'We took the right decision'

For Scottish expatriates Marie and Leslie Wood, both 60, Dubai represents the ultimate retirement destination.

The well-travelled husband and wife, who have lived in the UK, Switzerland and South Africa, have been in Dubai for the past five years, and when Leslie retired three months ago they realised that the Emirate offered everything they wanted in terms of a place to spend their retirement years.

While they both highlight several qualities about Dubai that they like, the pair are united in their belief that they have made the right decision in buying in Arabian Ranches and settling there.

Former chief executive Leslie believes it was the Ranches purchase some four years ago which really cemented the couple's retirement plans.

He says, "When we first moved to Dubai we thought that perhaps we spend three, four or five years and then return to the UK where we still have an apartment. However, we felt that by buying in Dubai our decision to stay and retire was really made. It was a big financial commitment but it was our commitment to base ourselves here".

"If we didn't enjoy ourselves so much here I don't think I would have made the choice to take early retirement," he adds.

The couple believe that in contrast to other retirement destinations, Dubai offers them the best of all worlds.

For Leslie Dubai's combination of traditional and modern architecture is fascinating. He has also grown to like the emirate's culture and spirit. For Marie Dubai's climate, lifestyle and shopping facilities are a huge draw. "I didn't realise that I could enjoy living in the sun so much until I came here."

Retiring here hasn't meant that the couple are out of touch with their family back in the UK. The ease of internet communications, text messaging and cheaper international calls has meant that they regularly speak and write to their children. The frequency of air travel and a relatively short flight time back to England has also meant that the Woods can easily return for holidays and special occasions.

Leslie and Marie forecast that in the coming years Dubai will become an increasingly popular destination for people to retire to, and they see no downside of making a permanent life in the Gulf.

Leslie says, "Dubai has so much to offer retirees. There are fantastic golf courses throughout the emirate, sunshine and warm weather all year round, a beach just down the road, you can run a better car and fill it up with petrol for less, as well as the benefits of a tax-free lifestyle. It is also very safe, with low level of crime in comparison with to so many countries in the West.

"We feel that we have made the right decision for us to retire here and, while we may return to the United Kingdom at some stage in the future, we'll continue to take full advantage of everything that Dubai has to offer us during our retirement here."