Relocate2UAE is an independent knowledge platform built by the Phillips family: Paul (Chartered Accountant), his wife (teacher), and their three boys, after our own relocation from Ireland to Abu Dhabi. We're not a relocation agency and we don't sell relocation packages. We're a family who documented the entire journey so you don't have to figure it out the hard way.
Verified Information
Updated Quarterly, 2026
The Phillips Family, Abu Dhabi, 2025
2012–2014
Lived internationally in Vancouver, Canada, before kids
2014–2024
Raised our three boys in Ireland, built careers in accounting & education
Early 2025
Decided to relocate Ireland → Abu Dhabi with three boys
Mid 2025
Successfully relocated. Built Relocate2UAE to document everything we learned
Chartered Accountant
15+ Years Experience
International Living
2 Countries, 3 Cities
Family of 5
3 Boys, School-Age
From confusion to clarity: our personal relocation story
In early 2025, my wife and I made the decision to relocate from Ireland to Abu Dhabi with our three boys. I'm a Chartered Accountant; my wife is a teacher. We had lived internationally before, Vancouver from 2012 to 2014, so we thought we knew what to expect.
We were wrong. Every market is different. The UAE has its own rhythms, unwritten rules, and practical realities that don't show up in official guides or glossy brochures.
Everyone had conflicting advice: which bank to use, which neighborhoods to consider, how the property market really worked. School selection for our three boys was even harder. Websites showed availability, but understanding real reputations, admission processes, and waiting list strategies required insider knowledge we didn't have.
We realized there was a gap: plenty of visa agencies, real estate agents, and corporate service providers, but no one bringing it all together with a family-first, information-first approach. No one who had just done it themselves and could speak from recent, real experience.
So we built Relocate2UAE. Not as a relocation company, but as an independent knowledge platform — structured guides, honest breakdowns, and consulting when people need it. We document what we learned so others don't have to figure it out the hard way.
We're not a relocation agency trying to close deals. We're an independent platform focused on giving you clarity first. When you need connections to specialists, we can introduce you to people we trust — but only when you're ready.
We're a family who just moved here, documented everything, and built this resource so you don't have to start from scratch. Every guide is based on what we actually learned navigating visas, schools, housing, banking, and daily life.
The UAE offers incredible opportunities, but it's not perfect. We share both the advantages and the challenges — cost of living, school fees, visa requirements, cultural adjustments — so you can make informed decisions with your eyes open.
We're small by design, so you get personal attention. Here's what that looks like.
Free Guides Published
Emirates Covered
Independent, No Commissions
Content Updated Quarterly
The person behind every guide, every recommendation, and every consultation
Founder | Chartered Accountant | 15+ Years Experience
Originally from Ireland, Paul and his wife (teacher) lived in Vancouver, Canada from 2012–2014 before having children. In 2025, they relocated to Abu Dhabi with their three boys and identified a critical gap: no single resource brought together honest, practical UAE relocation guidance from someone who had just done it.
Paul built Relocate2UAE to share everything his family learned — from visas and housing to schools and daily life — so other families can relocate with confidence, based on recent, real-world experience, not recycled agency brochures.
As we grow, we're building partnerships with licensed professionals for visa processing, real estate, and other specialized services.
Book a Free ConsultationEverything we learned, organized so you can find what you need fast
Real feedback from families and professionals we've helped
"The school comparison guides saved us weeks of research. We found the right British curriculum school for our daughter before we even landed."
Sarah M.
Relocated from UK, 2025
"Paul's banking guide was exactly what we needed. Opened our HSBC account remotely before arriving, a seamless process."
James & Emma K.
Relocated from Ireland, 2025
"The cost of living calculator was a game-changer. Helped us negotiate our relocation package with confidence."
Michael T.
Relocated from Canada, 2026
Relocate2UAE is an independent platform built by expats who recently made the move. We share structured, honest information about relocating to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the UAE: visas, housing, schools, healthcare, banking, business setup, and the real cost of living.
Real experience. No sales agenda. Just honest information to help you decide with confidence.