Life in Dubai in the 90s vs Today: A Middle-Aged Expat's Perspective

As someone who has called Dubai home for nearly three decades, I've witnessed an extraordinary transformation that sometimes feels like living through multiple lifetimes in a single city. When people ask me about life in Dubai in the 90s compared to today, I often struggle to find the right words to capture the magnitude of change this emirate has undergone.

The Dubai I First Knew

Life in Dubai in the 90s was vastly different from the glittering metropolis we know today. Back then, Dubai felt more like an intimate, close-knit community where everyone seemed to know each other. The city revolved around Dubai Creek, and the most happening nightspot was Pancho Villa's. The entire expatriate British community numbered just 20,000 people, and we all felt part of an exclusive club in this emerging desert oasis.

The skyline was dominated by just a handful of buildings - the Dubai World Trade Centre, completed in 1979, stood as our tallest structure at 39 stories, symbolizing the city's global ambitions. Sheikh Zayed Road was a simple highway connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi, with palm trees lining the center islands rather than the forest of skyscrapers we see today.

Housing: From Affordable Paradise to Premium Market

Perhaps nowhere is the transformation more stark than in housing costs. Life in Dubai in the 90s offered remarkably affordable accommodation that seems almost fantastical by today's standards. In 1995, AED 1000 could cover 1.26 months of rent for a studio apartment in Deira, compared to just 0.22 months today. A two-bedroom apartment in Bur Dubai that cost AED 19,000 annually in 1995 now commands around AED 125,000 per year.

Local Emiratis enjoyed government-provided land and interest-free loans of 500,000 to 750,000 dirhams for home construction - a significant sum that could build a proper villa back then. Water was free, and the standard of living for middle-class families included maids, drivers, and cooks as standard amenities.

Shopping and Entertainment: Simple Pleasures

Life in Dubai in the 90s centered around much simpler entertainment options. Al Ghurair Centre, which opened in 1981, was our premier shopping destination, featuring the beloved 'King of Toys' shop that felt like wonderland to children. Deira City Centre, opening in November 1995, represented the pinnacle of modern shopping at the time.

Television entertainment revolved around Channel 33, the only free-to-air English-language channel, which became a cultural lifeline for expat families. Thursday nights at 10 PM were sacred as families gathered to watch Bollywood films with English subtitles. Children rushed home from school to catch afternoon cartoons featuring classics like Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk.

Dining: From Budget Paradise to Premium Experience

The food scene during life in Dubai in the 90s was wonderfully affordable. A shawarma cost just AED 1, meaning AED 1000 could buy 1,000 shawarmas compared to just 125 today at AED 8 each. Falafel sandwiches cost merely 50 fils, and places like Danillo Cafeteria in Deira - operating since 1982 - offered incredible value with generous portions.

KFC offered all-you-can-eat buffets for AED 15 between noon and 2:30 PM, a luxury that would cost AED 45-50 today. The legendary restaurant scene included establishments like Miyako at Hyatt Regency, which opened in 1987 as Dubai's first Japanese restaurant and remains operational today.

Transportation: From Desert Roads to World-Class Infrastructure

Life in Dubai in the 90s meant relying primarily on personal vehicles and basic bus services. The first bus service launched in 1968 with just four minibuses, expanding gradually through the decades. The Dubai to Abu Dhabi road was a simple single carriageway until it was expanded to four lanes on each side in the mid-1990s, with roundabouts eventually replaced by flyovers.

There was no metro system - that wouldn't arrive until 2009 with the Red Line's inauguration. Getting around meant navigating through less congested but poorly connected roads, with most infrastructure concentrated around the Creek area and early developments in Jumeirah and Deira.

Education: Building Foundations

The educational landscape during life in Dubai in the 90s was more limited but growing rapidly. Dubai College, founded in 1978, represented one of the pioneering international schools offering British-style education. The 1990s saw the Dubai government launching ambitious plans to modernize and internationalize education, though options remained relatively limited compared to today's diverse array.

International schools were beginning to establish themselves to serve the growing expatriate population, offering curricula from various countries including British, American, and Indian programs. However, higher education options were severely limited, with most students needing to travel abroad for university studies.

The Social Fabric: Community vs. Cosmopolitanism

Life in Dubai in the 90s fostered a stronger sense of community among residents. The expat population was smaller and more tightly knit, with frequent dinner invitations and social gatherings being the norm. People could smoke in malls, restaurants, and even airplanes - a reminder of how different social norms were back then.

The city felt safer and more relaxed, with a family-oriented atmosphere that many long-time residents fondly remember. Everyone knew their neighbors, and the pace of life, while not slow, was certainly more measured and contemplative.

Economic Transformation: From Trading Hub to Global City

The economic foundation during life in Dubai in the 90s was still heavily influenced by trade and modest oil revenues. The Persian Gulf War in 1990 initially unsettled the economy, but Dubai rebounded strongly by the mid-1990s, attracting foreign trading communities. The establishment of Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1985 was already beginning to position Dubai as a global business hub.

Per capita GDP stood at around $25,000 in 1990 - relatively high for the time - with a population of approximately 470,000 people. The diversification away from oil dependency was already underway, setting the stage for the dramatic transformation that would follow.

Today's Reality: Global Metropolis with Growing Pains

Fast-forward to 2025, and Dubai has become an entirely different entity. With a population of 2.5 million, of which 91% are expatriates, the city has achieved its vision of becoming a global hub. The skyline is dominated by architectural marvels like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and countless other record-breaking structures.

However, this transformation has come with challenges. The city has become increasingly materialistic, with social status often measured by designer items and luxury cars. Housing costs have skyrocketed, with many expats spending over 41% of their income on accommodation. The intimate community feeling of the 1990s has been replaced by a more transient, cosmopolitan atmosphere where relationships can feel more superficial.

Reflection: Progress and Nostalgia

Looking back at life in Dubai in the 90s versus today, I'm struck by both the incredible progress and what we've lost along the way. The city has undoubtedly achieved remarkable success in infrastructure, global connectivity, and economic diversification. The metro system, world-class airports, and modern amenities make life more convenient in many ways.

Yet there's something to be said for the simplicity and community spirit of those earlier days. The affordable housing, strong neighborhood bonds, and relaxed pace of life created a quality of living that, in some ways, money can't buy today.

Dubai's transformation from a modest trading port to a global luxury destination is one of the most remarkable urban development stories of our time. As someone who has lived through both eras, I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed this extraordinary journey - even as I sometimes miss the intimate charm of life in Dubai in the 90s.