A British day trader and real estate agent who spent two months living in Dubai has revealed why he couldn’t wait to leave, describing the glitzy hotspot as “soulless” and “fake”.
TikToker Charlie Smith, known online as @itscharliesmith , shared with his followers that despite earning record profits while living in the , he packed up his bags and flew back to the UK.
An influencer announced he would be leaving Dubai to return to the UKCredit: tiktok/ @itscharliesmith
Charlie had moved to Dubai just two months before but found the city ‘fake’ and ‘soulless’Credit: tiktok/ @itscharliesmith
He told fans: “Right. I am leaving . I’m coming back to the UK. And thank the Lord that I’m leaving. This place is so soulless and so fake.”
The trader said that while looked stunning on the surface, he felt emotionally empty living there, adding that “money isn’t the be all end all” and that he missed his family and friends back home.
Charlie had moved to Dubai earlier this year to grow his trading and enjoy the tax-free lifestyle that has made the city a magnet for wealthy expats, , and entrepreneurs.
The glittering desert city is known for its shopping malls, world-class , five-star and futuristic skyline, with tourists flocking to see landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.
But despite its reputation as a playground for the rich, Charlie said the lifestyle came with a price, claiming that the fast-paced, materialistic culture left him feeling “empty”.
He added that while Dubai was “beautiful on the eye”, the constant pressure to chase success took a toll, leading him to crave a more grounded life back home surrounded by “good people”.
Dubai remains one of the most visited cities in the world, attracting more than 15 million international visitors last year.
But as Charlie’s experience shows, even paradise can feel hollow to those searching for something more than and success.
Strict laws
Dubai has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world.
Although , there are still some customs and traditions that both locals and visitors are expected to respect.
One Brit who recently had to learn all the strict laws is Janelle after she ditched the gloomy UK for the glorious Dubai sunshine.
The TikToker initially thought she’d be living there for a month – but has now signed a three-month contract for an apartment and is currently in the process of sorting out her .
Since moving to the influencer hotspot, Janelle has also spilled the beans on some of the laws she has to abide by – including a .
According to Janelle, these laws are so strict they ”will send an English person into a coma”.
Despite its strict rules, has risen to the top of the celeb holiday pile, with the likes of and even in posh near its famous Jumeirah Beach.
Meanwhile, others have gone one step further, such as and , who earlier this week announced from their £4million mansion in Bromley, , to the .
Sharing the happy on, Kate told their millions of followers: “A new chapter, a fresh start — because if we don’t try, we’ll never know.”
Alongside she added: “Ahhh! We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real . . . we’re here.
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:
- Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
- Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
- Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
- If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad – contact the International Pension Centre .
- You can sign up to the Royal Mail’s redirection service .
- If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre .
- If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.
