Abu Dhabi: Lack of affordable housing remains a pressing expat issue in Abu Dhabi, more so for bachelors as studio apartments are hard to come by in the capital city.
But it’s not all doom and gloom as the findings of an XPRESS house hunt reveal that there are some great options for bachelors that are worth a grab.
Reem Island
If you are looking for luxury and exclusivity, Reem Island is definitely the preferred choice for singletons. Just five minutes’ drive from the city centre, the community has a range of studio apartments.
Priced between Dh70,000 and Dh100,000, the plush apartments come with a range of amenities, including basement parking, fitness centres, swimming pool and 24 hour security.
Peter Richardson, a Western expat who lives in a studio apartment in Gate Towers in the Shams District of Reem Island said the place is worth every penny he pays. “I don’t mind paying Dh90,000 for my studio. It is big and has fantastic views,” he said.
Arc Towers and Al Maha Towers in Reem also have luxurious studio apartments with waterfront views. Residents have access to tennis and badminton courts, mini golf course, spa etc. Studios in Arc Towers cost between Dh90,000 and Dh100,000, and those in Al Maha cost between Dh76,000 and Dh85,000.
Al Bandar
Al Bandar, which forms part of the new Al Raha Beach development, is one of the most sought-after properties in Abu Dhabi. For an annual rent of Dh90,000 and upwards for studio apartments, residents get resort-style living with breathtaking views of the marina, and a range of lifestyle amenities like health clubs, restaurants and retail space.
“I had the option of either renting a one-bedroom for Dh90,000 in the city or a studio in Al Bandar. I chose the latter because of the quality of life here,” said a resident.
The place is 15 minutes’ drive from the city and five minutes from the airport.
Al Bateen Marasy
This one is for those who want to live away from the din and bustle of the city. Studio apartments are available in limited numbers in the eight low-rise buildings that form the Marasy residential development on the Al Bateen wharf and marina. With large open living rooms, floor to ceiling windows with amazing views of the marina, balcony, and five-star resident facilities, Marasy studios are much sought-after by bachelors who value serenity.
“The current going rate for a studio here is Dh100,000 a year. The property is unique and is preferred by bachelors who own a boat,” said a real estate agent.
Khalifa City A
Affordability is the USP of Khalifa City A. A 30-minute drive from the city, Khalifa City is a huge residential community replete with apartments, villas and studios.
Bachelors who do not want to burn a hole in their pocket yet live in private spaces prefer this locality. Prices range from Dh26,000 to Dh45,000.
“My studio apartment is as big as a one-bedroom. I did not want to share a room because I want privacy to Skype with my family in the evenings.” said Indian expat Ravi Kumar who runs a photo studio.
Most of the studios are available within villa complexes, and have separate kitchens and reserved parking spaces.
Downtown Abu Dhabi
Finding a studio in downtown Abu Dhabi has always been a struggle for bachelors who are averse to the idea of sharing. Most of the residential buildings do not have studios and many bachelors resort to sharing a two-bedroom with a colleague or friend.
However, if you comb through certain areas like Airport Road, Tourist Club, Nahyan and Khalidiya, you will stumble upon some studios.
The prices are vary widely depending on the locality, size of the apartment and facilities. For instance, a studio in a well-maintained apartment in Nahyan area costs Dh45,000 to Dh60,000. If furnished, the price goes up to Dh75,000.
