The UAE (United Arab Emirates) also known as Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East. Located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE offers international expats an extremely high quality of life.
We’ll take a look at the best places to live in the UAE for work, families, immigrants and more.
Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in the UAE.
Best Places To Live In The UAE
City | Reason |
---|---|
Dubai | Best for work |
Ajman | Best for affordability |
Dubai, Mirdif | Best for families |
Abu Dhabi | Best for immigrants |
Dubai, Umm Suqeim | Best for retirement |
Ras Al Khaimah | Best for young adults |
Dubai, Silicone Oasis | Best for students |
Dubai, Downtown | Best for food and nightlife |
Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Village | Best for singles |
Dubai | Best for weather |
Abu Dhabi | Best for beaches |
Ras al Khaimah | Best for mountains |
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Work
The best place to work in the UAE for international expats is Dubai. Dubai is a city known for its luxury shopping malls, impressive architecture and world-renowned nightlife.
There are plenty of industries in Dubai to consider for work: from oil and gas to construction, tourism, real estate, financial services, healthcare, and retail.
The work market in Dubai can be extremely competitive, so it may be a good idea to have a placement lined up beforehand. Many companies have a base in Dubai, as it’s a very business-orientated city.
Cheapest Places To Live In The UAE
Ajman is one of the most favoured cities in the UAE for affordability while still maintaining the quality of life many hope to experience while living in the UAE.
The city retains its traditional charm and atmosphere which could be ideal for someone who’s hoping to live in a city that isn’t as crowded or busy as Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Umm Al Quwain is another city which has a very affordable cost of living but is less developed than Dubai or some of the bigger cities though this doesn’t mean that there aren’t experiences or tourist attractions for you to enjoy or explore.
Best Places To Live In For Families
Mirdif is one of the best neighborhoods for people to live in Dubai. It’s a known international expat spot and is a very affordable city.
Mirdif is also home to international schools and has good healthcare facilities. The community is family-friendly and Mirdiff is also a city centre shopping mall, so there are plenty of convienences.
There is plenty of transportation in Mirdif and this makes it one of the best spots for international expats; the city is well-connected and easy to get to different neighbourhoods.
Abu Dhabi is another great spot for families as the capital is so well developed. There are safe and international expat communities and neighbourhoods, plus you’ll get to experience the excitement of the big city.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Immigrants
The capital city of UAE and the second-largest city, Abu Dhabi is a perfect choice for immigrants. There’s a mix of cultures in Abu Dhabi, ideal for those looking to find or build a new community.
It’s worth mentioning that Abu Dhabi does have expensive rent costs and finding accomodation can be tricky so it’s a good idea to make sure this aspect is arranged well in advance.
Abu Dhabi is also a great spot for you to travel to other places in the UAE or other countries.
Dubai is another good choice for those hoping to move to a more populated city in the UAE. Like Abu Dhabi is Dubai is well-developed and there are plenty of amenities and attractions to enjoy.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Retirement
Dubai is a great relocation destination, particularly for retirement. Plenty of international expats choose to relocate to the UAE to take advantage of the high quality of life and magnificent scenery.
Dubai has a year-round sunny climate which is ideal for those hoping to soak up the sun, as well as a low crime rate and plenty of entertainment options.
There are several residential areas that international expats tend to relocate to, so it’s worth making sure you have an idea of what kind of property you’re hoping to move to and what features of Dubai you’d like to have easy access to.
Umm Suqeim is a residential neighbourhood located along the Jumeirah Beach coastline and is one of the most popular choices amongst British expats.
Abu Dhabi is another option to consider as it is also popular with retirees due to its warm climate and range of housing options. There are also already several established retirement communities in the city.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Young Adults
One of the best locations for young adults hoping to relocate to the UAE is Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate in the UAE and is renowned for its luxurious beaches and fantastic scenery.
It’s a great location for young adults who are hoping to be close to the incredible beaches and who are hoping for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than may be found in larger cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
The city is also more affordable than Dubai or the capital, making it a great option for young adults who may be venturing away from home for the first time and are working with a smaller budget.
Dubai is also a worthy choice for young adults due to the lively nightlife, incredible entertainment options and variety of amenities provided by this well-developed city.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Students
Dubai is consistently ranked as one of the best student cities in the UAE. The city is popular with international students due to the quality of life provided, the extraordinary scenery, and the diverse culture.
