Why expats love the UAE

Abu Dhabi: Many expatriates find a second home in the UAE. What are the incentives and motivation behind this choice? Lifestyle, security, stability or other reason?. Gulf News sought the expatriates’ views.

For Christopher Preston, CEO of Al Fahim Group, the cultural diversity wherein over 200 nationalities reside in the UAE has prompted him to settle in the country.

“As a British citizen, multiculturalism is one of the reasons that pushed me to settle in the UAE. It is a rich experience, compared to my homeland, to communicate with various nationalities,” Preston said.

“Additionally the UAE is a very secure country with political and economic stability compared to other countries. The uncertainty of the global markets and the instability of the world economy, political turmoil in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe have driven many people to visit and settle in the UAE,” he added.

Gregory Gottlieb, British, is also fond of the UAE.

“I didn’t choose the UAE, it chose me! I was sent here by my employer. I was very happy at the Caribbean where I was living before, but after two years in this country, I didn’t want to leave; and here I am seven years later,” he said.

“The UAE became home for many reasons: its international and cosmopolitan lifestyle, the weather, even in the summer, proximity to many interesting places and the desert are some of the things that I love,” he added.

Fares Nafesh, , a Turkish engineer at a real estate company based in Abu Dhabi, said that as an Arab, the UAE is the best Arab country to live in.

“It is the safest and most secure, which is a must for any person. The UAE has embarked on mega projects since 1970s which drove many expatriates to work and have the privilege to participate in the development of the country,” he said.

“We don’t feel we are strangers here. We feel [at] home, and many of us were born here and have no other place to go to except the UAE. I feel like I am a part of this land and the UAE is part of me. What makes people like to live here is that although it is a young country, the level of development is exemplary for others to emulate,” Nafesh explained.

Najah Shraiqi, a Syrian doctor at Al Noor Hospital, said: “I feel totally safe in this country, and at the same time, enjoy excellent quality services like medical, education, banking, entertainment, and many others.”

“The UAE is a mosaic of various cultures. The country accommodates people of different cultures, religions and social backgrounds who live and work together in harmony which is a very rich experience,” he said.

“It is not an easy decision to go back to my country. The safety and lifestyle I live here holds me as well as many others from traveling back home,” Shraiqi added.

For Nahla, the UAE is home.

“My children grew up here and this is the only country they know, love and identify with. However life has become too expensive and I don’t know for how long more I can cope,” she said

For Lebanese, Hana Honeine, people come to the UAE mainly with the incentive to work, as the job industry here is definitely better than other places.

“However, the level of security here is definitely much higher than anywhere else in the region. It is much safer to raise a family here, or to live on your than anywhere else. There’s always security, and police around which makes citizens feel safe, particularly in Abu Dhabi. A woman can take a taxi at night or go for a jog on her own without having to fear what would happen,” she said.

“The modern style of living here is great where East meets West. Abu Dhabi in particular is cosy, yet still has fun activities and places to go. Fun, safe, professionally successful — a great place to be,” she said.