From Birmingham to Business Bay: Real Buyer Stories from the UK to Dubai

If you asked someone ten years ago if he'd ever swap the grey drizzle of Birmingham for sunshine in Dubai, he'd have laughed. Back then, Dubai was just a holiday spot. Fast forward to today, and more and more Brits are packing up their lives in the UK and setting up homes in Dubai, especially in Business Bay. According to the UK's Office for National Statistics and Dubai's government data, there are over 240,000 British expats living in the UAE. That's like taking half of Coventry and moving it to the desert. But why? Let's take a peek into real stories from people who swapped Birmingham's brick-built semis for shiny towers in Business Bay.

Why the Shift?

The property market back in the UK has been steady, with a history of gradual growth. For years, it's been about reliable, long-term wealth building, often passed down through generations. However, there are also factors such as Stamp Duty, Capital Gains Tax, and general economic uncertainty that can erode your returns. Average rental yields in places like London, for instance, range from 3% to 5%. And let's not forget the UK's tax structure, which can see Capital Gains Tax on property reaching up to 28%.

Now, let's talk about Dubai. It's a city renowned for its big ideas and rapid growth, and relatively new to the investment scene compared to the UK, but it's been making huge waves. The headlines often shout about high rental yields and tax-free income. The average rental yields in Dubai range from 6% to 8%, with some prime areas, such as Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) or Business Bay, seeing yields of 9% or more.

The best part is that there is no income tax on rental income, no capital gains tax on property sales, and no annual property tax in Dubai. That's a huge difference when compared to the UK's layered tax system. So, more of the money you make from rent stays in your pocket.

Beyond the numbers, there's a lifestyle pull. Dubai has year-round sunshine, top-notch facilities, and a growing expat community. The city attracts people from all over who need a place to live, which keeps rental demand high.

Why Business Bay?

Business Bay is like Dubai's version of Canary Wharf but with palm trees and sunshine. It's packed with high-rise apartments, offices, cafés, and hotels. You can reach Burj Khalifa within 10 minutes, hop on a boat taxi, or grab coffee at a canal-side café. 

The average studio apartment in Business Bay costs around AED 1,180,000, a 1-bedroom apartment AED 1,900,000, and a 2-bedroom apartment around AED 2,545,000. The annual rent for a studio apartment is AED 85,000, a one-bedroom apartment is AED 136,000, and a two-bedroom apartment is approximately AED 165,000. Rents in Business Bay aren't cheap, but many Brits find that the tax savings and higher salaries make up for it.

Stories from Birmingham to Business Bay

Sarah and Mark from Solihull

Sarah, a retired teacher, and Mark, who ran a small engineering firm in Solihull, had always planned to rely on their UK property for their retirement income. They owned a couple of buy-to-let flats in Birmingham city centre, which had done well over the years. Birmingham has experienced significant growth, with rents increasing and property values rising steadily.

"We thought our UK properties were solid," Sarah explained. "And they were, to a point. But the rising costs, the constant changes to landlord regulations, and honestly, the weather. We just felt a bit stuck. Our net rental income wasn't quite what it used to be after all the deductions."

They started looking at Dubai after a friend, who had moved there for work, kept telling them about the opportunities. "It sounded too good to be true at first," Mark admitted. "No income tax on rent was something that attracted us the most. We were accustomed to paying a huge portion of our rental income to HMRC. Plus, the idea of having a place we could escape to in the winter was appealing."

They focused their search on Business Bay and found a modern one-bedroom apartment. The price, around AED 1,564,000 (£340,000) for a 700 sq. ft. apartment, was comparable to what they'd sell one of their Birmingham flats for, but the rental yield was much higher. Their Business Bay apartment yields around 7% in rental income, tax-free. That's a significant boost compared to the 5.5% average they were getting in Birmingham before taxes.

"It's changed our retirement completely," Mark said. "We've got better income, and we spend a few months a year out there. It feels like we are finally getting the most out of our investment, and honestly, our health has improved with all that sunshine!"

David from Sutton Coldfield

David, a 32-year-old software developer from Sutton Coldfield, had always been keen on investing. He'd seen his parents struggle with rising house prices in the UK. He was looking for something that offered quicker growth and a more exciting lifestyle.

"The UK market felt a bit slow for me," David said. "I wanted to see my money work harder, faster. I was also getting a bit fed up with the grind and wanted a new adventure."

He'd been following tech trends and noticed how many companies were setting up shop in Dubai. The Golden Visa programme caught his eye. Investing AED 2,000,000 (around £430,000) in property could get him a 10-year residency visa. This was a game-changer for his long-term plans.

"I didn't have £430,000 sitting around," David confessed. "But Dubai also has these flexible payment plans for off-plan properties. You can sometimes pay as little as 10-20% upfront."

He found an off-plan studio apartment in Business Bay. The total cost was approximately AED 874,000 (approximately £190,000). He put down a 20% deposit and is paying the rest in instalments tied to construction milestones.

"It felt a bit scary buying something that wasn't even built yet, but the developer was RERA-registered, and the money's held in an escrow account, which made me feel much better," David explained.

David is still working in the UK for now, but he plans to move to Dubai once his apartment is ready. "The idea of a tax-free salary and a higher rental yield from my property is a massive motivator," he said. "

The Khans from Small Heath

The Khan family, Aisha and Tariq, with two young children, lived in Small Heath, Birmingham. They loved their community, but they were concerned about rising living costs and the quality of public schools. Tariq, a civil engineer, had been offered a job in Dubai.

"It was a huge decision to leave everything familiar," Aisha shared. "Our house in Small Heath was lovely, but we were looking at private school fees for the kids down the line, and frankly, the cost of just about everything else was creeping up."

"The big difference for us was the zero income tax," Tariq pointed out. "My take-home pay in Dubai would be so much higher. We decided to sell our house in Birmingham and put that equity into a family home in Dubai."

They found a three-bedroom apartment in Business Bay, close to an international school, which cost them around AED 2,346,000 (£510,000) for a 1,300 sq. ft. apartment. They qualified for a Golden visa through their property investment, which was a huge relief.

"The process was straightforward, actually," Tariq said. "We used a RERA-registered agent who guided us through every step, from signing the Memorandum of Understanding to getting the No Objection Certificate and finally the title deed."

"Our kids are thriving," Aisha remarked. "They are in a fantastic school, there are so many activities, and the outdoor lifestyle is incredible. We miss our family in the UK, of course, but the flight from Birmingham to Dubai is just seven hours. We are creating a new life, and it feels right."

The Bottom Line

The journey from Birmingham to Business Bay is all about a shift in lifestyle, a search for new opportunities, and, for many, a way to make their hard-earned money work smarter. These real-life stories demonstrate that, while every move has its challenges, the benefits for many British buyers in Dubai are clear and compelling. If you are reading this while wrapped in a blanket, listening to the rain outside, and dreaming of a pool instead of puddles, perhaps it's time to consider Dubai. Who knows? Your new life might be waiting by the canal.

Our experienced team of professional real estate agents is ready to guide you. From shortlisting the right apartments to final paperwork, we've got your back.

Reach out to us today, and let's find your place in Dubai together.