How a wedding promise led a British couple to make Dubai their new home

Dubai: On January 11, 2025, Abigail Mills’ husband made a promise in his wedding speech – by 2027, the newlyweds would be living in Dubai. Fast forward a year, and the couple have just celebrated completing a month in the UAE, their new home. Mills, a 29-year-old British national, who works as a social media and marketing strategist, said: “He knew if he spoke it into existence, we would make it happen.” The dream of moving to Dubai was a long time coming. Mills said: “My husband has been visiting the UAE for years, as he had family living in Abu Dhabi back in the 2010s, so it has been his dream to be in the UAE for a long time. I only first visited Dubai in 2024, but the moment we [arrived], I knew this city had the lifestyle, business opportunities, and ambition I’ve been searching for, over the last five years, and my husband had always felt the same.” Finding a match for her ambition Growing up on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Mills has never lived outside of Scotland. But as the founder of a social media marketing consultancy firm, Rose&Thistle Marketing Services, she had dreams that were too big for her little corner of the world. She said: “For a long time, I was building an ambitious business from a place that didn't match the ambition. I knew there was more opportunity out in the world, but it always felt so hard to reach them when based in Scotland.” In November 2024, Mills decided to see for herself, whether Dubai was the place for her and her business. She flew out on a solo trip to the city: “I'd reached a point where I could feel there was a bigger version of me waiting somewhere I hadn't been yet, and the trip I took… confirmed that for me.” Her purpose for the solo trip was to gauge if she could see herself living in Dubai, without it feeling like a holiday. Mills said: “I actually attended a networking event in Pier 7 at Dubai Marina the evening I landed. I met people from all across the world, from London to Egypt to New Zealand, and everyone was so supportive, wanting to help and connect. That’s when I realised just how supportive and collaborative the people in this city are, and that’s what sold it to me! I knew if I wanted to grow as a person and in my business, this was the environment I needed around me.” Turning a dream into reality In November 2024, Mills decided to see for herself, whether Dubai was the place for her and her business. The trip convinced her to move to the city. Picture credit: Supplied Seven months after her husband’s announcement, Mills submitted an application to open a business in Dubai. The couple’s 2027 plan was fast-tracked to 2026: “Our mortgage was due for renewal in the UK, and we thought, instead of tying in for another 5-10 years, why not make this the moment we take action? So, I enquired with an accountancy firm who helped us with the move in August 2025, and started to get the process rolling.” Mills’ husband is the co-founder and developer of a SaaS business. Both entrepreneurs had to get their business licences sorted and visas approved before moving to Dubai. Mills said: “Once we decided, it took no time at all to get everything set. Within a week, we were ready with the business and started our visa process! It really was so efficient.” Regional tensions didn’t deter their plans in any way, although it did cause a delay of about three months. Today, as one-month old Dubai residents, the couple is living it up in the city they once dreamed of making their home. She said: “We’ve loved every second; the efficiency of the city has really blown us away, and the fact that we have a better quality of life here and our lifestyle expenses don’t differ much from our outgoings in the UK – we really didn’t expect. We are living healthier and more driven lives since being here, even in the height of summer.” As far as her ambitions for her business go, Mills says she is on track. “I’ve had the most business enquiries; I’ve met so many amazing people through the huge number of events and communities there are across the city, for loads of different passions and hobbies. It’s also allowed me to connect with women I’ve admired that I previously only knew through my business, and now I can meet with them regularly.” Just a month in, she feels inspired and ready to Dubai-it in a city that’s always growing and evolving. Mills said: “Dubai is a hub for so many and matches the version of me I was trying to grow into, because of the opportunities, events and people you can connect with. And I’ve got a fire back when I go to these events, and surround myself with people who also moved here, because we want to strive for the best life we can possibly build.”