You have now spent a month or so in the UAE.
In that time, you have completed what first seemed like a daunting set of tasks – making the initial move, setting up a bank account, buying a car, renting a house and starting to make friends.
Now that you have time to breathe and are familiar with some of the country, you're probably starting to feel more settled.
Here is our guide to reaping the benefits of life in the UAE and making that all-important transition from a newbie to a veteran.
Getting used to the roads
Cars are an important part of life in the UAE.
But while you may have acquired a driving licence and purchased a car after researching the market, it takes time to learn how to master the roads here.
Although the UAE offers relatively cheap fuel, costs can still add up for drivers who use their cars frequently. Here's nine tips for how to save on fuel costs.
Driving in the UAE is also affected by the seasons. During the summer months, it's important to keep your car safe from the heat – here's our guide on how to avoid any sun damage.
Heavy fog can lead to dangerous conditions on the road – follow our guide to minimise the risk.
If you do witness or experience an accident, here's how to report one.
And for those without a car who want to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, here's a guide to the free shuttle bus.
Finding the best deals
The UAE is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the world, and there is no shortage of world-class malls and markets to find treasured goods.
In the UAE, the mall isn't just a place for shopping – there are a whole range of attractions within, ranging from roller coasters to an aquarium and even an indoor ski slope.
Grocery shopping will also be a central part of life in the Emirates. In 2022, Abu Dhabi introduced a ban on single-use plastic bags. Find out here what this means for shoppers, and which bags are excluded from the rule.
Online shopping is booming in the UAE and can be done from the comfort of your mobile phone. Here's our list of the most useful apps, ranging from food delivery to essential services.
And to avoid those unwanted offers, here's how to block cold calls and sale offers over the phone.
Mastering the weather
Having spent a month in the Emirates, there's a high chance you will have been treated to the UAE's most common weather – blue skies and sun.
But the country does occasionally experience more extreme bouts of weather, ranging from sandstorms to dangerous low-lying fog.
If you suffer from hay fever, you may also want to check out our guide to avoiding symptoms.
Enjoying the Emirates
The UAE boasts a wide variety of things to do.
It's impossible to list the full range of activities here, but we've collected some highlights to help you decide how to spend your leisure time.
For families, here's our ultimate guide to keeping your kids entertained in Abu Dhabi.
If culture is more your thing, these are some of the best museums to spend an afternoon meandering through.
Abu Dhabi's most popular cultural attractions include Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Qasr Al Hosn, Ferrari World and SeaWorld. Here's our guide to the top 15 things to do in the capital emirate.
Dubai also offers a vast range of activities and attractions. Here's our top 20, including the Museum of the Future, Global Village, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. To familiarise yourself with the UAE skyline, here's a quick guide to Dubai's 30 most famous buildings.
Eating the UAE way
Food is a massive part of UAE culture.
Emirati cuisine is just one part of the country's diverse culinary landscape, with rich offerings from India, the Philippines, and more.
Dubai has 14 Michelin-starred restaurants while Abu Dhabi has three one-star venues and four included in the Bib Gourmand category.
Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the UAE here. For those looking for less well-known options, here's our list of hidden gems. And here's the verdict from our readers.
Experiencing Eid and Ramadan
The UAE observes a number of public holidays and religious festivals.
Unlike in some parts of the world, the start of religious holidays such as Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which changes each year.
However, National Day and Commemoration Day take place in early December every year.
Check out our guide to UAE public holidays or our rolling update on when the next public holiday is taking place.
Exploring further afield
One of the attractions of the UAE is its location as a central travel hub for the world.
Many residents first start their travels by exploring the UAE's southern neighbour, Oman.
It only takes an estimated four-and-a-half hours to drive from Dubai to Muscat – here's everything you need to know before embarking on your road trip. Another option is to explore the stunning greenery of the khareef season in Salalah.
And for those wanting to get a plane and go further afield, here's a list of ten destinations within a five-hour flight of the UAE.
Applying for a golden visa
For those who want to stay in the UAE for the long-term, the golden visa is the ideal option.
The 10-year residence permits are given to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the country, have highly prized skills or work in key industries that are crucial to economic growth.
Hundreds of thousands of UAE residents have been awarded a golden visa since the scheme was first introduced in 2019.
There are several categories of people who are eligible to apply for the golden visa.
Check out our full guide on how to apply for the golden visa here.
See you soon …
We hope this has helped you feel more at home in the Emirates. When the time comes, make sure to check out our next guide: Leaving the UAE
Previous guides:
Before Moving to the UAE
Just Arrived in the UAE
First Month in the UAE
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
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Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
