Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the world’s best cities to relocate to, a new study shows. Compiled by the price comparison website Money.co.uk, the Relocation Report analysed 84 international cities on nine social and economic factors to arrive at their relocation scores.
The report ranked Dubai (relocation score: 5.67) as the world’s fourth-best relocation hotspot. Dubai missed out on a Top 3 rank by the narrowest of margins to Charleston (relocation score: 5.68). Austin (6.02) and Tokyo (5.98) occupied the top two spots while Los Angeles (5.60) rounded up the Top 5.
With a relocation score of 5.52, Abu Dhabi came in at No. 6 globally. Muscat (rank: #8, relocation score: 5.40) was the third GCC city to rank in the Top 10. American cities dominated the top, accounting for six (60 per cent) of the Top 10.
Miami (rank: #7, relocation score: 5.47), Muscat (#8, 5.40), San Francisco (#9, 5.38) and Las Vegas (#10, 5.36) were the other cities in the global Top 10.
Relocate to Dubai: 5 reasons why
In a world that is increasingly looking for destinations that are safe from not just crime, but also Covid, Dubai and Abu Dhabi stood head and shoulders above most others. The report, published days before the Omicron Covid-19 variant was discovered, listed cities that were willing and able to accommodate the transient expat population. “In a world where international travel is opening back up and remote working now tried and tested, there is now ample opportunity for people to relocate abroad,” it noted.
The parameters used to calculate the relocation score included some usual suspects (property prices, monthly living costs, etc.) and some unusual ones (internet speed, number of green spaces, etc.). The report added: “…it is not just housing to consider when relocating across the globe. In fact, there are many other social and economic factors that have to be taken into consideration when deciding the best city to relocate to.”
1 Plenty of sunshine throughout the year makes Dubai and Abu Dhabi the world’s Top 2 destinations to relocate to for those seeking sunny climes. “Dubai is the best relocation destination if you are looking for sunnier climes,” the report said. Not surprisingly, regional neighbours Manama (#3), Doha (#5), Muscat (#6) and Tel Aviv (#9) all featured in the Top 10 there.
2 With just 42mm rainfall per year, Abu Dhabi Tops on this parameter. The rationale is that there aren’t many days in Abu Dhabi where rain plays spoilsport and holds one back from enjoying the sunny weather. Again, Doha (#2), Dubai (#3), Manama (#4) and Muscat (#5) all occupy the Top 5 slots here.
3 Some of us may think of property prices as ‘high’ but global comparisons put UAE cities among some of the most affordable property locations worldwide. With average prices of $2,841 and $2,871 per sqm, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the world’s 18th and 20th most affordable cities for purchasing a property.
4 Despite being geographically located in a desert, Dubai ranks #12 in the world when it comes to the number of green spaces (80) in the city. The Creek Park and the Dubai Miracle Garden are among some of the biggest green spaces in the region. A haven for foodies, the city also ranks #13 in the world when it comes to the number of restaurants (11,869) it hosts.
5 Comparatively high salaries and a low average cost of living help make UAE cities among the world’s best to live in. The average cost of living for a family of four is $2,813 in Abu Dhabi (rank #27) while it is $3,219 in Dubai (#36).
Plenty of sunshine throughout the year makes Dubai and Abu Dhabi the world’s Top 2 destinations for those seeking sunny climes
The factors:
- Average annual temperature (degrees Celsius)
- Average annual precipitation (mm)
- Average property price (cost per sqm)
- Average monthly salary
- Average monthly living costs (excluding rent)
- Number of restaurants
- Number of green spaces
- Average internet speed (MBPS)
- Average life expectancy (years)
Sunny Dubai weather is best in the world
Dubai topped the rankings when it came to weather. An average annual temperature of 28.2°C and 68mm of rainfall helped the UAE’s commercial capital with a perfect 10/10 score on this parameter. “Dubai is the best relocation destination if you are looking for sunnier climes, as it scored a perfect 10. The average temperature in Dubai is 28.2 degrees Celsius, and there is only 68mm of rainfall a year,” the report elaborated.
An average annual temperature of 28.2°C and 68mm of rainfall helped the UAE’s commercial capital with a perfect 10/10 score on this parameter.
Abu Dhabi (27.9°C average annual temperature, 48mm rain) and Manama (27.9°C, 85mm) were joint No. 2, scoring 9.9/10 on the parameter. “The capital of the UAE scores slightly lower than its neighbour with Abu Dhabi achieving 9.9/10. Temperatures are slightly lower at 27.9 degrees, but there is less rain on average with only 42mm falling,” said the report.
“The joint second-best relocation city in terms of weather is another Middle Eastern capital. The Bahraini city of Manama has the same average temperature as Abu Dhabi.”
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