I left UK for Dubai but there are 2 things I miss

It’s famous for its almost permanent hot, sunny weather, glamorous lifestyle and tax breaks — but it seems Dubai hasn’t got everything you could want. 

One person familiar with Dubai’s appeal is Camilla Rhuda, who left her native Bury in Greater Manchester and relocated to Dubai around eight years ago. In the time since, she’s held positions as a teacher and governess (a type of private educator) and has now built a substantial online presence sharing the ups and downs of her Dubai life.

Trading Bury’s familiar scenes for the desert metropolis renowned for the Burj Khalifa, the planet’s biggest shopping centre and the bustling nightlife around Dubai Marina, her current lifestyle bears little resemblance to her circumstances back in 2017.

« I completed a media and performing arts degree and when it got to the end, I thought ‘now what?’ I needed money, I wanted to move out and thought about what was next, » Camilla told the MEN via Zoom from her Dubai flat. « People around me in the media world were getting jobs like runners for TV and I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do and I needed more. I just really wanted to travel, and then there was one girl from my hometown who used to post about living in Dubai. I would think it looked so good.

« It snowballed from there really. She was a teacher so I looked into that, got my PGCE, and saw that the stepping stones were there for me to take. I was a teacher for four months in the UK then I went for an interview for a teacher’s job in Dubai and got that. The rest is history. »

Recent research by Ignite SEO in 2025 revealed that the UAE has emerged as the leading destination for Britons departing the UK. For those weary of overcast weather, increasing expenses and the absence of coastal living, its growing appeal is hardly surprising.

Since arriving in Dubai, Camilla has explored various career paths, each providing her with deeper understanding of this former desert fishing settlement transformed into a thriving urban hub.

« I was a teacher for a year in the UK, then moved, got a job in a British curriculum school. British schools are very big, they’re popular. They brought me out, paid for my tickets and gave me a housing allowance. I was with them for a year and then moved to do governess work. »

Camilla worked for « a big, rich family » in Dubai who were also from Manchester for around 3-4 years. She said: « They were super wealthy and travelled the world, and they built a classroom for their child in the house. A very crazy, unique Dubai thing. I was about 27 at the time, I didn’t have any responsibilities and I thought it was great. They paid me loads to do it too. After that I did a similar job for another family, and then I decided to start my own family and got into content creating. »

Among the most attractive features of Dubai life is the absence of income tax. With no personal income tax deducted, residents retain their entire salary, dramatically boosting their spending power.

« My favourite part is how I’ve been able to make and save so much money and steer my life. I’m not loaded but set myself up financially and have that independence, » she said.

« That’s all I really wanted when I left the UK. You get fast-tracked into it because it’s tax free and double your salary. So that’s why it’s attractive. The biggest difference between home and here is I noticed I had money to travel and do things. In the first few months, during the Christmas break, I did a big trip around Asia and went to five different countries. I was so excited at getting access to all this new stuff because I think British people are well travelled, whether it’s Jet2 Holidays or whatever, and so it was always ingrained in me to go travelling. »

Shortly after arriving in Dubai, Camilla encountered her future husband, Jim, an American who had relocated to the emirate whilst working as a DJ. She said: « He always says ‘I got you before Dubai did’. We met when we were party animals and now we’ve moved into this new phase of our lives. He’s from America, so Dubai is very much our place.

« With Jim when there’s anything that’s very English, he’ll say he didn’t know about that until he moved to Dubai. Because there’s so many English people in Dubai he’s getting such an English education, like Christmas songs that were only big in the UK. Dubai is so British. »

Dubai’s population consists predominantly of expatriates, with residents hailing from more than 200 nations comprising the overwhelming majority. This multicultural environment has provided Camilla with considerable reassurance during her time in the city.

« My mum is Filipino and here I’m constantly surrounded by people from there. It’s so nice and comforting. It’s not something I realised until recently, but I did notice it when I was working in schools. When I was growing up, certain areas would group together but out here because there’s so many different cultures and people from different countries, everyone is together. Groups of mates will have friends from Russia, Canada, Pakistan, you’re just thrown into it. »

After nearly ten years in Dubai, Camilla has observed certain shifts in the city’s atmosphere, whilst still discovering new aspects of life there.

« At the start it was a lot stricter. I have little gym shorts on now and at the start I wouldn’t go to the mall in them or in a vest I’d be a bit self conscious. It’s a lot more chilled on clothing now.

