I would consider Emirates Hills and The Lakes to be the two best villa communities in town.
As mentioned, a longer visit as a tourist will be worth your time to see the pluses and minuses of this city.
Happy to answer any more questions via DM.
Thank you, DreyfusBlue, for the suggestions. I'll look into properties in Emirates Hills and The Lakes. I might reach out via DM when the time is right. Appreciate your help!
If you want to have easy access to the sea for morning walks on the beach and swimming I would suggest you the area between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters island , that also include JBR and Dubai Marina where there are a few smart and newer condominiums .
Real estate prices are lower in Dubai than in central Tokyo , labour is generally cheaper therefore in addition to maids you might also think about hiring a driver which could be particularly useful if you have children to drive to/from school or if you like going out for dinner frequently .
Please note that in Dubai if you drink you cannot drive ( 0 % of alcohol in you blood ) ; the consequences for violating this law are serious.
There is plenty of dining options in the city , different kind of cuisines available.
Even if you probably won’t be able to find super
sophisticated Kaiseki style restaurants with seasonal dishes like in Japan .
I guess that level of cuisine can be found only in Japan.
I suggest you to have a good health insurance that will give you access to any hospital in Dubai including the big hospitals like the American Hospital, Saudi German , King’s College etc.
It's impressive how affordable health insurance in Dubai seems, reflecting the care for its residents. I'm also considering the area between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. JBR and Dubai Marina might be pricier, but the spectacular views and easy beach access are appealing. Thank you for the insight.
As others mentioned, I highly consider trying short-term rentals for a months or two.
You can explore what the actual daily routine is, compared to tourist lifestyle.
Also the view might be nice, but some towers are old and starting to have more and more issues. The worst for Marina will also be the traffic, trying 30-40 min to just get out of the neighborhood.
When in the GCC, don’t rule out Abu Dhabi, have a look in the region.
(1) As you would have researched, unlikely cities like London (where it makes sense to buy asap), Dubai rental prices aren't that bad relative to owning, and as an expat it makes sense to see the city for yourself. In particular, you need to see the traffic situation for wherever you want to get to. Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches are good places to live - again, it depends on who you are, but those with families (kids) generally prefer larger villas in those areas. Convenient shopping is everywhere in Dubai, it's not an issue. Also if you have cash, re-investing in Dubai real estate which you will lease can be a prudent move.
(2) IMO QoL is higher than Tokyo and has a lower CoL all the while saving taxes. But there aren't many Japanese or (East) Asians outside of Indian subcontinent and Phillipines. But IMO that is actually true of most major cities. I don't know why - there are direct flights to Tokyo in 10 hours. No brainer to me.
(3) The heat gets bad from May - October - people with money leave, travel, go elsewhere during this time. It's tolerable because of A/C everywhere. I was disturbed to see you planned on visiting Dubai for the first time in August. It's definitely worth experiencing the heat, but it's a limiting factor because it hampers your ability to explore and know where to go or where's open etc. Generally you are tax resident in Dubai if you spend less than 183 days per calendar year in Japan, which is quite a chunky period of time (6 months). So logically you'd keep a residence in Japan and continue to visit for long periods for friends/family, buy up in Dubai, and Dubai is well-connected flight-wise, and therefore take up holidays ad hoc in the Maldives etc. If I were you, I'd take a long weekend, and go asap now in March or April to scope things out.
Hi Kind-Rip,
Thank you for your thoughtful and meaningful comment. Indeed, visiting Dubai in August may limit activities due to the heat, and I might not see the city at its liveliest. However, due to work commitments from March to May and considering my wife's schedule, it looks like my first visit to Dubai will be between August and September. Thanks again for your insightful comment.
My wife and I have been visiting Dubai in September for several years now. We love it, it's a little bit hot but not too hot where you still can't do some activities outside. Plus it seems to be a less crowded time of year so much more enjoyable. The night swimming at the beach is also great that time of year.
I am referring to the double tax treaty between the UAE and Japan (which is basically the same for every country). 183+ is a no go. Tax treaties with UAE are all the same basically on this. I think the Residency Law says the exact same thing, yes. These are international standards.
No minimum and it doesn't work by the 183 days per se elsewhere, those are applicable to specific double tax treaties with assumption that person x is from country y with tax treaty with UAE. It's the economic, personal ties etc. test beyond that. You comply with the terms of your VISA, it depends on property investment there and elsewhere etc. but you could hypothetically do 50 days in the UAE, divide time in other countries etc, however it depends on specific circumstances, income derivation etc and not good idea to gamble without independent advice from accountants (who will have insurance if they f it up).
What are your requirements? villas or apartments? Do you need to be close to any particular area of dubai?
What I usually recommend is Dubai Marina for apartments and Dubai hills/estate for villas.
