Latest news with #DamacHills
The Sun
12-08-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I quit the UK for ‘luxury' life in Dubai but it left me at BREAKING point – reality is nothing like the Instagram pics
A WOMAN who ditched the UK for Dubai has returned home, after life in the city pushed her to breaking point. Natalie Goodall, now 32, made the decision to relocate to the UAE after she was offered a golf coaching job aged just 18. 6 6 She jumped at the chance - living with a friend then various family members before renting her own apartment in Damac Hills. Natalie lived in the seemingly idyllic and luxurious city for years until 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. As swathes of Brits opt to move out there with high expectations of luxurious living and endless fun, Natalie feels that Brits going with high expectations "may be disappointed." 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. "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." At the time, she was making the equivalent of around £25-£30k 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: "I was just making money to survive - in the service industry you were worked very hard. How easy is it to move abroad? Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving: Notify HMRC about your upcoming move. Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address. Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving. If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the International Pension Centre. You can sign up to the Royal Mail's redirection service. If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre. If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools. "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". 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. 6 6 6
Daily Mail
12-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
I quit the UK for a 'luxury' life in Dubai - but 80-hour weeks left me at breaking point. People don't realise how workers are treated
A woman who moved to Dubai for a taste of luxury has returned to her home in the UK after gruelling 80 hour work weeks left her 'no work-life balance' - despite growing numbers of Brits flocking to the Arabian Peninsula. Natalie Goodall, 32, a self-employed golf professional, now lives in Dorset after the Dubai lifestyle left her exhausted and struggling to take advantage of the country's notoriously luxurious living standard. The UK-native was first offered a sports coaching job in Dubai aged 18 after completing internships at a golf school there. Natalie jumped at the chance, living with various family and friends before saving up to afford rent on her own apartment in Damac Hills. She lived in the seemingly idyllic and luxurious city, which is now home to celebrities including Amir Khan and The Beckhams, for several years. However, she soon found the reality of the Dubai lifestyle too much, with the golfer complaining that 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 with her partner, Will Coan, 34, who she met in Dubai in 2017. She is just one of a number of Britons who has made the move to the UAE, with The Telegraph estimating that a whopping 30,000 emigrated to Dubai in 2021, a figure that rose to 35,000 in 2022 and 40,000 in 2023. The 32-year-old insisted she is still fond of the country as a holiday destination, but is unlikely to relocate permanently. As swathes of Brits opt to move out there with high expectations of luxurious living and endless fun, Natalie warned that Brits going with high expectations 'may be disappointed.' 'I never saw myself leaving Dubai - I was working at one of the best golf schools in the world,' she said. '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 cr*p". '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 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 initially lived with a school friend before her own parents moved there after her father, who works in the oil trade, got a job posting and so she began living with them. After two years she started renting her own apartment, receiving financial support from her parents to cover the high cost of a 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.' At the time, she was making the equivalent of around £25-£30k a year - but the high costs in Dubai meant she couldn't enjoy the full extent of the luxurious lifestyle. 'It was not sustainable,' she said. '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, in 2017, while out there, the pair lived together but Natalie began to 'spiral'. 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,' she said.
The National
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
My Dubai Rent: Content creator considers buying home he has rented for past four years
My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don't like Four years after first renting a villa in Dubai as a temporary base, Jordanian content creator and gamer Bibi Zumot is considering buying the property in Damac Hills 2. Mr Zumot, who has 35,000 followers on social media, has transformed the two-bedroom villa into a gaming-themed haven to serve as both his home and a creative space for content production. The 29-year-old pays Dh180,000 ($49,000) a year to live to live there. He invited The National into his home to show us why it's so special to him. Why did you choose to live here? I had spent most of my life in Al Ain with my parents. After graduating from college and securing a job in Dubai, I decided to move. First I was sharing an apartment with a friend, and four years ago I started looking for a quiet place. I looked at several villas but this was the best. I've been here ever since, and I'm thinking seriously about buying it. I do content on social media platforms and streaming to followers when I play games from the villa. It's a quiet area that helps me to focus on my content creation, plus it's accessible for deliveries. You couldn't wish for any better. What do you get for your money? It is a spacious two-bedroom villa, with a kitchen and big living room where you can have friends over. The location is perfect as I can easily drive for 20 minutes to reach my work in Dubai Media City. The community is nice and there are friendly neighbours. The compound is secure with gates and very good maintenance. It is a good choice for families and professionals looking for affordable homes with a modern touch. Is there much around where you live? There's a variety of restaurants and a supermarket. It is close to the Al Qudra desert and Global Village too. There is a lot of greenery and parks for a walk, as well as a gym. How have you made the apartment feel like home? Being a gamer and content creator, I used a gaming theme. One of the rooms is just for streaming and making videos. I used a pop culture theme inside the villa with decoration, pictures and paintings. I'm a bachelor and don't cook, so I rarely use the kitchen. Is there anything you would change about where you live? Nothing major, but the only problem is it's a bit far from the city. It has well-connected highways but there was no delivery services when I first moved here. Things have changed since the community grew.
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
elegant hoopoe to ignite the GCC expansion with franchise investor opportunities
Dubai-based wellness and aesthetics clinic elegant hoopoe today announced its strategic move to ignite significant growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by launching a compelling franchise programme aimed at discerning investors. This initiative, with a primary focus on consolidating its presence within the United Arab Emirates, is set to enhance the brand's market standing and build robust investor confidence. elegant hoopoe has already cemented its reputation with three successfully operating branches. This existing operational success provides a strong foundation and a proven business model for aspiring franchise partners looking to engage with the thriving wellness sector. Further amplifying its growth trajectory, elegant hoopoe is actively preparing for the launch of new clinics in two prominent UAE locations: Abu Dhabi and Damac Hills. These upcoming openings are a testament to the brand's commitment to extending its unique service philosophy—centered on a welcoming, elegant, and aspirational client experience—to a broader audience. "Our decision to launch a franchise model is a calculated step to ignite elegant hoopoe's next phase of regional growth," stated Shahriar Shahir Barzegar, CEO and founder of elegant hoopoe. "We have established a highly effective and replicable system that ensures outstanding client care and a sophisticated clinic environment. We are now extending an invitation to motivated investors and strategic partners to join us in expanding the elegant hoopoe footprint across the GCC. This is an opportunity to not only grow with us but to contribute to a leading brand in the aesthetics and wellness industry." It's long-term ambition involves establishing a formidable market presence throughout the GCC. The franchise model is meticulously structured to offer comprehensive support, a clear operational framework, and a compelling value proposition for investors. It is dedicated to equipping its franchise partners with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure consistent delivery of its high service standards and brand ethos. This strategic franchising initiative is designed to capture the interest of investors seeking to partner with a forward-looking brand that is deeply committed to fostering wellbeing and confidence. The company's focus remains sharply on sustainable expansion, reinforcing brand credibility, and generating significant value for both its clients and its franchise network. Specialising in weight loss and aesthetic treatments, with its headquarters in Dubai, elegant hoopoe offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help clients achieve their wellness and beauty objectives in an atmosphere that is both welcoming, elegant, and aspirational. Committed to innovation and exceptional client outcomes, elegant hoopoe is poised for dynamic growth across the GCC region.
