So I Just Moved to Dubai – Wild First Impressions, Culture Shocks & Making It Home
🎙️ Hosted by Inara with guests Irene Ingonvichit, Allen Tianco & João Elton B. Nascimento
What’s it really like to pack your bags and start fresh in Dubai?
In this fun and honest episode, Inara sits down with three expats—Irene, Allen, and João—to share their unfiltered experiences of moving to Dubai for the first time. From culture shocks to unexpected joys, they open up about the reality of adjusting to life in a fast-paced, diverse city.
💬 In this episode, they talk about:
- First impressions (and missteps!) when arriving in Dubai
- The biggest culture shocks—some funny, some serious
- Navigating the heat, the malls, and the social scene
- Building new routines and finding a sense of belonging
- Advice for anyone thinking of making the move
Whether you're planning to move, just landed, or simply curious about Dubai life—this one’s for you!
👉 Hit the follow button, give this video a thumbs up, and share it with someone who's thinking of moving to Dubai!
💬 Don’t forget to leave a comment with your own experience or questions.

Follow Inara:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inara.joy/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InaraJoyOfficial/
X: https://x.com/insideandoutpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inarajoy7?_t=ZS-8tQ3vbMFUVE&_r=1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inaraj/
Follow guests:
Irene: https://www.instagram.com/lollibabeful/?igsh=c2I3ZWQxdGJ3YzBl#
João: https://www.instagram.com/joaoelton.discovering_dubai?igsh=MWpnY3l5anB1a2F4ZA==
Allen: https://www.instagram.com/allentianco?igsh=MXN0bWd3czR1OHI2cg==
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:04 First Impressions of Dubai
02:15 Experiences with Dubai's Heat
03:39 Cultural Differences and Adaptation
10:02 Living in a City Under Construction
29:44 Safety and Security in Dubai
38:59 Dubai's Safety and Security
40:06 Luxury and Normalcy in Dubai
41:55 Navigating Dubai: Then and Now
46:58 Cultural Misunderstandings and Adaptations
54:48 Community and Belonging in Dubai
01:03:46 Dubai's Convenience and Lifestyle
01:10:26 Advice for Newcomers to Dubai
01:15:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections