{
  "id": 9137109,
  "title": "‘Better off in India’: Man says high expenses in Dubai make it hard to save",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/better-off-in-india-man-says-high-expenses-in-dubai-make-it-hard-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T12:04:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/dubai-cost-of-living-rahul-bala-warning-10889320/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For many Indians, moving abroad is seen as a path to greater earnings and a better life. However, for Kolkata-based chef Rahul Bala, his time in Dubai has made him reconsider whether leaving India was the right choice. In an Instagram video, Bala warned potential migrants to \"think twice before moving to Dubai for work\". He expressed that the city's high cost of living makes it difficult for an average worker to save money and send a significant portion back home each month. Bala recalled his initial dream of leaving India, which had become a reality when he moved abroad. Yet, after his experience in Dubai, he now believes that India remains a superior place. He noted that Dubai's lifestyle is expensive, with daily costs such as rent and meals being quite high. For instance, a single meal can cost at least 10 dirhams, which, when multiplied over a month, can substantially reduce the amount left for savings. In his comparison, a salary of 2,500 dirhams in Dubai is roughly equal to earning around Rs 70,000 in India. However, after paying for living expenses, a person in Dubai might only have savings of around 1,500 dirhams. Bala's comments have resonated online, with several users sharing their own perspectives on life and work abroad. While some argued that Dubai offers benefits like cleaner air, good infrastructure, and no crime, others suggested Bala might benefit from giving Dubai more time to adjust.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Kolkata-based chef Rahul Bala regrets moving to Dubai.",
    "High cost of living in Dubai makes saving money difficult.",
    "Dubai lifestyle expenses reduce savings to around 1,500 dirhams."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}