Why Indians Are Choosing Dubai Real Estate for Wealth & Belonging

Ankur, 38, lives in Toronto, runs a successful business, and has two young kids. His parents live in India, growing older, and he finds it harder each year to balance family across continents. He told me, “In the next 3 to 4 years, I want to be closer to India—but not at the cost of lifestyle or opportunity.”

So he’s starting with a smart step: investing in Dubai. Getting the Golden Visa. Planting a seed for the future.

I meet people like Ankur every week. In fact, he’s one of many NRIs I talk to who are looking at Dubai not just as an investment destination, but as a possible future home.

I understand the feeling very well. I moved to Dubai after living and working in five countries—Singapore, France, the Netherlands, India, and the U.S. I’ve had my share of global cities. But as an Indian, I’ve never felt as naturally at home anywhere as I do in Dubai.

There’s an emotional truth to this city. Indians have never felt like outsiders here. We’re not just part of Dubai’s economic growth story—we’re woven into the city’s soul.

You feel it everywhere. Whether you're ordering chaat on Jumeirah Beach Road or hearing Bollywood music in a supermarket aisle, Dubai doesn’t make you miss home—it makes you feel like you never left.

The comfort of speaking Hindi or Tamil with your Careem Taxi driver. The joy of finding truly authentic food from every Indian region. The thrill of watching a live cricket match with thousands of fellow desis cheering beside you.

Dubai today is the only global city where, as an Indian, you can:

● Earn a tax-free income

● Speak your native language wherever you go

● Enroll your kids in Indian curriculum schools

● Worship freely and openly

● Be just 3 hours from home, with over a thousand weekly flights to India

● Live a world-class cosmopolitan life

One of my clients, who moved here from London in 2023 and now lives in Dubai Hills Estate, put it best:

“I was paying £22,000 in council tax in the UK. In Dubai, I pay none. My rent is cheaper. I speak Hindi with my neighbours. My kids go to Indian school. And I can fly to Delhi any weekend to visit my family, never missing any celebrations.”

Also Read: Top 10 Indian Real Estate Leaders Redefining Affordable Housing

More and more NRIs from the UK, Canada, and Australia are rethinking what “home” really means.

Why The Shift?

There’s a pattern behind these moves—and it's not just about taxes (though that certainly helps).

Here’s what I hear from my clients regularly:

● The rising cost of living and growing tax burden in Western countries

● Visa uncertainty, endless paperwork, and limited long-term clarity

● A desire to be closer to parents as they age

● Better business opportunities in Dubai—and zero income tax

It’s not about giving anything up. It’s about coming home without compromise. And honestly, that’s powerful.

The Economic Edge

Of course, the emotional and cultural pull of Dubai is strong—but the numbers also make a compelling case.

Dubai’s government is putting serious muscle behind its economic vision. With strategic investments in tourism, tech, finance, logistics, and sustainability, the job market and business scene are thriving. Entrepreneurs are setting up here. So are professionals from all over the world.

Meanwhile, other parts of the world are becoming more volatile. Geopolitical instability has made people think twice about where they want to live, raise families, or park their money.

And real estate? That’s a story in itself. Dubai offers tax advantages, strong rental yields, appreciation potential, and—unlike most major cities—true affordability:

● $600 per sqft in Dubai

● Compared to $1,800 in London, $2,500 in Singapore, $1,500 in Toronto

I don’t have to say much more after that.

Plus, property values are pegged to the U.S. dollar, giving you a hedge against currency risk. And unlike many other markets, real estate here is liquid—people buy and sell with global ease.

Neighbourhoods like Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, and South of Dubai are attracting both investors and families. The waterfront developments and suburban masterplans are designed for the next wave of residents—and NRIs are paying close attention.

Our Presence Is Loud, Proud, and Growing

India has the world’s largest diaspora—over 32 million people spread across 200+ countries. But among all of them, the UAE feels the most like home.

There are over 4 million Indians in the UAE. In Dubai, at a third of the population, we're not a minority—we’re the cultural mainstream.

Everywhere you look, there’s Indian presence: From Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, and Punjabi spoken daily, to CBSE and ICSE schools, temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras. The Sindhi Guru Darbar Gurudwara in Dubai and the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi are symbols of this deep-rooted identity.

And when it comes to investment? We’re leading the charts. In 2023, Indian buyers purchased over AED 35 billion worth of real estate (~Rs. 78,000 crore), making us the largest group of foreign investors. And in 2024, that momentum hasn’t slowed down.

We accounted for 22 percent of all foreign transactions in Dubai real estate. That’s massive.

Also Read: Exploring Growth: The Evolution of India's Kitchen Market

What’s Coming Next?

Dubai is not just resting on its reputation. The future is already being built.

● The mortgage market is maturing, making financing easier for NRIs and foreign investors.

● The D33 Economic Agenda is targeting a doubling of Dubai’s economy in the next decade.

● The Dubai Urban Masterplan 2040 is laying the foundation for sustainable, inclusive, and green urban growth.

This city knows where it’s going—and it's not slowing down.

My Take

For NRIs, Dubai offers something no other city does.  It’s not just about weather, taxes, or convenience. It’s about belonging. It’s about familiarity with ambition, roots with wings.

If you're someone who’s felt torn between your current life abroad and your Indian identity Dubai might just be the answer you’ve been searching for.  Just like it was for my client Ankur. And just like it was for me.

About the Author: With a nine-year career that spans leading organizations like JP Morgan and Uber, Tavishi has advised Fortune 500 companies on large-scale investments and capital management. An MBA graduate from INSEAD, Tavishi has lived and worked across India, Europe, and now the UAE, giving her a sharp understanding of international markets and investor mindsets. As a real estate investment advisor, Tavishi helps investors navigate the world of Dubai real estate with clarity, transparency, and data-backed insights.