The Future of Sharjah: Concrete Dreams and Sandstorms (Seriously)
okay, so like, i’m staring at this map of Sharjah -
- and it’s… intense. it’s not the kind of intense where you’re like, ‘wow, beautiful sunset,’ it’s the ‘i-might-accidentally-buy-a-yacht-and-drift-off-into-the-emirate’ intense. i’ve been here a week, fueled by lukewarm coffee and the vague promise of finding some decent falafel, and honestly, it’s a weird mix. it’s not Dubai, you know? it’s… Sharjah. and that’s a thing.
my friend, leo - he’s a session drummer, obsessed with vintage gear - told me he heard whispers about this massive expansion project, the ‘Sharjah Vision 2030’ thing. apparently, they’re building a whole new district, Aljada, that’s supposed to be like, the next Silicon Valley. but like, a desert Silicon Valley. it’s got theme parks, shopping malls, a science museum… the whole shebang. the cost of living here is pretty brutal, though. i’m talking around 8k-12k a month for a decent studio, depending on where you are. it’s not exactly cheap, especially if you’re trying to snag a decent sound system like leo. check out this breakdown on Numbeo: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_comparison.jsp?country1=United+Arab+Emirates&city1=Sharjah&country2=United+Arab+Emirates&city2=Dubai - seriously, do your research.
and the weather? it’s… sticky. like, aggressively sticky. it’s this weird haze, a mix of sand and humidity that clings to you like a bad decision. it’s not raining, but it feels like it’s perpetually about to rain. it’s like a permanent, slightly uncomfortable sauna. you can catch flights to Abu Dhabi in about an hour, which is a welcome change of scenery, but honestly, the desert vibe is pretty pervasive. i saw a guy selling hand-carved camels on the street today - it’s a thing.
i overheard some guys at a cafe near the Corniche talking about the new airport expansion. apparently, they’re adding another terminal, and it’s going to be massive. they said it’ll handle like, a million passengers a year. sounds intense, right? and they were complaining about the traffic - it’s a nightmare, especially during rush hour. it’s a constant, low-level anxiety.
Speaking of traffic, a local warned me about the Al Qasimi Boulevard. apparently, it’s a total gridlock during peak hours. “Don’t even think about driving there between 6 and 9 pm,” she said, shaking her head. “Unless you enjoy spending half your life stuck in a metal box.” (drunk advice, probably, but still…).
there’s also this whole push for sustainable development, which is… interesting. they’re talking about building solar farms and promoting electric vehicles. it’s a bit of a contrast to the, you know, opulent lifestyle that’s pretty common here. it’s like, they’re trying to be eco-friendly while also building a massive, shiny new city. it’s a complicated equation.
I checked out a few reviews on Yelp - https://www.yelp.com/directory/sharjah-uae - and the general consensus is that it’s a safe place, but it can be a bit… sterile. lots of new buildings, not a ton of character. but there are some cool museums and art galleries if you dig around. and the food is decent - I found a surprisingly good shawarma place near Al Qasimi.
there’s also a subreddit for expats in Sharjah: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sharjah/ - worth checking out if you’re thinking of moving here. it’s a good way to get a more unfiltered perspective.
overall, Sharjah feels like it’s on the cusp of something. it’s a city in transition, grappling with its identity and its future. it’s not glamorous, it’s not flashy, but it’s… real. and honestly, that’s kind of refreshing. i’m still figuring it out, but i’m starting to get a feel for the place. now, if you’ll excuse me, i need another coffee. and maybe a camel-shaped souvenir. just kidding… mostly.
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