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I recently moved from Dubai to London. Here are the similarities — and the differences — that have most surprised me.The London Eye versus the Dubai Eye. Hannah McKay / Reuters & Karim Mohsem Sarib / AFP via Getty ImagesBefore moving to London to start a new job with Insider, I lived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.While the two cities are of course very different, what has surprised me most are the similarities.Both boast plentiful public art, lots of free activities, and expensive places to shop, like London's Harrods or the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue.Where I live now near London's Canary Wharf also looks a lot like where I lived in Dubai's Princess Tower.Some of the differences, though, are downright bizarre, like the fact that free internet calling services like Skype and WhatsApp are incredibly popular in London but blocked in Dubai.Dubai also has an even bigger version of the London Eye.Here are a few of the things I've noticed the two cities have and don't have in common — from the obvious to not so obvious.Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.I recently moved to the UK for a job with Insider, but before that I lived in Dubai. Obviously, it's synonymous with skyscrapers ...The Dubai Marina. Steven Straiton/FlickrI spent more than 16 months in the steel and glass forest that is Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. For those who haven't been, let me just say: Yes, the buildings are very, very tall. The building I worked in at my last job there had "only" more than 40 stories above ground, making it relatively short for the neighborhood it was in. But I lived on the 88th floor of an apartment building that had 97 stories above ground and until a few years ago was the tallest residential building in the world.... though where I now live near Canary Wharf has a lot of those, too.The view from a room on the 17th floor at The Collective Canary Wharf in London. Ben Mack / InsiderI live on "only" the 17th floor of an apartment building now. The view is still pretty cool — and just as in Dubai, I'm surrounded by skyscrapers, which gives things a nice, familiar, vaguely science-fiction-like feel. Though it does seem strange to look up at them rather than down at them, as I could in my old place.Of course, there's water all around Canary Wharf ...Water around Canary Wharf in London. Ben Mack / InsiderIt's water, water, everywhere. Not that I'm complaining — even the constant squawking of seagulls carried on the fresh breeze is enough to get the heart swooning amid the vaguely maritime atmosphere.... but as the name suggests, water is plentiful around the Dubai Marina, too.Dubai Marina. Ben Mack / InsiderA few years ago, the Dubai Marina was just empty desert along the Persian Gulf. Now it's home to countless skyscrapers, beautiful walkways, a plethora of hip bars and restaurants, miles of sandy beach — really anything your heart desires. It's a true marvel of engineering.With large numbers of immigrants, I really like how London is very diverse, like Dubai.GettyPeople from every country, of every ethnicity, speaking every language, of every gender, of every orientation, of every age, of every ability — like most large cities with significant percentages of the population being immigrants, diversity is everywhere in London, and Dubai. It's a very beautiful thing.Many of the stores, restaurants, and hotel chains are the same — which makes sense, since huge numbers of Brits live in Dubai.Part of Dubai Mall. Ben Mack / InsiderIt's estimated there are 100,000 to 200,000 British expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates, with the majority of them in Dubai. With most working in white-collar jobs and living in areas like the Dubai Marina, at times it can feel as if you're in a warmer, tax-free city in England — one where credit cards are accepted everywhere.But London seems to have way more small kiosks to quickly grab a bite on the go — and a greater diversity of choices.A food cart in London outside the Tower Hill tube station. Ben Mack / InsiderWhile recently passing the Tower of London, I passed a food cart selling doughnuts and crepes. Stalls like this are everywhere in London. While Dubai has them, too, there are nowhere near as many, even in areas with lots of Western expats.You can go ice skating in London — outdoors.Ice skating outside the Tower of London. Ben Mack / InsiderDubai is in the Arabian Desert, with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for much of the year. You cannot ice skate outdoors in Dubai.You can go skiing in Dubai, though — but indoors.Ski Dubai. Sinéad BakerSki Dubai is one of the most famous attractions at the Mall of the Emirates. Even if you don't know how to ski or are not a fan of winter sports, it's well worth the visit just to see the sheer oddity of a ski slope inside an enormous shopping mall in one of the hottest inhabited cities on earth — and also to see the penguins waddling around.Believe it or not, quirky art is almost as common in parts of Dubai as it is in London ...The lobby of the Arjaan Hotel in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderThe ceiling of the lobby of the Arjaan Hotel in Dubai's Media City area is covered with dozens of colorful umbrellas. Over in Tecom at a chain restaurant serving Mexican-inspired fare