In Pictures: Exciting, intense, cultural side of UAE

1. A lot of expats live in Sharjah. Sharjah is home to 1.5 million people. A whopping 1.2 million of those people are expatriates, while only 175,000 are Emiratis.

2. Sharjah is really affordable. Rent, schools and entertainment are among the things that are very affordable in the emirate. Life there is comfortable and a great place to save money. Getting an apartment in Sharjah is a savvy option as you save a lot on rent.

3. Everything in Sharjah is conveniently located. When we asked people what they loved most about Sharjah, many answers included the fact that life is convenient and essentials are conveniently located. The modern community is well serviced with schools, hospitals, restaurants, supermarkets and family entertainment.

4. Sharjawis want to stay in Sharjah. If you were to ask most people who are based in Sharjah whether they would move to another emirate, most of the time, the answer you would get is a ‘no’. Even if many of the residents work in Dubai, they wouldn’t trade their commute issues with a more expensive and less authentic life elsewhere.

5. Sharjawis like the fact that it’s a conservative emirate. There are some people out there who appreciate a more modest lifestyle. They aren’t easily impressed by glamourous and reflecting skylines. They want the real and old-school UAE. They appreciate the conservative life that Sharjah offers.

6. Sharjawis love big living spaces. Why do people in Sharjah not want to move out of their homes? Because they have a tonne of space. Their apartments are large and built with high quality materials for very good prices. They have big bedrooms, a big living room and spacious kitchens.

7. Sharjawis want to raise their kids there too. People who grew up in Sharjah, want their kids to have a similar upbringing. They want them to live a modern and comfortable life, while also enjoying the affordability and cultural heritage that Sharjah brings. Sharjah is also one of the most diverse emirates when it comes to nature.

8. Sharjah is home to a protected nature reserve. A very special natural gem in Sharjah are the Wasit Nature Reserves, which is a 4.5 square kilometre area that has previously been used as a dumping ground. It was then been converted into a beautiful nature reserve, with birds flocking in from around the world. The Wasit Nature Reserve located on the Sharjah-Ajman border and was declared a protected area in 2007 by Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

9. Sharjah is full of hidden foodie gems. Looking for the best biryani or Shawarma in the UAE? Sharjah has fantastic street food, specifically if you are looking for stuff that’s really authentic. They have hundreds of little restaurants that serve cuisine that’s unique to specific regions all over the Middle East, India and Pakistan.

10. Sharjah is the cultural capital of the Arab World. While Sharjah stands as the cultural capital of the UAE and the Gulf countries, it represents the country’s essence of Arabian lifestyle and Islamic culture through its restored heritage sites, mosques and traditional old souqs. Under the wise leadership of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the emirate was also promoted as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by Unesco in 1998.