It’s still worth moving to Dubai. It’s still worth building a business here. But only if you’ve got a tight plan.
 

This post was sparked by three types of conversations I’ve had recently, all pointing to the same truth.
 

I’ve been speaking to executive-level candidates about relocating to Dubai and weighing up offers.
 

I’ve been advising business owners trying to scale or restructure operations here.
 

I’ve been supporting founders through coaching who are setting up in the region or looking to expand.
 

And then I saw a brilliant post from Saif Kidwai breaking down the true cost of living in Dubai, where school fees and rent can take up to 50% or more of a salary in some cases.

These conversations aren’t happening in a vacuum.

They’re symptoms of something bigger: Dubai has changed.

As someone who’s lived here 17 years, runs a recruitment firm placing senior talent across MENA and APAC, and advises founders on building sustainable businesses, I can tell you firsthand, the margins are thinner and the stakes are higher.

If you’re a candidate thinking about relocating, you must do the numbers.

There’s no NHS (public healthcare). No free education. No buffer.

Lose your job, and you’re still carrying the full cost of your lifestyle.

If you’re a business, the cost of doing business here has gone up 40% since I started, but our fees have not gone up anything like that, if at all.

That figure is real.
Office rent, licenses, visas, salaries, software, everything is climbing.
And when you factor in delayed payments, especially common in this region, cash flow pressure multiplies.

I’ve seen this story before.

When I lived and worked in Singapore, the same thing happened.
The middle got squeezed - many left.
Overheads ate profits.
And the smart businesses started going lean, fast.

Now Dubai is totally heading the same way, some might argue it’s already arrived.

Here’s what that looks like:

– Offshore delivery and back office
– Leaner onshore teams with clearer roles
– Smarter tech stacks replacing admin
– Systems to scale without bloating
– Teams doing more, not just adding heads

This is exactly how we’ve reshaped our own business.
Five onshore recruiters in our current model are doing what used to take 15 people under the old structure.

I share this because I don’t want people to get caught out.

If you’re a candidate — know what your salary gets you.
If you’re a founder — build lean or risk getting stuck.
If you’re running a business — be ruthless with overheads and rethink structure.

Dubai still has massive upside.

But without a plan, it can drain you, fast.

Sunshine and a LinkedIn title won’t save you from rent, school fees, and 90-day payment terms.

This is the stuff we discuss in our consulting practice.
It’s what we help candidates navigate.
And it’s how we help business owners land, grow, and win here.

Make the move.
Start the business.
But come with your eyes open, and your model tight.

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