Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Report of what it's like to live there - 09/28/25
Personal Experiences from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, this is our sixth post in the Foreign Service.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Chicago, IL; there are direct flights to Abu Dhabi on Etihad, but for PCS we fly from Washington through Doha.
3. What years did you live here?
2023 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing varies between townhomes and apartments, they look nice, but tend to have a lot of issues. Workmanship seems shoddy, and most workmen don't understand English. If you find a good one, he may make a difference, but be ready for constant issues. The size is nice, commutes can be long if you're in an apartment near to the corniche and away from the embassy; traffic is getting rapidly worse here.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Most things are available, except for pork. It is very expensive, even by U.S. standards and only getting more expensive, not sure how all the people from other countries are adjusting to the rampant price increases.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Paper towels, toilet paper; what Is available locally is a joke.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All varieties are available, but none of them are amazing. Delivery services are ubiquitous, unfortunately, in my opinion the drivers are not good. They get paid poorly and are not treated well; you'll see them waiting outside in the heat, as they're not allowed inside most restaurants.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
There are roaches if you're not careful, and also lots of salamanders.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
The embassy has a diplomatic post office (DPO). Local facilities exist, but not that great. I had package sent to us via Emirates post, and had to pay a significant tax on it.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Availability and quality dramatically varies; some have been with embassy staff for a long time. We pay much better than local market. There are horror stories abound of abuse of household help, and one of these stories will make the news of course, but people talk. I've heard of household staff suddenly dying despite being young.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Safe in theory, weather is so hot that six months of the year its not good for your health to be outside.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Tiny gym in the embassy, not worthwhile. lots of facilities available, prices on the expensive side.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, cards widely accepted. ATMs everywhere and safe as there are cameras in everyone (there are cameras literally everywhere)
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Christian, Jewish, and I believe others.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None. Most people are from India. Emiratis all seem to speak English. Many forward-facing service workers are Filipinos who all speak English.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes and no. There are accommodations, though the weather is good.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Probably, though nobody from the embassy uses them. Taxis are safe, but as expensive as DC.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Bigger cars just because you get more respect on the road. Roads are well maintained, but in my opinion, drivers are terrible.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, it's expensive, you have to get the full package, only one provider, state-owned, so internet is filtered. It takes a week to install.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I kept Google Fi, and it works fine. Local sims are available, too. Be aware that if you put the sim in your phone, you could be letting the local government onto your device.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, there are good veterinarians. Animals can only arrive during the "cool" months.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Lots of work in the embassy, some find work in schools.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Not many.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual is probably most common, but depends on embassy section. Emiratis on official business must wear their traditional clothing.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
On the surface this is a very safe country, maybe too safe. I feel that the truth is there is a lot happening here that the news will never cover. UAE society is aimed to present everything as safe and secure, but if you talk to the "forgotten people" there are incidents here like anywhere else, murders, crime, etc. I feel as though nobody will report on it, it would shatter the veneer. That said, I feel safe for the most part, but I'm clearly an expat.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is good in theory. Some doctors are fantastic, some facilities are world class, but you have to search around.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is really bad in the summer.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Food allergies are not understood by most service workers, you need to be on top of things yourself.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
This can be a very lonely place, as locals do not mix with others. It's a very strange place, everything looks fine, but it's not. You have incredible wealth and you have incredible poverty on the same road. Luxury cars passing poor men doing back breaking labor on the street for less than a dollar an hour. if you think too much about this place, it will drive you mad. I think that's why so many people stay in their bubble.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Very hot and it rarely rains.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are a variety of schools, though most kids go to ACS. It's a pretty school, but some serious issues with bullying, especially towards certain ethnicities.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Good in theory, but really varies by the school.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, all available, but also expensive.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Indoor sports with a good variety, but skill is lacking.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge. Most people here are from somewhere else. Most people are from India. Morale really varies. IN terms of western expats, lots of Brits, they seem to think its still a colony (I'm American).
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Western expats go to the few bars that serve alcohol. gather at beach clubs and ignore the reality of all the people who make their comfortable life possible.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Probably not good for singles, the gender balance is way off, most women on dating apps are prostitutes playing their trade. Families do better, but need to have a family that is happy within the family.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Very hard. locals are nice on the surface, but keep to themselves.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, not really. things have tightened in recent years.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes to all. I think one could write a novel. There is the desire to present everything as harmonious but it is not in my opinion.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
It's easy to travel out between Abu Dhabi and Dubai airport to other countries. Going to Oman is always nice.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Everyone goes to the desert once and then you've done it. dune bashing is cool for some, but just driving a car fast in the desert, is that really exciting?
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
No.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It doesn't rain.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How much everything is just a veneer. I've lived in some hardship posts, and this is the strangest place i've ever lived.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely not, I can't wait to leave.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
morals.
4. But don't forget your:
self delusion.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Temporary People by Deepak Unnikrishnan; this book talks about most people here, but you can spend three years here never thinking about them
