If you thrive on peace and calm, an ideal place to live would be Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this neighbourhood offers a Western lifestyle in a fully integrated live-and-work environment.
DSO, situated off Emirates Road, is a 7.2-square-kilometre free zone technology park, dotted with residential and office towers. Those seeking a villa lifestyle can choose a home in the Cedre Villas project. The area also boasts educational facilities, community centres and retail outlets. Percival Rodriques, a resident, says, "If your workplace is chaotic, DSO is the place to be. It is a good getaway to recoup and refresh."
Positives
- Peaceful neighbourhood with very little traffic
- Easy access to Emirates Road and the Dubai–Al Ain Road
- Affordable rentals with spacious homes offering quality finishing
- In addition to the educational institutions within DSO, it is situated opposite Academic City
Negatives
- A car is a necessity as public transport is limited
- Retail, medical and dining options are limited
- Some inner roads are poorly lit
- There is ongoing construction in the area
Sales prices
One-bed apartment: Dh320,000 – Dh980,000
Two-bed apartment: Dh480,000 – Dh1.6 million
Three-bed apartment: Dh800,000 – Dh2.1million
Villas: Dh2.27 million upwards
Rental prices (per annum)
One-bed apartment: Dh30,000 – Dh48,000
Two-bed apartment: Dh43,000 – Dh75,000
Three-bed apartment: Dh73,000 – Dh95,000
Villas: Dh157,000 upwards
Area focus
Cedre Villas
What A gated community of 1,047 townhouses and villas, Cedre Villas is divided into two phases featuring three- to five-bedroomed homes. The homes come with a maid's room.
You get Residents in phase one have access to recreational facilities such as a pool, tennis court, volleyball pitch and cycle paths. Phase two features a 65,000-square-foot community centre that hosts a clubhouse, a Spinneys supermarket, nursery and retail outlets.
Rentals
3-bedroom Dh157,000 – Dh176,400
4-bedroom Dh197,250 – Dh201,600
5-bedroom Not available
Source: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and Better Homes
Sales
3-bedroom From Dh2.27m upwards
4-bedroom From Dh3.09m upwards
Service Fee Dh10,165 – Dh12,626 pa
Source: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
We say Cedre villas has spacious homes with excellent facilities and greenery and is perfect for families. A Gems school is a short drive away, while the Kensington nursery is based at the community centre. The homes are offered in four types, luxury (this type includes a pool), executive, twin and townhouses. Phase one comprises clusters from A to D, while phase two covers E to L. Although phase two does not have a park, residents here have access to facilities in phase one. There is easy access to major roads. Many residents say if there were more retail outlets, DSO would be the perfect place to live, work and play.
Coral Residence
What Coral Residence, an eight-storey tower developed by Deyaar, offers one-, two and three-bedroomed apartments with balconies.
You get Residents have a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a garden, a kids' play area and a barbecue area. In addition, there are basement and surface car-parking facilities for residents. The tower has Etisalat connectivity for internet, TV and landline.
Rentals
One-bedroom Dh35,000
Two-bedroom Dh55,000
Three-bedroom Dh75,000
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Sales
One-bedroom Dh320,000 – Dh350,000
Two-bedroom Dh410,000 – Dh578,000
Three-bedroom Dh800,000 – Dh900,000 *
Service Fee Dh19.96 per square foot
Source: SPF Realty and *Al Wesal Real Estate
We say These units offer amenities every member of the family will enjoy. Take note, floors one to five have only one-bedroomed units, while floors six and seven have two-bedroomed units. The eighth floor has only three-bedroomed units. Quality finishings and built-in closets in the bedrooms are pluses. The central courtyard, with an open-to-sky leisure deck, could be the perfect place to spend time outdoors, given the limited leisure options in the area. In terms of safety, the building is manned by security personnel and is monitored by CCTV. For daily grocery shopping, there is a Choithrams nearby.
Silicon Star
What Close to the DSOA headquarters, Silicon Star, an eight-storey building, offers homes ranging from one- to three-bedroomed units. All units come with an attached large terrace and laundry room.
You get Residents have access to a roof-top swimming pool, separate gyms for men and women, a sauna and steam room, a park, a play area for children and dedicated parking with remote-control access. Etisalat is the service provider for the building.
Rentals
One-bedroom Dh45,000 – D48,000
Two-bedroom Dh65,000 – Dh75,000
Three-bedroom Dh85,000 – Dh90,000
Source: Al Huraiz Real Estate
Sales
One-bedroom Dh980,000
Two-bedroom Dh1.5m – Dh1.6m
Three-bedroom Dh1.9m – Dh2.0m
Service Fee Dh8 per square foot
Source: Al Huraiz Real Estate
We say The units in this building are spacious; one-bedroomed units range up to 1,210 square feet in comparison with the typical 800-square-foot one-bedroom unit elsewhere in Dubai. Also, tenants in two- and three-bedroom apartments get two parking spaces, definitely a bonus. In addition, all bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. The kitchens provide for piped-gas connection and have extra cabinets. These could be handy for storing bulk supplies, as residents feel supermarkets in the area are expensive. On the flip side, the inner roads have insufficient lighting, making them unsafe.