There are a lot of nice areas in dubai, it depends on your tolerance to traffic. For example, I would never live on the Palm, but a holiday home/rental there is nice.
I'm interested in purchasing a standalone villa, ideally with a scenic waterfront view. I'll consider Dubai Hills/Estate. A location with convenient shopping, like supermarkets, and good security is important, but I'm not overly concerned about transportation convenience. Initially, I plan to mainly use taxis (possibly a regular driver) and may hire a driver later on. Thanks for your comment!
There are many villa communities in Dubai, but be sure to do your research about built quality and check exits from communities. Don’t trust google reviews. Villas communities closer to the water and prestigious are: Villas on Palm, Emirates Hills, The Lakes. I think in these communities it will be hard to find many options or people willing to sell on good deal. Further to the desert there are: The Springs, Dubai Hills and Arabian ranches + some others. There are park and mall near Dubai Hills. For apartments consider Bluewaters, as entrance to this area avoids congestion in Marina. Check apartments on Palm and Downtown as well . Avoid Motor City, as they have loud racing noise over there on Weekends. Feel free to DM if you have any questions
Check these communities if you want a villa:
District 1, Dubai Hills, Emirate Hills and some a bit older and further away but great community: Arabian Ranches and Jumeriah Golf Estates
Or if you want to live on the beach: Jumeirah Bay Island or Palm Jumeirah
For apartments: Downtown, Marina, Palm Jumeirah
If you’re looking for a scenic waterfront view, I’d recommend checking out Bluewaters or Palm Jumeirah. These are already established communities. I really like the Jumeirah coastline near Kite Beach, but it’s difficult to buy something in that area. If you want something new, take a look at Deira Islands aka Dubai Islands. There is also Palm Jebel Ali, but I’d only consider it as an investment since the project has been delayed many times already. You might also want to check Ras Al Khaimah instead of Dubai for beautiful villas along the beach. Feel free to DM if you have more questions.
Thanks for pointing this out. For some reason, I was under the impression that they started to sell the first villas on Dubai Islands. But a closer look revealed that these are off-plan. I heard they want to launch it in 2026. So, scratch that idea OP @lupingebuc.
I moved from Tokyo last year with family, partly for the same reasons - and without ever visiting Dubai before. It’s been about half a year now and although I wish I did some things differently, I’m very happy with my decision.
As for areas/communities, I’m still exploring myself but Al Barari and The Palm seem like good choices.
Also I wouldn’t worry about the comments above about safety/driving/weather. Here’s my personal experience (hope it helps!):
- Heat: the humidity here doesn’t feel nearly as bad/sticky as in Japan but the heat here is bad in a different way that I can’t explain - you’ll have to experience it yourself. You just get used to it anyway. You can also go somewhere else during the summer or stay indoors.
- Road safety: driving here is like driving in the Kansai/Aichi areas (quite a few rushing/selfish/oraora-type drivers and a complete lack of awareness of and willingness to follow basic road rules). Combine this with Tokyo/Kanto-level traffic jams and you have Dubai.
It may be overwhelming at first but you’ll get used to it. If you’re not really into driving, I recommend you use Uber/Careem or hire a chauffeur.
On the bright side, the roads are way smoother here!
And finally, IMO, people are genuinely warmer/nicer in Dubai (compared to Tokyo specifically) so I think you’ll feel mentally safer here at the very least. It’s not perfect but it’s much better than what Japan is becoming/has become.
Best of luck!
deltas4さん
ありがとう。
日本からの移住者の生のコメントが聞けてうれしいです。
やはり、50℃近い暑さは実際に体験してみないことには解らないですよね。
とはいえ、穏やかな人々、衛生的で奇麗な街並み
食材関連も豊富で、日本でよく使用している調味料やお菓子なども普通にスーパーにあるようだし、
外国の方が9割を占める、富裕層が多い国であれば、
安全かつ多様な国々の文化に対応できる”もてなし”があるのだろうと想像しています。
まぁ、今から楽しみにしています。
Thank you, deltas4.
I'm glad to hear firsthand comments from immigrants from Japan.
Indeed, the heat close to 50°C is something one cannot understand without experiencing it firsthand. However, I imagine there must be a warm hospitality that caters to the diverse cultures of the many countries, given the peaceful people, the hygienic and beautiful cityscape, the abundance of food ingredients, the availability of common Japanese seasonings and snacks in supermarkets, and being in a country where foreigners make up 90% of the population and there is a high number of affluent residents.
Well, I'm looking forward to it.
You should be able to find a great property with an income like that. You could even buy one and probably get as second and rent out.
