Kelly Lundberg, a 44-year-old originally from Edinburgh, moved to Dubai in 2003 after spotting a job advert for a cabin crew role. Twenty-three years later, she remains in the city, now running her own brand consultancy business. She says the appeal of sunshine and the low-tax lifestyle initially drew her, but the city's 'contagious' energy has kept her there.
Lundberg acknowledges the financial freedom that comes with paying no income tax, but stresses that happiness, not tax savings, is the real reason she stays. 'There's no denying the financial freedom that comes from not paying income tax,' she said. 'It allows you to be more intentional about where and how you spend your cash.' However, she notes that costs have risen, particularly for imported items like fruit and wine, and that healthcare must be paid for privately.
Living with her husband Graham, whom she met at school and who joined her a few years after her move, Lundberg says she has no regrets about relocating. She misses her family in Scotland but appreciates that Dubai is only a seven-hour flight from the UK, offering a balance of distance and connection.
Looking ahead, Lundberg plans to stay in Dubai for the foreseeable future. 'It's hard to beat the lifestyle, the opportunity, and the energy of the city,' she said. 'Choosing where to go next, if anywhere, is a tough call. It would have to offer the same sense of possibility and quality of life.'
