Retreating from the turbulent political scene and uncertain economic climate, American entrepreneur Fares Ksebati, 33, now considers Dubai home. He ended up purchasing a condo in the city for about $350,000. The founder and CEO of MySwimPro has fully adopted Dubai’s exciting lifestyle for half of each year since 2024. In addition to his work in the nonprofit space, he is enthralled by Houston’s culinary scene. Dubai now claims 13,000 restaurants. This extraordinary figure provides the city with more restaurants per capita than New York City, turning it into a culinary wonderland for locals and tourists alike.
Ksebati’s monthly expenses in Dubai—including mortgage, utilities, and necessary cheery on top—run around $1,750. It’s the affordable cost of living that really makes this place stand out from other global cities. It attracts people willing to take a chance on something new. He finds the conveniences of life in Dubai exceptional, stating, “Dubai has all the conveniences that make living here so easy.”
Dubai’s real estate sector and population have exploded over the last decade. In that same timeframe, the city added around 300,000 new neighbors between 2019 and 2023. This influx has further cemented Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top expatriate hotspots. According to a new relocation survey conducted by Remitly, Dubai ranks first as the most wanted center of migration. This is the fifth consecutive year this city has held the top spot since 2022.
This is the case for Ksebati, who first came to Dubai in 2021 and has since fully grown into the city over the last four years. The vibrant atmosphere inspires him, as he noted: “When you come to a place like that, it just feels so inspiring. And you feel empowered to bring your best to the world.”
The city’s food scene has especially impressed Ksebati. He has bought $2,000 worth of meals in restaurants so far just in March 2025, enjoying the local fare. “I think it’s so cool to live in an area where I can walk outside and be footsteps away from the best shawarma, hummus and Arabic food,” he shared. He appreciates the local fare, he humorously added, “Nothing will replace Mom’s cooking, but this is pretty close.”
Currently, Ksebati has a base salary of $240,000 and expects his total income to reach $400,000 by 2025. He represents a hopeful new wave of industry talent carving out a unique identity in Dubai’s cutthroat, creative desert. He emphasizes the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in the city: “As someone who’s already been in the entrepreneurial game, it’s really an opportunity for me to level up and to be surrounded by people who are executing at a very high level.”
Through culinary exploration or affordability, Dubai’s appeal and luxury go beyond just the tangible. As of 2023, it was rated third on TripAdvisor’s list of top global destinations for 2025 based on user reviews. The city does a fantastic job of blending the new with the old. This extraordinary way of life still attracts people from all over the world.