called Taqado, they have empty bottles of Coca-Cola hanging overhead. Colorful murals — depicting everything from popular cartoon characters to the UAE's founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — can be found on walls and facades in every neighborhood, and some of them are many, many stories high. And fascinating sculptures are all around.Both cities feature lots of bars and nightclubs where celebrities regularly pop in.The VIP Room at the JW Marriott Marquis seen in 2016 in Dubai. Barcroft Media / Barcroft Media via Getty ImagesLike London, Dubai is chock-full of places to grab a drink. Sure, most of them are located inside hotels, but quite a few — like Soho Garden, Drai's, White, Nammos, Zero Gravity, Nikki Beach, Sky2.0, Base, and more — not only feel like a club you'd find in Europe or America but can stand toe-to-toe with London's legendary nightlife any day.The only downside, in my opinion: Dubai doesn't have quite the same variety yet — there's no equivalent of London's Slimelight (the world's oldest operating goth/industrial club, which beyond music serves as a meeting place for a very specialized community), for example.London has its famous markets ...Leadenhall Market in London. Ben Mack / InsiderFrom Leadenhall, to Borough, to Camden, to Brick Lane, to South Bank, to Covent Garden, to Portobello Road, and many, many more, there's no shortage of fascinating markets in London to wander through.... while Dubai has its souks.Deira Old Souk in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderDubai is known for its malls — but its souks are often even more interesting. Selling everything one can imagine (and then some), they bear similarities to some of London's markets.Though of course very modern, both cities also have lots of old architecture, like Dubai's Al Bastakiya area.Part of Dubai's Al Bastakiya as seen from an abra. Ben Mack / InsiderIt's known there are old things to see in London, like the Tower of London and Westminster. In Dubai, areas like Al Bastakiya and the Al Fahidi Fort (which dates to the 1700s) are overshadowed by the glitz and glam of the ultramodernity the city is known for. But they are there — and they are amazing to visit. It's especially fun to wander into the "hidden" cafés and restaurants contained within, like XVA Cafe.Construction in both cities is seemingly ubiquitous.Construction on an Elizabeth Line expansion at Moorgate station on November 8 in London. Peter Summers / Getty ImagesConstruction seems to be everywhere in Dubai — and is showing no signs of slowing down. Still, the amount of construction in London has really surprised me. The short version: there's a lot more than I was expecting.Both Dubai and London are home to plenty of rich people who like to show off their wealth with things like bottle service at clubs ...Revelers at Toy Room in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderI was amazed at the number of Dubai clubs that had Hennessy, Cristal, and even Dom Pérignon available by the bottle — and the number of people who would actually pay to order several bottles for a table they'd already paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars to reserve for the night. After a while, seeing someone spend more than $1,000 for a night at a club stopped seeming extraordinary.... fancy yachts ...Aboard the yacht Notorious in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderThe waters in and around Dubai are choked with yachts. There are so many that renting a yacht for a party or other event is a popular activity for visitors as well as residents. Log into Tinder, Bumble, or any other dating app in Dubai, and seemingly every other photo will be of someone on a yacht; there are so many that "person on a yacht" is the new "man with fish" in Dubai. From small vessels available to be hired for just a few hours to large ships you can sail on for weeks at a time, there's something for every taste and budget. Including very, very big budgets.... or trackside suite tickets at the finish line at exclusive events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula One race.The 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1 race as seen from a private trackside box. Ben Mack / InsiderWhile obviously there are people who do the same in London, I generally found people in Dubai liked to show off their wealth (or supposed wealth — many Western expats rack up enormous amounts of debt because they try to live a lifestyle beyond their means as they've seen on social media) a lot more.At no time was this more true than at events perceived to be "high profile," offering the chance to see and be seen, like the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula One race, held in neighboring Abu Dhabi in November. People would pay tens of thousands of dollars — and sometimes far more — for private trackside boxes next to the finish line.There are also plenty of expensive stores in both cities, like London's Harrods or the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue.Balmain is to be expected at a place like Harrods. Ben Mack / InsiderThere's money in London. And there's money in Dubai. What do people with money often do? Spend it, of course. That's why places like Harrods exist. Though, as I learned recently, you don't have to have a lot of money to go there — and it can still be a lot of fun.You won't see many homeless people or beggars