Can expats buy property in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Yes, expats can buy freehold property in designated areas. Dubai freehold areas include Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, and Dubai Hills Estate. Abu Dhabi freehold areas include Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach. Property ownership grants eligibility for long-term residence visa (renewable). No restrictions on nationality for most freehold areas.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Dubai?

Dubai rental prices vary by area. Studios: AED 25,000-60,000/year. 1-bedroom: AED 45,000-90,000/year. 2-bedroom: AED 70,000-140,000/year. 3-bedroom: AED 100,000-200,000/year. Premium areas (Dubai Marina, Downtown, JBR) are 30-50% more expensive than mid-range areas (Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Sports City). Budget areas (International City, Discovery Gardens) offer 40-50% savings.

What is EJARI and do I need it?

EJARI is Dubai's mandatory rental contract registration system managed by Dubai Land Department (DLD). All Dubai rental agreements must be registered on EJARI within 48 hours of signing. Cost: AED 220 for registration. Required for: DEWA connection, Emirates ID application, school enrollment, and visa processing. Your landlord or agent typically handles EJARI registration. Keep EJARI certificate for all official procedures.

How do I pay rent in UAE - monthly or annually?

UAE rent is typically paid annually or in multiple cheques (2-4 payments). Most common: 1 cheque (full year, 5% discount), 2 cheques (every 6 months), 4 cheques (quarterly). Monthly payments are rare and usually cost 10-15% premium. Post-dated cheques are standard practice. Keep sufficient funds as bounced cheques are illegal in UAE. New tenants may need to pay first year upfront plus 5% security deposit.

What are the best family-friendly areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Dubai: Arabian Ranches (villas, community feel, international schools nearby), Dubai Hills Estate (modern, parks, family amenities), Jumeirah Village Circle (affordable, family-friendly), The Springs/Meadows (established, good schools). Abu Dhabi: Yas Island (entertainment, schools, beaches), Al Reem Island (modern towers, sea views, schools), Khalifa City (spacious villas, family-oriented), Al Reef (affordable villas, community). Consider proximity to schools, supermarkets, parks, and your workplace.

Our Story & Approach

Relocate2UAE was founded by the Phillips family after our own relocation journey from Ireland to Abu Dhabi in 2025. We're not a decades-old corporation with thousands of clients—we're real people who just went through this process and saw a genuine need for honest, comprehensive UAE relocation guidance.

Why We Created This Resource

When Paul (Chartered Accountant) and his wife (teacher) decided to relocate from Ireland to Abu Dhabi with their three boys in 2025, they thought their previous international experience (Vancouver 2012-2014) would make it straightforward. It wasn't.

Despite countless websites, forums, and "official" resources, we struggled to find clear, honest answers to practical questions: Which banks actually serve expats well? Which school reputations match the marketing? How does the property market really work? What are the unwritten rules everyone seems to know but nobody writes down?

After successfully navigating our own relocation, we realized we'd unintentionally built the exact expertise that was missing from the market. Rather than just moving on with our lives, we decided to create the resource we wished had existed when we started.

What We ARE

A family who just relocated to UAE (2025)
Real experience with schools, housing, visas, and settling in
Comprehensive information resource built from our research
Available for educational and business consulting
Honest about what we know (and don't know)

What We're NOT

A 15-year-old company with thousands of clients
Licensed visa agents or real estate brokers
Offering full-service relocation packages (yet)
Pretending to have fake testimonials or inflated credentials

Our Approach

Information First

This site is primarily an educational resource. We share everything we learned during our relocation—the good, bad, and unexpected.

Consulting Available

If you want personalized guidance, Paul offers educational consulting (school selection, area advice) and business consulting (setup, banking).

Real Transparency

We'll tell you when we don't know something. We'll refer you to specialists when needed. No fake reviews or inflated claims.

Building Our Community

We're just getting started, which means you'll get highly personalized attention. As we help more families, we'll share real testimonials here (with permission, of course).

Want to Share Your Experience?

If we've helped you with your UAE relocation journey, we'd love to hear about it. Your feedback helps us improve and helps future families make informed decisions.

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