Hannah Mercer

I moved to Dubai from the UK in 2017, planning to stay for two years and ending up building my life here instead. My first flat was in Al Barsha, close enough to the Mall of the Emirates Metro station that I could learn the city by train before I learned it by car. Later I spent time in Deira and now live near Jumeirah Lakes Towers, which means I have seen both older creek-side neighbourhoods and the newer high-rise districts at close range. That mix shaped how I write: I am interested in the practical side of a place, from crossing Sheikh Zayed Road on foot to working out which entrance to use at BurJuman or Union when the heat is high.

One thing that still surprises many readers from home is how varied daily life is across the UAE. Visitors often picture Dubai as only beach clubs, giant malls, and expensive brunches, but that leaves out morning walks along the Creek, cafeterias in Karama, family parks in Mirdif, and the very ordinary rhythm of errands, school runs, and late supermarket trips. Another common misunderstanding is that local rules are mysterious or harsh in ways that make independent travel difficult. In practice, I have found the country easier to navigate when you pay attention to context: dress a bit differently in Jumeirah than in a mosque area in Sharjah, check Ramadan timings carefully, and remember that weekend patterns, public holidays, and even taxi demand can shift quickly.

My guides are built from repeat visits and fresh checks, not copied listings. If I quote a ticket price, I verify it on the official site and, when possible, by phone or in person because prices in Dubai can change around school holidays, major events, or the cooler winter season. I recheck opening hours before publication, especially for attractions in Downtown, museums in Al Shindagha, and desert operators whose pickup windows move by season. For transport, I use the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, and regular taxis myself so I can note transfer times, station exits, Nol card details, and where walking routes are less straightforward than they look on a map. If a guide contains a partner link, I say so plainly and keep the recommendation based on whether I would suggest it anyway.

I think my perspective is useful to readers from the UK because I remember exactly which parts of the UAE felt unfamiliar at first and which assumptions I brought with me. I know the small frictions that matter on a short trip, like how long it really takes to get from Dubai Marina to Al Fahidi at peak time, whether a hotel beach is practical without a car, or why a cheap meal in Satwa may be more satisfying than an overplanned dinner in a resort. I also understand the comparisons people naturally make with home, whether about public transport, pub culture, pricing, or summer weather, and I try to translate local habits without flattening them into stereotypes. My aim is simple: to help readers arrive informed, spend sensibly, and move through Dubai with fewer surprises.