Here are my thoughts and experiences from living in Dubai for 9 months.

The company moved there nine months ago, and I have been living in Dubai for nearly nine months. Based on my own experience, I would like to share some personal feelings. These views may be subjective and are for reference only.

**Places I Like**

**Abundant Sunshine**: Every morning, I can feel the warm sunshine and the fragrance of birds and flowers. Especially, the community greening is well done, making it a pleasant experience for both body and mind.

**Convenient Life**: It takes about half an hour to drive to and from work, and it's on the way with my partner, making this commuting arrangement very comfortable. The living environment has also improved a lot compared to back home.

**Affordable Labor**: Whether it's domestic services or gardening, the cost of labor is much lower than in first-tier cities in my home country. The expenses for nannies, gardeners, and drivers are about half of what they are back home.

**Relaxed Work Atmosphere**: The work efficiency here is higher, without the "internal strife" phenomenon common in my home country, and the off-duty time is more regular. Relationships among colleagues are simple and direct, with clear goals.

**Pleasant Climate**: Especially from November to March of the following year, the climate is very suitable for tourism, making it a delightful time.

**Diverse Environment**: You often see handsome men and beautiful women on the streets, and the culture is diverse, which broadens one's horizons.

**Places I Dislike**

**Fragile Ecology**: The desert environment leads to barren land. Although Dubai's greening coverage is already high, seeing trees in parks relying on "drip bottles" for growth still raises concerns about sustainability.

**High Cost of Living**: Entertainment and dining are generally expensive, and medical expenses can be astronomical without insurance. Rent is also not cheap; the market price for a self-owned house has already exceeded 200,000 dirhams, and the rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the same community is also over 100,000 dirhams.

**Large Social Gap**: This is a typical "jungle society." Low-income groups such as laborers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines generally earn between 1,500 to 3,500 dirhams. Although labor is cheap, these groups still face significant life pressures. Meanwhile, the status of Indians has greatly improved, ranging from corporate executives to doctors and businessmen, striving hard in various industries.

**Fierce Job Competition**: The job competition among people from various countries in Dubai is fierce. For example, Korean companies excel in the construction sector, while Chinese are continuously capturing market shares in various industries. At the same time, opportunities to interact with UAE locals are rare, and their work capabilities vary, with some locals not utilizing resources efficiently.

**Restrictive Immigration Policies**: This place is not suitable for immigration and development; it's more like a "place to make money" and not suitable for long-term settlement or retirement. Even if you work until your 40s, you still need to think about whether to return to your home country or move to another country.