'I moved to Dubai hoping for luxury - the reality was very different'

Irish Daily Mirror

3 days ago

A woman who lived in Dubai has moved home after years of working 80-hour weeks - saying the city has "no work-life balance".
Natalie Goodall, 32, was offered a golf coaching job in Dubai aged 18 after completing internships at a golf school there. She jumped at the chance - living with a friend then various family members before renting her own apartment in Damac Hills.
She lived in the seemingly idyllic and luxurious city for years - which is now home to celebs including Amir Khan and The Beckhams.
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Thousands moved to Dubai from the UK and Ireland every year in search of a better life. But in Natalie's case, the Dubai lifestyle became too much - because the city's "business model" didn't allow for "work-life balance".
After years of working 80 hour, six-day weeks, Natalie moved back to the UK in 2019 and has settled down in West Parley, Dorset. And, while she loved Dubai and says she'll go back for holidays, she said she's unlikely to relocate back there.
Natalie, now a self-employed PGA professional, said: "I never saw myself leaving Dubai - I was working at one of the best golf schools in the world. Natalie fell in love with the Dubai weather - in particular the winter sun
"And the city was absolutely stunning, on my day off I went down to the beach and when you let your hair down you could have a bloody good time.
"But afterwards you'd look at your bank balance and think 'oh crap'. But the business model out there - there is no work life balance. I was coming home to my partner after 12 hour days, at 9pm, and I could barely hold a conversation because I'd be so tired.
"In my last year I told him 'I can't do this' - you know when your time is up. It's a very glamorous place and I can see moving there is a trend - but everywhere has their downfalls." Natalie with her partner Will
Natalie first visited Dubai aged 18 for some internships with a golf school. Aged 21 she was offered a full-time assistant coaching position there - while completing a PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) course to qualify as a coach while working.
She first lived with a school friend before her own parents moved there after her father, who works in the oil trade, got a job posting - so she began living with them.
After two years she started renting her own apartment - with assistance from her parents as she struggled to cover the cost of the deposit. She spent her one day off per week, Monday, at the beach or visiting stunning locations in Dubai to make the most of the surroundings.
Natalie said: "It was amazing - weather was like being in Spain even in winter. I got to see the Opera House, lots of concerts, and stayed for my birthday in the Burj Al Arab hotel which was so cool. The golf courses were unbelievable too, and the food and service was amazing." Natalie first visited Dubai aged 18 for some internships with a golf school.
At the time, she was making the equivalent of around £25-£30k (€29-35k) a year - but the high costs in Dubai meant she couldn't enjoy the full extent of the luxurious lifestyle compared to what people assume.
She said: "It was not sustainable. When you let your hair down you'd have a bloody good time but afterwards you'd look at your bank balance and think 'oh crap'.
"I was just making money to survive - in the service industry you were worked very hard. I was working six days a week and I couldn't afford to reduce my hours."
After meeting her fellow expat partner Will Coan, 34, in 2017, while out there, the pair lived together but Natalie began to "spiral". Natalie moved in with her partner Will But things began to 'spiral' due to her workload
She said: "You can feel yourself, your work and time management aren't as good, your diet goes out the window. I never saw myself leaving Dubai but it's not sustainable - as I got older, I started to think, how the bloody hell will I have a life here? It's not on an individual person - it's just the business model out there."
In September 2019, she moved from Dubai back to the UK and got a job in Guernsey, once she had secured the necessary golf qualifications to be a coach.
Nine months later, Will, who worked in a role in food manufacturing, finished his contract and moved back to the UK as well. They now own a home together in West Parley and are happier than ever.
Natalie said she'd return to Dubai, where her parents are still living, for a holiday - but it would take a salary offer of "a huge number" for her to consider moving back permanently. But she said it may be the case that the droves of Brits flocking to Dubai for a better life aren't prepared for reality.
She said: "I think there are people moving because they've been on holiday there and say 'screw it, I'll live here'. It's like a trend - in the same way Ellen DeGeneres moved to The Cotswolds.
"In Dubai, it is a glamorous place but it can be unglamorous in certain situations - everywhere has their downfalls. You have to look at the opportunities and weigh up if it's right for you. If you go with high expectations, you might be disappointed."
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