Sharjah, one of the seven emirates, presents a mix of preserved culture and current development, providing a unique Middle Eastern lifestyle. The city, with its fine museums, souks, and Islamic buildings, bridges two eras. By staunchly holding on to tradition, not only does Sharjah preserve Emirati identity, it also creates a relaxed, safe social environment. This makes Sharjah especially appealing to individuals who prize order, community spirit, and richness in culture. In this DXBoffplan blog post, we are going to discuss living conditions in Sharjah, including quality of life, career opportunities, affordability, and how culture impacts people and expats.
Sharjah, being the third-largest and populous city in UAE, is a favorite destination for people from across the globe who move here to work. Dubai, a city from where one can easily access Sharjah by a 20-minute commute, boasts a warm climatic condition with a mild winter season, and is one easy city to live in. The city is renowned to be UAE’s cultural capital and a destination where a substantial part of the country’s culture and history are presented. The city boasts numerous museums and a group of cultural centers representing the nation’s culture and history. The city is home to many American universities and colleges and is thus one of the best cities regarding educational facilities with a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures.
Religiously speaking, Sharjah happens to be more conservative than other cities in UAE (more about this later). The life in Sharjah is truly rich in terms of culture, learning, and employment opportunities at relatively lower costs than other large cities in UAE. For individuals who are searching for a balance between cost and lifestyle, Property prices in Sharjah offer a great starting point.
Economically speaking, property prices in Dubai are much higher and Sharjah would be a viable alternative for expatriates and people who do not need to spend a lot. The following is a more intimate perspective in terms of what one can expect:
Sharjah boasts generous provisions in transport in the form of buses and taxis. The emirate itself is connected to Dubai by major highways like E311 and E11, thus rendering travel extremely convenient. Planned development in terms of future metro lines will improve connectivity. Strategically placed at entry point to the world, the world-renowned Sharjah International Airport connects to a string of global destinations.
There are numerous educational institutions ranging from universities to British and international schools. High-rated universities such as American University of Sharjah and University of Sharjah offer quality education with a mix of Western and Eastern cultures. The students are exposed to a variety of programs and co-curricular activities to develop them multi-dimensionally. The existence of British curriculum and Indian curriculum schools like Delhi Private School and Sharjah English School also contributes to the educational atmosphere. Educational highlights include:
In Sharjah you could find a whole range of quality healthcare facilities, in fact many move to the emirates for this exact reason. You’ll have your choice of hospitals, clinics, and specialty healthcare centers, although make sure you are familiar with the cost of healthcare in Sharjah. Healthcare highlights are as follows:
There is also pediatrics, cardiology, orthopedics, and emergency care available if needed.
Public and private health plans are also available to provide healthcare services in Sharjah at reasonable and affordable rates.
Sharjah is in fact quite famous for its henna plantations, parks and other venues like Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Noor Island, and Al Ittihad Park. You can go there with your family and enjoy the playgrounds, try some of the jogging tracks, or picnic. For instance in Al Majaz Waterfront, you could enjoy the music fountain or a mini golfing. There are a couple of restaurants there as well. The Al Noor Island wouldn’t disappoint either as there is a butterfly house there and many beautiful sculptures waiting to be admired.
All are budget options or even free, but you’ll need to include the cost of living in Sharjah in your budget.
Sharjah boasts many festivals celebrating its tradition and new culture accommodating millions of visitors annually. Key Events include:
You might not have to visit Dubai’s top shopping centers for your retail needs as there are a whole range of shopping malls and traditional souks keeping you satisfied here. Give malls like Sahara Centre, City Centre a shot, they’ll surprise you with international brands and entertainment options. Traditional shopping can be done at Blue Souk (Central Souk) offering a variety of jewelry, cloth, and antiques. Here are couple of other options:
For families looking to move here and settle down, the living conditions in Sharjah in terms of economy is in fact far better than ever. Sharjah’s economy is booming with major expansions in different sectors. Dubai and Abu Dhabi might have to move over in upcoming years as Sharjah is earning its place as one of the UAE’s leading economic hubs. Here’s a closer look:
Sharjah itself is a secure city with very minimal crime. The efficient law enforcing department and community watch programs are few among those by which it remains a secure city, and it remains a secure city for families. Police in Sharjah are making every effort to add as much security and safety to living conditions in Sharjah as possible. They provide a disturbance-free living environment. Neighborhood watch programs and community programs also make people feel secure.
The Sharjah real estate scene experienced an amazing growth in 2025. It surpassed every previous records and naturally attracted the attention of investors from all over the world. It is obvious that Sharjah’s investor-friendly policies and its long term vision towards development is behind this success. Here’s a brief look of Sharjah’s property market for those looking to come here, invest and settle down:
If you are looking to settle down here, then look for the properties with smart home features from the start. They are not that difficult to find anymore as Sharjah is quickly embracing smart home technology. That’s right, as of 2025, at least 40% of new developments in Sharjah are smart and sustainable in nature. The use of smart technology brings you convenience, security, and peace of mind. Smart Home developments include energy efficiency, remote access, and climate control. All this acknowledges the growing necessity for green living.
There are, however, drawbacks when it comes to living conditions in Sharjah. Dubai trips are marred by heavy traffic, which tires one out. Conservatism in Sharjah also implies one cannot drink at restaurants and hotels, while even public dressing remains conservative, especially during Ramadan. All social requirements mentioned above in pros and cons for living in sharjah are part of following Islamic traditions prevalent in this city.
Those searching for a culturally rich, family-oriented environment might find Sharjah suitable. One must, however, keep in mind all considerations before deciding to move because life in Sharjah is not suitable for all groups of people.
Living conditions in Sharjah differ from life in other UAE emirates. With solid Islamic values, it remains cheaper as well as more family-oriented. Being close to Dubai, one can work in a cosmopolitan city yet live at a reduced cost while enjoying a relaxed way of life. Key comparisons between life in Sharjah and other UAE Emirates include:
Generally speaking, living conditions in Sharjah are unique and full of unexpected surprises. Blending traditional identity with modern developments, Sharjah offers a safe, family-oriented environment acceptable both to local nationals and foreign workers. The benefits of life in Sharjah include relatively low living costs, diversified career options, and access to educational and cultural events. On the negative side, disadvantages do include conservative social law and restrictions against drinking alcohol and outside dress. In general, however, Sharjah can be a best bet for individuals who are looking for a balance between affordability and quality, if they are willing to accommodate traditional and cultural rules. If this is what you are after, then what are you waiting for? Make sure to contact us today at Dxboffplan for the latest and the most exclusive property listings and investment opportunities in Sharjah.
Sharjah's living expenses are relatively lower compared to Dubai. The housing, in particular, is lower with lower rental and buying charges. The rest of the living expenses such as food, transport, and entertainment are also affordable.
Sharjah has a whole range of museums, one of them being the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. This one is for giving a glimpse into regional history and artistic legacy of Sharjah. There are also plenty of cultural centers, galleries, and theaters.
Among the largest challenges of living in Sharjah are traditional social ways, requiring some adaptation from expatriate workers. The drinking of alcohol in public is illegal, and restaurants close during the day during Ramadan. Public dress code remains more conservative, requiring covering of knees and shoulders. Another challenge occurs with traffic to Dubai, where workers are employed, which is time-consuming. Despite these challenges, a few residents have found the lower cost of living and lively culture to be tolerable trade-offs.
