The Dubai Relocation Playbook

Everyone has an opinion about Dubai. Half the people you ask will say it changed their life. The other half will warn you it's expensive, lonely, and not what it looks like on Instagram.
 

The truth? It's a bit of both  and this guide tells you exactly what to expect.
 

Shikha Balani moved to Dubai, figured it out the hard way, and has since helped hundreds of people make the same move without the same headaches. This is everything she wished someone had told her before she packed her bags.
 

It covers the stuff people actually need to know  is Dubai even right for you? Which visa do you need and how do you actually get it? Which neighbourhood should you live in? How much money do you genuinely need to get started? How do you make friends in a city where everyone is new?

Inside, you'll find:

• How to know if Dubai is actually the right move for you (before you commit)
• Every visa option explained simply, employment, freelance, Golden Visa, digital nomad, and more
• A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood breakdown so you choose where to live based on your real life, not a property listing
• Exactly how to set up banking, your phone, Emirates ID, driving licence, and health insurance in the right order
• The real cost of living, including what nobody tells you about your first month
• How to build genuine friendships in a city where everyone is new
• How to set up as a freelancer or launch a business in Dubai the right way
   

Whether you're seriously considering the move or already have a flight booked, this playbook will save you weeks of research, costly mistakes, and that overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start.