What to expect when moving from Dubai to Sharjah?
Over the years, Sharjah has become a desirable destination for people looking to live in the UAE. Although Dubai has been considered the most popular destination for expats, living in Sharjah presents its residents with more of a traditional and family-oriented environment. Even with the conflicting dynamics of the two emirates, the choice of moving from Dubai to Sharjah is a step many Dubai residents are considering. If you are looking at shifting homes from Dubai to Sharjah, there will be certain aspects of your life that will undergo change. Fear not – we have all the information you need to know before you move to Sharjah.
Lifestyle
You may not realize it, but living in Sharjah is a little different from living in Dubai as it is slightly more conservative, and there is a sense in which people are more reserved.
The alcohol ban which has been in effect, in Sharjah, since 1985 has limited the availability of nightclubs and bars to the public. Recreational activities like exploring the heritage sites and historic areas, shopping, and trips to the family funfair-style attraction Al Qasba and Sharjah Corniche will most likely become a part of your life when you move to Sharjah. Nevertheless, if you are looking to dance the night away at a nightclub – Dubai is just next door.
Moving from Dubai to Sharjah will call for a wardrobe update as well – particularly if you’ve been managing the heat of Dubai by living in shorts and tank tops. While you may be able to get away with it Dubai, (although it’s worth bearing in mind that in Dubai, there are plenty of people who are not comfortable with you dressing this way) Sharjah’s culture calls for a modest style of dress.
travel
Whether or not you have a car – moving from Dubai to Sharjah will mean learning to navigate around a new city, and this will take a while. If you have a car and are making the commute from Sharjah to Dubai, then traffic can be very difficult at peak hours. If you live in Sharjah and work in Dubai the travel back and forth will be a significant part of your day. Conversely, those working in Sharjah but living in Dubai don’t yet face such problems with traffic. If you are lucky enough to work flexibly, it may be worth asking your workplace if you can shift your hours slightly, for example starting later and finishing later, but bear in mind the traffic can be heavy until late into the evening. You can cut some traffic time if you consider renting an apartment in Al Nahda – the district that spans the Dubai-Sharjah border but even then, you could still end up putting in some serious hours in your car every day.
If you don’t own a car and rely heavily on public transportation – say bye-bye to ease of travelling by the Dubai Metro. Sharjah doesn’t possess Dubai’s extensive variety of public transportation options but you can easily get by with taxis or using ‘Mowasalat!’ – Sharjah’s newly established Public Transport system. Mowasalat offers bus operation throughout the emirate of Sharjah and is the most affordable way to get around the emirate.
retail
Retail therapy is the one thing you won’t have to compromise on when moving from Dubai to Sharjah. Shopping malls and retail outlets come equipped with all the shopping brands that you would find in Dubai. The malls in Sharjah may not be as big and glam as The Dubai Mall, but you can still enjoy shopping from large showrooms as well as smaller department stores.
Adding to the retail experience of Sharjah are the traditional souqs (markets) where you can buy everything and anything from carpets to tropical fruits, ornaments made from precious metals and handcrafted souvenirs. Souq al-Markazi, aka the Blue Souk and the Souq Al Arsah, are two of the oldest markets that you can explore once you move to Sharjah.
Income and Savings
Without a doubt, moving from Dubai to Sharjah allows you to save abundantly on housing costs, even if your employer doesn’t provide accommodation as part of your package. The apartments in Sharjah are considerably more affordable than those in Dubai. Price-wise, renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Sharjah can be as low as AED 20,000 yearly, with the most expensive going up to AED 50,000, according to Bayut.com listings. In fact, villas to rent in Sharjah will also be affordable for some of you.
Additionally, property trends in Sharjah for the past quarter showed a decline in prices for apartments, which means that moving from Dubai to Sharjah will free you from the worry of increasing rent prices. You will enjoy further savings if you consider moving from Dubai to Sharjah as luxuries including eating out tend to be cheaper.
Shifting homes can be a tedious task, however, if you do decide to move to Sharjah, you won’t have to worry much about adapting to this emirate – it is just like Dubai without as much nightlife and a less extravagant lifestyle. Living in Sharjah allows you to experience a slow-paced and family-friendly lifestyle.
In conclusion, moving from Dubai to Sharjah will call for small changes, but nothing major for anyone already used to living in Dubai. If you are looking to move to Sharjah but are still unsure, check out Bayut’s pick of the top areas for renting apartments in Sharjah. Those who have made up their minds can opt to buy villas in Sharjah or apartments.
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