« There’s quite a lot of respectful rules like not swearing. There’s no drinking on the street but it’s a lot more chilled than people might think. The only thing I do think about is what you say online because you can get in trouble for that. If I ordered some food and it wasn’t great, I couldn’t say so . »

Under the UAE’s cybercrime legislation, publishing defamatory material, including online reviews, is strictly forbidden. Those convicted of disseminating false information or tarnishing an individual or company’s reputation may face substantial fines or even jail time.

Dubai is known for its hot desert climate, with mild winters and scorching summers. Temperatures can soar to 38°C in May and often exceed 40 °C in the height of summer.

« I’m definitely not used to the heat, » said Camilla. « I don’t know how I coped before, perhaps because I was just working. You don’t always notice it sometimes because there is air conditioning everywhere. You can survive but the heat is brutal. Now that I’ve got my baby we visit family and friends in the UK, it’s nice to go back and appreciate it. »

When feeling homesick, Camilla misses the accessibility of things back home.

« Things I miss are the culture of driving to your mates’ or Tesco, or going for walks. The accessibility of stuff is definitely different here. Most people don’t do a food shop, they do it online and I don’t think it’s as common to pop round to someone’s house. Also nature and family. In Bury we could just drive to the Lakes and we’re in a new place but out here, they say it’s like an ‘ice shelf’. »

Despite this, she acknowledges the benefits of living in Dubai, particularly the lifestyle. « Some of the major benefits of Dubai revolve around the lifestyle. In the winter months, being outside, walking at the beach or around our neighbourhood is what Jim and I like to do.

« Food culture is massive out here, I believe a lot of socialising revolves around food or drink. The takeaway food is top-notch, especially the sushi. Everything is of superior quality, the food is just smashing. I’m a fan of Asian cuisine and my husband is keen on barbecue and meats. When we ponder over dining options, we’re absolutely spoilt for choice.

« Everything carries a heftier price tag here. But the quality matches up, so while you’re shelling out more, it’s clear why it’s pricier. I do miss budget-friendly stores like Aldi or Lidl where it’s affordable yet good quality. Jim reckons a pint averages around a tenner though.

« In terms of activities, there’s a firm called Crank that organises spin classes in really cool locations. If I have visitors, I try to attend one of their sessions. They host classes on the DXB runway or on a rooftop at sunset. So if you’re a fitness enthusiast, there are countless amazing options for that. »

Since welcoming her little one in October 2024, Camilla chose to share an unfiltered glimpse into her life via social media. In a relatively short span, she’s amassed 123,000 followers on Instagram, nearly 40 ,000 on TikTok and launched a YouTube channel chronicling her daily life.

What makes her resonate with her audience is her frank confessions, humorous spins on common situations, and the organic growth of a community she’s nurtured through sharing authentic and candid snippets of her life in Dubai and as a mum. She says: « It had always been in my mind from media days. During my pregnancy, toward the end I was just scrolling and I’d be watching people further on and they would be blogging. As I started to feel better I thought maybe I could do that. »

« At the beginning babies are so boring, they don’t do anything so I had gaps of time to film. As I felt more confident and more like myself after having him it all went hand-in-hand – I was getting better at the edits and getting more traction.

« Even if there’s a video and Frankie throws up, I think that’s my version of perfect. There is this space for people to talk about real, raw stuff. If someone has that very aesthetic life, that’s great but I’m not like that.

« When I had my second miscarriage, when I was healing I started looking for people in the media or public eye that had that experience too. If I saw a celeb and I knew they had had a miscarriage but was also performing at the Grammys I would get comfort in hearing people had gone through these experiences but then lived their lives still. Now that I feel like I’ve healed, I wanted to do the same. »

Looking back on her experience in Dubai thus far, Camilla believes it’s an excellent destination for Britons considering relocating abroad. « It is so easy for expats to come here in terms of a visa, insurance, everything is set up for new people, and everyone you meet will have been in the same situation.

« Some stuff will present road bumps but it literally greets you with open arms. Even if you come here and get your foot in the door, the opportunities for progressing are so good. Anything is possible here. You really can make something of your life here even if you just do it for a couple of years. »

However, when it comes to future plans, Camilla and her family remain keen travellers. Whilst they’ve explored potential alternative destinations, she recognises that any subsequent relocation won’t be quite as straightforward as her initial arrival in Dubai back in 2017.

« I think I came here at the right time because I didn’t really know what to expect. I went in blind. I got the job and moved my entire life to Dubai.

« But I can’t wait to move again but the next place I move to I want to be there for a good chunk of time. But the thing is, if we’re looking at the UK or the states it’s so much more difficult with green cards and visas. In 2023 we moved to the UK for a bit and we know how difficult that was. I just know it won’t be as smooth. »