First Impression

With all the grim news of the U.S. economy, do you ever wonder what things would be like if you picked up your life and moved to another country? You've probably heard of the booming lifestyle in Dubai, United Arab Emirates - with mythical buildings and excessive wealth. But what is it really like in Dubai? Well, I've been here for 2 days, so don't view me as an expert. I will, however, share my first impression.

Dubai is impressive. You can find a plethora of western companies and luxuries despite being half way around the world. My initial impression is that Dubai feels somewhat like the States. As I strolled down Jumeirah Road today, I stopped in for lunch at T.G.I. Friday's for some fajitas and iced tea. Then I sat outside at Starbucks and watched countless Mercedes, BMWs, and Range Rovers roll by. The roads are nice and most signage is conveniently displayed in Arabic and English. After some coffee, I walked a block to Jumeirah Beach, which is well groomed with fine white sand and palm trees. The water is calm and clear. The photo above is taken from the beach looking back toward the city. The tower to the right is the famed Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. I'm skipping over countless details of Dubai with the intention to revisit some of the uniqueness that this city offers. For now, I want to answer the question that I posed initially. What is it really like in Dubai?

There is a mass exodus of people leaving Dubai. The economy here is in tatters. The local news is swamped with recession talk and stories of homelessness. Many of the impressive buildings and construction projects have been halted with no plans to resume. There are countless cranes stuck on stop. In fact, some developments have been halted and then demolished due to the lack of funding. The point is this, Dubai really does remind me of the States. The expensive cars and lush properties are a little too expensive and lush at this point in time. The global recession has hit Dubai just like it has hit the U.S. But I believe this city will rebound well once things turn north again. Commerce seems to be alive, although currently unwell. My initial impression is that an American could live comfortably here and not feel too much like a fish out of water.