A British expat who moved to Abu Dhabi has warned that the glamorous lifestyle portrayed by influencers can be misleading, with living costs often higher than in the UK. Rachel Burns, 35, a radiographer originally from Newcastle, relocated to the UAE capital in 2021.
Despite the tax-free income, Rachel says everyday expenses such as groceries, phone contracts, and clothing are more expensive. She cited bacon costing up to £14 a pack, and noted that getting her hair done is almost three times the price in the UK. Rent must be paid six months or a year upfront, with her annual rent at £12,700, plus a 5% commission fee and a £600 deposit for air conditioning.
However, some costs are lower: fuel for her 2017 Jaguar XE costs £70 a month, compared to £200 for a small Suzuki in the UK, and water and electricity bills are about 50% cheaper. Rachel also enjoys amenities like pools, gyms, and 24-hour maintenance included in her apartment block.
She cautioned that socialising can be pricey, with individual drinks costing £8 for a pint or £15 for a glass of wine, but fixed-menu events like ladies' nights offer better value at £20-30 for unlimited drinks. Rachel said: 'You have to be extremely aware of what things cost, or you can fall into traps.' Despite the higher costs, she loves the lifestyle and plans to stay, but advises others to be financially vigilant.