in Dubai as you do in London.A homeless man grasping the hand of a volunteer, who was handing out donated clothing, near the Victoria rail station in central London. REUTERS/Chris HelgrenIn Dubai, begging can get you sent to jail and/or deported. Obviously, this is not the case in London.Rents in Dubai are generally cheaper than in London — even for places with a view, like the Princess Tower.The view from penthouse 8802 on the 88th floor of the Princess Tower in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderAt 1,358 feet, the Princess Tower is the second-tallest tower that's open in Dubai, behind only the world's tallest building, the 2,717-foot Burj Khalifa. Until 2015, the Princess Tower was also the tallest residential building in the world, when its crown was swiped by 432 Park Avenue in New York City.But unlike 432 Park Avenue — where, as Katie Warren wrote in February, penthouses can cost many millions of dollars — rent for apartments in the Princess Tower are surprisingly affordable: for 5,000 United Arab Emirates dirhams, or $1,362, and under a month, they come in at barely half the monthly median rent in New York City (which is now more than $2,700).I lived there for more than year — and would recommend it to anyone. Unfortunately, I would not be able to afford it in London — if such a place even existed. As Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower reported in May, the median monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in London is now $2,338 a month, according to Deutsche Bank's annual "Mapping the World's Prices" report — making it one of the most expensive large cities in the world to rent an apartment in.The UAE used to be ruled by Britain, which explains a lot of the similarities.Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai, which dates to the 1700s. Ben Mack / InsiderThe UAE gained independence in 1971. Until then, it was a British Protectorate known as the Trucial States.Though Dubai is still more much more conservative than London, many people will still wear bikinis at beaches and pools.Pool parties at places such as the Five Palm Jumeirah are popular 365 days a year in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderWhile the dress codes are relaxed, many pools and beaches will have women-only hours, when men are forbidden to visit.Dubai even has its own Ferris wheel based on the London Eye — but bigger.The Dubai Eye at Caesars Palace Bluewaters in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderDue to open next October, Ain Dubai — which translates to "Dubai Eye" — is set to be the world's largest Ferris wheel. According to the Dubai outlet Emirates Woman, it will be about 690 feet tall — a full 246 feet taller than the 443-foot London Eye. Most of it has already been built, but some work remains — including testing to make sure it's safe for visitors.Unlike in London, Skype and WhatsApp calling are blocked in Dubai, as are many websites — among other restrictions.You can't use Skype to call people in Dubai without a VPN. Caiaimage/Robert Daly via GettyFree voice-over-internet-protocol services are blocked in the UAE. Long criticized by expats and Emiratis — including influential Emiratis — the ban has been in place for years. To get around it, most people use VPN services — which themselves are also technically illegal.Numerous internet restrictions also exist in Dubai that don't in London. Websites promoting LGBT rights, discussing Israel (which the UAE does not recognize), or any sites deemed to be promoting drugs, violence, or anti-Islamic values are blocked. And it goes further than that: call somebody a name or say something harmful on social media or by text or a WhatsApp message, and you can actually be charged with a crime in Dubai.In London, you're free to discuss whether the monarchy is even necessary anymore ...The royal family in 2016. AP/Tim IrelandPeople criticize the British royal family all the time. In fact, many former colonies have questioned whether they should even recognize Queen Elizabeth II as head of state anymore.... which you certainly cannot do in Dubai.Sheikh Mohammed, the vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. ReutersStatements seen as critical of Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, or the royal family are serious offenses in Dubai — even a single critical social-media comment can see expatriates receive lengthy jail sentences or be immediately deported. Put simply: Dissent is not tolerated.Public transport in London is integrated, but in Dubai there are special metro carriages only for women — and even some "premium" seats you can pay extra for.A carriage for women and children only on the Dubai Metro. Tom Dulat / Getty ImagesAs in India and many other places, there are special carriages on Dubai Metro trains where men are not allowed so women can ride without being harassed. But there's also a special "gold class" area that's quieter, and with far nicer seats, than regular carriages. It's a common theme in Dubai: almost every attraction and service has a "premium" option you can pay a lot more for that's nicer.London's public transportation network is far more extensive than Dubai's — but also more expensive on average.The Canary Wharf tube station in London. Ben Mack / InsiderLondon's tube network alone has about 270 stations — not including the 100-plus overground, 45 Docklands Light