Move to Dubai as a Content Creator: Chiara’s Experience

Thinking about moving to Dubai?

We sat down with Chiara Pugliesi, a fitness content creator and online coach who made the move from Manchester to Dubai. Here's what she had to say about her relocation experience.



Check out the full podcast here:

Why did you choose to move to Dubai?

I'm originally from Italy and moved to Manchester 10 years ago. I loved living in the UK, but after a decade of rainy weather, I was ready for a change. I'd been thinking about relocating for a while and started doing solo trips to test out different cities.

Dubai kept coming up. When I looked at successful people in my industry, many of them were based here. I'd visited before on holiday and did a solo trip too. The weather was obviously a huge factor for me. Coming from sunny Italy, Manchester's rain was hard to adjust to.

But I'll be honest about the other reason: taxes. Everyone skips over this, but it's a real consideration. When you're working really hard and paying corporation tax, income tax, and everything else in the UK, it made sense to look at somewhere more financially efficient. Dubai's 0% personal income tax is attractive for online business owners like me.

The safety aspect for women was also important. I felt comfortable here during my solo trip, which gave me confidence about moving.

Should I visit Dubai before deciding to move?

Yes, 100%. So many people ask me if I recommend moving here, and I always say you need to experience it yourself first. Everyone has different needs and preferences.

Here's my tip: don't stay in a hotel. Book an Airbnb instead.

When you stay in a hotel, you're in a bubble. Everything is done for you. That's not real life. With an Airbnb, you can experience the actual day-to-day. Go food shopping. Try hiring a car. See how it feels to live here rather than just holiday here.

I did this before making my decision, and it helped me figure out if Dubai was right for me.

Which area of Dubai should I live in?

This decision was heavily influenced by having a friend already here. She lives in Business Bay, and that's where I ended up too. She's literally in the same tower as me, which made the move less scary.

I did check out other areas. Marina is popular, but from the viewings I did, the buildings weren't as new. It's also more crowded and more expensive than Business Bay.

Business Bay is close to downtown. You can walk to Burj Khalifa in about 20 minutes. The location works well for me because I'm not tied to any particular area for work. All my business is online, so if I need to go to the beach for content, I can easily do that.

If you’re wondering what other areas are great for expats who move to Dubai, check out our guide here.

How much does it cost to rent in Dubai?

I pay 115,000 dirhams (AED) for my apartment in Business Bay. That works out to roughly £23,000 per year, or less than £2,000 per month. And it came furnished, which saved me a lot of hassle.

To put that in perspective, if you were living in central London and wanted a similar lifestyle, you'd be paying significantly more. Business Bay is basically Dubai's downtown area.

I haven't got my first utility bill yet since I only moved in recently, but everyone tells me bills are reasonable here.

Check out our full cost of living breakdown comparing London and Dubai here. 

How easy is everyday life in Dubai?

The convenience here is mind-blowing. Coming from Manchester, it's a huge change.

First, they use UK plugs here, which I didn't expect. No need for adapters. There are also loads of UK brands available, so it doesn't feel as foreign as you might think.

Everything runs through WhatsApp. Need groceries? Message a number and they'll deliver to your door. And it's not more expensive. You can even request specific price ranges. My friend told me about this and I thought there's no way, but it actually works.

Apps like Noon deliver things in 15 minutes. Need an SD card? It'll be at your door in a quarter of an hour.

Even at supermarkets, staff pack your groceries for you at the checkout. I feel almost bad letting them do it because I'm used to doing it myself in the UK.

The lifestyle here is designed to make things easier. When you go back to the UK or Italy, it'll be hard to readjust.

What about apartments and facilities?

All apartments here have amazing pools. That might seem normal if you live in Dubai, but coming from Manchester where it rains all the time, being able to sunbathe by the pool on a Sunday morning is incredible.

The gyms in these buildings are also really well equipped. My building's gym is so good that I wouldn't even need an external membership if I didn't want one.

Did you sign a long-term contract straight away?

Yes. I didn't spend long searching because my friend was already in Business Bay. I stayed in an Airbnb when I first arrived, did a few viewings, and then signed up for a year.

For me, the decision was easier because I knew the area and had someone familiar nearby. But I'd already done my research on previous trips, so I knew roughly where I wanted to be.

What are your first few weeks like settling in Dubai?

The main focus is settling into the apartment and making friends.

Starting from zero socially can feel isolating, especially when you run an online business. It's just you and your laptop most of the time. But there are loads of social events happening here. I've already met so many people who do what I do, which I never had in Manchester.

The fitness and content creation community here is massive. Everyone's come with the same mindset: opportunity, networking, building connections. Your diary fills up quickly.

The other priority is obviously the business. That's the main reason I moved here. Growing the business, making new contacts, and taking advantage of being in a hub where so many people in my industry are based.

Is it lonely moving to a new country on your own?

It's definitely a fresh start, but it's not as scary as you might think.

I moved to Manchester from Italy 10 years ago knowing no one and barely speaking English. That was a complete culture shock. This is different.

So many people I know have moved here. Even people I knew indirectly through friends are here. There's a huge community of UK expats and Europeans who've relocated for the same reasons I have.

Having my best friend from uni already here helped massively. But even without that connection, you meet people quickly. The community is very welcoming because everyone's in the same boat.

Would you recommend others make the move to Dubai?

It depends on your situation. If you're an online business owner, content creator, or in a location-independent role, Dubai offers real advantages.

The tax benefits speak for themselves. The weather is better if you're coming from somewhere grey and rainy. The infrastructure and convenience are top-notch. And there's a thriving community of like-minded people here.

But you need to visit first and make sure it's right for you. Don't just move because you've seen videos online or because someone told you about the 0% tax. Experience it yourself. Stay in different areas. See if the lifestyle suits you.

For me, it was the right decision. I'm three weeks in and already feeling settled. Ask me again in a year and I'll tell you more, but so far, it's been everything I hoped for.

Are you ready to move to Dubai?

Looking to escape UK taxes and Manchester rain? You're not alone. Dubai offers 0% personal income tax and year-round sunshine, making it a compelling choice for UK content creators and online business owners.

But the move needs to be done right. You need to properly exit the UK tax system and set up your UAE company correctly. Get it wrong, and HMRC will come calling. At Capture Accounting, we handle both sides of your relocation. Book a tax residency consultation to see if Dubai is right for you.