A recent Quora post by Volker Motzkus, a German national who lived in Dubai between 2013 and 2015, has offered an unusually candid insight into life as an expatriate in the UAE. Motzkus, a Senior Contracts Manager, opened with a simple explanation for leaving: “Because my wife didn’t like it.” But behind that short answer lay a complex mix of lifestyle considerations, financial realities, and cultural reflections. “At the end, it didn’t work out for me. I liked Dubai. I liked the UAE. Such a bustling, cosmopolitan, safe place, with a nice quality of life, friendly neighbours, a good job…” he wrote.
Even for someone drawn to the city’s promise of safety, opportunity, and tax-free salaries, the comparison with home can be unavoidable. “I find that I did compare it to Germany. Don’t get me wrong, I cannot say that one is inherently better than the other, they are simply different. But some things stick out,” he noted, hinting at the deeper factors that would ultimately shape his decision.
For the author, the most striking aspect of Dubai wasn’t the glamour, the skyscrapers, or the tax-free salaries — it was how every part of daily life required money. From education and healthcare to sports and leisure, the city operated on a market-driven model, where choice and convenience came at a premium.
“Basically, my bottom line amounted to that, in order to DO anything in Dubai, you need to spend money. Yes, I had a tax-free income that was high enough. But spend 2000 AED ($540) a week on groceries and stuff, and another AED 1500–2000 ($405–$540) each weekend to just ‘have hobbies’ (again, three kids), all that extra cash seemed, at the end, to not be a bonus, but a necessity,” he reflected.
Even as a high-earning professional, Motzkus realised that the apparent financial advantages of Dubai could be offset by lifestyle costs. When he calculated his disposable income — what remained after covering essentials — he discovered it was roughly the same as what he would have had in Germany, despite Germany’s taxes.
“Yeah, I paid taxes, but I got ‘free’ healthcare and children’s education in return. So, economically, I had nothing to gain from staying in Dubai, but nothing to lose, either,” he explained.
The experience illustrates a reality for many expatriates: salaries alone do not determine comfort. To live as a single person or student, an income of AED 60,000–80,000 ($16,200–$21,600) per annum is typically required. A bachelor might need AED 120,000–180,000 ($32,400–$48,600), while couples require AED 200,000–300,000 ($54,000–$81,000) combined per year. For a family of four, this figure rises to AED 300,000–500,000 ($81,000–$135,000) annually, covering housing, groceries, schooling, travel, and weekend activities.
Even public commentary reflected the shock some found in such spending, and also hinted that the author might have been able to save more with a bit of budgeting. One Quora user pointedly remarked: “8000 Dirhams ($2,160) for groceries, come on, what do you eat, gold plated sardines, and 8000 dirhams ($2,160) for kids’ activities, give me a break man.” For Motzkus, however, this wasn’t extravagance — it was a structural reality of Dubai’s lifestyle, where convenience and leisure are inherently costly.
Housing costs: The price of a home in Dubai
For most expatriates arriving in Dubai, renting is the first step in setting up life. The city offers a wide range of options — apartments, condos, and villas — with location often dictated by proximity to work or preferred neighbourhoods. Yet, what appears abundant comes at a cost, and housing quickly emerges as one of the most significant financial considerations for families like Motzkus’s.
According to a 2024 Numbeo report, apartment tenants saw rents rise by nearly 22% compared to the previous year, while villa rents increased roughly 13% year-on-year. Despite these sharp rises, overall demand remained remarkably robust, reflected in a 14% increase in lease renewals during the second quarter of 2024. For Motzkus, this was a familiar pattern: “Even with a good salary, the high cost of living — particularly housing — eroded much of the advantage that tax-free income once promised. It is something that many expats do not fully appreciate until they calculate everything carefully.”
The rising costs of housing were intertwined with broader trends in the city. Dubai’s residential market has grown for 17 consecutive quarters, mirroring its status as a global business and lifestyle hub. Apartments and villas, while luxurious and convenient, are priced at a level that forces residents to integrate the expense into every financial decision — from grocery shopping to weekend family activities.
