Dubai in November 2025: Salaries, Dining, and Must-See Attractions

When you think of Dubai, a global city built on ambition, luxury, and rapid transformation. Also known as the city of superlatives, it’s where a salary can buy you a luxury apartment—or just enough to survive if you have kids in international school. November 2025 was a month where the real stories behind Dubai’s shine came out: how much people actually earn, where they eat, and what they do when they’re not taking photos at the Burj Khalifa.

People were talking about Dubai salary, the real buying power behind numbers like 300,000 AED per year. For singles and couples, that’s freedom—travel, dining out, savings. But for families? It’s a tight budget once you factor in school fees that can hit 100,000 AED a year. Meanwhile, top real estate agents were clearing over a million dirhams annually, not by selling apartments, but by locking in luxury villas in Business Bay, the richest area not because it’s the priciest, but because it’s where money moves fastest. And when it came to money, Dubai banking, the system that keeps expats and locals afloat. Also known as UAE banking, it’s not just about which bank has the lowest fees—it’s about safety, multi-currency access, and apps that actually work. Emirates NBD, Liv. by ADCB, and Dubai Islamic Bank were the top names, not because they’re the biggest, but because they understood what people needed: simplicity, speed, and trust.

Food was everywhere. From Dubai restaurants, the heart of the city’s social life. Also known as Dubai food scene, it’s where you can spend AED 500 on a single lobster at Al Mahara or grab a AED 5 shawarma at Dubai Mall—both equally valid choices. The Burj Khalifa’s Atmosphere and Burj Al Arab’s Al Muntaha weren’t just restaurants—they were experiences. You didn’t just eat there; you felt like you were floating above the city. And if you didn’t want to pay for it, the Dubai Fountain, Palm Jumeirah boardwalk, and Al Fahidi Historic District offered free moments just as powerful. Meanwhile, the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Frame weren’t just tourist spots—they were windows into how the city sees itself: underwater wonder and historical contrast, side by side.

November 2025 was the month when Dubai stopped pretending and started showing up. Whether you were earning, spending, saving, or just exploring, the city gave you the tools to live well—if you knew where to look. Below, you’ll find the real guides, the honest breakdowns, and the unfiltered takes on what actually matters in Dubai right now—no fluff, no hype, just what works.