WHEN Elbi Henshaw packed up her life in the UK for sunnier climbs she was hoping for rest and rejuvenation.
She never expected her new life in Dubai would leave her working two jobs and craving the comfort of a British boozer.
Elbi Henshaw ditched her ‘miserable’ life in the UK to move to Dubai at 23[/caption]
However, she says that the luxurious city is not all fun and games[/caption]
She is forced to work a six day week in order to keep up with the price of things[/caption]
Elbi, 23, moved to Dubai in January after holidaying there and realising how “miserable” life is in the UK.
After having previously had a stint working in Saudi Arabia, she gave the famously luxurious city in the UAE a try, seeking a change in lifestyle.
The personal trainer, from Barnet, North London, moved to Dubai with financial help from her parents and she found herself full-time work at a gym.
Eight months on, she is settled and thriving in the city – which British influencers flock to for beautiful weather, stunning views and luxury nightlife – but says she misses UK pubs and pub culture.
Elbi admits she was unprepared for the sky high costs of her new lifestyle.
She says yoghurt now sets her back £12 and a coffee costs from £7, describing Dubai as “dog eat dog” lifestyle with people, including herself, working six-day weeks and picking up extra work on the side to make ends meet.
Elbi has settled now but admits she “didn’t like it at first” because it can feel “lonely” trying to find a circle of friends in such a high-intensity environment.
She explains: “In the UK, I was so depressed and miserable and everyone is so sedentary – I wanted a more active lifestyle.
“Out here, everyone is happier and active and they all want to be the best versions of themselves.
“I work full time but it’s hard not to just spend all your money – you’d need about £5k a month here to live comfortably.
“But you can pick up extra work quite quickly – at the moment I work six days but I’ll probably end up working seven.
“Paying no tax is a perk but the cost of living out here is so expensive that it ends up the same as in the UK.
“But here, you get the sun and a much better lifestyle – although I miss the pubs.”
Elbi moved to Dubai in January – initially living in a studio flat before moving into a shared flat with two other young women.
After attending a local run club, she got talking to someone who connected her with a gym manager and secured her first job in Dubai as a personal trainer.
She was immediately overwhelmed by how much there was to see and do in the city – including dining at luxury restaurants and shopping at the famous Dubai Mall.
Because she was moving alone, Elbi said the first few months were tough getting settled and setting up the correct documents and bank accounts.
She immediately identified the “fast paced and non-stop lifestyle” – with people often working high hours each week to be able to afford the luxurious location, adored by celebrities.
She says it is harder to find a sense of ‘community’ in Dubai and describes it as ‘dog eat dog’[/caption]
Though she has been amazed by the beautiful scenery and warm weather[/caption]
She admits that she found life ‘sedentary’ back in the UK and wanted to be more active[/caption]
Elbi says: “The rent is more expensive than the UK and you have to pay big deposits on things like apartments and cars.
“Clothing is more expensive too – and coffee is like £7 minimum, sometimes as much as £10 a cup.
“I’d say the average salary for a normal person here is like £3k a month but you want more like £5k to live comfortably if you want to go out for meals, and buy new clothes.
“I try to work, work, work so that I can enjoy Dubai – there’s lots of group chats and apps for companies to advertise weekend work.”
But Elbi says it doesn’t equate to much more in total than life in the UK – where you pay taxes – except Dubai offers stunning views and weather.
I do miss the sense of community and pubs in the UK
Elbi Henshaw
Eight months in, she’s enjoying working as a PT at a luxury gym visited by “high end clients” and has now made friends, and has no immediate plans to return.
She says: “You have to put your ego aside and put yourself out there – I messaged other women out of the blue inviting them for coffee.”
Elbi says she loves the cleanliness of Dubai – as “everywhere is spotless” and “it makes you realise how dirty the UK is.”
On her time off work, Elbi says she goes for walks around the air-conditioned mall, and takes trips to Dubai’s uber-luxurious cinemas.
She spends her free time visiting the pool – beach clubs such as Summersalt, loved by the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Kady McDermott, and Twiggy club, loved by Paris Hilton.
But she says Dubai can be tricky as there is less of a “sense of community” for young adults – making it tricky for her to date without using apps.
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here’s what you need to do at home before moving:
- Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
- Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
- Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
- If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad – contact the International Pension Centre.
- You can sign up to the Royal Mail’s redirection service.
- If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre.
- If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.
She says: “It’s so hard to meet guys, because there’s no authentic meet-ups.
“People don’t stand in the streets around pubs – you have to schedule it in.
“And it’s hard to date as everyone is so busy 24/7 that you never find the time.
“I do miss the sense of community and pubs in the UK.
“I love it but I can’t really imagine meeting someone out here and it becoming serious.
“People come out here who already have a partner or family, and the ones that are single are never looking for anything serious.
“I could see myself building a life here but if I get to 27 and I’m not in a relationship, I’ll move back to the UK as I want to start a family.”
Elbis says that if she hasn’t met anyone by the time she’s 27 she’ll return to the UK[/caption]
She says she has to work as much as possible in order to afford a Dubai lifestyle[/caption]