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United Arab Emirates: Unmarried and cohabiting in Abu Dhabi:
Hello to you both. My boyfriend and I live together in Vancouver, Canada. We have plans to get married but for now it just hasn't happened yet since we're both focused on our careers. For now my career's brought me to the Emirates while he's still in Vancouver. We plan to move our lives and our careers here in the near future. Would love to bring our life in Canada just as it is to the Emirates but there are certain laws here.
It is illegal for unmarried couples to live together in 1 apartment here. Question is: who's to know and who cares? There are plenty of people in all the emirates who are living in what they call "bed space" living arrangement. Because it is so expensive to have your own apartment now, a lot of people are getting into this arrangement. It's like having roommates... but allloooot of roommates. Sometimes, to a room, there'd be 4-6 people sleeping in it - men and women. Obviously, most of them are not married to each other. This type of arrangement is quite prevalent in the country. And if all of these "bed spacers" are busted, the UAE will be out of people and the country will stop to a grinding halt.
So yes, you can probably live together without a hitch. But for your own safety, you might just want to put on a show of marriage to your neighbours since you just don't know how conservative your neighbours are. The unfortunate fact with life here in the Emirates is that racism exists. If you're Caucasian, you tend to get more respect. If you're Asian, you get looked down upon. It's messed up and so backwards. However, no matter your nationality, here - you're guilty first until proven innocent. Keep that in mind.
If you keep under the radar, you're good. If you have a good-paying job, your life here will be as you'd like it to be - you can afford to do what you'd like. So good luck.
United Arab Emirates: Moving to Sharjah:
I'm a 28 yr old Vancouverite living in Sharjah. I'm a freelance photographer here in the Emirates right now. Most of my prospects are in Dubai which is really just a few minutes away but with the traffic, it can be a nightmare. So if you or your husband will be working in Dubai, probably better to live in Dubai. However, if you're set on Sharjah, it's not a bad place to live in. It's not as modern as Dubai is but it's not like you wear a skirt and cops will arrest you - no. As a rule for dressing in the Emirates, dress comfortably. If you don't want to be oogled by men, then stay away from very short and revealing clothes. Period. As far as good locations to live in... the Buheira/Corniche area is nice. There's a big lagoon there where you can go for walks. At the same time, you're not too in the centre of Sharjah so you mostly avoid the traffic within Sharjah. You are also very near to the beach in Al Khan. Try to get a place that is closer to Buheira or the Dubai-Sharjah road. There are plenty of new buildings popping up along the Buheira. Our building for example is brand new and is not fully occupied. The rent is 90,000 dirhams a year. It is a 2-bedroom flat with outdoor pool, steam room, jacuzzi, gym (separate for ladies/men), 24-hr security. The flat itself is very spacious. The apartment I was renting in Vancouver is way small that I feel I'm living in a palace here. It is costly, this flat but there are plenty of others out there.
I suggest once you find a place, go to Etisalat (local phone/internet company) and get yourself a land line and wifi internet right away as it takes forever to get connected.
As for schools, Chouiefat is the school some of my friends went to in Sharjah when I lived here as a kid. In Dubai, you'll have more options for schools - American or English-oriented.
I hope your plans are coming along smoothly. Don't hesitate to contact me even for just a chat. You'll need people to vent to about 2-3 months into your settling in. The Emirates is very different from the world we're used to but that's what's exciting about moving somewhere new, right? Good luck to you and your family. I hope you get here safely.
Take care.
United Arab Emirates: Pet relocation to Dubai:
I will be moving to Dubai in January from Canada.
Can someone please advise me about your own personal experience regarding relocating with your pets? I have two cats. They are both up to date with vet visits and immunizations.
Do you know which documents I will be needing before we leave Canada? Will they be quarantined and for how long?
I have done my research but want to hear other people's experiences also that way I can prepare all of us to the fullest.
Thank you all for your replies. I look forward to hearing them.
United Arab Emirates: 27 yr old pro photographer moving to Dubai:
Hello all,
I've been doing my research about moving to Dubai for a while now but like anything on the net, I worry that it is all info that's regurgitated from somewhere else so I came here to find out from expats already in Dubai and I will take comfort that you're all real and breathing and living/working in Dubai.
I'm a Filipino-Canadian female professional photographer who is very interested in moving to Dubai. I am initially going there for 2-3 months starting Sept 25th to look for jobs and scope out what the future might look like for me there. I have friends with whom I will be staying so no worries about accommodation and I'll be carrying a visit visa and a Canadian passport. Although, any advise regarding visas will be more than welcome.
I have a few questions, however. I want to get a feel for freelancing and/or setting up my own business vs working for someone else. I'm hoping someone will reply back with advice. And I thank you in advance. Much appreciated!
1.) What is the average professional portrait package around and its costs (not like the ones you take at Sears or Walmart in the States/Canada)?
2.) How much did you pay for wedding photography, what did you get (number of hours/prints, how far ahead did you book, etc.), and were you happy with the results?
3.) Where did you find your photographer?
Again, thank you in advance to your replies. I look forward to hearing from you all.
United Arab Emirates: Gay:
Hi RT,
I see a lot of gay people at the malls and elsewhere. Openly gay too. And they're still working and not in jail. They don't try to appear straight either. Matter of fact, the building manager in my building is so obviously gay and he is still working with his company.
I think so long as you don't show public displays of affection, nobody cares. Mind you, that applies to everybody - married or not, straight or gay.
I'm a photographer in Vancouver (where gay marriages are legal) and have a few gay friends so I don't even think about it. However, I think in the middle east, gay people are still afraid to out themselves eventhough there are lots of Arab gays also. Your don't-ask-don't-tell policy is probably a good way to be in this town.
As for meeting other people, I suppose you could contact your embassy and ask about social circles. They most likely won't be headlining it but I'm sure once you have a social circuit, you'll be able to meet whomever you'd like. I'm going to pay the Canadian embassy a visit myself to see if they have functions I could attend to meet new people.
Good luck and I know you'll be just fine.
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