At 80, I left the U.S. for Dubai — and found the life I never knew I needed.

In 2021, Margaret Bennett left California for Dubai at the age of 80—and she hasn’t looked back since.

She had spent most of her life taking care of others. So when her husband passed away four years ago, Margaret knew it was time to finally do something for herself.

Although she initially considered moving to the Midwest to be closer to her daughter, she chose instead to move across the globe to the United Arab Emirates, where her son lived with his family in Dubai.

“It was the boldest thing I’ve ever done,” she recalls. “But also the best.”

A Life-Altering Move

Margaret had visited the UAE before and had always been fascinated by its vibrant mix of tradition and modernity. In 2021, she sold her California home, pared down her possessions, and applied for a long-term residence visa to begin her new life in Dubai.

Now 83, Margaret lives in a cozy studio apartment in Jumeirah, just minutes from her son’s home. “I think it’s fair to say that moving to the UAE saved my life,” she says.

From feeling isolated in a sprawling house to sipping gahwa (Arabic coffee) with friends in a local majlis, her transformation has been profound. She’s healthier, more active, and finally fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. She has published four novels since moving.

“I was free to recreate myself,” she says. “To become the woman I had put on hold for decades.”

Finding Herself Again

Moving to the UAE wasn’t without challenges. The first few months were emotionally draining.

“I went from a big, open house to a small studio where I could hear the call to prayer echoing outside my window,” she says. “The heat was intense, and I had no friends in the beginning. I felt like a stranger.”

Dealing with the loss of her husband, her old routine, and the cultural shift triggered deep emotional struggles. “It forced me to confront myself in ways I never had before.”

To cope, Margaret returned to a passion she had long ignored—writing. She finished her first novel, “Desert Wind,” a story she began decades earlier. “The tears were constant, but the words poured out.”

Community and Connection

Margaret didn’t expect to find such a warm, welcoming community in Dubai. “I’ve made friends from Syria, India, Jordan, and the Philippines,” she says. “Language isn’t a barrier here. People are kind and respectful.”

She now starts her mornings writing, followed by long walks along Kite Beach with friends, stopping for karak chai or dates. “We walk, we talk, we laugh. That’s life here. Social, sunny, and safe.”

A Lifestyle That Heals

Her health has also seen a remarkable turnaround. “Back in the U.S., my mobility was limited, and I was dependent on my car,” she says. “Now, I walk everywhere. I’m more active than I’ve been in years.”

She’s also grateful for the UAE’s healthcare system. “I’ve seen top specialists here in clean, modern hospitals. And the costs are much lower than back home.”

The quality of life surprised her: “Fresh fruits, fish, local vegetables—my diet is better here. I’m eating cleaner, and there’s less processed food.”

Margaret lives comfortably on her U.S. social security, something she says wouldn’t have been possible in California. “My rent is manageable, utilities are low, and the public transport is excellent. I’m spending less and living better.”

A Sense of Belonging

Although she keeps in touch with family in the U.S., she hasn’t been back since moving. “Dubai feels like home now,” she says. “I feel confident. Grounded. Alive.”

She recalls advice from a friend who urged her to keep her options open—store her furniture, keep her U.S. insurance. But Margaret refused. “I didn’t want an exit strategy. I wanted to commit to this change.”

Now, she embraces the UAE lifestyle fully—from Friday brunches to serene evenings listening to oud music on her balcony.

A New Chapter

Margaret is currently working on her fifth novel, which explores aging, loss, and legacy. “It’s the last chapter of my fictional autobiography,” she says. “It’s about embracing life, even as you face the end of it.”

Through her writing, she’s connected with women across the region who have faced similar emotional struggles. “I thought I was alone. But I wasn’t. I just needed the courage to speak.”

Her message to others? “You’re never too old to change. You can’t go back to who you were. But you can always become someone new.”

Final Thoughts

As she reflects on her life in Dubai, Margaret smiles. “I didn’t come here to retire,” she says. “I came here to begin again. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

“I believe in growth. I believe in transformation. And the UAE gave me the freedom to do both.”