Where to Move After Dubai: 10 Best Destinations Ranked
From tropical paradises to European gems — we’ve ranked the top destinations for Dubai expats based on cost, lifestyle, visa ease, and quality of life.
Top 10 Destinations for Dubai Expats
We evaluated 30+ destinations across five criteria: cost of living, visa accessibility, lifestyle quality, healthcare, and ease of transition from Dubai. Here are the top 10.
| Rank | Destination | Monthly Cost | Visa Ease | Lifestyle Score | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇮🇩 Bali, Indonesia | $1,500-4,000 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | 🇹🇭 Thailand | $1,500-3,500 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | $2,000-4,500 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $1,200-3,000 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | 🇬🇪 Georgia | $1,000-2,500 | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | 🇸🇬 Singapore | $4,000-8,000 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | 🇲🇺 Mauritius | $1,500-3,500 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | 🇪🇸 Spain | $2,500-5,000 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | $1,200-3,000 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | 7.3/10 |
| 10 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | $1,000-2,500 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | 7.0/10 |
Why Bali Ranks #1
Unbeatable Value
$1,500-4,000/month gets you a lifestyle that would cost $8,000-15,000 in Dubai. Private pool villas, daily dining out, full-time help — all standard.
Easy Visa Access
Multiple visa options: 5-year Second Home Visa ($130K assets), Digital Nomad Visa ($2K/month income), or Investor KITAS. No points system or lottery.
Lifestyle Quality
World-class wellness, surf culture, international community, nature, spirituality. Something for everyone — from entrepreneurs to retirees to families.
Quick Comparison by Priority
Lowest Cost
1. Georgia ($1,000-2,500) 2. Sri Lanka ($1,000-2,500) 3. Malaysia ($1,200-3,000) 4. Bali ($1,500-4,000) 5. Thailand ($1,500-3,500)
Muslim-Friendly
1. Malaysia (Muslim majority) 2. Bali (halal widely available) 3. Turkey (Muslim majority) 4. Mauritius (multicultural) 5. Montenegro (diverse)
Best for Families
1. Malaysia (schools, safety, Islamic) 2. Portugal (EU education, safety) 3. Bali (nature, schools, community) 4. Singapore (world-class everything) 5. Spain (lifestyle, education)
Best for Entrepreneurs
1. Bali (low cost, growing market) 2. Singapore (business hub) 3. Portugal (EU market access) 4. Georgia (low tax, easy setup) 5. Thailand (regional base)