'I left UK for Abu Dhabi for a tax-free life but it's not like influencers say'

A British expat who relocated to Abu Dhabi has warned others not to be fooled by the glamorous lifestyle portrayed by influencers, stating that living in the UAE can actually be more expensive than the UK. Rachel Burns, 35, moved to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE and just a short distance from Dubai, in 2021.

Despite the tax-free allure of the UAE, as depicted through influencers' endless streams of lavish brunches, beach clubs and sunset cocktails, luxury comes with a hefty price tag, she warns. Radiographer Rachel, originally from Newcastle, revealed that her £12,700 rent is required to be paid in six-month or yearly upfront payments.

On top of this, she mentioned that there's a £500 (5%) commission fee, as well as a £600 deposit for air conditioning. She also noted that everyday items such as food, groceries, phone contracts and clothing are all pricier than in the UK.

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Rachel even admitted to avoiding bacon almost entirely due to its high cost - up to £14 a pack - and poor quality. However, fuel costs are significantly lower in the UAE, costing her just £70 a month to fill up her 2017 Jaguar XE, compared to the £200 she used to spend on fuelling a small Suzuki in the UK. Water and electricity bills also seem to be about 50% cheaper than what her family in the UK pays, she added.

Despite these savings, Rachel believes that life in the UK is less expensive overall, even when factoring in taxes - but "you pay for the lifestyle here".

Rachel said: "Here, you have to be extremely aware of what things cost, or you can fall into traps. Some people show you the influencer lifestyle, but you have no idea what's going on in the background.

"Day-to-day things such as groceries are much costlier, or small luxuries like getting my hair done is almost three times the price it cost me back at home in the UK. I don't have a massive amount spare each month, but you pay for the amazing lifestyle here. I love it and won't be leaving anytime soon - but you have to be at the top of your game to live here sustainably."

Rachel resides a 45-minute journey from Dubai's centre, in a "more reserved" area populated by families. She explained her curiosity was sparked after witnessing another mate living there, whose way of life "looked next-level".

She explained: "I saw her posts about the weather, the beaches, waking up to an amazing view, and luxury brunches."

Rachel explained that paying rent differs enormously in the UAE compared to the UK, with residents paying multiple months or a full year in advance.

"You'd be very hard pushed to find somewhere that charges monthly," she explained. "Another surprise was paying 5% commission on top of the rent, as well as your deposit. Fees just seem to pop up here and there all the time, but it does add up."

The expense of air conditioning can be substantial if it's not included within your rent, Rachel cautioned. Previously she had to pay a £600 deposit on her air conditioning along with £100 per month usage charges.

She continued: "The internet is really expensive too - there are only two providers in Abu Dhabi."

But despite steeper rental and living expenses, Rachel said many contemporary apartment blocks feature groundskeepers, security personnel, swimming pools, gyms, saunas and round-the-clock on-site maintenance teams. She forks out just £80 for her water and electricity bills - identical to what she was paying in the UK back in 2020, before multiple price increases.

Food shopping costs more in Abu Dhabi - especially if you're hunting for Western products from supermarkets like Waitrose. However, she advises avoiding bacon - as it can cost up to £14 per pack - because shops need special licensing to stock it since few locals consume it in the Islamic region - and it's "the worst bacon ever".

Rachel confirmed it truly delivers on the "high-level luxury influencer lifestyle" reputation seen online. Since purchasing individual beverages can be pricey, people flock to fixed-menu occasions with drinks packages such as brunches or ladies' nights.

Rachel explained: "With ladies' nights, it's like £20 or £30 to drink all night. Most people do that.

"You might pay £15 for a glass of wine, or £8 for a pint here if you buy drinks individually. I went out to a club in Dubai with a friend for a night, on a Thursday, we had three cocktails each and a snack platter to share - and we paid £75 each."

She revealed another trendy luxury pursuit among young expats in the UAE involves "staycations" at posh hotels offering all-inclusive packages for meals and beverages throughout their visit. While Rachel acknowledged the opulence is genuinely part of daily life in certain areas of Abu Dhabi, she doesn't think every glamorous influencer is actually experiencing the lifestyle they portray.

She explained: "You have to pay for an influencer permit and trade licence (£500-£3,000) here if you make any money online. And if you ever take a video you have to get permission from everyone in it, even if they're in the background."

Despite the contrasts in expenses and way of life, Rachel adores it and has no intention of departing.

She continued: "I'm very settled here and hoping to set up a business here. The lifestyle is so convenient - I don't think I'll leave anytime soon."