All-Inclusive Moving
Preparing for a move to Dubai involves much more than shipping your belongings. Your choice of neighborhood, commuting times, actual housing costs, international schools, Ejari registration (the official tenancy contract register) and building-specific restrictions will directly affect your relocation. Drawing on its experience of international moves to the United Arab Emirates, Easygroupage shares the key points to consider for a successful long-term move to Dubai.
Preparing for a move to Dubai involves much more than shipping your belongings. Your choice of neighborhood, commuting times, actual housing costs, international schools, Ejari registration (the official tenancy contract register) and building-specific restrictions will directly affect your relocation. Drawing on its experience of international moves to the United Arab Emirates, Easygroupage shares the key points to consider for a successful long-term move to Dubai.
Transit Time: 79 to 94 jours
A move to Dubai requires different preparation from a move to many other major cities. If you are planning to settle in the United Arab Emirates, you need to plan for more than shipping your belongings. Neighborhood choice, travel times, administrative procedures and the true cost of settling in will all affect everyday life.
Dubai has several business hubs, including Downtown, DIFC, Jebel Ali and Dubai South. Before searching for a home, identify your workplace, your children’s school and the journeys you will make each day. Easygroupage teams find that temporary accommodation on arrival often allows newcomers to explore different neighborhoods, assess rush-hour commutes and make a more informed housing decision.
Once you arrive, several formalities are essential. Your Emirates ID, the official resident identity card, is required for many procedures. Ejari registration, the official tenancy contract register, is needed for various housing-related steps. Check how to activate your DEWA water and electricity account and whether air conditioning is included in the rent or billed separately through a district cooling provider.
The absence of personal income tax attracts many expats, but it should not obscure the expenses of the first few weeks. Security deposits, initial rent, health insurance, a vehicle, school fees and utility connections can require substantial cash upfront. Planning these steps early will help you approach your international move with a realistic understanding of life in Dubai.
When living in Dubai, the neighborhood often has more impact on daily life than the property itself. The city has several business hubs rather than one single center. Living close to your office, your children’s school or a Metro station can considerably improve your quality of life by reducing travel times.
Finance professionals often favor DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre, the city’s main financial district) or Business Bay, while technology workers tend to look at Dubai Internet City, Media City, Dubai Marina or JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers). Dubai Marina and JLT attract expats with Metro and tram connections, shops and a lively neighborhood atmosphere. Traffic, density and tourism can, however, be drawbacks at certain times.
Families seeking a quieter setting often choose Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, The Springs or Jumeirah. These communities offer villas or spacious apartments, green areas and access to several international schools. A car is nevertheless almost essential, as the Metro mainly serves the city’s principal corridors.
For a more moderate budget, JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle), Al Barsha, Mirdif, Bur Dubai or Deira may offer larger properties for a similar price. Each has its own constraints: congestion when leaving JVC, older buildings in Deira or Bur Dubai, airport proximity in parts of Mirdif, and heavy traffic near Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha.
Easygroupage teams find that two comparable homes can offer very different living experiences depending on their immediate surroundings. Before signing, test the work commute at rush hour, check parking availability, identify nearby construction work and estimate Salik electronic toll costs. If you are considering several destinations in the country, compare Dubai with Abu Dhabi, where the pace of life and housing market differ.
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When moving to Dubai, rent is only part of the housing budget. Leases are generally signed for one year, and rent is often paid through several post-dated cheques. The number of payments accepted by the landlord may affect the rent offered.
Before signing, check that the lease will be registered with Ejari, the official tenancy register. This registration is required for many administrative procedures. Easygroupage also recommends checking whether the property is chiller free, meaning air conditioning is included in the rent, or charged separately by a district cooling operator. The difference can amount to several hundred dirhams a month depending on the season.
Your initial budget may include a security deposit, estate agent commission, the DEWA water and electricity deposit, internet activation and the housing fee, a municipal charge based on rent and collected through DEWA bills. Some buildings also charge a move-in deposit or fee. For a long-distance international shipment, suitable international moving insurance may be advisable, particularly for valuable or fragile belongings.
Housing costs vary significantly. International City, Deira and Bur Dubai are among the more affordable areas; JVC and Sports City sit in the middle; Dubai Marina, JLT, Dubai Hills Estate, Downtown, DIFC and Palm Jumeirah are at the upper end. Transport, parking, air conditioning and building amenities also affect daily expenses. If your move-in date does not match the arrival of your belongings, temporary storage may help.