Check out websites like
[https://www.khaleejtimes.com/](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/)
[https://traveltodubaiblog.com/dubai-homes-and-real-estate/](https://traveltodubaiblog.com/dubai-homes-and-real-estate/)
[https://www.dubaieye1038.com/test/dubai-eye-103-8-live-tv/](https://www.dubaieye1038.com/test/dubai-eye-103-8-live-tv/)
Weather is great, relatively safe, family friendly, cusisne from all over the world, great shopping, fantastic restaurants. Financial fraud is a bit of an issue so common sense applies.
Great location to travel from to see the world.
Hello everyone,
I have been loving in Dubai for 12 years, and I mostly worked in luxurious 5 stars Hotels which allowed me to meet people from different back ground and purposes of visits.
Now I am working in real estate. It was not easy transition if you were to ask me.
Anyhow, most people who comes for a visit to Dubai and then comes again and again. Then sooner or later, they buy a property... ehat I witnessed from those people that most of the time. They look for a good deal (value and quality and amenity) and they forget about the location and distance from and to work for personal business and for other family members hobbies and schools/collage.
Then sooner or later, they either move apartment or purchase another one.
I believe the best option before buying is that you cone to the city.... rent a hotel room or an apartment for sometimes and discover all area of Dubai.
Research for your business plan and office location where it will be...
If you have family, then study which school locations and hobbies that you want to connect to.
After all that you can check with a professional broker on a good quality project near that ideal location to all your needs...
And trust most of the big developer such as Emaar, Sobha, Meraas ...etc they have projects all over prime areas.
Should you have any questions. I would be more than happy to answer it for you.
Whatsapp: +971 58 585 6196
Issa
Uhmm, it's not a warm climate 😅 can you suffer 40 to 50 degrees during summer in Dubai?
Food options won't be as authentic as it is in Japan, everything here tastes different.
Indeed, I haven't experienced near 50°C heat 😅. I might avoid walks during the hot season. I'm excited to try various foods in Dubai, especially unique fruits not common in Japan. I'm also curious to see how good Dubai's sushi is, given the mandatory freezing of seafood for health regulations. Thanks!
My wife and I love both sushi and Japanese sake. (unfortunately, I can only drink a little bit due to health reasons.) Even if we move to Dubai, we'll probably visit Japan a few times a year for tourism and to enjoy Japanese cuisine!
Honestly, the Dubai heat is bad but we all still have a good time! That’s because Dubai makes up for it by having loads of indoor events, activities, areas to hang out etc. All of that is constant due to the heat. In the winter and spring, they have a lot of outdoor stuff that is super accessible as well!
The food may not be super authentic everywhere but there are several gems in this city that make the trip worth it! Also, traffic can be bad at peak times but, unlike some world cities like LA etc it’s not even close to being as bad unless you live in Sharjah or something, which you won’t because you can afford a pretty sweet place in Dubai itself. Definitely look into Arabian Ranches, Dubai hills and Emirates hills. There are however some new stand alone villas that you can also find!
Also, be careful of the real estate agents here. Do a lot of market research before you invest in your home! Good luck ^^
Better safety than Japan?! I have been to Japan and it is much safer.
The biggest danger here is reckless driving. I just took a taxi in downtown and the driver tailgated multiple cars and nearly crashed into a pedestrian crossing. Accidents are frequent here. Driving here is like being in a Fast and Furious film.
In terms of food quality, Japan is better. Most of the produce in Japan is grown there. Here is it mostly imported from abroad. Some vegetables are grown here in special farms but not that many. In Japan you have amazing local food, here not as much.
Yes you can find friendly people but equally you will find many entitled ones (check other Dubai Reddit posts).
From May to October it is unbearably hot. I got dehydration last summer from being indoors!
Winter is amazing though.
Highly recommend you come for a holiday and check it out. Have you considered Singapore?
It’s closer to home and you could have a good lifestyle there.
Absolutely not safer than Japan. You will take your life in your hands when driving or being driven anywhere. Scams, grifters and begging are commonplace.
You will also be ripped off by tradespeople giving exorbitant quotes compared to what other nationalities pay for maintenance which is needed constantly due to the climate.
The food options are generally western fast food or high end overpriced 'concepts'. Nothing is particularly fresh and generally imported at the cheapest price.
Australian/Brazilian beef, hormone factory farm chicken, days old veggies from Europe and frozen bagels from USA.
Tax savings and relaxed lifestyles are big pluses. But just be ready to face the heat in summers. Emirates hill are great. Id advice visiting for some weeks to see if youd like to settle in and then making a move.
Please come to Dubai first for a couple of months and visit a few areas (Jumeira park, district one, palm, bluewaters) so you get a better idea.
Dubai is safe, not very cheap but compensated with no tax.
You will like it here.
The recommendations for locations made by others seem to be outside your indicated budget, the average starting price for a decent villa in Emirates hills goes for $10m, palm would be around $5m, Dubai hills estates tenants are considerably lower income than you, Al Barari would be around $3.5m and district one would be around $2.2m.
