Like Los Angeles, Dubai Is A City Of Dreams
Like Los Angeles, Dubai is a city of dreams. Some are fulfilled, while others shrivel like a raisin in the hot desert sun.
For those at the top, dreams have come true.
Sheikh Mohammed and his predecessors have turned Dubai into a global city, a center of trade and a destination for tourism. They have built a thriving city infrastructure, constructed the tallest building in the world (Which the sheikh plans to out-do shortly) and built the unique Palm Islands stretching into the sea. In addition to these projects, they have decreased the Emirates dependence on oil revenues, replacing them with long-term sustainable sources.
For those with the correct income, Dubai is a Middle East heaven for raising a family. Here, you have safety, good education, and innumerable activities for a family to enjoy.
Businesses have exploded and Dubai is friendly to the successful. Dubai’s business-friendly policies as well as stories of easy-to-raise funding and ‘Billionaire in 3 years’ can be heard. (and sometimes seen)
But for many, the dream of Dubai is far, far away.
Immigrants from around the Arabic World try their luck in Dubai. Crammed into 7-bunk-bed studio apartments, hopefuls from Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and India search for jobs, pressing their luck until their tourist visas run out. Many immigrants have a business idea in that they hope will get investment from a Ferrari-driving trust fund baby.
Big business idea? Join the club.
Most immigrants are in their early 20’s, but some are in their late 40’s still working and hoping.
Immigrants also come from Asia: The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Most are looking to work basic jobs, scraping by on 1,000 AED/month, or about $300 USD. Even in a 14-person studio apartment… this is difficult in Dubai. Here, some people complain that living on $15,000 USD/month is a challenge.
The story of Dubai reminds me of the story of Los Angeles, California. Young hopefuls flock to LA to become a famous actor, the next George Clooney, or a billionaire screen writer/director like George Lucas. They all claim ‘I really, really get into my acting role’ but in the end, most are lucky to work in an LA café.