There are just over 2 million residents in Dubai, 80 per cent of them are expatriates.
Around 14,000 are Australian.
It's one of the very few places in the world where expats outnumber locals to such a degree.
Given the large amount of international guests calling the UAE's biggest city home, one must question whether some of the perceived cons of living in a such a city, is valid.
I travelled to Dubai as a guest of Qantas as part of its strategic alliance with Emirates earlier this week.
While I was only there for two full days, I tried to speak to as many people as possible to get an idea of where it is economically and what Aussie expats really think of this growing city.
The International Monetary Fund says the United Arab Emirates economy grew by 4 per cent in 2012 and is expected to slow to 2.6 per cent this year.
The head of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Helal Al Marri told me, that while growth in 2009 was 1 per cent, the average from 2006 to now has been 8 per cent.
Dubai is expected to grow at just over 4 per cent this year.
The city has always been a trading hub, but its wealth exploded in the late 1960s when oil was discovered.
The profits were used by its leader to develop the city, and it modernised very quickly.
Property prices soared in the mid-2000s when the real estate sector opened to foreign investors granting them freehold ownership at many developments.
But the 80 per cent increase in value seen in many parts of Dubai wasn't sustainable, and following the global financial crisis, the sector was hit hard.
Some buildings were left unfinished, while others just took a bit longer to build.
The World Islands for example, were quickly created. While most have been sold, only two islands have been developed. They sit on the city's coast as a reminder of just how hot its economy got.
The sector has stabilised, and John Iossifids from Mashreqbank told me prices altogether are around 40 per cent off their lows now, but still 20 per cent off their 2007 peaks.
One of the reasons why Dubai has been able to ride out the global storm, is because of its diverse economy.
While Dubai's riches may have come from oil, its focus is now on tourism, services and trade.
Tourism for example contributes to one quarter of total GDP.
There has been a 10 per cent increase in the number of visitors to the city in the last 2 years, year on year according to Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
What the city is doing, is positioning itself as a luxury family holiday destination.
It's home to a number of 'big' things. The world's biggest building completed in 2010 is the Burj Khalifa, which now incidentally is close to 90 per cent occupied. The Dubai Mall is the world's biggest shopping centre. The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is the world's tallest hotel.
It is also home to some major sporting events, like the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup.
One of its next big hopes, is Expo 2020. The city is bidding for the event which will be awarded later this year. It is expected to create 250,000 jobs in the lead up, and pull in 25 million visitors to the event.
Then there is the visual opulence of the city which attracts visitors. Its unusual buildings and manmade structures.
The Palm for example was built in such a way, to maximise waterfront property. Waterways are now being extended into the desert.
Business large and small are attracted to the city thanks to its generous tax advantages. No personal income tax is paid.
Its location is also a big factor.
Dubai is 4 hours from a third of the world's population.
Dubai International Airpot saw nearly 58 million passengers enter its terminals, and only recently overtook Charles De Gaulle as the world's second busiest airport behind Heathrow. It's expected to take out the top spot by 2015.
It also opened the world's first dedicated A380 Concourse which will help Emirates Airlines build on its 68 per cent first half profit increase.
Dubai International is expected to get so busy, its parent company Dubai Airports is preparing to expand its second airport about 30 kilometres south of its main site. Dubai World Central will have room for 80 million passengers by 2027 and eventually grow to 160 million.
The challenge for it, along with Dubai generally, will be to successfully manage this growth.
It's this growth, which has drawn more than 200 nationalities to the city, and a surge in expats which outnumber nationals, or Emirati people, 4 to 1.
Of course those who have decided to live in the city, must abide by its rules.
Islam is the official religion of the UAE, but the government has blended the interpretation of Sharia Law with the customs on non-Muslim expatriates making Dubai, somewhat more relaxed than other centres around the country like Abu Dhabi, and other parts of the Middle East.
Aussie expat, Penny Couchman described it as "The latte of the Middle East," meaning that it is a soft entry into the region.
Still, their customs and traditions have been around for hundreds of years, and while Dubai may be a little more lenient than other parts of the Arab world, rules do exist.
Kissing in public and swearing is not allowed, people are warned not to stare too long at the locals or members of the opposite sex, drinking or being drunk in public, along with acts of homosexuality can be punishable, sharing a hotel room with a member of the opposite sex unless you're married is unlawful, and some over the counter medicines bought in Australia, like codeine based products, are banned.
