The emirate of Dubai has been growing rapidly in the last decade. This vibrant international hub with a tropical climate can provide an enjoyable and exciting experience for expats coming from Austria and other places around the world. Dubai on the one hand is a modern city of the 21st century, and on the other hand it is a place where tradition still features highly. Considering this and to be able to start a new life there, expatriates who move to Dubai must leave themselves open to learning and respecting a new culture. Check our smart guide on what you should know before you start your international moving to Dubai: Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates. While Dubai is fairly liberal, please remember that it is still an Arab Emirate. This means the Islamic religion impacts on any aspect of a Muslim’s daily life and the call to prayer occurs five times a day. This has the effect that non-Muslims may have to wait to continue their business until Muslims return from prayer. During the holy month of Ramadan there are shorter working hours and most restaurants will be closed during the day, or at least they will serve a very limited menu. It is possible to practice also other religions in Dubai, and there exist Christian churches and a Sikh temple located in Jebel Ali. However, there is the clear warning that no evangelisation will be tolerated across the emirates. About the cultural customs Please be aware of the custom that a modest dress code is expected in all public places. Minimum requirement is being loosely covered from neck to elbow and further to knees. Drug use, drunkenness, bad language, dishonest behaviour and public displays of affection are criminal offenses. The raising of the middle finger hand gesture is considered offensive and could likely land you in jail. It is also important that you should not argue or raise your voice to any policeman or any state official. Helpful advises for renting a property in Dubai If you plan to purchase a house in Dubai, it tends to be difficult because of the restrictions on foreigners owning property. However, the good news is that it is relatively easy to rent a property and there are plenty of affordable options in the many sections of the city. Dubai Marina area is quite popular among western expatriates, whereas Deira an Burj Dubai are traditional areas. If you are prepared to live further out of the city, the Arabian Ranches and the Green Community Jumeirah, Al Wasl, Al Safa and Umm Seqeim offer you luxury standard residential accommodation. Interesting to know: one of the main things that attract western expatriates to Dubai is the quality of the accommodation itself. New high rise serviced apartments are available in Dubai, and they usually come fully furnished and are serviced as part of the rent; short-term leases are also very common for this type of accommodation. Tips for dealing with the landlord An important advise for anyone who is considering to relocate to Dubai: Please be aware that annual rents on apartments must be paid in full and up front. Some companies will cover this for their assigned employees, and then deduct those amounts monthly from their wages. Real estate agents can be difficult to work with and it’s important to either consult a property lawyer or to carry out your own research before the move. Interesting deals can also be found through networking within the expatriate community - and of course by word of mouth.