Anywhere and everywhere that there are restaurants you'll find locals (by which I mean residents, not Emiratis). Because the ratio of expats compared to locals is much greater you don't notice emiratis living in an expat majority area much and also because most locals own …

When most people think of Dubai, they picture the Emirati city's glittering skyscrapers, beautiful deserts, and extravagant displays of wealth.We rarely see scenes from where locals actually live — that is, aside from the glittering apartments in the marina, where the city's elite live. List of prices in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) for food, housing, transportation, going out, and more on Aug 2020. really in all corners, Dubai neighborhoods are mixed but ratios do differ from one place to another. In the summer, temperatures are sizzling, and the humidity fogs your glasses the minute you leave your air-conditioned building or vehicle. Finding a "typical" neighborhood in Dubai was tricky because the city is changing so rapidly, but I managed to get a glimpse of the Al Barsha area, which is new, … Detractors claim that its newness feels artificial, however Dubai has a long history and archaeological sites dating to the Bronze Age. You’ll need to reserve weeks in advance for weekend meals at Dubai’s best restaurants, such as Le Petite Maison and Zuma. The Muslim calendar is lunar, so religious festivals always begin with the sighting of the moon, and the night before a religious holiday, alcohol isn’t served. The culture of this place is intertwined with Bedouin trWith year-round sunshine, Dubai’s weather is warm in winter (with a handful of cool days) and sultry in spring and fall. Al Barsha 1, for example, has more apartments than villas, according to Dubai-based property company Bayut.Buying a five bedroom house in this area, Al Barsha 2, can cost up to around $2.5 million, according to Bayut.Renting a four-bedroom house in Al Barsha South can cost up to around $90,000.Part of why there was no one around was likely due to how far we were from the metro and how close we were to major roads.There were some bus routes nearby, though, and other parts of Al Barsha, like Al Barsha 1, is connected to the metro.I didn't cover the whole area, but many houses seemed very far from a lot of shops you shouldn't need to drive to.I visited a typical Dubai neighborhood where locals live, and found a totally different city to the glittering metropolis tourists see. If you are staying at a five-star hotel, take advantage of its reservation service to book tables at the finest restaurants, however, don’t reserve a table before 8:30 p.m. or you’ll be eating only with other tourists. Liquor is available at restaurants, hotel bars, and special clubs. The official language of Dubai is Arabic but you'll find that many people speak English (as well as other languages from around the world).A weekend in Dubai serves as the perfect starter kit to the city. There are no monumental pyramids and no majestic heritage buildings, but visitors will find a rich traditional culture based on things like oral storytelling, song, dance, and poetry.Dubai has festivals for everything: shopping, food, film, and sports. Prices are more reasonable in the shoulder periods of fall (October–November) and spring (April–May), but summer (June–September) is when you'll really find the bargains.The colossal size of the airport terminals means that it can take forever to get from the plane through immigration to the taxi stand. During Ramadan, the holy fasting month, business hours are limited, and it’s forbidden (- Do as the long-term expats do: dress modestly if you want to be accepted and value the opportunity to befriend locals. If you want to really live the Dubai life, head to Mercury Lounge for 360 views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf, shisha and cocktails after the summer.

Electricity in Dubai is 220/240 V. Don't forget your 3-pin plug adapter (a Type G).

Crimson bougainvillea falls over the white walls, chickens scratch about the dusty lanes, and residents can often be seen cooking and eating in the courtyards, or playing cricket or soccer in the vacant sandy lots. Expect to dress up at the high-end places.