Q&A | Life in Dubai as an British expat of 8 years | What is it really like?

[@Angela-yh9ze]

I love your videos ❤ I'm relocating to UAE next August and I am very excited but also terrified, if that makes sense. Watching your video made me feel better.

[@elisekerr_]

Don’t be scared! It will be the best thing you ever do 🤍 glad you like the video!

[@All_Will_Be_Well]

I am a teacher in the UK. I have some loose ends tie up but have 'got it in my head' that I want to come to the UAE. I really appreciate you sharing your story.

[@elisekerr_]

Great job for transitioning over! It seems like teachers here have it really good. If you haven’t been before, definitely come over for a week or two and get a feel for it.

[@drtracythomas]

My house is sold and I’m weeks from arriving in Dubai. TY for your positive support.

[@luxetravelcouple]

Such a great video! So true about all the misconceptions of living here. Also thanks for sharing some of your favourite restaurants 🙌🏼 taking notes

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@HarrietCross1611]

Loved this Q&A! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@elisekerr_]

So glad you enjoyed 🤍

[@drtracythomas]

I’m really grateful for this video. I have felt simultaneously like if I don’t move to Dubai I’m gonna regret it for the rest of my life, and I have also felt terrified about moving there and being able to self-actualize when I am a single woman and would be moving there on my own. I feel that no matter what I do living in the US it’s really not set up for success and it’s just one big hamster wheel and I really want to be somewhere where I can actually grow and drive and set up to encourage people to be really successful and supportive of that. I feel mostly concerned about tolerating the heat and needing the acclimate for that because I don’t love extreme temperatures coming from California. But I feel that I would potentially be willing to acclimate to it if it really was a city where I could feel like I fit in because most people around me have very low ambition and just spend their life following her doing the same thing generation after generation. I want to be where I can be my most ambitious self collaborate with others and feel like I’m actually part of a fabric of society that makes sense to me. I am a psychologist and I’m hoping that I can be a great benefit to society in Dubai and that I can feel like I’m in a place that feels like home to me which America really never has. I lived in Manhattan for many years and they were the best years of my life because I was surrounded by people with lots of ambition who were full of life, but I’m in my late 40s now and I just can’t stand the thought of just doing what most people do around me in California, which is slowly but surely start to Fade out of life as they hit a certain age and just give up on all their dreams. I still believe that I can achieve mine and I just wanna feel like I’m in the right place that’s going in the correct direction and a place that has a way of life that I can actually believe in. I think the fear I have comes from the thought that if something happens and I’m struggling there that I’ll be all alone even though I’ve always been great at making loads of friends my whole life. In fact, I really wanna make friendships that feel like family the way I did in New York, which was the most rewarding chapter of my life where I also dealt with three months of heat and humidity, and then very cold winters, so it was worth it when I was there and I’m hoping that I could feel that way about Dubai and the heat. I also wish Dubai was more. That’s my favorite thing about New York is walking around and walking out your door to everything so I’m looking at the Dubai marina have more access to things right out my door. If there are ways to connect with people and start to make friends when you first get there, that would be incredible to know. Also, I’ve heard that the buildings are half empty and I’m just wondering about the possibility of signing community and friends in the high-rise building that I would live in, and whether those kind of communities are there because in New York and places like San Francisco and San Diego, all their high-rise communities are really focused on community life within the building itself, which is really important to me. Any more input here would be appreciated and thank you for doing these very very valuable videos.

[@elisekerr_]

Wow. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I remember going through all the same emotions when I considered making the move. All that I can say is that your open mindset and kind nature will get you everywhere you want to go in Dubai. People respond to people and its one of those places where connections will get you everywhere (similarly to NYC I imagine). I had youth and naiveté on my side when i made the move but I genuinely hope you muster the courage to seek what's right for you (and understand that 'home' will always be there). Dubai is not New York, your city walks will convert to winter hikes and summers in Europe but it's a special place that makes dreams happen for those who work hard and a place I couldn't not imagine spending my life. Please DM me at @elisetagram if you have any more questions and I'll also be making more videos about my experience over the last 8 years x

[@Sketchbook999]

PLEASE START packing for Dubai if you havent yet. Get ready for success NOW

[@rajsahoy4154]

Hi Elise ... I remember when you first arrived ! Raj

[@janegreenman754]

Really insightful!