However, it is not unusual to see people sunbaking on the beach in bikinis. Sometimes, it may be difficult to exactly interpret the law, which I'll touch on later.
The Australian government encourages anyone travelling to, or through the region, or any other part of the world for that matter, to refer to its smart traveller website (http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au).
Dubai Tourism's Helal Al Marri told me "There is definitely a need for people who visit, to at least understand the local customs and cultures."
There has been a 17 per cent increase in the number of Australians in Dubai in the past two years. Dubai tourism estimates around 200,000 Aussies have visited in that time.
The recent alliance between Qantas and Emirates may see that number increase, and while there has been a bit of scaremongering in the media, about the dangers of Dubai, and the possibility of tourists being caught out unawares, the reality is Australians have been in, and travelling through the city for decades.
There have of course, been high profile cases of Australians in trouble with authorities, whether they be tourists or business people.
Roderick Crouch from the Australia Dubai Business Council told me, "When you go and live anywhere else in the world, you've got to expect to live and work by their rules."
Expats say, that elements of the law can be frustrating, especially when no precedent has been set. Some feel that it's not so black and while, compared with Australia.
Ultimately, expats agree that taking the time to understand the process, makes doing business in Dubai easier.
And Dubai does want business, especially with Australians.
Australia is the UAE's 14th largest market.
Food and the equine industries are big while some Australian manufactured goods have also found a market in the city.
In fact, the Victorian made Toyota Camry is probably the most successful export with many taxis in the city using the make.
Education is also playing a key role, as Dubai expands its knowledge based economy.
The University of Wollongong has expanded its Dubai campus, and its President, Professor Trevor Spedding told me that it started with a business course with just six or seven students, which has grown over the last 20 years to about 3,500.
Despite the cultural differences, expats say Australians and Emiratis are similar in business, stemming from an economy based on natural resources and a multicultural society.
Emiratis like Australian's can do attitude. Small talk before a deal is essential, and is part of the UAE way of life. Luckily, this is where Australia's mostly relaxed approach to business can be advantageous.
I found an extremely useful business customs guide on the Australian Government's Austrade website, (http://www.austrade.gov.au).
It's also important to understand the social structure which exists in the UAE. The Emiratis. The expats. Those from developing countires.
The Emirati people do lead privileged lives. It is after all, their land. They get free education, healthcare along with access to housing funds and marriage funds.
Expats lead privileged lives too, with many affording luxuries they just couldn't back home, like live-in help.
Construction workers for example, particularly those from India and Pakistan do it a bit tougher.
The Business Council's Roderick Crouch adds, "You do have a lot of people from very poor parts of the world, in fairly poor paid jobs, but it's still better than where their life may be back home."
Speaking of back home, there is one distinct disadvantage for Australians working in Dubai, and that's the very strong Australian dollar, especially for those wanting to send money back home.
The other disadvantage is for those expats wanting a short stay, with many businesses keen on longer term employees.
Middle East-based recruiter, Michael Leonard told me, that Dubai is a very transient type of place, so getting people to stay for more than two years who aren't chasing the dollar is difficult.
Dubai may sound like an appealing place to work, live and do business, but as with every aspect in life, there are risks.
Some worry about just how far Dubai's economy may expand for, and whether the European financial crisis will spread into the city.
But it seems the biggest threat may be regional.
The Arab Spring has actually been beneficial for Dubai. The uprising around the region has seen cash flood into the UAE which is more stable, and international businesses set up regional offices in Dubai.
However, John Iossifids says, if that spreads, it may be a problem, but highly unlikely.
Roderick Couch adds, any conflict between the US and Iran, which has deep historic relations with the UAE may also add to instability, but again, that's unlikely.
As for my own personal experience, obviously two full days isn't enough, but it did give me a taste for what Dubai offers.
While the city does literally rise up from the desert, it is eternally clean and safe. Dubai Tourism tells me it is one of the safest cities in the world, with a crime rate of just 1 in 100,000.
What was frustrating, was the process to gain filming permits across the city for various locations, which I must admit Dubai Tourism and Qantas did help with, but even in approved areas, we were stopped by police a couple of times, who asked to see papers. In our situation, we had no issues though.
Did I also mention my upset tummy on day one? Sometimes I don't travel well.
There are a lot of things that I didn't get to see, nightlife being one of them, but I guess I may have to leave that for another trip.
