NEW CHALLENGE: HOW TO MOVE TO DUBAI AND SET UP A COMPANY.

I reached a point where I need a new base — somewhere I can really focus on business and actually grow it. I’ve been in the UK for about 16 years (not counting my school years), and I still have a soft spot for it, but I need a fresh boost of energy. And, let’s be honest: more sunshine. A lot more.

The UAE is getting a lot of attention lately for it's business friendly environment, Funny enough, I actually was brought up there (yup, I came to Dubai way before everyone else did!), basically a baby/toddler roaming around in the sand. All my early childhood photos are full of palm trees, dunes, and occasional camel cameos. My parents worked there in the 1980s and adored it, back when it really was just desert and a handful of buildings.

So now I’m back, but this time as an adult with responsibilities (sigh) and I’m going to walk you through exactly what it takes to move here, get a visa, a company setup, find a flat, meet local people and establish a new, every day life here. Plus anything weird, funny or useful I discover along the way.

Yes, I’ve lived and worked all over - the UK, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany - so you’d think I’d be used to hitting reset in yet another country. But every move is its own little adventure. New place, new rules, new ways of doing things. And honestly? What you read online or hear from friends of friends rarely matches how things actually go down in real life.

So… here we go. Let’s see how Dubai plays this game. Challenge unlocked.