‘Abrupt reality check’ of Iran war has Britons fleeing Dubai for ‘safety’ of London
Attacks from Iran have been a “sudden reality check” for Brits living in Dubai, according to estate agents who have seen demand for properties in London rising from Gulf returnees.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced attacks from Iran, which hit its neighbors as part of its conflict with the USA and Israel. The UAE Ministry of Defense said it had engaged 1,514 UAV drones and 268 ballistic missiles since the start of the attack, and that the drones affected the airport and damaged a hotel.
In response to the conflict, luxury real estate agents said: Independent They noted that they had seen increasing demand for homes in London from people looking to leave the Gulf countries, with many of these people previously citing safety and security as the reason they moved from the UK capital to the Middle East.
“The current Gulf crisis has given a boost to the London property market,” said Mark Pollack, co-founder of estate agency Aston Chase, which deals with luxury homes in north London.
He added: “The conflict was surprisingly not a very immediate reality check for many who were drawn to Dubai mainly by the tax-free regime, climate and perceived lifestyle.”
It is estimated that around 240,000 British nationals live in the UAE, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is understood that at least 45,000 British citizens have left the Gulf since March 1, but it is stated that some of these people may be tourists.
Beauchamp Estates, another of London’s luxury real estate companies, said it had seen a 10 per cent increase in inquiries since the conflict began from Gulf-based UK nationals who had relocated in the past five years.
Rosy Khalastchy, director of Beauchamp and head of the St John’s Wood office, said: Independent He believes that many people moving to Dubai would not expect their lives to be affected by the war.
“I don’t think they ever thought Dubai would be a place where they would have to seek refuge,” he said. “Even if it took five or 10 minutes, it wasn’t something they would necessarily consider or sign up for.”
This is partly due to some foreigners’ lack of geographical and geopolitical knowledge, according to Camilla Dell, managing partner of London buying agency Black Brick.
The UAE is separated from Iran by the Persian Gulf, with approximately 125 km between the two countries at the shortest point, while Dubai is approximately 150 km from Iran across the Gulf.
“I don’t think people realize how close Dubai is to Iran,” Ms Dell said Independent. “I think there are a lot of people out there who, when they think of the UAE and Dubai, think of safety, great lifestyle, low tax, and just look at it as a bubble.”
In addition, Ms Dell believes the lack of civil liberties in the UAE, highlighted by the country’s response to the conflict, is a factor for those choosing to leave.
It has very strict cybercrime rules and has restricted the publication of content related to the impact of strikes on the country; Postings online that could affect “public order” or affect the reputation of the UAE could lead to fines or imprisonment.
“The majority of people may not have necessarily taken geopolitics and volatility into account when considering moving to the UAE, but now they definitely will,” Ms Dell added.
On whether the conflict will have long-term effects on Dubai’s ability to retain its UK expat population and attract more people, Ms Dell said: “The feeling is probably not all of them will come back, but I certainly think some of them might be having second thoughts now.”
“I think it’s one thing for a young person to take some risk and be there for the lifestyle, the quality of life and the lower tax environment, but it’s another thing when you’re there with kids and suddenly you realize you’re not safe.”
Safety and the so-called lack of crime are at the forefront of many people’s reasons for moving from the UK to the Gulf city.
Former England football player Jonjo Shelvey, in an interview with the BBC last year explaining why he moved to Dubai, explained that he would not wear a watch or take out his phone in London. He added that he did not want his children to grow up in England.
War in the Middle East could mean it won’t be long before Dubai is seen as a “safe haven”, according to Ms Khalastchy.
He said: “I think they’ve put a lot of effort in the UAE to make their country safe for people to enter. They’ve made people very welcome, but there are some things you can’t avoid. I think that’s something no one has thought about.”
“This story is probably moot now compared to (that Dubai is safer than London).”
Mr Pollack added: “Living in London, arguably one of the safest, most tolerant and cultural cities in the world, isn’t such a bad option.”
