Dubai is a diverse and vibrant city with many different areas to choose from, and as the city expands, more and more options are becoming available. Each location has a different “feel” to it, as some will be more crowded with people and events, while others will be more calm and quiet. In addition, different Neighbourhoods have different price ranges, so you definitely want to make sure you’re looking at areas that fit your budget.
It’s important to research the neighbourhoods before renting an apartment, because the last thing you want to do is make a long term renting commitment in an area which you don’t like. In this blog we will go over some of the most famous areas for renting in Dubai.
Dubai Marina is a popular neighbourhood for expats and young professionals, offering a great view of both the Marina and the sea. The area is known for its high-end restaurants and bars, as well as the proximity to the Marina Mall (in the heart of the Marina) and the beach area JBR.
The average price of a one-bedroom apartment tends to float between AED 90,000 to 120,000 per year, depending on the level of luxury and furnishing. A few Pros of living in the Marina include the beautiful views of the Marina and/or sea, the abundance of dining and shopping options, and the proximity of many activities. On the other hand come of the cons include the heavy traffic congestion during rush hour and the constant crowds in the most busy areas of the Marina.
JBR, or Jumeirah Beach Residence, is another popular area for expats and young professionals, consisting of somewhat traditional beige-coloured buildings with private pools and gyms, among other amenities, exclusive to people living in the condominiums. It’s located along the beach and features high-end restaurants, bars and many shopping options, including The Beach and the Walk at JBR.
The average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 110,000 per year, but this can vary, depending on the furniture, floor and even building. Some of the Pros of living here include the stunning views of either the sea or the marina, the direct access to the beach and the proximity to a lot of dining and entertainment options. There are some cons however, as for some it can be quite overwhelming the number of tourists who visit this area on a daily basis, leading to increased traffic.
JLT, or Jumeirah Lake Towers, is a popular neighbourhood for families and young professionals, situated across the highway from the Dubai Marina area. It features many parks, lakes and playgrounds, making it a great place to live if you have children.
The area is known for its affordable housing options, and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year. A lot of the buildings in JLT give you access to a resident’s pool, which can be quite important during the warmer months. The Pros of living in JLT are the high number of outdoor spaces such as parks, lakeside walking pavement and it overall gives for a great community feel. On the other hand, don’t expect a lot to be happening in this area, as it is more quiet, with many offices located there, which means less restaurants or other activities compared to other areas in Dubai.
Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island that’s become a popular destination for tourists and expats. It’s known for its luxury hotels and high-end dining options, as well as a very exclusive and high standard of living. Full of stuning Villas with private access to the beach, the Palm Jumeirah is considered to be one of the most expensive places to live in Dubai, with the average price of a one-bedroom apartment being between AED 120,000 to 140,000 per year.
However, it is more common to find Villas in this area, which can be much more expensive, depending on the are and level of luxury. Something to consider about living in the Palm however, is the traffic jams during certain times of the day, because there is one main road which you have to go through to access most points in the Palm.
Downtown is the heart of Dubai, and it’s known not only for its skyscrapers and luxury hotels, but also for its proximity to Business Bay and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. It’s a popular area for expats and young professionals, and it features many high-end dining and entertainment options.
The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in this central location is around AED 95,000 per year but it can be much higher if you choose to be closer to the Dubai Mall. This is an excellent area for overall entertainment and shopping, but note that, as any touristic area, it can get quite busy, especially when there are events, like New Year’s Eve.
Deira is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai and is known for its traditional feel. Nowadays, it’s a popular area for families, particularly Indian, given the abundance of Indian restaurants, shops and other services, and features many parks and outdoor spaces that are friendly for both toursist and Expats.
This area is generally the most affordable in the city and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 45,000 per year. It is important to know however, that Deira is not very well located in relation to some of the most common working areas such as Media and Internet City, and the traffic during rush hour can mean it will take you more than normal to commute to the other side of Dubai, if you need to.
Located about 20 minutes drive away from Dowtown Dubai, Silicon Oasis feels like a small town outside of the big city. Almost no traffic, modern buildings and and a fantastic Tech Ecosystem, make this one of the best places for families to live in.
This area is one of the most affordable in Dubai and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year. It is important to know however, that Silicon Oasis is does not have great public transport connections to the city centre, so if you don’t drive and you must have to regularly travel across Dubai, this may not be the best area for you.
Jumeirah Village Circle is a family-oriented neighbourhood, located adjacently to Al Barsha, it’s a popular destination for people who are looking to be a little bit out of all the city’s commotion, but still a short car ride away.
This area is relatively affordable with the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year. With its increasing popularity, prices have been going up in this area lately. One thing worth noting is that traffic to JVC during rush hour can be hard to avoid.
Arabian Ranches is a suburban neighbourhood located on the outskirts of Dubai. It has a number of villas, townhouses, and private communities. This area has modern schools, hospitals and supermarkets.
This area is one of the most affordable in Dubai and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year. It is important to know however, that Silicon Oasis is does not have great public transport connections to the city centre, so if you don’t drive and you mst have to regularly travel across Dubai, this may not be the best area for you.
Al Barsha has an excellent geographical location, as it is between Business Bay and the JLT/Dubai Marina. It’s also right across Internet City, so chances are, it will be close to your workplace - if you work in corporate offices. This area also has a lot of restaurants, local businesses, hotels and has one of the most famous malls in the UAE - The Mall of the Emirates (where you can ski!).
This area is fairly affordable in comparison to others near Sheikh Zayed Road, but not in comparison to those in the outskirts of Dubai. The average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year, but it has been rising as of 2024.. Al Barsha has great public transport connections to different areas of Dubai including the Metro and Buses.
If you are moving to Dubai soon, one of the documents you will be asked for to sign a long term lease, will be your Emirates ID. An Emirates ID is the official form of identification in the UAE, which will get a few weeks after you moved into the country. Until then, it is recommended to stay in short term accommodation - i.e. Hotel Apartments who can lease you a place for a month (or a few months), before you get your Emirates ID. This will also help you ensure you can view properties in-person, which can be very important as it will allow you to avoid potential scams and get a place you will enjoy living in.
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