My name is Tori, or Victoria, when I’m being told off! I’m originally from Scotland but am a true expat brat having spent much of my life in Hong Kong. I moved to Dubai at the beginning of 2008 and today, I split my time between Durban and Dubai.

1. Why did you move abroad?
I moved to Dubai with my then hubbie, Aiden, who had a wonderful new opportunity to further his career in the wine industry. We always had a spirit for adventure and a lust for embracing life, so thought, why not?!

2. How do you make a living?
I make a living as a writer in the main, writing for companies, ghost writing and blogging. I also support companies with their marketing, communications and pr. My website is www.thecontentcompany.co

I love my work and have literally created my career from my passions, having previously spent far too long in the rat race, working in the financial sector.

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
Home? Well, I have a dad in Hong Kong, a mum in Scotland, a brother in Scotland, a sister in Singapore and another in Indonesia. So I’m never quite sure where ‘home’ is, but I speak regularly to my parents – once per week – via Skype normally and the others just whenever. I do see them all a lot as well.

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Dubai?
So many, but I think the greatest would be the ‘can do’ mindset… there exists amongst expats here a wonderful, positive attitude. People have an entrepreneurial flair and a driving determination to work hard, play hard and get ahead.

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Dubai?
Summer meltdown, dealing with DU, rising costs and being called Sir.

6. What do you miss most?
I miss greenery, real nature, street life, colour and culture.

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
I think Dubai is a very friendly place. Anywhere that has a thriving expat set up is, because of its transient nature. I joined some sporting clubs at the outset, which tend to be a great icebreaker.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
The strangest custom, that I still struggle with, is the Friday / Saturday weekends. And as I travel a lot and work for people all over the world, this often means, I end up being ‘on call’ six days a week!

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
That its dry. I lose count of the number of times people have asked me if its tough living in a city with no alcohol. I mean, c’mon! Dubai is party central for those that like to party! Also, I think it’s a widely held myth that everyone in the UAE lives some OTT bling bling lifestyle, which just isn’t the case.

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
When I moved here Dubai was super expensive and it’s returning that way now. But in between, the UAE became very affordable and prob on a par with living in any major UK city. Rents certainly remain cheaper than those in Hong Kong however!

I found an awesome site recently called www.expatistan.com, which allows you to compare the cost of living in different cities around the world. Check it out! (Editors note: We have a similar tool https://www.easyexpat.com/en/mod/cost.htm )

11. What advice would you give other expats?
To remember that all the other expats around you have been in the same boat as you, have faced the same challenges, so never be afraid to ask for help, advice or support. Expat life is a truly wonderful privilege but it’s also 100% what you make of it. You need to get stuck in there and create oportunitines rather than await them.

12. When and why did you start your blog?
I started my blog www.fitchicksandfastwomen.com at the end of 2010. I started it for fun really. I love to write and am passionate about running, health, fitness and wellness so a platform to share my rambles seemed like a smart move. I never anticipated how much it would grow throughout the world however and the opportunities it would lead to. I’ve had incredible holidays given to me in exchange for wonderful words, was the first adidas-sponsored athlete in the Middle East and have had so many enquiries from now current / past clients who loved my style and wanted me to support their organisations.

So in short, blogging is a marvelous communications tool and has been the making of my now being known as Content Queen Tori!

Tori's blog, Fit Chicks and Fast Women

Guide to Dubai

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