I think it's healthy to give things a try. I didn't go out to UAE with a negative mindset but was in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi on business a few years ago several times, and there was plenty of time to talk with friends and associates working out there alongside going out a few times with them. I basically formed my view that the place was incompatible with my fundamental values after that exposure, including meeting people from a number of different walks of life out there. I feel similarly about the USA for totally different reasons !!!
I lived in Africa for many years over my life, a phase now long over. The thing there was you were widely disliked for being white and seemingly affluent but you definitely weren't disrespected. In UAE there's a widespread disrespect of Westerners from the Emirati population, you're basically seen by many as part of an underclass maybe a few rungs up the ladder from those from the Indian subcontinent and Africa, but nevertheless an underclass.
There's layer upon layer upon layer of criminality and fraud away from the bubble of big corporations, and the legal system is something you truly don't ever want to get involved with. Most certainly not in any dispute with a local for any reason. Stay within the parameters of your little "place" in the hierarchy as an expat, and say / do nothing which might give a bad impression of the place, and you can probably keep your eyes wide shut. As far as feeling "free" is concerned, unless you are seriously deluding yourself then forget it. Freedom comes at a price though, and from a lifestyle perspective there are many willing to sacrifice some of that "freedom" for other aspects improving their quality of life.
Those nipping out for a few days in an all-inclusive hotel, with the odd party, will no doubt never really give any of the above much thought. Much as they don't give local issues any thought in Ibiza
. Let's just put it this way - if you're happy to go to Miami or Vegas then I can't see any reason why you might have insurmountable issues with Dubai !