Large, professionalized rental market with high-quality portals (Bayut, Property Finder, Dubizzle) offering photos, virtual tours and neighbourhood data
Strong supply of furnished and serviced/holiday-home units in nomad-friendly areas (Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown, Business Bay, JLT), good for mid-term monthly stays
Modern, well-equipped private hospitals and clinics, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Care is widely available in English; the large expatriate majority means staff are often internationally trained

Watch out for

Significant upfront cash: typically agency commission (~5% of annual rent), a refundable security deposit (~5% unfurnished / ~10% furnished), a 5% Dubai Municipality housing fee billed monthly via DEWA, plus refundable utility deposits, with the year often paid in 1-4 post-dated cheques (monthly payment options are increasingly available)
Bouncing a rent cheque can have legal and financial consequences in the UAE, so commit only to amounts you can reliably cover on the dated cheques
Public/government facilities are not free for foreigners; you generally need a health card and still pay (reduced) fees, and short-stay visitors typically pay full price
Holding an approved health insurance policy is mandatory to get or renew a residence visa (federal rule effective 1 January 2025), and the cost is borne by the employer/sponsor for salaried staff

Cost of living

Dubai

€2,400–€4,000/mo