Sun, schools, food and fun - Dubai considered to offer best lifestyle in the world

Dubai has topped a global lifestyle table - beating Geneva, Hong Kong, London and Monaco to the title.

The table, compiled by international property consultants Knight Frank, offers an insight into the lifestyle in some of the world’s top cities for people looking to relocate overseas.
 
The four key criteria for the lifestyle study were education, leisure pursuits, quality of restaurants and the number of days of sunshine. Dubai scored highly in three out of the four - taking bragging rights in the number of international schools, second for the number of leisure pursuits on offer and third for days of sunshine per year. The emirate also had the cheapest fuel over the past 12 months, with a litre of petrol almost half the price of the nearest ranked city, Moscow.

Knight Frank associate Alexander Koch de Gooreynd told 7DAYS the firm decided to produce a lifestyle report because most people only ask about financial benefits of a location when looking to move. He said: “I was stunned at how often people don’t take into consideration what it’s like to actually live somewhere. It was the whole reason for this report.

“As for Dubai, its ease of access as a central hub for the globe is a huge factor in its success. The fact that it also has all the lifestyle factors that people want makes it a top location for anyone looking to relocate.”

Dubai also scored well in the report for quality of life, distance to the closest international airport and political stability, as well as outperforming cities such as London and Rio de Janeiro in property market performance. The report looks at what motivates Knight Frank’s clients to move abroad, rating each city for how well it caters for different client groups, namely entrepreneurs, families and retiring couples. Thanks to its high score in leisure pursuits and education, Dubai also ranks as one of the best cities for families to relocate to.

This view was echoed by Mirdif Mums founder Lucy Franklin. She said: “We love it here. My children can be outside all the time, and with all the after-school activities and cultures they are exposed to here - it’s something they would not get back home in the UK.”

Naomi Hunt, a teacher at Emirates International School in the Meadows, agrees, adding: “I think Dubai has everything. It’s unique. Where else can you live in the desert and also go skiing?”

Selina Dixon, head of marketing and PR at Mahiki nightclub, said: “In my opinion, yes, Dubai does have the best lifestyle in the world. It’s a place that’s young and vibrant and has a great social side - however, if you’re sensible then you can also save.”

KNIGHT FRANK'S GLOBAL LIFESTYLE REPORT TOP TEN
1. Dubai
2. Mallorca
= Cayman Islands
= Geneva
5. Cyprus
6. London
7. Hong Kong
8. Singapore
9. Auckland
10. Monaco
= Madrid
= Moscow

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