How an Australian woman traded Sydney’s rental crisis for a tax-free lifestyle in Dubai – realestate.com.au

An Australian woman has revealed what it’s like to live in Dubai and why her new lifestyle means she never wants to move back to Sydney.

As Australians leave our major cities in search of a more affordable lifestyle, it is estimated that around 20,000 Australians live in the UAE, spread across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, according to Atlas Wealth Group.

Australian Louise Starkey, 33, moved to Dubai to escape Sydney’s cost of living crisis and for “more opportunity, more excitement and more growth.”

Originally from Brisbane, Ms Starkey moved to Sydney before leaving Australia altogether.

“Sydney became way too expensive,” she said. “I was making $100,000 a year, and I took home about $79,000 after taxes,” she said.

Ms Starkey had experienced a large number of overpriced share houses across Sydney, in Bondi, Surry Hills, Eastgardens, Darlinghurst, Potts Point and Manly.

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In Dubai, Ms Starkey now pays around $27,000 a year (66,000 AED) for a brand new one-bedroom apartment with parking, new appliances, great amenities and a private gym.

“In Sydney I paid about $35,000 a year for a studio with no parking. The value for money doesn’t even compare,” she said.

She has no plans to move back to Sydney and Dubai feels like home now, but if she chooses to move back, she feels she can get ahead and save a lot of money in Dubai, which would allow her to buy in Australia.

Her apartment was one of her favorite things in Dubai. Photo: supplied

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She said groceries cost her between $60 and $125 a week, depending on what she gets.

Ms Starkey also said that she barely paid for food for the entire first year she lived in Dubai, as there were groups and apps where women could eat for free in exchange for social posts that the company could use for their marketing.

When she did pay, the prices were comparable to those in Australia or cheaper. For example, breakfast might be around $40, while a fancy dinner might cost you $80-140.

Why an Australian woman who made $100,000 left Sydney

Before she left, she paid $675 a week for a studio in Bondi Junction with no parking.

After paying her high rent, taxes and bills, she felt like there was “nothing left.”

“I was working just to keep my head above water. I felt restricted at work, asked for a raise, was told no, and that was my breaking point. All I could think was… why am I doing this?”

She also felt bored with the Sydney lifestyle, was single and said dating in the city was also a struggle.

“The dating scene in Sydney sucked. The nightlife sucked… Everything was expensive. Fuel was expensive.

“Staying felt suffocating. So I left because staying felt worse than taking the risk,” she said.

Life in Dubai. Photo: supplied.

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She wasn’t alone either, saying more Australians were moving there due to the cost of living crisis.

“Australia has become too expensive and (Australians) are tired of just surviving. People want more money, more opportunities, more lifestyle, more excitement. Wages haven’t kept up, everything costs more and people feel stuck.”

“Dubai offers the opposite. No taxes, better wages, cheaper rent, better opportunities, a better lifestyle. You can really save money here and get ahead,” she said.

Ms Starkey knew someone who lived in Dubai and traveled the world and said she felt like they were “really alive” and wanted to do the same.

Career and wages

Ms Starkey said the job market in Dubai was changing rapidly and there were numerous opportunities for those willing to network and put themselves on the map.

Not paying taxes was also a big advantage, she said.

“If you make $100,000 in Dubai, you take home $100,000.”

However, Ms Starkey’s biggest challenges in Dubai related to her work.

“The workplace culture here can be very different to Australia. If you work in a company with good structure and good leadership, you are treated very well. I work in one of those companies now and it makes a huge difference,” she said.

She said there were also better career opportunities. Photo: supplied.

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“But not every environment here is like that, and in some places the pace is very fast. I’ve also experienced working extremely long days and weekends and feeling like I was on call all the time. I’ve seen behaviors, communication styles and expectations that didn’t suit me.”

Benefits of lifestyle

Ms Starkey felt there were more work opportunities in Dubai and a better lifestyle.

“Dubai is exciting. People are ambitious. Success is encouraged rather than demolished,” she said.

“If you want to go out all the time and be in the foodie and nightlife scene, you can. If you want a life full of walking, horse riding, wellness, Hyrox, pilates and early mornings, you can do that too.”

“Dubai is also built on convenience. Groceries arrive in 8 to 15 minutes. You can have new clothes delivered in two hours. Coffee, breakfast, anything you want will be at your door in 20 to 60 minutes,” she said.

“It’s common here for people to have a sitter, cleaner and chef, and it’s affordable. I even know people who have a sitter just for their dogs.”

She also loved the lifestyle. Photo: supplied.

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“Dubai can be as cheap or as bougie as you want. It really depends on the lifestyle you choose,” Ms Starkey said.

Tips for moving to Dubai

She recommended getting a job before making the switch, and if not, she said it was important to be financially secure beforehand and have some savings.

Updating your LinkedIn profile and participating in expat, social and fitness groups was also helpful for work and social purposes.

She also encouraged others to reach out to recruiters, CEOs and founders for job openings.

“Every job I’ve had in Dubai has been through word of mouth,” she said.

“You meet one person, they introduce you to someone else, and suddenly you’re interviewing 25 times a week. That’s exactly what happened to me.”

Ms Starkey encouraged anyone interested to take the plunge and do it.

“If you have the urge to move, trust it. You don’t want to blink in 10 years and realize you never tried.”

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