If you buy an iphone from us will it work in dubai?

I want to buy an iphone 5 from the us and want to know if the iphone 5 will work in dubai.
i'm going back and forth between Dubai and California.

You need to buy one that is "off contract" or otherwise unlocked. If you do that, then you can get it to work in Dubai. Are you hoping to use it between the two or will your cell provider be in Dubai? There are tons of places that can "unlock" iPhones and will charge you a small fee to do it but keep in mind that buying one in the US off contract, meaning without the normal 2 year binding contract, it may cost $800. Look on Ebay and see what the going price is right now.

I wasn't able to find any unlocked iphone in the US in December/January. Buy the phone in the UAE where phones are generally sold unlocked and use in both countries.

Generally if you can find it unlocked in US, it will cost you more than what you pay for same in UAE.
I don't know probably can find a better deal in person when in California, but going by the online prices I see here and there, then Dubai is cheaper or same.

http://www.engadget.com/...-t-mobile/

But please note when you activate it it will create your apple ID in the Emirati Apple store instead of American Apple store. Normally it is not a big a deal until you try to buy something or install an app from the other region, it will not let you. You have to sign up for separate account in the other store, and give a credit card issued in same region. (not required in Emirati, or for that matter any Asian country that I checked)

You will have to face a lot of trouble should you take it to Dubai from California. Buy one from Dubai so that it works in both countries.