Unbeknownst to most, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the largest emirate in the UAE and is always shadowed by its sister emirate, Dubai which has become somewhat of a nickname for the entire UAE. The phrase “going to Dubai” now means going to the UAE. What most don’t know, however, is that Abu Dhabi has many treasures hidden in plain sight for both visitors and dwellers alike. Another little-known fact is that many people prefer Abu Dhabi to Dubai. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of living in Abu Dhabi and answer the question: Is Abu Dhabi a Good Place to Live in?
A Diverse Mix of Cultures
Just like its sister, Abu Dhabi is bustling with expatriates. One of the most common questions asked in public is “where are you from?” and serves as the intro to many conversations. Similarly, there is no shortage of restaurants of different nationalities, as well as cultural and attire shops.
A place known as Minarat Alsaadiyat (or the Place of Enlightenment) located in the poshest area in Abu Dhabi that is Saadiyat, serves as the cultural hub of the emirate.
The place holds many events throughout the year that aim to focus on building connections between communities and nationalities. Events include but are not limited to: art and cultural exhibits, robotic workshops, art fairs, comedy nights, and film screenings.
For those intrigued by the constant learning that exposure to different cultures and communication styles provides, Abu Dhabi is a fantastic option.
With over 200 nationalities and around a 90% population of expats, Abu Dhabi is a true microcosm of what cultural and ethnic diversity means.
A Wealth of Options for Leisure and Entertainment
Whether you spend your free time practicing martial arts, like to spend time out relaxing on the beach, or prefer to do some extreme sports, Abu Dhabi will not only cater to all these needs, but you are very likely to find the place of your interest a short distance away from you.
Yas Island, located only a 20-minute drive away from the Abu Dhabi mainland, is the entertainment capital of the emirate. There, individuals are spoilt for choice when it comes to amusement parks and entertainment hubs. The amusement parks found there go head-to-head with global parks, and they include big names such as Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and Yas Waterworld. Yas Island also includes many events arenas, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, Yas Mall, pristine beaches, illustrious parks, and fun-packed marinas. Boredom is never a concern in Abu Dhabi.
Little to No Taxes
There are no income taxes levied on individuals’ salaries and many businesses operating in Abu Dhabi enjoy little or no taxes. For the aforementioned reason, the emirate is quickly emerging as an unmatched international business ground.
Calm and Family Friendly
As opposed to Dubai, Abu Dhabi has a more wholesome family-centric aura that is far from the cutthroat corporate air that Dubai carries. Many family parks and facilities exist throughout the capital and you’ll likely have one within a short walking distance from you should you decide to reside in Abu Dhabi.
Sidenote: To find out more about the differences between Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a loot at our Abu Dhabi vs Dubai blog.
Sunny Weather
If you come from an ice-cold region that’s always cloudy, then you’ll find Abu Dhabi to be a rejuvenating treat with more than an abundant supply of sunlight and temperatures that will keep you sweating. With that being said, Abu Dhabi’s a great place to undergo a detox.
Similar to its neighboring countries, Abu Dhabi (and the wider UAE) has a humid climate. This renders many people sweaty only a few minutes after stepping outdoors. Although some people enjoy this kind of climate, a portion of people learn to live with it and start to carry napkins and umbrellas around.
One of the Safest Places on the Planet
Is Abu Dhabi a good place to live in? Some people would agree, simply for the coming reason. You can leave your laptop behind on a park bench and be sure that no one will have nabbed it. Au contraire, you’ll likely be startled by someone chasing you down the street to inform you of the belonging you left on the bench.
Without fail and without an exception, every new inhabitant of Abu Dhabi is surprised by the fact that the large majority of residents here keep the doors to their homes unlocked. Thieves are punished severely and therefore even slight attempts at crimes are unheard of.
Another startling scene is seeing cars with their engines switched on and doors unlocked parked all over the streets of Abu Dhabi.
The above is the norm, but so are the resolute everyday laws, and especially driving laws that are enforced out to the letter. It would be wise to familiarise yourself with these regulations to not prematurely rack up many fines.
Cheap Public Transportation
As compared to other Emirates and other countries, public transportation costs are low with bus fares being as low as 2 AED.
Enveloped in Wealth
It goes without saying that UAE is a wealthy country. Being in its capital means you’ll be surrounded by extravagance, gold, and sports cars.
Ultra Developed Infrastructure and Services
Dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery, food delivery pods, and anything imaginable accessible through a smartphone. Abu Dhabi stays up to date with all the developments happening globally and sometimes is at the forefront of innovation. A few examples are the cloud seeding technology, and the high-speed levitating electromagnetic train that is about to experience its first large adaptation that will connect to Abu Dhabi.
Families that Raise Children Here Will Raise Global Citizens
As mentioned above 90% of the Emirati population are foreigners. As a result, your kids are likely to run into many nationalities at school. In turn, you’ll be raising children with a widened worldview and an irreplaceable insight and understanding of people and cultures.
So is Abu Dhabi a good place to live in? We’ll let you decide.
Gravity Real Estate
Gravity Real Estate is a leading real estate agency and property manager in Abu Dhabi with over 15 years of experience, and many accolades to show it for it. Navigate to our services section to discover more about our offerings.
