Your next chapter, with a clearer picture
Moving to Dubai.
Make it your kind of life.
Work out what your salary can support, where your week will happen and which schools belong on your shortlist. One connected plan for a solo move, a couple or a family.
Build my UAE move planFree beta · first matches without an account · choose your Dubai workplace in the planner
What will living in Dubai cost you?
An average monthly figure can hide the choices that matter most. Build the budget around the household you are moving with, not someone else’s lifestyle. Aveloa keeps these three views separate:
Core family costs
Housing, school fees you pay and transport. Useful for comparing areas, but not the whole cost of living.
True monthly cost
The broader household model, including everyday living-cost assumptions. Change the inputs and inspect the amount left from your income.
Upfront cash
The reserve you may need before the move settles into a monthly routine. Check payment timing and employer reimbursements, not just annual totals.
Planning estimates, not a quote or financial advice. See the inputs and source dates before relying on a figure.
Where should you live in Dubai?
Pin your workplace first. Then shortlist a few areas against housing budget, home type, the school run and the amenities you care about. These are starting points from Aveloa’s catalogue, not a “best areas” ranking or a promise of current availability.
Finding the view…Dubai Hills Estate
New-build, park life, central
Villa · Apartment · Townhouse · Emaar
Explore the community →Arabian Ranches
Family villas, golf, mature landscaping
Villa · Townhouse · Emaar
Explore the community →Dubai Marina
Waterfront towers, walkable, metro
Apartment · Emaar
Explore the community →
Finding the view…Jumeirah Village Circle
Best value, fast-growing, young families
Apartment · Townhouse · Nakheel
Explore the community →
Finding the view…Al Furjan
Metro-linked, strong value near Marina
Apartment · Townhouse · Villa · Nakheel
Explore the community →Downtown Dubai
Burj views, culture, zero commute to DIFC
Apartment · Emaar
Explore the community →Moving to Dubai with children?
Build the school and home shortlists together. A campus that fits the curriculum may still stretch the budget or make the daily school run difficult. Start with grade coverage, then inspect fees and the route from each community.
The directory includes British, IB, American, Indian, French and bilingual options. Inspection information is labelled by regulator. Published representative fees do not establish a current place or a fee quote for your child.
Find schools by stage, curriculum and budget →Start with a curriculum, not a league table
Examples from the directory; not personalised recommendations.
- British · Dubai College →
- IB · North London Collegiate School Dubai →
- American · GEMS Dubai American Academy →
- Indian · GEMS Modern Academy →
- French · Le Petit Poucet →
A practical next step for every kind of move.
Moving alone or as a couple
Skip school questions. Focus on your workplace, housing costs and what you want nearby after work.
Explore your priorities →Moving from the UK
Keep relocation planning separate from personal tax and residency advice. Use the guide to prepare questions for the right professional.
Read the UK-to-UAE guide →Still choosing between cities
Start with the actual job location. Explore Abu Dhabi’s own communities and schools rather than carrying over a Dubai shortlist.
Explore moving to Abu Dhabi →Guide reviewed by Aveloa on 5 September 2026. Individual data points carry their own source dates; this review does not refresh rent or school-fee evidence.