Some of the international universities in Dubai include the British University in Dubai, the University of Dubai and the American University in Dubai. Dubai Silicon Oasis is one of the most popular areas for students to live in Dubai
Dubai is also popular because of the career opportunities found once you have completed your studies. Dubai’s job market is very active, however, and there is a lot of competition for skilled positions.
Abu Dhabi is also becoming more popular with international students. As the capital, the city has an active nightlife and a wealth of entertainment options, and some of the best-ranked educational facilities are located in Abu Dhabi.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Food and Nightlife
Emirati cuisine typically consists of meat, fish and rice, with lamb as one of the most commonly eaten meats. Emirati cuisine is a faction of Eastern Arabic cuisine, and has many influences from Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine.
Dubai is, without a doubt, the food capital of the UAE. Some of the most famous dishes are Maqluba (meat, rice and fried vegetables), Margoog (lamb and vegetable stew) and Harees (cracked wheat mixed with meat).
Dubai is also one of the best cities to consider relocating to in the UAE for nightlife lovers. There’s a range of different nightlife options to suit individual tastes, ranging from luxurious and upmarket to more edgy venues.
Downtown Dubai, in particular, is renowned for its nightlife options. There are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from and the area is well-connected to the rest of the city.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Singles
Ras Al Khaimah is commonly recommended as one of the best cities in the UAE for single people. The city is stunningly beautiful with a tremendous amount of outdoor activities to take part in.
The differing types of landscapes found in the city also make it an ideal spot for those hoping to see and experience different types of natural landscapes while living in the UAE.
Ras Al Khaimah is perfect for those who may be hoping for a more tranquil location to enjoy life in the UAE. One of the more popular residential neighbourhoods for expats is Al Hamra Village, but there are several established expat communities in Ras Al Khaimah to consider.
While the nightlife (and the city in general) isn’t as bustling as you might find in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, there is still a lively partying scene for those interested and Ras Al Khaimah is much more affordable than Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Best Places To Live In The UAE for Weather
You’ll find most cities within the UAE experience year-round sunny weather, making it an ideal location for those who are hoping to relocate somewhere where they can soak in the sun.
Again, Dubai is one of the best cities to consider for those hoping to strike the balance between extremely hot temperatures and cool, air-conditioned complexes.
The average temperature in Dubai is around 30 degrees and the city only receives around 68mm of rainfall per year. For those hoping for a slightly cooler temperature, it’s worth considering Al Fujayrah which is the coldest region in the UAE – the best months for good weather are between December and March.
Best Places To Live In The UAE Near Beaches
There are several cities in the UAE which are good for beach lovers. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE is one of them. Abu Dhabi’s coastline stretches over 400 km, and there are different types of beaches to suit each type of beach-lover.
You’ll find a variety of different water sports available in Abu Dhabi from swimming to jet skiing, to glorious sandy stretches for those who would rather spend time on the shore.
Another good ‘neighbourhood’ to consider is Palm Jumeirah which is located on the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah, Dubai. These islands have been designed in the shape of a palm tree and have some extraordinary hotels and entertainment options.
Best Places To Live In The UAE Near Mountains
Ras al Khaimah is one of the best cities in the UAE for mountain lovers and is home to the UAE’s tallest mountain, Jebel Al Jais as part of the Hajar Mountain range.
There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and climbing, as well as the mountains provide home to the native flora and fauna that exist alongside the desert ecosystem.
Dubai is also home to some popular mountain ranges, including the Hatta Mountain which is part of the Hajar range. Most mountain ranges stretch across city borders, so there are plenty of hiking options available in each city.
Other Useful Guides to the UAE
- 2025 Sea Freight Container Shipping Rates To & From the UAE
- 48 Best International Moving Companies in Dubai & the UAE
- Moving to the UAE? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- 21 Secrets About Living In the UAE To Know Before Moving
- Moving to Dubai & the UAE from the United States
- Moving to Dubai & the UAE from the UK
Other Useful Guides to the United Arab Emirates
- 48 Best International Moving Companies in The UAE
- 2025 Sea Freight Container Shipping Rates To & From The UAE
- Moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- 12 Best Places To Live In The UAE
- 21 Secrets About Living In The UAE To Know Before Moving
- Moving to Dubai & The UAE from The UK
- Moving to Dubai? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- 21 Secrets About Living In Dubai To Know Before Moving
- Moving to Abu Dhabi? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- Container Shipping to Dubai from the United States 2025 Cost
- Moving to Dubai & the UAE from the United States
- Moving to Fujairah? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- Moving to Umm Al Quwain? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- Moving to Sharjah? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- Moving to Ras Al Khaimah? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips