This week’s Into-yous features British expat James Thomas.

Tell us a little about yourself
45 year old Brit enjoying a new lease on life in this vibrant ‘City of Life’ we all love (but sometimes hate).

When did you move to Dubai and what brought you here?
June 2008. I was approached in the UK by a local communications agency to come over and handle things for one of the major automotive brands here in the Gulf.

Have you been an expat elsewhere and if so, where?
Yes actually. I lived and worked for 5 years in Orange County – ‘the O.C’ – just South of Los Angeles in Southern California…so beaches are obviously my thing…

The best advice you were given to prepare you for life in Dubai
“Get a bunch of passport photos….no…get more than that.”

What surprised you most about Dubai?
The bureaucracy and sheer amount of red tape to wade through..oh..and the local driving habits.

What area do you live in?
The Palm

If money were no object, where would you most like to live in Dubai?
Very happy where I am right now 🙂

Your least favorite word or phrase you have adopted since moving to Dubai
‘Bokra’ – tomorrow…it’s always bokra:)

What has been your best experience in Dubai to date?
Interacting with so many different cultures and nationalities – truly expands your personal bandwidth.

Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Oman inshallah.

Who is the person you most miss when you are in Dubai?
Two of them – my daughters.

What is your favorite restaurant in Dubai?
The Rivington Grill

What grocery item do you most miss from your home country?
Dandelion and burdock

When friends and family visit you in Dubai where will you absolutely take them?
Downtown and Old Town area

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The team at Expat Echo Dubai would like to feature you in our Into-yous section.

Please complete our 5 minute interview and submit your answers along with a profile picture (in JPEG format).