Dubai is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after locations for expats to live. A once-deserted city, Dubai is now one of the most luxurious and alluring places, offering attractive remuneration packages to top talent in architecture, media, and finance, among other vocations. With hot weather all year long, the second biggest shopping mall with its own ice-skating rink, and what people like the most: no income tax!
Moving to Dubai can be an exciting experience; however, choosing the best place to live in Dubai and what to look for can be difficult. In today’s article, we will explore the most popular expat areas in Dubai, share the approximate apartment (or villa) prices, and talk about Dubai and its rental market in general.
What You Need to Know About Dubai
Dubai is one of the six emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE ranked third in the Numbeo Safety Index 2020 Mid-Year, making the whole country a safe place to travel and relocate, especially for families.
Dubai is also the most tolerant of all Emirates toward a Western style of life, where expats can buy alcohol (in restaurants or bars only) and are allowed to dine in restaurants before sunset during Ramadan.
When it comes to renting a place, in Dubai, prices are quoted yearly, and an advance payment is required for one year upfront, and sometimes every quarter.
There may be a possibility of negotiating payment terms with your landlord, but, as stated above, payments are expected in general. There might also be agent fees included if you choose to use their service.
Dubai is infamous for its terrible morning and evening traffic jams. The traffic jams are usually from Sharjah headed into Dubai and reversed in the evenings.
This is due to cheaper rent in the Sharjah Emirate. Therefore, before choosing your Dubai residence, check where you will be working and where your kids may go to school, and make this a deciding factor, as traffic jams can ruin one’s good mood easily.
What are the Best Places to Live in Dubai for Expats?
There are many expat neighborhoods to choose from in Dubai. The list below presents the five best places to live in Dubai for expats.
Deira
Deira, also known as Downtown Dubai, is considered Dubai’s City Center. It is a continuation of the Old City, but more modern.
Traditionally, Deira has been the commercial center of Dubai, but it’s been losing its status to newer, more modern finance and business centers in the city, such as Business Bay.
Deira is also located near Dubai’s International Airport and Sharjah, another Emirate.
Besides that, Deira has plenty of shopping and dining options, with excellent metro connections to other major parts of Dubai, and what’s important to some, the rental prices are quite affordable, for Dubai, that is.
Average rental prices: 25,000 AED a year for a studio apartment 60,000 AED a year 2-bedroom apartment
Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina, one of the best places to live in Dubai, is a seafront place with many restaurants, bars, and clubs to choose from.
It is a combination of a commercial and residential area with high-rise buildings. The man-made marina has a modern look and feel, and it is home to more affluent expats.
Besides being in the center of dining and entertainment, you can also enjoy the pedestrian-friendly walkway where you can walk, jog, or even cycle.
With a short walk away from The Beach, a shopping and leisure complex with a sandy beach and al fresco dining options, and Dubai Marina Mall hosting all the brand names imaginable, Dubai Marina is a place for those looking for a posh and convenient lifestyle.
Average rental prices: 40,000 AED a year for a studio apartment 60,000 AED a year for a 1-bedroom flat 80,000 AED a year 2-bedroom apartment
Arabian Ranches
Arabian Ranches is a top-class gated residential area with a plethora of clubs and activities within.
Situated just a short drive from Dubai, Arabian Ranches is the ultimate luxury desert-themed residential neighborhood, featuring villas, golf and polo clubs, schools, spas, a shopping mall, and restaurants.
It is a preferred location for families, offering peace, tranquillity, and pleasure.
Average rental prices: 110,000 AED a year for a 2-bedroom villa 130,000 AED a year for a 3-bedroom villa
Mirdif
Located near the airport, living in Mirdif can get loud, which might be the biggest disadvantage of this suburban neighborhood.
Once considered a faraway area, Mirdif is now one of the best places to live, well connected to Old Dubai and especially popular among expatriates working in that area.
Mirdif is also close to Dubai Festival City, which is home to a massive shopping mall, a spectacular water-and-light show, and a beautiful golf course.
In Mirdif, you can rent a flat or a beautiful villa, sometimes with a small pool to relax by after a hard day’s work. It is a more affordable area for people looking to live in a villa with a garden.
There are many shopping malls in Mirdif, so everyday convenience is not a problem. Over the weekend, residents often visit many of the area’s parks, in particular Mushrif Park.
Average rental prices: 65,000 AED per year for a 2-bedroom flat 70,000 AED a year for a 2-bedroom villa 90,000 AED a year for a 3-bedroom villa
Al Barsha
Al Barsha is one of the newer residential developments in western Dubai. It is conveniently located close to Dubai Marina, with rental prices slightly lower than those in that district.
It is also a 25-minute drive to the airport and a 5-minute drive to the famous Palm Jumeirah residential and hotel area.
Al Barash, also called Barsha, is famous for being home to the Dubai Autodrome and the Mall of the Emirates, which features a theatre, cinema, ski slope, and hundreds of shops and restaurants.
While still not a very cheap area to live in, it offers slightly better prices than other centrally located areas in Dubai.
Average rental prices: 40,000 AED per year for a studio apartment 50,000 AED per year for a 1-bedroom flat 65,000 AED per year for a 2-bedroom flat
There are many other expat areas in Dubai, but these are our top 5 best places to live. In the end, approximately 80% of its population is made up of expats and foreign workers.
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