Railway, and thousands of bus stops. The Dubai Metro has fewer than 50 stations — and even with the opening of a much-hyped line going to the sprawling site of the Expo 2020 exhibition (set for next year), it will only add about seven stations. We should probably take age into account, though: While the London Underground opened in 1863 (making it the world's first underground passenger railway), the Dubai Metro opened only in 2009.There are some similarities between the two, however. For instance, both have been featured filming locations for major sc-fi franchises with the word "star" in their name: while parts of London's Canary Wharf tube station feature in the 2016 "Star Wars" film "Rogue One," the Dubai Metro was a major location for 2016's "Star Trek: Beyond."London also remains a much better city to walk or cycle in.Along Oakland Quay next to Millwall Inner Dock, on the Isle of Dogs next to Canary Wharf, in London. Ben Mack / InsiderPartially because of the cooler weather, partially because of a better public-transit system, partially because of better urban planning — while Dubai is getting better, London remains a far better place to take a stroll in. Simply taking a walk may be one of the best ways to experience the city — and even better, it's free.Both cities have a reputation for being expensive, but fortunately there are plenty of free activities in both, like a visit to Dubai's Marina Beach.Camels going for a walk at Dubai's Marina Beach. Ben Mack / InsiderFrom days at the public beach to exploring the souks to checking out the jaw-dropping architecture to — of course — checking out the malls, there's a lot to see in Dubai for no charge. That's also the case in London, of course — a fact I've found pleasantly surprising.The UAE's official language may be Arabic, but everyone speaks English in Dubai — just as they do in London.Brunch at Toshi inside the Grand Millennium hotel in Dubai. Ben Mack / InsiderIn 16 months of living in Dubai, and meeting countless people, I did not once meet someone — regardless of education level or where they were from originally — who did not speak English. In fact, English was so ubiquitous, the opposite was a problem: I knew people — including British expats — who had lived in Dubai for decades and still did not know basic Arabic.London being the capital of the UK — and England — almost everyone speaks English, of course.Unfortunately, LGBT rights are not respected in Dubai the same way they are in London.The 2019 edition of the Pride In London parade. Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesHomosexuality is illegal in Dubai and throughout the UAE. Trans people can be jailed — or worse — simply for being who they are. Not only that, cross-dressing — or anything perceived as cross-dressing — can also get you thrown in jail. And conversations about pronouns? Unfortunately, it's a subject many people do not understand — at the very least.While I knew many queer people in Dubai who liked living there (even if the vast majority had to be closeted for safety reasons), I also knew a lot who did not and were actively looking for work elsewhere.Kissing in public may be fine in London, but it's not in Dubai.People out for a stroll in the Dubai Marina at night. Kamran Jebreili/APKissing or other public displays of affection can land you in serious trouble in Dubai. In fact, every now and again you would hear of cases of people being arrested and deported for that very thing.In London, strikes and protests are commonplace. In Dubai, they are rarely tolerated.Protesters in the Women's March on London in London on January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Neil HallPut simply, workers' rights are not the same in Dubai as they are in London. Stories of employers withholding wages, holding on to employees' passports, or even letting workers go with no warning are common.US President Donald Trump is reviled by most Londoners. But in Dubai, many people speak positively of him — and especially of his daughter Ivanka.Luisa Gonzalez/ReutersIt was weird to be in a place where President Donald Trump and his family were spoken of favorably — and it was especially weird to hear people speak favorably of Ivanka Trump. In the West, she's criticized as shallow and disingenuous, as being in the White House with no actual qualifications, as getting rich off the family name, and for supporting her father and his policies — among many other things. But in Dubai, many people I spoke with said they admired her for some of those reasons. Magazines like Harper's Bazaar Arabia would regularly run stories about what designers she was wearing, especially if they were Middle Eastern designers.And, naturally, the biggest difference is the weather.A palm tree in Dubai Media City. Ben Mack / InsiderWhat Dubai has lots of: palm trees.What London does not have a lot of: palm trees.Overall, it's not the differences that have surprised me — it's the similarities.An atrium inside Dubai's WAFI Mall. Ben Mack / InsiderSure, they may be thousands of miles apart, have dramatically different weather, be governed in very different ways, and have very different local cultures — but, as I've noticed in my short time in London so far, there are far more similarities with Dubai than I would have initially thought. Whether I still hold such an opinion in a few months remains to be seen, but for now, it's certainly mad.