Sapphire Residence
What Located diagonally opposite Choithrams supermarket, this eight-storey tower offers 90 units, ranging from one-, two- and three-bedroomed apartments with balconies.
You get Residents can enjoy a fully-equipped gym, swimming pool and a sauna as well as dedicated parking spaces. The building is serviced by Etisalat for landline, television and internet connectivity.
Rentals
One-bedroom Dh36,000
Two-bedroom Dh55,000
Three-bedroom Dh75,000
Source: Deyaar
Sales
One-bedroom Dh450,000 – Dh585,000
Two-bedroom Dh1.1m – Dh1.3m
Three-bedroom Dh2.1m upwards
Service Fee Dh20.46 per square foot
Source: Al Wesal Real Estate
We say Situated parallel to Academic City Road and close to DSO's main entrance, the building's prime location is a winner. A perfect place for young couples and families, the well-designed homes offer fine finishings, including granite tiles for living areas, ceramic flooring in kitchens, built-in wardrobes and modern kitchen cabinets for extra storage. Although there is easy access to the main roads, residents feel public transport in the area needs improvement. Currently, only one RTA bus services the area. Also, it is advisable to book a taxi in advance if you don't drive.
Other rental options
(All prices in Dirhams ’000)
Axis Residence
Studio: Dh25
1-bed: Dh36
2-bed:Dh55
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Binghatti
1-bed: Dh37
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Jade Residence
Studio: Dh34 – Dh36
1-bed: Dh40 – Dh45
Source: SPF Realty
Narcissus
Studio: Dh25
1-bed: Dh35
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Palace Tower
1-bed:Dh35
2-bed:Dh65
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Park Terrace
Studio: Dh32 – Dh35
1-bed: Dh40 – Dh45
2-bed: Dh60– Dh65
3-bed: Dh85 – Dh95
Source: Zabadani Real Estate
Ruby Residence
1-bed: Dh35
2-bed: Dh55
3-bed: Dh73 – Dh75
Source: Deyaar
Silicon Arch
1-bed: Dh30 – Dh36
2-bed: Dh48 – Dh60
Source: My House Property Management
Silicon Heights
Studio: Dh25
1-bed: Dh36
Source: Al Wesal Real Estate
SP Oasis
1-bed: Dh36
Source: Al Wesal Real Estate
Silicon Plaza
1-bed: Dh45
2-bed: Dh64
Source: DSOA
Silicon Residence
1-bed: Dh30
2-bed: Dh43
Source: DSOA
The Dunes
Studio: Dh25
1-bed: Dh35
2-bed:Dh55
Source: Rocky Real Estate
University View
Studio: Dh25
1-bed: Dh35
2-bed: Dh55
Source: Rocky Real Estate
Leasing contacts
My House Property Management
Contact: 04 283 1000
Zabadani Real Estate
Contact: 04 352 7557
Address book
Supermarket
Green Park Supermarket
Where: Park Avenue
Tel: 04 326 7462
Choithram
Where: Springs Oasis
Tel: 04 326 1347
Spinneys
Where: Community Centre
Contact: 04 326 4576 (Semmer Villas)
Contact: 04 326 8023 (Cedre Villas – Phase 2)
School and nursery
Gems Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis
Contact: 04 342 4040
Note: The school follows the National Curriculum for England from foundation stage to sixth form.
Kensington Nursery
Contact: 04 394 4473
Note: The nursery offers admissions to children from four months to four-and-a-half years old. It follows the British Foundation stage curriculum and features a pet zone.
Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai
Contact: 04 371 2000
Note: The institute offers graduate degree programmes in engineering, computing and business administration and post graduate courses too.
Restaurants
Al Arrab Restaurant
Where: Semmer Villas Community centre
Contact: 04 326 4949
Bedouinn’s Bistro
Where: Premier Inn
Contact: 04 382 1555
Costa Coffee
Where: Semmer Villas Community centre
Contact: 04 326 4610
Subway
Where: DSOA Headquarters Building, Ground Floor
Contact: 04 372 4440
Tichinos Café and Restaurant
Where: DSOA Headquarters Building, A Wing
Contact: 04 371 2771/2/3
Medical
Marina Pharmacy
Where: Community Centre, Semmer Villas
Contact: 04 326 4848
Retail and services
Champion Cleaners
Where: Community Centre,
Contact: 04 326 4650
Sales and leasing
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA)
Contact: 04 501 5555 /
04 501 5018/04 501 5027
Deyaar
Contact: 800 339 227
Al Huraiz Real Estate
Contact: 04 352 3676
Al Wesal Real Estate
Contact: 04 332 2248
SPF Realty
Contact: 04 339 6222
Rocky Real Estate
Contact: 04 329 7700
Better Homes
Contact: 600 52 2212
