Living cost in the UAE is equivalent to any other 1st world country these days, except it isn't 1st world.
In the last 5 years costs, rents etc. have at least doubled, and if you are renting or buying real estate here, then you'd be safer and smarter to spend the money in your own country. These days it's not uncommon for rents to increase 15-20% a year. School fees are similar and pretty much at the whim of the school owners. There are "laws" to limit this thing, but no one seems to have to abide by them.
Here they will increase rent, school fees, medical etc etc whenever they get a chance, and you will never get any value here.
A contract here isn't worth the paper it is printed on.
If someone lies to you, and you buy it, too bad as you believed them.
Once you are here, you are considered " owned" .....its not racist......its cultural....