Chloe Bennett, 27, from Eastbourne moved to Dubai in December 2023 without a job or flat lined up, and now earns 20% more running her own social media company
A woman left behind “cold and miserable” Britain for sunny Dubai without securing a job or flat first, and despite initially accepting lower pay, she says she could “never go back”. Chloe Bennett, 27, had grown tired of British life and felt “bored” at weekends, where her most thrilling pastime was browsing Home Bargains.
Following a visit to see a mate in Dubai, she became captivated by the city, handed in her notice and relocated in December 2023 with no employment or accommodation arranged. Though she initially had to accept reduced wages to find work, she felt instantly happier thanks to the climate and variety of activities available.
Two years on, she’s established her own business as a social media manager, earning 20 per cent more than she did in her previous UK tech sales position, reports Wales Online.
Chloe, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, said: “It’s so cold and miserable in the UK and there’s nothing to do in the evenings. I just worked a normal 9-5 and then spent my weekends going around Home Bargains and TK Maxx and that was the most excitement I got.
“I came to Dubai on holiday to see my friend and I just fell in love with it. It’s sunny all year round. There’s so much to do and it’s hard to be depressed when you open your curtains every day and it’s sunny.
“Now I spend my weekends going wakeboarding, visiting the zoo and staying on boats. There’s just so much more to do. I’ve started my own company here, got a puppy and I can’t imagine ever going back.”
Chloe was “miserable” in the UK, dealing with a break up and family issues. She decided to leave her tech sales job after five years.
“I came to see my friend in Dubai and she was having a great time and it just felt like a nudge to try something new,” she shared.
However, finding work in the UAE proved challenging as most jobs were commission-based rather than salaried.
“I tried for months to get a job, but I just decided to leave anyway with no job and nowhere to live, and just give it everything,” she revealed. Upon arriving in Dubai, Chloe rented a room with a girl she met through an app to save money.
She started sharing her Dubai relocation journey on TikTok and was contacted by a recruiter who offered her a role at a real estate firm. Before starting, she befriended a colleague and they began sharing meals daily, eventually moving into a flat together.
Although the real estate job paid less than her UK role, Chloe was happier. In April 2025, she launched her own social media management company, Socials with Chloe, which now earns her 20% more than her previous UK salary, allowing her to live comfortably despite high living costs.
However, she admits missing her family is the only downside to her new life in Dubai.
“When I left my little brother was seven and now he’s about to be 10, it’s nuts how much he’s grown”, she said. “I feel like I’m missing out on a lot, this is going to be my second Christmas away from them.”
Nevertheless, Chloe’s closest friend has recently moved to Dubai with her partner, which has eased her homesickness. Another aspect of the UK she longs for is the cuisine.
“I’m just really fussy, the McDonald’s chicken nuggets here taste so different, I don’t know what it is,” she said.
Chloe explained that Dubai has a thriving entrepreneurial scene and offers far more opportunities than the UK.
She said: “As crazy as it sounds, I feel like you can do anything you wanted. If you want to start your own company or launch a clothing line, you can do it, people are so supportive.”
Dubai is renowned for its high cost of living, but after posting a TikTok about Waitrose prices in the UAE, Chloe received numerous comments from Brits claiming that the UK has become just as costly as Dubai.
“From what I hear, the prices are pretty much the same in both places now”, she said. She noted that she no longer does a weekly food shop, as it’s far cheaper to order takeaways every evening and pays only £3 monthly for unlimited delivery.
“You can get anything you want delivered in 15 minutes, it’s so much better than Uber Eats back home”, she said. Hailing from a small town, Chloe expressed her love for the anonymity of Dubai compared to her hometown where everyone knew each other’s business.
“Dubai is actually really tiny and everyone know everyone, but they don’t know everyone’s business”, she shared.
Recently, Chloe adopted a puppy and now spends her weekends at a local dog beach, watching her furry friend frolic in the sea. She confessed that she can’t envision returning to the UK, although she does have concerns about the long-term implications of living in the UAE, particularly the fact that all schools are private.
“I know a lot of people who say that they will go back, but for me personally, I can’t see it happening”, she admitted.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
