Living and Working in Dubai

The weather in Dubai is beautiful, with clear blue skies and sunshine practically the whole year round. Whilst temperatures may seem on the unbearable side in August, everywhere is air-conditioned. By October, temperatures are pleasant and conducive to an outdoor lifestyle. These more pleasant temperatures last until virtually the end of the school year.

Obviously, sensible sun protection measures are recommended, and you should drink plenty of water to avoid heat stroke and dehydration. JESS provides chilled water dispensers on site for staff and students.

Dubai is known as a top tourist destination and a first-class hub for travel. From the adventurous to those who just like to lie on a beach, Dubai will be able to cater to your needs. Dubai itself has excellent hotels, beaches, spa resorts and nightlife for those who like to spoil and indulge themselves.

It is well worth seeing a bit more of the country, however, as the UAE is surprisingly diverse with lots to offer. Within a two-hour drive, you can find the beaches of the East Coast, which has some stunning scenery, with the Hajar Mountains plunging straight into the Arabian Sea. At Dibba, there are spots for diving and snorkelling, and Khor Fakkan is also worth a visit for its old Mosque and Fort. Within an hours’ drive of Dubai, you can reach the oasis town of Al-Ain, on the border of Oman, or you could choose to drive into the Hajar Mountains and Hatta Fort. Here you can take a plunge into the natural rock pools which are fed from an underground spring.

For those of you who want to see a more traditional side to Bedouin life, a visit to the desert sands at Liwa (2 hours by car from Abu Dhabi) is a must. This has some stunning scenery as well as the highest sand dunes in the world. Dubai has an excellent airport which makes getting away and visiting the surrounding regions remarkably easy. Dubai is also a great hub for planning longer holidays, with Europe and Southeast Asia both within easy reach.

Residents of Dubai can participate in all major sports. These include golf, skiing, snowboarding, polo, horse riding and water sports (sailing, yachting, jet skiing,) etc. There are many amateur sporting leagues such as netball, football, tennis and rugby. Dubai is increasingly attracting major international sporting events, such as Dubai Rugby 7’s, Dubai Tennis Open, Dubai World Cup, Offshore Powerboat Racing and the Dubai Golf Desert Classic with Abu Dhabi hosting a F1 Grand Prix. Many of the world’s major sporting stars have visited Dubai to participate in these events. Gym membership can be expensive and it’s best to research what’s best for your training plan. 

Dubai has an extensive bus system in the centre of the city and a metro system, linking the main business areas.  Generally, most of our staff choose cars or taxis to get to and from work. There are a number of care hire companies such as Hertz, Speedy Drive, Selfdrive.ae and Dollar all of which are online and most people opt for a lease agreement.

Taxis are also abundant and easy to book via apps and online and are generally reasonably priced.

Dubai offers a cosmopolitan range of dining out opportunities from five-star restaurants to good-value local restaurants.  Every cuisine is catered for and many offer takeaway and home delivery options to. Dubai also attracts a wide range of entertainers from around the world: international DJ’s, theatre productions and major recording stars all visit Dubai. There are many cinemas in Dubai and the latest Hollywood movies are shown although some films are edited. There are many social groups for nightlife in Dubai. 

Dubai offers many different residential areas for expats each with their own distinct flavour such as Dubai Marina, Town Square, Mudon, Mira, Arabian Ranches, Al Soufah, Dubai Hills, Al Barsha, Jumeirah.   Internet Searches will show you the top expat areas that fit you and your family’s requirements. 

We suggest you consider the characteristics of the neighbourhood, such as traffic, ease of parking, proximity to amenities and access to roads to reach other areas of the city as Dubai is a busy city. Expats can buy or rent their properties and prices vary considerably. As well as rent or a mortgage, you should also consider the cost of services such as air-conditioning, water, electricity and gas.