For families moving to Dubai, choosing a school is often the first priority. Most expat children attend private schools overseen by the KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority), the emirate’s private education regulator. Popular schools may have waiting lists, particularly for an August or September start. It is therefore advisable to confirm admission before settling on a neighborhood.
Journey times have a major impact on family life. Families considering LFI Dubai in Oud Metha face different travel constraints from those choosing JESS Arabian Ranches, Kings’ School Umm Suqeim or Dubai College in Al Sufouh. Easygroupage teams often see families opt for a slightly more expensive home to shorten school journeys and improve their quality of life.
Schools offer different curricula (French, British, American, IB or bilingual), and calendars can vary. Beyond tuition fees, budget for school transport, uniforms, extracurricular activities and equipment required at the start of the year. Our guide to moving to the United Arab Emirates explains the main steps to plan before departure.
Family routines change with the seasons. From June to September, high temperatures greatly limit daytime outdoor activities. Residential pools, indoor sports facilities, air-conditioned malls and indoor leisure spaces become important gathering places for many families. Consider this lifestyle when choosing a neighborhood and home.
Many expats choose to live in Dubai to work in a particular industry rather than for a specific company. The city has several specialized business hubs. DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) concentrates finance, consulting and legal services; Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City host technology, digital and media businesses. Further south, Jebel Ali and its free zone form one of the Middle East’s major logistics and industrial centers.
English is the working language of most international businesses, and teams often include people of many nationalities. This diversity is a major attraction but also creates strong competition for jobs. Before moving, it is generally preferable to have a job offer or a clearly defined business project. Preparing your international move at the same time helps you anticipate shipping times and relocation formalities.
Salary should never be considered on its own. Health insurance, children’s school fees, annual flights, housing assistance and relocation allowances can represent a substantial share of a contract’s real value. Easygroupage teams find that expats who compare salaries alone are more likely to encounter gaps between expectations and actual costs. If you intend to keep your car, explore international vehicle shipping before departure.
Travel in Dubai depends heavily on where you live and work. The Dubai Metro efficiently connects major corridors including Deira, Downtown, Business Bay, DIFC, Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali. Many family communities such as Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, The Springs and Mirdif, however, are mainly accessible by car. Compare actual travel times rather than map distances before choosing a home.
Drivers should also factor in Salik, Dubai’s electronic road toll system. Depending on your daily route, tolls can add to transport costs. Testing a journey during rush hour often provides a much more realistic picture of daily constraints.
The right shipping solution depends on volume, schedule and budget. For smaller or medium-sized loads, a shared container lets you share space with other shipments and reduce transport costs. Families shipping all their furniture generally prefer a dedicated container, which offers greater flexibility for loading and delivery.
With a population made up largely of expats, Dubai offers an especially international environment. French-speaking communities, associations, sports clubs and professional events make it easier to meet people during your first weeks. Easygroupage teams find that settling in successfully often involves exploring the city gradually: trying different neighborhoods, understanding local habits and adapting your routines helps you make the most of the emirate.
Neighborhoods, housing, schools, transport and moving logistics: find answers to the questions most often asked by people planning to live in Dubai long term.
The best choice mainly depends on the school and workplace. Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches and The Springs appeal to families looking for villas and green spaces, while Al Barsha offers a more central compromise. Before signing a lease, test your commute at rush hour, as traffic conditions vary significantly between neighborhoods.
Yes, mainly in areas served by the Metro, such as Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay, DIFC and Deira. Family-oriented communities such as Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches and Mirdif, however, remain highly car-dependent. Always compare actual journey times rather than distances on a map.
Rent is only part of the budget. You may also need to pay the housing fee (a municipal charge collected through DEWA, the water and electricity provider), a security deposit, Ejari fees, the DEWA deposit, air conditioning if it is not included (the “chiller” charge), and possible move-in fees imposed by the building.
Not always. LFI Dubai is in Oud Metha and LFIGP is in Academic City, while many expats live in Dubai Marina, Jumeirah or Dubai Hills. It is therefore advisable to secure a school place before choosing a home to avoid very long daily journeys.
Many residential buildings require a move-in permit before delivery. Some towers also require an elevator reservation, truck registration, compliance with parking height restrictions and specific delivery time slots. In summer, heat and humidity also call for suitable packing to protect sensitive belongings.
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