Is Dubai for me?

Hey everyone, I hope you’re all doing well. I wanted to ask for honest opinions about moving to Dubai.

I’m 22 Pakistani female, originally from the UK, and a single mum to my 3-year-old. Since I was 17, I’ve had to figure out life on my own after going into care because of years of abuse from my parents. It was a horrible environment to grow up in, but I feel like I’m finally coming out of my shell. After struggling for so long, I just want to live a life that actually feels worth living. I’m tired of just surviving—I want to build a future where I can truly thrive.

I’ve been thinking about moving to Dubai since I was 19, but I haven’t had the time to visit yet. Inshallah, I plan to go this year or next to see if it’s actually the right fit for me and my daughter. My main priority is making sure we’re financially stable before making the move and that it’s a smooth transition for her. I don’t want to make a rushed decision that I’ll regret later.

Right now, I work in luxury sales alongside another job with the police/probation service. I’m also in the process of setting up my own management company, and I’m due to graduate with a psychology degree in 2026. I was thinking, once my management company is a lot more established (maybe after 2-3 years) I could consider moving elsewhere.

I just don’t belong in the UK. I don’t see a future here, and I know I’d do so much better somewhere else.

Career-wise, I have a few options. I was thinking of specializing in marketing or doing a top-up course to qualify as a teacher. Since I’ve heard private schools in Dubai help with school fees. I’ve considered being open to training to become a teacher. My university offers graduate schemes which will enable me to get a job abroad- specifically either in Qatar, or Dubai- once I get sufficient work experience, and when my company is a lot more established (so It’s making at least £10k a month)- I think that it might be a possibility for me to move?

Also, I’d like to mention that I’m doing an additional course specialising in Marketing for companies- and soon I’ll also be able to take on clients, which will enable me to have ANOTHER side income.

For now, I’d rather have a STABLE job in Dubai, (after getting my qualifications and experience), and want to decide whether it’s realistic for me to afford living there with my daughter.

I know it sounds ambitious, but I fully believe it’s possible. Right now, my focus is on getting to a point where I’m financially stable and can comfortably transition to Dubai while making sure my daughter has the best possible future.

So for those of you in Dubai or who have experience moving there, do you think this would be the right place for me? Would it be a good environment to raise my daughter and achieve these goals? I’d love to hear your thoughts.