An Overdue Update!
Apologies for going AWOL (I know you probably haven't even noticed!).
The last 4 months have been… interesting.
Opened a bank account, but it was ridiculously difficult compared to the UK, particularly as I'm running my own business and don't have a regular salary.
I did a lot of apartment-hunting back in April and finally found somewhere towards the end of May. It's a bit “wild west” out here when it comes to property hunting and some of the agents are a bit suspect, but I'm really pleased with where I've ended up, alhamdulillah!
This lovely natural lagoon is a stone's throw away from my apartment, mashaa-Allah. It's where I've started to take my morning walks, just after sunrise, when it's already 34°C (but better than than 43°C a few hours later). 🥵
Renting a property here is definitely different to the UK, including the fact that you need to give the landlord post-dated physical cheques in advance! The concept of monthly direct debits doesn't seem to have made its way here yet. And there are lots of fees to pay.
I had my stuff from the UK sent over by air cargo. Resulted in a lot of running around and arguing with the authorities about VAT and customs duty!
I bought a second hand car (nothing expensive or fancy). That process was also, you guessed it, interesting! It's nothing like buying a car in the UK, and there's a lot of bureaucracy (and fees).
My marketing business is set up now and I'm about to launch very soon, insha-Allah. Setting up and operating a business here isn't cheap, but the tax regime is definitely more attractive.
I’m making my first hire for the business. It's another process with a lot of hoops to jump through, including lots of visits to government offices (and more fees!).
I made a few trips back to UK for different reasons, and managed to spend over three weeks with my family, alhamdulillah.
Most importantly of all, I managed to make ‘Umrah - for the first time, alhamdulillah!
My soul is missing the Ka’ba and Masjid al-Nabawi, but I'm feeling so blessed to have laid my eyes on them. Alhamdulillah.
In summary, it's been a busy, and at times challenging, few months.
Whilst the UAE is “tax free” for personal income, it's not completely tax free, and it's definitely not fee-free, that’s for sure!
But it's all swings and roundabouts at the end of the day, you just have to decide which compromises you’re willing to make depending on where you live. Nowhere is perfect, but not everywhere is the same.
I've connected with an old school friend who moved here a couple of years ago. I hadn't seen or spoken to him since 1996(!), but am blessed to have him in Sharjah - he’s an awesome guy, mashaa-Allah.
I have two of my closest friends in Dubai, although I have discovered that the Sharjah-Dubai traffic is absolutely horrendous! I've made a couple of new friends, too.
It's definitely lonely out here without your family.
Despite all the madness of getting set up and the unbelievable amounts of red tape (and, how could we forget, fees), there aren't many things I'm missing about the UK other than my family and friends… and maybe water that isn't already luke-warm when all you want is a cold shower!
I'm in work beast-mode now, trying to get the business up and running, insha-Allah. Loooong days (14hrs+, 7 days), but I'm actually enjoying it, and - God willing - it'll be worth it.
If you’re considering this move and have any questions, or just want to reach out, please don't feel shy. It's nice to hear from people!
Keep me in your du'as.
Your brother,
Hanif