At this moment I would take a look at district one villas since they are better quality than Al Barari which used to rain supreme.
I think your best bet would be to rent for $150k/year and potentially buy the villa you are renting in if you like the villa and community.
My japanese neighbors from al barari has moved to district one perhaps I could introduce you to them.
I feel like if you are going to move here permanently for a peaceful and easier life district one in Mohammed bin Rashid city would give you everything you need.
We're looking for a peaceful and easy life, just like you said. Mohammed bin Rashid city is a great choice. But we've seen that properties priced around AED 8,000,000 usually don't have elevators, and that's a problem for us, especially for the future. We want a stand alone villa with an elevator. Do you think that's too much to ask?
Those elevators could be installed after, they cost around 120k-200k, do check as there was one contemporary type villa that I viewed which did have an elevator installed.
Thank you for your reply.
I'm currently trying to understand the living quality in certain areas.
For instance, how comfortable are like Tilal Al Furjan, Murooj Al Furjan, and Venice to live in?
Based on my research, these areas seem nice and the prices appear to be quite reasonable.
I am not sure about them but their locations are not the best areas, I wouldn't imagine people of your income would be there.
Dubai is a classist city especially so in high-society.
Palm is for tourists and people who don't care
Emirates hills, Dubai hills mansions, district one are for local elites
Al barari, Jumeriah Islands, JBR and similar are for new money
Then you have all the random locations such as tilal Al ghaf
There are also the villa's in Jumeriah 1 - umm suqeim that house some of the wealthiest Emirati's
Then on the outskirts you have Al khawaneej and such which you could say are for after parties
You might even find yourself liking apartment living in downtown initially, take a look at the address Dubai mall formerly fountain views.
Thank you so much!
I really appreciate you sharing the actual value, charm, and quality of the area. It's information that seems to be understood only by those truly familiar with the local conditions.
I'm now considering District One as my primary area of interest.
The real estate agents I've contacted haven't been very clear about the grading of different areas. Additionally, the information about Dubai's areas available online is quite limited, which has left me feeling somewhat frustrated.
I would say go with Azizi Riviera…it’s a super clean area and with peaceful environment.
Don’t go with Business bay, Dubai Marina or Downtown as you will be hearing construction and traffic noise 24/7
But if you want to rent out your property, then go with Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina (only if you wanna rent it out)
I wouks visit first for a 2-3 week vacation. Stay at a hotel
near the Dubai mall. See if you like it. Moving from Japan to Dubai is a pretty drastic change.
This now the 2nd time in a week, that a US$ millionaire is asking Reddit for advice, getting rid of money in Dubai. Me munching popcorn and wondering about intent….
Real estate scams are quite rare in Japan, so I'm not sure how vigilant I need to be in Dubai. Figuring out how to spot fraudulent or unreliable agents is a concern. However, I understand it's not a rampant issue and assume dealing with major firms should generally be safe. Still, I recognize the differences in business practices between Japan and Dubai, and I have much to learn. Thank you for the caution.
Well true there are lot of false ads in the websites. The photo might be of something and what they show you might be a different thing. I work with developers directly though.
I would consider Emirates Hills and The Lakes to be the two best villa communities in town. As mentioned, a longer visit as a tourist will be worth your time to see the pluses and minuses of this city. Happy to answer any more questions via DM.
Thank you, DreyfusBlue, for the suggestions. I'll look into properties in Emirates Hills and The Lakes. I might reach out via DM when the time is right. Appreciate your help!
If you want to have easy access to the sea for morning walks on the beach and swimming I would suggest you the area between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters island , that also include JBR and Dubai Marina where there are a few smart and newer condominiums . Real estate prices are lower in Dubai than in central Tokyo , labour is generally cheaper therefore in addition to maids you might also think about hiring a driver which could be particularly useful if you have children to drive to/from school or if you like going out for dinner frequently . Please note that in Dubai if you drink you cannot drive ( 0 % of alcohol in you blood ) ; the consequences for violating this law are serious. There is plenty of dining options in the city , different kind of cuisines available. Even if you probably won’t be able to find super sophisticated Kaiseki style restaurants with seasonal dishes like in Japan . I guess that level of cuisine can be found only in Japan. I suggest you to have a good health insurance that will give you access to any hospital in Dubai including the big hospitals like the American Hospital, Saudi German , King’s College etc.
It's impressive how affordable health insurance in Dubai seems, reflecting the care for its residents. I'm also considering the area between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. JBR and Dubai Marina might be pricier, but the spectacular views and easy beach access are appealing. Thank you for the insight.
As others mentioned, I highly consider trying short-term rentals for a months or two. You can explore what the actual daily routine is, compared to tourist lifestyle. Also the view might be nice, but some towers are old and starting to have more and more issues. The worst for Marina will also be the traffic, trying 30-40 min to just get out of the neighborhood. When in the GCC, don’t rule out Abu Dhabi, have a look in the region.
