She left her UK nursing job 12 years ago and now runs her own healthcare consultancy company in Dubai
Natalie Oakes moved from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 12 years ago after wanting to gain more “life experience” without giving up her career(Image: Natalie Oakes / SWNS)
A British nurse ditched her NHS job and travelled 4,700 miles from the UK to start a new life in the United Arab Emirates – now she can’t imagine ever going back.
Natalie Oakes, 38, moved from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 12 years ago after wanting to gain more “life experience” without giving up her career.
The Scottish nurse had worked her way up in the NHS to a leadership role, earning around £50,000, but took the leap to move after seeing an advert for a nursing role in UAE.
Upon moving to the UAE, Natalie earnt 25% more than her UK salary abroad and had her accommodation and travel to the hospital included, but she did have to work 40 hours a week instead of the 37-and-a-half she was working in the UK.
Natalie lived in Scotland before taking the leap and flying to the United Arab Emirates 12 years ago(Image: Natalie Oakes / SWNS)
As she developed her career, Natalie has had to work 48 hour weeks, but says she “didn’t feel any difference” because she is able to spend her days off going to the beach and chilling by the pool.
Now she runs her own healthcare consultancy company and says Dubai has given her so many more career opportunities than the UK would have.
Natalie, originally from Dumfries, Scotland, said: “All these things you are paying in the UK were included – that was a major pull for me.
“My salary was my disposable income. The hours are more in the UAE. In the UK I was working 37-and-a-half a week and in UAE it was 40. As I moved up I did 48 hours a week.
“I didn’t feel a difference because my days off were more fulfilling and productive.”
Natalie worked in the NHS for seven years before she moved in 2013. She said she wasn’t “desperate” to leave the UK or go to Dubai but was looking to travel while still holding down her career.
Natalie said: “I’d progressed quite quickly at quite a young age. I’d reached leadership level. I really enjoyed the NHS but I felt like a young person who hadn’t gained much life experience.
Natalie now runs her own healthcare consultancy company and says Dubai has given her so many more career opportunities than the UK would have(Image: Natalie Oakes / SWNS)
“I didn’t want to give up my career.”
Natalie saw an advert for a role in a clinic in Abu Dhabi and applied with her CV but it wasn’t until a year later that they got in touch and offered her the job. She left with three suitcases and hasn’t looked back.
Natalie said: “When I moved out it was more than just a salary pull. I was given accommodation, reimbursed for furniture. There were so many additional benefits. I was provided transport to go to my shift.”
Natalie eventually moved to Dubai and worked her way up – sometimes working 48 hour weeks. But despite the long working weeks she found she was “more refreshed” when she was on shift.
She said: “There is so much to do on your day off. I’d feel more refreshed to go back. Dubai has a lot – beaches, there is a massive wellness drive. Even if you want to chill out at home every building has a pool.
“When I was in the UK I did the same all of the time. There wasn’t much to do on a Saturday but shopping and lunch.”
Natalie is still “appreciative” of the NHS and how it helped her climb the career ladder but now couldn’t see herself moving back to the UK.
Natalie says that she gets to enjoy her time off in Dubai more than she did in the UK(Image: Natalie Oakes / SWNS)
She said: “It wasn’t the UK that pushed me away. I wanted to experience more in my life. I’ve created such a life out her for myself.”
Natalie has since met her partner, Calvin Smith, 34, who runs a tailors, and they are expecting a baby in December.
Costs are similar in Dubai, according to Natalie. She pays £1,000 a month for rent – whereas the average cost to rent in London are around £2,000 per month – and she spends £120 on a food shop to last 10 to 14 days for her and her partner.
Natalie said: “In Dubai I’ve always been able to live within my means. I can live a nice lifestyle. I’ve never struggled.”