I DITCHED THE UK FOR ABU DHABI - THE GLAMOROUS LIFE YOU SEE ONLINE IS A LIE
A British woman living in Abu Dhabi warned fellow Brits not to be fooled by the glamorous influencer lifestyle often shown online - as she revealed living in the UAE can actually cost more than the UK.
Rachel Burns, 35, moved from Newcastle to Abu Dhabi in 2021 - drawn in by the sunshine, beaches, and luxury lifestyle she saw in a friend's social media posts.
But after three years in the Gulf state, she says many people have no idea how expensive everyday life really is - from rent paid in huge lump sums to £14 meat and sky-high grocery bills.
Despite the UAE being a tax-free haven, Rachel revealed she pays a staggering £12,700 a year in rent, which must be paid in six-month or annual lump sums.
On top of that, a £500 (5 per cent) commission fee is required, as well as a £600 deposit for air conditioning along with £100-a-month usage fees.
Phone contracts, clothes, and other essentials are also more expensive than in the UK - especially if you want Western goods.
Rachel admitted she avoids buying bacon due to its high cost - which can be up to £14 a pack and is often of 'bad quality.'
She warned: '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.
'Here, you have to be extremely aware of what things cost or you can fall into traps.'
But it's not all bad news, as the radiographer says petrol is much more affordable - around £70 to fill her Jaguar XE, compared to the £250 a month she used to spend fuelling a smaller Suzuki in the UK.
Electricity and water bills are also lower at £80 a month, around 50 per cent cheaper than what her family pays in the UK, she said.
Most apartment complexes also have staff and facilities to hand, including security, groundskeepers, swimming pools, fitness centres, saunas and round-the-clock on-site maintenance teams.
Rachel says the UAE does live up to its glamorous image, with Abu Dhabi offering everything from beach clubs and rooftop brunches to luxury 'staycations' and all-inclusive ladies' nights - but only if you can afford it.
For many young expats, the workaround is to attend events like ladies' nights or brunches, where £30 drinks packages can keep costs down.
But even those come at a premium - and the influencer lifestyle is strictly regulated.
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.'
Rachel lives in a more reserved, family-oriented area of Abu Dhabi - about 45 minutes from Dubai - and despite the high cost of living, she has no plans to leave.
She said: '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.'
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