For Motzkus, this translated into a simple, hard reality:
“To maintain the lifestyle you want — for yourself, your family, and even just basic convenience — you need to spend. There’s no escaping it.” Housing, therefore, was not just a roof over the head; it became a lens through which the entire market-driven nature of life in Dubai was revealed.
The allure and Limit, culture, safety, and quality of life
Despite the financial and lifestyle pressures, Motzkus spoke warmly of Dubai’s many advantages and unique charms.
“I liked Dubai. I liked the UAE… Such a bustling, cosmopolitan, safe place, with a nice quality of life, friendly neighbours, a good job…” he reflected.
Safety, in particular, made a strong impression on Motzkus. Unlike many major cities, Dubai offered a level of security that allowed families to enjoy daily life with confidence: children could play outside or walk to school without constant supervision, and adults — including women — could move around public spaces even late in the evening without significant risk. This pervasive sense of security went beyond convenience; it provided a stable and reassuring environment that many expatriates, especially those with families, came to value highly.
The cosmopolitan mix of Dubai also contributed to its appeal. With over 80% of the population made up of expatriates from every corner of the globe, residents live alongside colleagues, neighbours, and friends from diverse cultures. The city’s infrastructure and amenities, whether in JLT, Uptown Dubai, or surrounding districts, make it possible for newcomers to quickly adapt, feel at home, and access professional, social, and recreational opportunities.
Even with rising costs, Mercer’s 2024 quality-of-life survey highlights Dubai’s enduring attractiveness. The city is recognised for personal safety, abundant amenities, and easily accessible services, securing its place among the safest and most convenient urban environments worldwide. Motzkus acknowledged this, but also reminded readers that the city’s comforts come at a price — financially and culturally.
Dubai’s climate and geography, while part of its allure, also impose limits. Long, hot summers restrict outdoor activities and make air-conditioning almost essential. Yet for Motzkus, this was a minor inconvenience compared with the larger considerations of daily life and culture. The trade-offs between comfort, safety, and cost, he realised, ultimately shaped his family’s decision.
Why he left: Balance between life and comfort
For Motzkus, leaving Dubai was not about dissatisfaction with the city itself. It was about personal priorities, family preferences, and the quiet cost of comfort. While he appreciated the tax-free salaries, cosmopolitan energy, and safety, the everyday reality of a market-driven lifestyle — from education and healthcare to groceries and leisure — weighed heavily.
“At the end, I guess I just felt more comfortable in my ‘home’ culture,” he reflected. Motzkus listed out the specific things he missed: the rhythms of Germany, the changing seasons, forests and green spaces, and the ease of outdoor life in summer. Even small pleasures, strolling through a beer garden, watching the vegetation cycle unfold, or stepping outside without risk of heatstroke, added up. These were benefits not measured in Dirhams or dollars, but in comfort, familiarity, and long-term satisfaction.
Motzkus’s experience highlights a subtle truth about expatriate life in Dubai: the city offers immense opportunity and convenience, but at the cost of constant expenditure and cultural adaptation. While many newcomers may be attracted by tax-free salaries and luxurious amenities, the real cost of comfort often only becomes clear over time.
At the same time, Dubai’s enduring appeal is undeniable. Despite rising living costs — Mercer ranked the city 15th costliest for international employees in 2024, up from 18th, with apartment rents increasing 22% year-on-year — the city remains more affordable than global hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, or London. Residents benefit from a safe, family-friendly environment, a cosmopolitan community, and world-class amenities.
Ultimately, for Motzkus, the decision to leave was not a rejection of Dubai, but a recognition of personal and familial priorities. The city had provided valuable experiences, friendships, and professional opportunities, yet home offered a sense of balance and cultural familiarity that outweighed even the financial and lifestyle advantages of life in Dubai.
“I truly value the experience, and I met a lot of interesting and amazing people. Would I go back to visit? Anytime. Would I go back to live there? Probably only for a certain while, and not sure if I would take the family along,” he concluded.
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