Rachel Burns, 35, says the influencer dream hides sky-high costs, from £12,700 upfront rent to £14 bacon.
A British woman who swapped life in the UK for Abu Dhabi has warned others “not to be fooled” by the glamorous lifestyle plastered all over social media.
Rachel Burns, 35, made the move in 2021 to the UAE capital, just 45 minutes from Dubai, but says the reality is far removed from the endless beach clubs, sunset cocktails and tax-free living flaunted by influencers.
The radiographer, originally from Newcastle, revealed she shells out a whopping £12,700 in rent, which must be paid up front every six or 12 months. On top of that comes a five per cent commission fee of £500 and a £600 air conditioning deposit.
Rachel says even day-to-day basics are far pricier than back home, with food, groceries, clothes and phone contracts all costing more. She’s even had to cut back on bacon, which can set her back as much as £14 a pack and is often poor quality.
Rachel said her water and electricity bills come in around half of what her family pay back in the UK.
But overall, despite the UAE’s tax-free status, she reckons life in Britain still works out cheaper – “you pay for the lifestyle here,” she admitted.
“Here, you have to be extremely aware of what things cost or you can fall into traps,” Rachel said.
“Some people show you the influencer lifestyle but you have no idea what’s going on in the background.”
Rachel added: “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.
“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.”
The 35-year-old lives in a quieter, family-orientated part of Abu Dhabi. She said her curiosity about moving was first sparked by a friend whose life there “looked next level”.
“I saw her posts about the weather, the beaches, waking up to an amazing view, and luxury brunches,” Rachel said.
But she was quickly hit with the reality of the UAE rental market – with tenants expected to stump up six months or even a year’s rent in advance.
“You’d be very hard pushed to find somewhere that charges monthly,” she explained. “Another surprise was paying 5 percent commission on top of the rent, as well as your deposit.
“Fees just seem to pop up here and there all the time but it does add up.”
Air conditioning, she said, can also be a huge hidden cost if it’s not included in the lease. She previously had to pay a £600 deposit and £100 a month in usage fees.
She continued: “The internet is really expensive too – there are only like two providers in Abu Dhabi.”
Despite soaring living costs, Rachel pointed out that many apartment complexes come with perks like groundskeepers, security, swimming pools, gyms, saunas and 24/7 maintenance staff.
Fuel is also a fraction of UK prices – Rachel spends just £70 a month compared with the £250 she used to pay to cover similar distances in her small Suzuki back home.
Her current water and electricity bills are about £80 a month – the same as she was paying in 2020 before the UK’s price hikes.
But food shopping is noticeably steeper – particularly when it comes to Western products from shops like Waitrose.
Rachel confirmed it genuinely matches the “high level luxury influencer lifestyle” portrayal seen online.
But alcohol costs quickly mount. A glass of wine can set you back £15 and a pint £8, meaning most residents rely on fixed-price packages at brunches or ladies’ nights, where unlimited drinks are included for £20 to £30.
Rachel explained: “With ladies nights, it’s like £20 or £30 to drink all night. Most people do that.
“You might pay £15 for a glass of wine, or £8 for a pint here if you buy drinks individually.
“I went out to a club in Dubai with a friend for a night, on a Thursday, we had three cocktails each and a snack platter to share – and we paid £75 each.”
She explained that another trendy luxury pursuit amongst young expats in the UAE involves “staycations” at upmarket hotels offering all-inclusive packages for meals and beverages throughout their visit.
Although Rachel acknowledged that the lavish lifestyle is genuinely attainable in certain areas of Abu Dhabi life, she remains sceptical that every glamorous influencer is actually experiencing the existence they portray.
“You have to pay for an influencer permit and trade licence (£500-£3000) here if you make any money online,” she said.
“And if you ever take a video you have to get permission from everyone in it, even if they’re in the background.”
Despite the contrasts in expenses and way of life, Rachel adores her new home and has no intention of leaving.
She added: “I’m very settled here and hoping to set up a business here.
“The lifestyle is so convenient – I don’t think I’ll leave anytime soon.”
