Al Razi Residence
Metro Station: Dubai Healthcare city
Best for: Families and singles
What Al Razi Residence features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses.
Amenities and facilities Swimming pool, sauna, gym and 24-hour manned security. The building provides for du connectivity and parking as well.
Why you'll like it Al Razi Residence offers a wide selection of spacious, quality apartments. Step inside and you will find generous living spaces along with balconies. A standout feature is the secure smart card access. If you're keen on keeping fit, there is a gym and a large swimming pool. There are also several areas to walk in, jog or cycle through while enjoying the lush surroundings of the Creekside Park nearby. For essentials, a supermarket and French bakery on the ground floor come in handy. There's also the added bonus of a Carrefour Express and Grand Cineplex at Wafi City just five minutes away. Several schools and healthcare facilities are also in the vicinity. This is definitely an area worth exploring.
Facts and figures
Distance from Metro station: Five minutes
Rentals: One-bed: Dh75,000, two-bed: Dh95,000 — Dh98,000, three-bed: Dh135,000 — Dh160,000.
Contact: Excel Real Estate 04 336 4447
Desert Home
Metro Station: Oud Metha
Best for: Families
What Located near Al Rashid Hospital, the building offers two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Amenities and facilities Swimming pool, gym, car parking, central air-conditioning, 24-hour security and Etisalat connectivity.
Why you'll like it Strategically located, Desert Home provides easy access to Karama, Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Maktoum Bridge. Offering large living areas and balconies, this building is strictly only for families. Lamcy Plaza, with its mix of retail brands, a cinema and restaurants, is a five-minute drive away. Also in the vicinity is the Creekside Park, several churches and mosques, hospitals and schools. While this could make it an ideal abode for families with children, young married couples interested in nightlife could also head to Chi@ The Lodge at Al Nasr Leisureland next door. Most importantly, units here come with a flexible payment plan — from four to six cheques — so you are unlikely to burn a hole in your pocket.
Facts and figures
Distance from Metro station: Five minutes
Rentals: Dh65,000 — Dh75,000 (two-bedroom units), Dh110,000 for three-bedroom units.
Contact: Kings Palace Real Estate 800 5773
Zubaidi Building
Metro station: Abu Hail
Best for: Families
What The building offers two- and three-bedroom units. Currently, only two-bedroom units are available.
Amenities and facilities The building features a swimming pool, gym and provides for Etisalat connectivity. On the ground floor it houses several retail outlets, including a ladies' salon and dry cleaner.
Why you'll like it Located behind Ramada Continental Hotel in Abu Hail, this building offers good transport connectivity, with the Abu Hail station on the Green Line a 10-minute walk away and the RTA bus depot close by. For your shopping needs, the Abu Hail Centre and Sana Fashions are in the area, while the NMC Hospital is also in the vicinity. Inside the building, you'll find spacious apartments and amenities to fulfil all your basic needs while enhancing your lifestyle, with residents able to make use of all the gym, pool and parking facilities. Available for rent at Dh65,000, apartments in this building are suitable for families who prefer to have several transport options on their doorstep.
Facts and figures
Distance from Metro station: 10 minutes
Rentals: Two-bedroom units for Dh65,000. Payment plan up to four cheques.
Contact: Cluttons 04 334 8585
Maria Building
Metro station: Stadium Station
Best for: Families
What Located in Al Nahda 1, near Al Mulla Plaza, this building offers one- and two-bedroom units.
Amenities and facilities A swimming pool, gym, car parking and 24-hour security are some of the amenities here. It also has several retail outlets on the ground floor.
Why you'll like it Located close to the main Dubai-Sharjah highway, Maria Building offers one- and two-bedroom apartments. A distinctive feature is its location: besides the nearby Metro station, this building also offers easy access to major roads and retail areas. There is a Lulu Hypermarket and a Union Cooperative outlet not far away. The airport is also within reach at any time of the day. From a large swimming pool to a gym, sauna and health club, the building provides various options for residents to spend quality time indoors. It also houses a restaurant, billiards club and a ladies' salon on the lower level. Other advantages include 24-hour security and a central air-conditioning system.
Facts and figures
Distance from Metro station: 10 minutes
Rentals: One-bed: Dh35,000, two-bed: Dh45,000 (payable in four to six cheques).
Contact: Kings Palace Real Estate 800 5773
The Centre Residence
Metro station: Abu Baker Al Siddique
Best for: Families
What The Centre Residence in Deira offers studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Amenities and facilities Well-equipped gym, swimming pool, children's play area, landscaped garden, dedicated covered parking and Smart TV or E-vision connection. There is a central air-conditioning system and the chiller service is free.
Why you'll like it It is a brand new building in one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods — Deira. Location-wise, it offers easy access to transportation nodes as well as major retail centres. The apartments stand out for their impeccable design and attention-to-detail. Other characteristics of the units are the inviting living areas, built-in wardrobes, balconies and kitchens complete with cabinets. The chiller service comes free of charge. Residents also benefit from a children's play area and a landscaped garden. While the building does provide car parking, you may not necessarily need a car considering its strategic location.
Facts and figures
Distance from Metro station: Five minutes
Rentals: Two-bed apartments available from Dh60,000 to Dh80,000.
Contact: Asteco 04 403 7700
Your say
Praveen Ganta: I want to rent a studio within 30 minutes of my office, which is close to the Dubai Mall Metro station on Shaikh Zayed Road. Can you recommend a good location?
Property: Areas such as Deira, Karama and Al Qusais could be ideal as they are serviced by the Metro — both the Green Line and Red Line. In fact, Deira is serviced by three stations, namely Union station — a major intersection for both the Green and the Red Metro Lines — Al Rigga Station on the Red Line, and Salah Al Din station on the Green Line. An unfurnished studio in Deira will cost you not less than Dh20,000 per annum. Alternatively, you could get serviced units for Dh5,000 a month in Bur Dubai and Deira.
Property's Pick: The Centre Residence
Why we like it If you want to live in the thick of the action and simultaneously enjoy a relaxed ambience at home, this property ought to be on your radar.
The Centre Residence is located near the Mövenpick Hotel, at the intersection of Abu Baker Al Siddique street and Salahuddin Road. With the opening of the new Abu Baker Al Siddique Metro station on the Green Line, getting around the city couldn't be easier. In a matter of a few minutes, you can reach the transport hub that is Union station on the Red Line, providing you with easy access to all the urban centres in Dubai.
And for the frequent flyers among you, the Dubai International Airport is just a ten-minute drive away.
There are also many options for keeping fit: besides the in-house facilities, Deira Park on Muteena Street could be an alternative stomping ground for your morning and evening strolls.
In terms of grocery shopping, we found the United Hypermarket just across the street handy, while Reef Mall, which houses the 24-hour Al Maya Lal and Carrefour Express at Hamrain Centre, are just a few minutes away. A Lulu Department store is also close by.
For more entertainment and retail activity, the closest port of call is the Al Ghurair Centre, either a seven-minute drive away or easily accessible via the Metro (Union station is the closest stop). The Al Ghurair mall houses Grand Cinecity and a mix of retail and dining options, including the newly opened India Palace.
Meanwhile, Al Rigga Street is just a short walk from here; taking pride in its wide spectrum of eateries and replete with outdoor seating, it is sure to have something to satisfy all tastes.
The building's location is also advantageous for beach lovers, with Al Mamzar at a short distance.
Well-connected to great transport links and featuring quality amenities, The Centre Residence is sure to win you over.
