyer with no family commitments. The city is home to a number of high-quality international schools, for infants right up to further education level.
There are plenty of family-friendly attractions throughout the city, including an aquarium, an underwater zoo, ice rinks, trampoline parks and even an indoor ski centre with classes laid on for children.
The High Levels of Safety and Security
If you live in Dubai, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about your personal safety – in 2018, one study ranked it the eighth safest city in the world. because you should be aware that the country is extremely strict on certain offences such as alcohol sales, public displays of affection and swearing. Any crime tends to be fairly low-level, with traffic offences, petty theft and cybercrime among the most common.
The ever-increasing expat community has also created a more tolerant attitude to religion, and it also means that you should find it easy to settle in the city – with every nationality having its own social scene.
International Removals to the United Arab Emirates with Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons have more than two decades’ worth of experience in organising international removals to the United Arab Emirates, and have helped move people to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Al Ain as well as Dubai. We give you the choice of a dedicated service, where you have sole use of one of our shipping containers, or a groupage option, where your items are shipped as part of a consignment if you don’t need a container of your own.
We can pack and unpack your items for you if required, and we are also move large or specialist items as well. If you would like to know more, follow this link or call us on 01379 855203.
Five Unusual Facts About Ipswich, Suffolk’s County Town
Thanks in part to the new University of Suffolk, the thriving Waterfront area with its pubs, clubs and restaurants, Ipswich is fast becoming known as a desirable place to move to. The Royal Mail, using official government data. recently rated it as one of the top places to live and work in England.
Hamiltons Removals are based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, and so are well placed to help with local and international removals to Ipswich. Here are five unusual facts about the town.
Home to The First Petrol-Driven Lawn Mower…
The world’s first commercially-marketed powered lawnmower was made in the town by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies. The company originally specialised in agricultural machinery such as ploughs, combine harvesters and traction engines and were based at Orwell Works, in the Duke Street area of the town. The mower was powered by a petrol engine and revolutionised the way gardeners cut their lawns – although the early models were too expensive for most of the population. The £137 price tag equates to around £15,000 in today’s money and was more likely to be used just by the Edwardian elite and wealthy sports clubs.
…and The Youngest Listed Building
Thanks to the innovative design of Sir Norman Foster, Ipswich boasted the youngest Grade 1 listed building in the whole of the UK. The glass-clad Willis Faber & Dumas building which is instantly recognisable to anyone who drives through the town centre, was built for an insurance firm which is now called Willis Towers Watson.
The building, above, was originally completed in 1974 and received its historic accolade 17 years later. It wasn’t out of place either – it stands next to Ipswich’s Unitarian Meeting House, one of the town’s oldest surviving buildings, and which is also Grade 1 listed.
There’s Another Eight Across the Globe
Ipswich is one of England’s oldest towns, if not the oldest. It dates back to Roman times, although the town only really began to take shape in the Anglo-Saxon period, thanks to trade with Europe which helped to kick-start the development of the docklands area.
And there are plenty of other Ipswiches across the globe. The USA has four – in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Wisconsin and New Hampshire – while there are another two in Jamaica, a seventh in Manitoba, Canada, and the eighth is in Queensland, Australia. There is also a group of islands just off the southern tip of Chile called Islas Ipswich, but these are not inhabited and the only way to reach them is by boat.
Blues Lead the Way on and off the Pitch
Say ‘Ipswich Town Football Club’ and most people will think about Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alf Ramsey, and the triumphs at home and abroad in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. But the club has a couple of other claims to fame as well. They were one of the first in England to use goal nets in 1890 – before then there were lots of arguments about whether a goal had really been scored or not, and the net acted as a form of ‘pocket’ to put an end to such disputes.
And in 1992 they were the first club in English football’s top flight to have an all-seater stadium. The Blues converted the terraces in the north and south stands into seated areas with a capacity of 22,600. Later ground developments mean the ground can now accommodate just over 30,000 fans.
The Chaucers Lived Here
Thomas Wolsey might be the most famous son of Ipswich, but Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet and author who is most famous for The Canterbury Tales, also has a strong connection with the town. Previous generations of his family, who were then known as the Malyns, were prominent members of the town’s business community. The family is believed to have worked in the leather, shoemaking and wine trades.
Although Chaucer himself was born in London, it seems likely that he visited Suffolk in later life, and his most important work can be read as a satire on Ipswich’s business community. The family connection is commemorated with a blue plaque in Tower Street.
International Removals to Ipswich with Hamiltons
If you are interested in commercial, domestic, local or international removals to Ipswich, then Hamiltons will be able to help. Our friendly, dedicated team has more than 25 years’ experience in helping people move house, and our name has become synonymous with professionalism and excellent customer service.
We also offer a number of optional extras, including insurance, packing and cleaning services, and specialist removals for large and bulky items such as horses, pets, and large vehicles and machinery.
Our UK removals team can also help with moves to all parts of the country, including the rest of Suffolk, Norfolk and the whole of East Anglia, and all the major towns and cities, including Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester. If you would like to know more, follow this link for our contact details.