The glamorous image of life in Dubai often seen on social media may not reflect the reality faced by many Indian expats. Behind the luxury cars, skyscrapers and high-end lifestyle is a quieter struggle involving rising expenses, demanding jobs and the challenge of saving money. An Indian man from Kolkata has now opened up about his own experience of living in Dubai, saying that the reality of life abroad has made him feel he may have been better off in India.
However, after moving to Dubai, he realised that living in another country comes with its own set of challenges. In an Instagram video shared a day ago, Bala urged people to think carefully before moving to Dubai for work. He also pointed out that salaries in dirhams can look impressive when converted into Indian rupees. “When we convert dirham to rupees, we think it’s a lot. But after paying for living expenses in Dubai, the amount left to save could be considerably lower. Watch the video here: A post shared by Rahul Bala (@i_am_rahulbala) His comments have struck a chord with social media users, with several people supporting his observations about the less glamorous side of life abroad. Many also encouraged him and urge him to not lose heart. One user wrote, “Dubai life is so hard if we don’t have enough money, Money matters.
Because of the amount people have to spend on everyday necessities, he described living in Dubai as difficult, particularly. Because the money has to be spent in Dubai, where the cost of living is considerably higher, however, that comparison can be misleading. Even a basic meal can cost around 10 dirhams, or approximately Rs 260, and regular spending on food, water and other necessities can significantly reduce a person’s savings, according to Bala. As an example, he said someone earning around 2,500 dirhams a month might initially feel that the salary is substantial when converted into Indian currency (Rs 65,168). When I came there, there was a 2300 salary. Today I take 5000+.”
Rahul Bala, who appears to work as a chef, said moving abroad had been a long-standing dream for him. He said the city’s high cost of living can make it difficult for an ordinary worker to manage daily expenses while also sending money back home. Bala said that although his dream of leaving India had finally come true, his experience in Dubai had made him appreciate life in India more. However, out here, it’s very difficult for an ordinary person to save after taking care of all expenses,” he said. Another said, “Brother, it will be great… With experience, you will get a great salary,” while a third added, “Brother, work hard.