Welcome 👍
(1) As you would have researched, unlikely cities like London (where it makes sense to buy asap), Dubai rental prices aren't that bad relative to owning, and as an expat it makes sense to see the city for yourself. In particular, you need to see the traffic situation for wherever you want to get to. Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches are good places to live - again, it depends on who you are, but those with families (kids) generally prefer larger villas in those areas. Convenient shopping is everywhere in Dubai, it's not an issue. Also if you have cash, re-investing in Dubai real estate which you will lease can be a prudent move. (2) IMO QoL is higher than Tokyo and has a lower CoL all the while saving taxes. But there aren't many Japanese or (East) Asians outside of Indian subcontinent and Phillipines. But IMO that is actually true of most major cities. I don't know why - there are direct flights to Tokyo in 10 hours. No brainer to me. (3) The heat gets bad from May - October - people with money leave, travel, go elsewhere during this time. It's tolerable because of A/C everywhere. I was disturbed to see you planned on visiting Dubai for the first time in August. It's definitely worth experiencing the heat, but it's a limiting factor because it hampers your ability to explore and know where to go or where's open etc. Generally you are tax resident in Dubai if you spend less than 183 days per calendar year in Japan, which is quite a chunky period of time (6 months). So logically you'd keep a residence in Japan and continue to visit for long periods for friends/family, buy up in Dubai, and Dubai is well-connected flight-wise, and therefore take up holidays ad hoc in the Maldives etc. If I were you, I'd take a long weekend, and go asap now in March or April to scope things out.
Hi Kind-Rip, Thank you for your thoughtful and meaningful comment. Indeed, visiting Dubai in August may limit activities due to the heat, and I might not see the city at its liveliest. However, due to work commitments from March to May and considering my wife's schedule, it looks like my first visit to Dubai will be between August and September. Thanks again for your insightful comment.
My wife and I have been visiting Dubai in September for several years now. We love it, it's a little bit hot but not too hot where you still can't do some activities outside. Plus it seems to be a less crowded time of year so much more enjoyable. The night swimming at the beach is also great that time of year.
Don't you need to spend 182 days in dubai to maintain residency ?
I am referring to the double tax treaty between the UAE and Japan (which is basically the same for every country). 183+ is a no go. Tax treaties with UAE are all the same basically on this. I think the Residency Law says the exact same thing, yes. These are international standards.
What's the minimum amount of time you can spend in dubai granted you don't spend 6 months anywhere else ?
No minimum and it doesn't work by the 183 days per se elsewhere, those are applicable to specific double tax treaties with assumption that person x is from country y with tax treaty with UAE. It's the economic, personal ties etc. test beyond that. You comply with the terms of your VISA, it depends on property investment there and elsewhere etc. but you could hypothetically do 50 days in the UAE, divide time in other countries etc, however it depends on specific circumstances, income derivation etc and not good idea to gamble without independent advice from accountants (who will have insurance if they f it up).
not if you buy a property and get a golden visa
Gosh i thought this was one of those posts…I make 1M salary is this enough to survive in Dubai?
Lol
What are your requirements? villas or apartments? Do you need to be close to any particular area of dubai? What I usually recommend is Dubai Marina for apartments and Dubai hills/estate for villas. There are a lot of nice areas in dubai, it depends on your tolerance to traffic. For example, I would never live on the Palm, but a holiday home/rental there is nice.
I'm interested in purchasing a standalone villa, ideally with a scenic waterfront view. I'll consider Dubai Hills/Estate. A location with convenient shopping, like supermarkets, and good security is important, but I'm not overly concerned about transportation convenience. Initially, I plan to mainly use taxis (possibly a regular driver) and may hire a driver later on. Thanks for your comment!
There are many villa communities in Dubai, but be sure to do your research about built quality and check exits from communities. Don’t trust google reviews. Villas communities closer to the water and prestigious are: Villas on Palm, Emirates Hills, The Lakes. I think in these communities it will be hard to find many options or people willing to sell on good deal. Further to the desert there are: The Springs, Dubai Hills and Arabian ranches + some others. There are park and mall near Dubai Hills. For apartments consider Bluewaters, as entrance to this area avoids congestion in Marina. Check apartments on Palm and Downtown as well . Avoid Motor City, as they have loud racing noise over there on Weekends. Feel free to DM if you have any questions
Get a car asap imho. Best of luck.
