Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Report of what it's like to live there - 02/10/26
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?
This is our second post. Our first post was also in the Middle East.
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?
Northern Virginia. We flew from Dulles to Doha to Abu Dhabi.
3. What years did you live here?
2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
One year.
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 definitely varies. It will depend on if you have children (or not) and what's available for when upon arrival.
We live in Mangrove One and it is absolutely incredible. We have two adults and two children in a four bedroom house. It's a very large and brightly-lit house. There are maids quarters downstairs (with a bathroom), which could be ample storage if you don't have a live-in housekeeper. We also have a large living room upstairs and downstairs.
There is a great patio that comes with an embassy table and turf for the grassy area. We do not have any mold or pest issues and I've seen two tiny, cute salamanders since living here. Our community is gated and has a pool and gym and also a yoga studio (one has to pay for the yoga studio classes). There is a playground and a million kids wandering the streets at all hours.
We are next to a wonderful little shopping area called Al Seef Mall which has lots of places to eat and cute coffee shops. There is also a small neighborhood Carrefour (grocery store) with all your essentials. If you have kids, definitely request Mangrove One! We are 15 minutes away from the embassy. The commute is fine.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
If you eat like a local it will be less expensive than America. If you eat like an American, it can be more expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Maple syrup is super expensive here. Stock up at Costco!
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Anything you could ever dream of. Great food, super cheap delivery (Talabat, careem, and like four others).
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Sometimes we get ants but that's an easy fix, and nothing scary like fire ants :)
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO/APO. They have Amazon AE which delivers quickly.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
There's an app called Just Life where you can have your house cleaned for about $24 a week. You can also pay a regular cleaning service about $200 a month. People with young kids definitely use nannies. Babysitters are about $10/hr.
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?
1000x safer than America. Only thing that's not the best is traffic seems more dangerous because people drive fast here. They do have bike trails but it's not like everything is bikeable. I would never bike to work as I feel that would be too dangerous! Air quality is horrendous so you have to watch that for if you are going to work out or even play outside during the day.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Super nice gyms are readily available.
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?
I only use Capital One CC for overseas. It's not cash heavy like lots of the Middle East.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Everything. Twenty different christian churches to choose from. Cornerstone seems to be the best, most friendly.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Zero.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Most definitely they would have much difficulty. They don't have rules like they do in America where you have to be accessible .
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
I Uber everywhere. Taxis aren't my favorite because I have been cheated once or twice.
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?
Fun to bring something you can take to the desert but anything goes here. And lol no to the carjackings and burglary. Safest place in the world.
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?
There seem to be very few job openings for eligible family members (EFMs), and approval for the positions seems to take forever. Enjoy sitting at home if you are the EFM. Local pay is pretty low.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Publicly you will be fine wearing whatever you want and no one will say anything. I see people in shorts and tank tops everywhere. You can choose to be more conservative if you want. before I came I was trying to buy all modest clothes but now I see that it was a waste. Dress normally and you will be fine.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
In my opinion, the air quality is horrible. Children can develop asthma so educate yourself and be AQI aware. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has been incredible, and it's where they send all the embassy folk for outpatient stuff.
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?
See above: it's horrible. I check the AQI app everyday and plan accordingly. If I'm out biking on a bad air day my lungs hurt and I don't even have asthma.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Restaurants are very good with accommodating food allergies. So are schools.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Nope.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Horrible in the summer, amazing in the winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I would not recommend going to ACS. In my opinion, the academics there are not good, and no one will tell you that until you are already in and established at post. People need to be more honest about ACS. Families seem to be leaving in droves. I would recommend others to explore British options and ask honest questions of other parents, and keep a few schools to choose from.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ACS is very limited. British schools have been over the top amazing.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The EFM community is alive and thriving.
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?
You aren't likely to have much contacts with locals but for everyone else there is the school, EFM activities, church, AWN.
3. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It might get weird if you are filipino or Indian because that is the working class here. If you are one of those races you have to dress like an American to be treated like an American.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Cheap travel to so much of the world.
5. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Endless amounts of activities, festivals, concerts, pop-ups, and things to do.
6. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Abu Dhabi is amazing. Such a great place to live.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
That I didn't need to buy all new clothes to fit into a modesty standard that one would assume for a Middle Eastern country.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
100%.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
nothing. Bring the winter clothes because you will want to travel!
4. But don't forget your:
sunblock, hats, and twenty different swimsuits because you now live in a beach town. Take all the pool toys as well.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Dubai Bling, RHOD
