Relocation - Next Stop: Sharjah
Dubai's Neighbour Is Our Next Home, God willing
You know that feeling when your plans completely change direction, but somehow it feels right? That's exactly where I find myself right now.
Next month, insha-Allah, I'll be making the big move to the UAE. After more than a year of intense research and practical steps to relocate (to Turkey!), we're finally in the home stretch - if Allah wills.
We should be agreeing on the completion date of our house sale next week, insha-Allah, and I’m selling my car and everything else I will no longer need. We needed a small army just to empty the attic!
The Plan
I'm heading to Sharjah - one of the seven Emirates and Dubai's next-door neighbour. While I've only ever seen Sharjah through a car window en route from Dubai to Oman, everything I've heard from my UAE-based friends and family suggests it's a solid option.
Sharjah is experiencing rapid development, attracting significant foreign direct investment in a number of areas, including real estate. I’m sure much of this is driven by Dubai's soaring costs, pushing many to look for more affordable alternatives. It's become something of an open secret: live in Sharjah, work in Dubai, and save quite a bit in the process, but it looks as though there are a growing number of opportunities in Sharjah itself.
It's not just about business, though. Sharjah's more conservative Islamic character makes it particularly attractive for Muslim families. A close friend who lives in Dubai takes his family to Sharjah when they go to the beach, specifically because of the more modest dress code, and they’re getting a women-only beach, too, although this isn’t unique to Sharjah.
Sharjah kept Friday sacred when the other Emirates shifted their weekend to Saturday-Sunday and moved to a 4.5-day work week to better align with global markets. The result? A four-day working week that, according to studies, has led to a 90% increase in job satisfaction, an 87% improvement in mental health, and an 86% boost in productivity!
Family Plans
Initially, I'll be going out on my own to set everything up while the family stays with my elderly mother-in-law. After never having spent more than a few weeks apart from my children, it's going to be challenging. But I'm pleased they'll have this time with their maternal grandmother, just as they did with my parents before they passed (may Allah have mercy on them both).
The current plan is for the family to join me next summer, though we might extend that to the following year when my youngest three children have a natural break in their schooling. Whether we can cope with being apart that long is another question entirely, so we’ll have to see what happens! But it would give me the time and space to ensure everything is properly set up before they arrive.
Some of my (married) friends seem to be a bit envious that I’ll be living a bachelor’s life for a while, but I’ve had to remind them that I got married at 21 and had my first child at 22, so I have no idea what a bachelor’s life is like! I suppose I’m about to find out, although I’m not sure exactly what the attraction would be for a married, ‘practising’ Muslim family man?!
Work & New Plans
My existing consultancy work with my UK clients will continue from the UAE insha-Allah (alhamdulillah for the benefits of the internet age!), and I'm currently navigating the process of setting up a new business in the UAE and obtaining an investor visa. Of course, a massive draw is the zero income tax and low corporate tax environment.
I'm considering opening a physical office/creative studio in Dubai, where I imagine most of the clientele will be, although I’ll also explore the option of a Sharjah base. I need to decide whether to set up a free zone company or a mainland company; I already have a good understanding of the pros and cons, but I need to get out there and explore the options in person before making a final choice.
My Recce
I hope to head out for an initial exploration in a couple of weeks before the proper move, insha-Allah. Rather than heading straight to Sharjah, I'm planning first to spend a few days in Dubai to check out potential office locations. Then, it's onto Sharjah to explore different office and residential areas. One benefit of going out alone first (without my family in tow) is the freedom to explore and try different options.
The journey between central Sharjah and central Dubai is about 25-30km, but I’ve been told that what might only be a 30-minute drive in clear traffic can stretch to 90 minutes or more. I plan to test out the commute myself, though thankfully, with my consultancy work not being tied to the typical 9-5, I should be able to avoid the worst of it most days.
This should be interesting, as I’ve never driven abroad before - and in the UAE they drive on the wrong side of the road! Don’t worry, I’m a confident driver, and I’ll say all my du’as before I drive anywhere, insha-Allah.
Looking Ahead
While I still see Türkiye as our eventual destination insha-Allah (for many reasons), I'm genuinely excited about this new chapter in the UAE. At its core, this move is all about what's best for my family. Though it may not be the Turkish adventure we initially imagined, Allah has guided us to this point for reasons known only to Him. We place our trust in His plan and move forward with complete confidence.
Coming Soon
In a future post, insha-Allah, I'll share what I’ve learned about setting up a business in the UAE. While the zero-rate income tax and low corporate tax environment might sound incredibly attractive (and it is!), the costs of setting up and maintaining a business are considerably higher than in the UK. I'll break down the numbers and options from my research to give you a clearer picture of what's involved.
Until then, please keep me in your du’as.
P.S. If there are any topics you’d like me to cover, please comment on the post in SubStack or reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you.