These UAE residents working abroad lead fast-paced lives through the week, but come home to Dubai to recharge. In this article, we explore the lives of five such individuals who make this demanding schedule work and why they would not have it any other way.
In a world where mobility and remote work are changing how we live, some UAE residents have taken a unique path. Despite holding full-time jobs in other countries, they fly back to Dubai every weekend not for business, but for love, family, peace of mind, and the special lifestyle only the UAE offers.
The Rise of the Weekend Flyer Lifestyle
The phenomenon of UAE residents working abroad but returning to Dubai every weekend is growing. With efficient flight routes, excellent infrastructure, and attractive lifestyle benefits, Dubai has become more than a home base. It is a sanctuary.
According to recent trends, many professionals working in nearby regions like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and even India choose to spend their weekends in Dubai. The reasons are many including family, better healthcare, educational facilities, entertainment, and most importantly, peace of mind.
Ravi Sharma: “My Kids Are Growing Up in the Right Place”
Ravi Sharma, a 42-year-old finance consultant based in Riyadh, spends his weekdays crunching numbers and building strategies. But every Thursday evening, you will find him on a flight back to Dubai, where his wife and two children live in a villa in Jumeirah.
“I tried moving my family to Riyadh, but Dubai just works better for their schooling and lifestyle,” says Ravi. “I would rather travel every week than compromise on their future.”
The cost is about AED 3000 monthly in travel and logistics, but Ravi considers it an investment. His children attend one of the top British curriculum schools in Dubai, and the city’s safety and infrastructure offer peace he cannot find elsewhere.
Ravi is one of many UAE residents working abroad who maintain dual lives one professional, one personal both carefully balanced by weekend flights.
Sara Al Mansouri: “Dubai is My Breath of Fresh Air”
Sara Al Mansouri, 29, works as a civil engineer in Muscat, Oman. Despite her demanding role in infrastructure development, she never misses her Friday morning flight to Dubai.
“For me, it is not just about work life balance. It is soul balance,” she explains. “The cafés, beaches, and parks in Dubai help me reset. I do not feel that anywhere else.”
Sara, who is single, rents a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina which she calls her mental health haven. She adds that most of her social circle is in Dubai, making her weekends more meaningful.
Sara represents a growing number of women professionals among UAE residents working abroad, choosing to spend quality weekends in an empowering and familiar environment.
Mohammad Jaber: “Even My Weekends Deserve First Class Treatment”
Mohammad Jaber, 38, is a senior project manager in Doha, Qatar. With a six-day workweek and multiple deadlines, many would expect him to rest on the seventh day. Not Mohammad.
“My heart is in Dubai. Always has been,” he says with a smile. Every Friday evening, he lands at DXB, ready for a 36-hour stay filled with family dinners, football matches with friends, and late-night shawarmas in Deira.
“It is tiring, yes. But it fuels me. It is like plugging into an energy source.”
He spends over AED 5000 a month on premium flights and luxury taxis, but insists the return is tenfold in happiness, health, and human connection.
Ananya Iyer: “Dubai Lets Me Be Me”
For Ananya Iyer, a marketing executive working in Mumbai, the pandemic blurred all boundaries between work and home. Once offices reopened, she chose not to return to Mumbai full-time.
Instead, she negotiated a hybrid role, living in Dubai and commuting weekly to India.
“My company wanted me back in Mumbai, but I told them I will fly in on Monday morning and fly out on Thursday night. Dubai gives me clarity. I have built my personal brand here.”
Ananya, 31, is among the younger generation of UAE residents working abroad who view Dubai as more than a city. They see it as a lifestyle enhancer and a personal growth platform.
Khaled and Fatima: “It is Not Easy, But It is Worth It”
This Emirati couple split their professional lives between Kuwait and Dubai. Khaled is a corporate strategist in Kuwait City, while Fatima runs a home-based skincare brand in Dubai.
“We made this choice together. We wanted our business and family rooted in Dubai, but I got an opportunity in Kuwait I could not pass up,” says Khaled.
Every Thursday evening, he returns to Dubai, where his wife and toddler welcome him home.
“It is hard, especially with a young child. But we are focused on the long term. The quality of life here, the safety, the support system it all makes sense.”
They are a strong example of how UAE residents working abroad make personal sacrifices to maintain family values and long-term goals.
Why Dubai
So why do these professionals choose Dubai as their weekend home Several reasons stand out
World Class Infrastructure
From DXB airport to top-tier public transport, Dubai makes short stays easy and efficient.
Quality Education
International schools in Dubai offer a range of curricula, ensuring children do not miss out due to their parents’ mobile work lifestyle.
Safe and Secure
Many residents working abroad find Dubai to be the safest place for their families, especially in a region with varying levels of stability.
Work Life Luxury Balance
With high-end dining, entertainment, and wellness options, Dubai offers more than just rest. It offers recovery and recreation.
The Financial Angle
Spending on travel every weekend is not light on the wallet. Many UAE residents working abroad estimate their monthly costs for weekend visits between AED 2000 to AED 6000. Yet, they still opt for it.
Why
Because the emotional, physical, and psychological returns are priceless. From saving marriages to improving productivity and personal happiness, they believe the benefits far outweigh the costs.
A Growing Trend With Modern Solutions
As hybrid work models and regional connectivity improve, we might see more UAE residents working abroad while choosing Dubai as their weekend retreat. Airlines are beginning to notice this shift, offering weekend return packages or late-night business flights targeting this niche audience.
Co-living spaces, flexible leases, and smart homes are also rising in demand catering to these frequent flyers who split their time across borders.
Conclusion Life Between Borders Love in Dubai
For many UAE residents working abroad, the week is for career, but the weekend is for life. Dubai, with its comfort, convenience, and cosmopolitan charm, continues to be their chosen weekend haven.
As work habits evolve and borders blur, one thing remains constant for these unique commuters. No matter where they earn, Dubai is where they live, love, and recharge.
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