Dubai vs Abu Dhabi for long-term residency

Lived in Dubai for a while and know a good number of people who eventually moved to Abu Dhabi or went the other way. The comparison gets brought up a lot but most of what's out there is pretty surface level (traffic, rent, "Abu Dhabi is quieter"). But what really makes people move from the glitz and glam of Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

The cost of living isn't as different as people assume. Rent in Abu Dhabi can be cheaper for the same size apartment, but groceries, school fees and eating out cost the same. However, its true that you get more square footage for your money in most of the areas in Abu Dhabi.

When it comes to employment opportunities, Dubai has way more options if you're looking for a job in the private sector like trade, tech, marketing and hospitality. In comparison, Abu Dhabi offers jobs in the government and semi-government sector. The capital is also a good place to start if you are looking to work in the oil and gas sector. If your career doesn't fit one of those buckets, the job pool shrinks fast and switching employers later can be harder.

Commuting in Abu Dhabi is different and people don’t usually expect it. Dubai is spread out but has more housing options close to where the jobs are. Residential areas in Abu Dhabi such as Saadiyat, Yas Island and Al Reem are often farther away from where most of the companies have offices. So, you end up with a 40 to 50-minute commute on average.

If you’ve school-going children, then you might find Abu Dhabi a more suitable option for long-term residency. While there is usually a waitlist, there are more than a few well-regarded schools in Abu Dhabi.

For long-term residency specifically, golden visa eligibility and property ownership rules are the same as in Dubai, so that part isn't exactly a deciding factor.

Curious to know if anyone has made a move recently; would love to get personal insights.