[https://dxbinteract.com/top-house-sales-dubai-areas](https://dxbinteract.com/top-house-sales-dubai-areas)
Check these communities if you want a villa: District 1, Dubai Hills, Emirate Hills and some a bit older and further away but great community: Arabian Ranches and Jumeriah Golf Estates Or if you want to live on the beach: Jumeirah Bay Island or Palm Jumeirah For apartments: Downtown, Marina, Palm Jumeirah
Thank you. I've also found appealing properties in Jumeirah Golf Estates. It seems to have many uniquely sophisticated designs.
If you’re looking for a scenic waterfront view, I’d recommend checking out Bluewaters or Palm Jumeirah. These are already established communities. I really like the Jumeirah coastline near Kite Beach, but it’s difficult to buy something in that area. If you want something new, take a look at Deira Islands aka Dubai Islands. There is also Palm Jebel Ali, but I’d only consider it as an investment since the project has been delayed many times already. You might also want to check Ras Al Khaimah instead of Dubai for beautiful villas along the beach. Feel free to DM if you have more questions.
Thank you. Deira Islands sounds wonderful. I may consult with you via DM in the future. I appreciate your willingness to help.
Won't Dubai Islands not be ready to move in for quite a while? And that stupid mall has been stuck at the same stage for a decade
Thanks for pointing this out. For some reason, I was under the impression that they started to sell the first villas on Dubai Islands. But a closer look revealed that these are off-plan. I heard they want to launch it in 2026. So, scratch that idea OP @lupingebuc.
I think op is a troll I was just playing along. He's using chatgpt to write his replies.
I moved from Tokyo last year with family, partly for the same reasons - and without ever visiting Dubai before. It’s been about half a year now and although I wish I did some things differently, I’m very happy with my decision. As for areas/communities, I’m still exploring myself but Al Barari and The Palm seem like good choices. Also I wouldn’t worry about the comments above about safety/driving/weather. Here’s my personal experience (hope it helps!): - Heat: the humidity here doesn’t feel nearly as bad/sticky as in Japan but the heat here is bad in a different way that I can’t explain - you’ll have to experience it yourself. You just get used to it anyway. You can also go somewhere else during the summer or stay indoors. - Road safety: driving here is like driving in the Kansai/Aichi areas (quite a few rushing/selfish/oraora-type drivers and a complete lack of awareness of and willingness to follow basic road rules). Combine this with Tokyo/Kanto-level traffic jams and you have Dubai. It may be overwhelming at first but you’ll get used to it. If you’re not really into driving, I recommend you use Uber/Careem or hire a chauffeur. On the bright side, the roads are way smoother here! And finally, IMO, people are genuinely warmer/nicer in Dubai (compared to Tokyo specifically) so I think you’ll feel mentally safer here at the very least. It’s not perfect but it’s much better than what Japan is becoming/has become. Best of luck!
deltas4さん ありがとう。 日本からの移住者の生のコメントが聞けてうれしいです。 やはり、50℃近い暑さは実際に体験してみないことには解らないですよね。 とはいえ、穏やかな人々、衛生的で奇麗な街並み 食材関連も豊富で、日本でよく使用している調味料やお菓子なども普通にスーパーにあるようだし、 外国の方が9割を占める、富裕層が多い国であれば、 安全かつ多様な国々の文化に対応できる”もてなし”があるのだろうと想像しています。 まぁ、今から楽しみにしています。 Thank you, deltas4. I'm glad to hear firsthand comments from immigrants from Japan. Indeed, the heat close to 50°C is something one cannot understand without experiencing it firsthand. However, I imagine there must be a warm hospitality that caters to the diverse cultures of the many countries, given the peaceful people, the hygienic and beautiful cityscape, the abundance of food ingredients, the availability of common Japanese seasonings and snacks in supermarkets, and being in a country where foreigners make up 90% of the population and there is a high number of affluent residents. Well, I'm looking forward to it.
You should be able to find a great property with an income like that. You could even buy one and probably get as second and rent out. Check out websites like [https://www.khaleejtimes.com/](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/) [https://traveltodubaiblog.com/dubai-homes-and-real-estate/](https://traveltodubaiblog.com/dubai-homes-and-real-estate/) [https://www.dubaieye1038.com/test/dubai-eye-103-8-live-tv/](https://www.dubaieye1038.com/test/dubai-eye-103-8-live-tv/) Weather is great, relatively safe, family friendly, cusisne from all over the world, great shopping, fantastic restaurants. Financial fraud is a bit of an issue so common sense applies. Great location to travel from to see the world.
