Living in Dubai can offer expatriates a taste of life in an ultra-modern culturally dynamic place as the city is lively and vibrant with ambitious futuristic vision and insightful traditions. It is a vast city that has varying levels of communities. If you are an expat relocating to Dubai, there are several considerations to consider: which area, where you work, the location of your child’s school, the average price of accommodations, and amenities. Since the city’s property market is on the rise, you have plenty of options to choose from. To help you narrow down your search, here are six of the best areas for expats to live in Dubai:
Mirdif
Located just behind Dubai airport, Mirdif is a popular residential base for expats. It was once the most affordable place in the city, which attracted a huge number of foreign nationals to live here. It is well-connected suburbia, providing schools, shops, and a super mall for its residences. The area is suitable for any kind of expats, from families, couples, to single expats. There are affordable villas with a garden for anyone who needs a bigger space, but apartments are also available. The prices can vary greatly and you need to ensure to check the property thoroughly before you commit to buying or renting in the area. One other thing to consider is that Mirdif is located under the flight path, so do not forget to check out the aircraft noise before you move in. However, many people said that noise is rarely a problem.
Emirates Hills
Emirates hill is home for some of Dubai’s richer expats. It is a luxury gated community of villas, with leafy streets and spacious extravagance villas. It is located within proximity to some of the best schools in the city. It also has large areas with lakes, parks, and a small town center area filled with, restaurants, and cafes. The area is mostly popular for families. Prices can vary depending on the exact home and location you are looking for. If you want to live in a villa with a lake view with several bedrooms, be prepared to pay a significant amount in the rental price.
Jumeirah Beach Residence
Jumeirah Beach Residence is an array of high-rise buildings that offer beach views in Marina. Living in this area means living in a stylish beach lifestyle. This residential area has apartments of various sizes and types. You can choose between a one-bedroom apartment to 5 bedrooms in a duplex apartment with fascinating ocean landscapes. Even the smallest size comes with balconies, and the residential area provides underground allocated parking spots. The prices can be different, depending on the size of the apartment, views, and exact location. JBR is close to many excellent restaurants, cafes, shops, and a cinema.
Arabian Ranches
Located on the Emirates Road on the outskirts of the city, Arabian Ranches is a gated community with well-maintained streets and manicured gardens. The area is particularly popular for Western expatriates. It consists of different types of villas and townhouses. The villas are mostly independent villas with 2 to 5 bedrooms. It is surrounded by excellent schools, clinics, and hospitals, as well as a shopping complex with a selection of cafes and restaurants. Since the area is very popular, accommodation can be very expensive. Note that since the area is located on the outskirts of the city, you may need to have a car to travel to the city center.
Dubai Marina
Known as the ‘New Dubai,’ Dubai Marina is located in the center of Dubai. It is an artificial canal city built along a 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline. The man-made harbor is filled with a number of shops and restaurants. The waterfront apartment towers are populated mainly by couples and singletons who want to live in high-rise buildings. Because of its proximity to the open sea, there have been many instances of marine wildlife (such as whales and sharks) entering the marina, which has made it an interesting place to live.
Downtown
Dubbed as “The Center of Now,” Downtown Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, as well as the world’s largest mall, the Dubai Mall. Expats can choose to live in villas and apartments. There are also some new developments in progress. Being at the central location, Downtown Dubai offers the best of everything. However, since it is filled with the country’s most famous attractions, the traffic on the weekends can be a nightmare.