[@elisekerr_]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it 🤍

[@paulocosta447]

Thanks for the tips really good

[@elisekerr_]

Thanks so much ☺️

[@justjuliajay]

As someone who lives in Dubai as well, I'm REALLY enjoying this video! You touched on a couple very good points such as the common misconception that we're all rich! Also, idk why...but when you said you try lots of different restaurants as part of your job, I immediately thought TIME OUT DUBAI. 🤣

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you! Glad you can relate ☺️

[@apricotdubai]

Great video Elise!

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you 🧡

[@drtracythomas]

You helped me make the final decision. I’ll be there in a couple of weeks.

[@elisekerr_]

Congratulations! Best of luck with the move! 🤞🏼

[@rume.magazine]

good video! Can you please make a detailed breakdown video of living cost in Dubai

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you, yes of course!

[@rume.magazine]

@@elisekerr_ When the next video coming

[@emmabenson4523]

Hi thank you for this video. Im a teacher hopefully moving out in summer 2025 with my 16 year old son

[@elisekerr_]

Amazing! I’m sure you’ll both love it.

[@Mohamed.Fathalla6969]

you are beautiful, why you are not making new videos ;)

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you! I have some very exciting videos coming soon!

[@saichakresh3031]

can you help me to find a job in dubai as a fresher with my post graduate degree

[@elisekerr_]

What’s your field? Job searching is hard but the best thing you can do is build your network and sell yourself and your skills

[@nowhereman6540]

How do I meet Natalie?

[@elisekerr_]

Hahaha

[@razzorramone5040]

Hi Elise Great video,im possibly moving to Dubai in 2026,my daughter will be 18 then,she is doing in college and is doing exceptionaly well at maths,business and psychology at college,she was thinkiing about university but Also universities are same as before,she doesnt want get in debt and waste 4 years of her life to work in tescos after,any ideas wjat job she could do in dubai or what she could study here that will get her a good job in dubai,thanks look forward your reply

[@elisekerr_]

Thank you and congrats on the upcoming move. I’m guessing you’re coming from the UK? It sounds like she’s super smart and ambitious so I’d say she can go into many different careers so it really depends on what she’s interested in. Quite a lot of companies here will ask for a degree but it’s more of a formality for the visa processing, if you can demonstrate capabilities without it then it can be worked around. If you’re able to support her with a visa then I’d suggest she tries some internships and getting her foot in the door to see what she likes and go from there. Good luck!

[@razzorramone5040]

@elisekerr_ thanks for the advice! Nice blogs and great info all the best

[@freddie_mvp]

Sorry for the rude question, but from your perspective, how many of the women at social hotspots are prostitutes in Dubai?

[@elisekerr_]

0.0001%

[@davidpowelson4817]

I too am stuck in the Apple Cycle. I don't like the company but I keep buying their products.

[@elisekerr_]

Right? Like realistically iPhone is not the best option but there’s no way I’m getting an android 🤖

[@vajzavajza2748]

hi from kosovo

[@elisekerr_]

Hii! Kosovo looks amazing I’m planning visit one day

[@paulocosta447]

RUME MAGAZINE IS COMING FAST

[@elisekerr_]

Can’t wait for what’s to come!

[@ashhealthcoaching1947]

Respectfully, I think if you were moving to Dubai now you’d have a lot harder time finding work. There’s a lot more competition now.

[@elisekerr_]

It was difficult then too, I just got lucky with who I was introduced to. Connections are everything and its the same today. Compared to somewhere like London the competition is still nowhere on the same scale.