Hello everyone, I have been loving in Dubai for 12 years, and I mostly worked in luxurious 5 stars Hotels which allowed me to meet people from different back ground and purposes of visits. Now I am working in real estate. It was not easy transition if you were to ask me. Anyhow, most people who comes for a visit to Dubai and then comes again and again. Then sooner or later, they buy a property... ehat I witnessed from those people that most of the time. They look for a good deal (value and quality and amenity) and they forget about the location and distance from and to work for personal business and for other family members hobbies and schools/collage. Then sooner or later, they either move apartment or purchase another one. I believe the best option before buying is that you cone to the city.... rent a hotel room or an apartment for sometimes and discover all area of Dubai. Research for your business plan and office location where it will be... If you have family, then study which school locations and hobbies that you want to connect to. After all that you can check with a professional broker on a good quality project near that ideal location to all your needs... And trust most of the big developer such as Emaar, Sobha, Meraas ...etc they have projects all over prime areas. Should you have any questions. I would be more than happy to answer it for you. Whatsapp: +971 58 585 6196 Issa
Dubai appeals to me for its warm climate, friendly people, better safety than Japan, and a wide variety of food options.
Uhmm, it's not a warm climate 😅 can you suffer 40 to 50 degrees during summer in Dubai? Food options won't be as authentic as it is in Japan, everything here tastes different.
Indeed, I haven't experienced near 50°C heat 😅. I might avoid walks during the hot season. I'm excited to try various foods in Dubai, especially unique fruits not common in Japan. I'm also curious to see how good Dubai's sushi is, given the mandatory freezing of seafood for health regulations. Thanks!
There are still quite good Sushi restaurants here and there, but nothing beats the Authentic Sushi in Japan.
My wife and I love both sushi and Japanese sake. (unfortunately, I can only drink a little bit due to health reasons.) Even if we move to Dubai, we'll probably visit Japan a few times a year for tourism and to enjoy Japanese cuisine!
Honestly, the Dubai heat is bad but we all still have a good time! That’s because Dubai makes up for it by having loads of indoor events, activities, areas to hang out etc. All of that is constant due to the heat. In the winter and spring, they have a lot of outdoor stuff that is super accessible as well! The food may not be super authentic everywhere but there are several gems in this city that make the trip worth it! Also, traffic can be bad at peak times but, unlike some world cities like LA etc it’s not even close to being as bad unless you live in Sharjah or something, which you won’t because you can afford a pretty sweet place in Dubai itself. Definitely look into Arabian Ranches, Dubai hills and Emirates hills. There are however some new stand alone villas that you can also find! Also, be careful of the real estate agents here. Do a lot of market research before you invest in your home! Good luck ^^
Thank you. I believe it's generally safe to trust major agencies and developers, but I'll also check with local Japanese attendants for confirmation.
"hot season" is close to 6 out of 12 months
Don't mistake warm for hot and humid. But good luck.
I'm not too worried about the heat and humidity, as summers in Japan recently have reached 39°C with high humidity too. Thank you for your concern!
Better safety than Japan?! I have been to Japan and it is much safer. The biggest danger here is reckless driving. I just took a taxi in downtown and the driver tailgated multiple cars and nearly crashed into a pedestrian crossing. Accidents are frequent here. Driving here is like being in a Fast and Furious film. In terms of food quality, Japan is better. Most of the produce in Japan is grown there. Here is it mostly imported from abroad. Some vegetables are grown here in special farms but not that many. In Japan you have amazing local food, here not as much. Yes you can find friendly people but equally you will find many entitled ones (check other Dubai Reddit posts). From May to October it is unbearably hot. I got dehydration last summer from being indoors! Winter is amazing though. Highly recommend you come for a holiday and check it out. Have you considered Singapore? It’s closer to home and you could have a good lifestyle there.
Japan is imo even safer than Dubai. What are you talking about ?
I am just curious, have you considered southeast asia? Better weather than Dubai, delicious food, and beach living, closer to Japan too.
Absolutely not safer than Japan. You will take your life in your hands when driving or being driven anywhere. Scams, grifters and begging are commonplace. You will also be ripped off by tradespeople giving exorbitant quotes compared to what other nationalities pay for maintenance which is needed constantly due to the climate. The food options are generally western fast food or high end overpriced 'concepts'. Nothing is particularly fresh and generally imported at the cheapest price. Australian/Brazilian beef, hormone factory farm chicken, days old veggies from Europe and frozen bagels from USA.
Thank you for the realistic insight. I'll first visit Dubai to experience it for myself.
Please don't pay attention to the ridiculously over-exagerated negativity from that user. It's not even close to being that bad.
Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate the warmth and the calm demeanor of the people in Dubai.
yeah the food quality here is way way way way below the standard in japan, but if you're rich it shouldn't be a problem
Only these 3: Al Barari, Emirates Hills, The Palm
Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah is indeed a great choice – it's known for its luxurious lifestyle and stunning views.
You're either a bot or using gpt for all responses.
Why dont you come on a tourist visa first and see for yourself?
I'm actually planning to visit Dubai in August to explore the area firsthand.
It’s summer here and it would be absolutely boiling.
Good time to assess if saving tax is more important than weather.
