I've seen something similar recently online, someone talking about wanting to visit a certain adjacent middle eastern country for a holiday, one with a fairly notorious public image in other regards. I'm assuming the advertising those countries are pushing play a big part in the mind share of people.
There are many reasons why one wouldn't want to live in Dubai.
I was stationed in Dubai for work for two years, I know the place very well.
Overall, I would say Dubai is very different than how it is portrayed in western media. Personally I find it amazing how much the place has grown in such a short time span.
But I have chosen to live in Switzerland(not my native country), a country more aligned with my personal values. Freedom for the individual, a strong democracy, a diverse culture, with people who genuinely care about the planet and their neighborhood.
But I do think a person grows when they are forced to live in cultures very different from their own.