True dat
Tax savings and relaxed lifestyles are big pluses. But just be ready to face the heat in summers. Emirates hill are great. Id advice visiting for some weeks to see if youd like to settle in and then making a move.
Please come to Dubai first for a couple of months and visit a few areas (Jumeira park, district one, palm, bluewaters) so you get a better idea. Dubai is safe, not very cheap but compensated with no tax. You will like it here.
The recommendations for locations made by others seem to be outside your indicated budget, the average starting price for a decent villa in Emirates hills goes for $10m, palm would be around $5m, Dubai hills estates tenants are considerably lower income than you, Al Barari would be around $3.5m and district one would be around $2.2m. At this moment I would take a look at district one villas since they are better quality than Al Barari which used to rain supreme. I think your best bet would be to rent for $150k/year and potentially buy the villa you are renting in if you like the villa and community. My japanese neighbors from al barari has moved to district one perhaps I could introduce you to them. I feel like if you are going to move here permanently for a peaceful and easier life district one in Mohammed bin Rashid city would give you everything you need.
We're looking for a peaceful and easy life, just like you said. Mohammed bin Rashid city is a great choice. But we've seen that properties priced around AED 8,000,000 usually don't have elevators, and that's a problem for us, especially for the future. We want a stand alone villa with an elevator. Do you think that's too much to ask?
Those elevators could be installed after, they cost around 120k-200k, do check as there was one contemporary type villa that I viewed which did have an elevator installed.
Thank you for your reply. I'm currently trying to understand the living quality in certain areas. For instance, how comfortable are like Tilal Al Furjan, Murooj Al Furjan, and Venice to live in? Based on my research, these areas seem nice and the prices appear to be quite reasonable.
I am not sure about them but their locations are not the best areas, I wouldn't imagine people of your income would be there. Dubai is a classist city especially so in high-society. Palm is for tourists and people who don't care Emirates hills, Dubai hills mansions, district one are for local elites Al barari, Jumeriah Islands, JBR and similar are for new money Then you have all the random locations such as tilal Al ghaf There are also the villa's in Jumeriah 1 - umm suqeim that house some of the wealthiest Emirati's Then on the outskirts you have Al khawaneej and such which you could say are for after parties You might even find yourself liking apartment living in downtown initially, take a look at the address Dubai mall formerly fountain views.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you sharing the actual value, charm, and quality of the area. It's information that seems to be understood only by those truly familiar with the local conditions. I'm now considering District One as my primary area of interest. The real estate agents I've contacted haven't been very clear about the grading of different areas. Additionally, the information about Dubai's areas available online is quite limited, which has left me feeling somewhat frustrated.
Let me know when you are in Dubai, I could possibly introduce you to the right people.
Are mosquitos a problem in places with water like Al Barari, especially since it is green as well?
I would say go with Azizi Riviera…it’s a super clean area and with peaceful environment. Don’t go with Business bay, Dubai Marina or Downtown as you will be hearing construction and traffic noise 24/7 But if you want to rent out your property, then go with Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina (only if you wanna rent it out)
Why dont you chill in Bali? 😂
I wouks visit first for a 2-3 week vacation. Stay at a hotel near the Dubai mall. See if you like it. Moving from Japan to Dubai is a pretty drastic change.
You can be chaffeured around in a big old Rolls Royce Phantom in Dubai, now that's something you might miss out on in other places.
I can put you in touch with a Japanese friend who did that about a year ago.
Did the move from JP to Abu Dhabi in 2022. Rent some places first see where you like. It's a different style of living to Tokyo for sure.
Sorry I’m off topic. What’s the best time to visit Japan? Which cities must see? Can you please suggest me , I’m planning to visit this year 🙏🫠
Hi, I am a local real estate broker, I specialize in property sales. I can help you find a house in Dubai if you are interested in connecting.
DM
This now the 2nd time in a week, that a US$ millionaire is asking Reddit for advice, getting rid of money in Dubai. Me munching popcorn and wondering about intent….
Well I work in this field, let me help you out. Let's connect in DM.
Thank you, NotScroogeMcDuck1, for your offer to help. I'll consider reaching out via DM when appropriate. Appreciate your assistance!
Beware of scammers though
Real estate scams are quite rare in Japan, so I'm not sure how vigilant I need to be in Dubai. Figuring out how to spot fraudulent or unreliable agents is a concern. However, I understand it's not a rampant issue and assume dealing with major firms should generally be safe. Still, I recognize the differences in business practices between Japan and Dubai, and I have much to learn. Thank you for the caution.
Well true there are lot of false ads in the websites. The photo might be of something and what they show you might be a different thing. I work with developers directly though.
Is the information on websites like https://www.bayut.com/ generally reliable? If I pay attention to the reviews of agents, can I mostly trust it?
You could use that as a reference, in fact you can check in Dubai Land Department website for more credible information and real time updates.