As its name indicates, Green Community (GC) is a development spread across a lush landscape, 67 hectares of it, in Dubai Investment Park (DIP). The community, developed by Properties Investment, is located on Emirates Road, close to Jebel Ali, and comprises two phases — Green Community and Green Community West. With a wide choice of homes and facilities and a lake at its centre, it is appealing for families. Schools are close by and the presence of a mall — The Market — provides retail options. Resident Caroline Tapken describes it best: “It is one of the safest, greenest and best residential environments. When you get home, you just don’t want to leave again!”
Look out for
Cucina: the Italian restaurant at Courtyard by Marriott Green Community (GC), is a favourite with residents for its Friday family brunch.
The Children’s Garden: the multi-lingual nursery in GC. It is not easy to get a place here as there is a long waiting list
Choithram: supermarket at The Market — Green Community’s mall — offers convenience at your doorstep.
The DIP roundabout outside the community is an area of concern. The number of heavy vehicles could be daunting for residents.
Sales prices
Apartments: Dh600,000 – Dh2.1 million
Town houses: Dh2.05 million – Dh2.25 million
Bungalows: Dh2.6 million – Dh2.9million
Villas: Dh3 million – Dh5.8 million
Source: Better Homes, Espace & Square Feet Realtors
- 5% increase in sales from April to August 2011, according to Espace
Rental prices (per annum)
Apartments: Dh35,000 – Dh175,000
Town houses: Dh175,000 – Dh190,000
Bungalows: Dh190,000 – Dh220,000
Villas: Dh200,000– Dh330,000
Source: Better Homes & Square Feet Realtors
- 5% increase in rents from April to August 2011, according to Better Homes
Your say
Resident
At GC, you get real value for your money in a fantastic environment.
Caroline Tapken, homeowner
Sales and leasing expert
The return on investment one can expect over here is 7-8 per cent.
Susan Brand, Better Homes
Sales and leasing expert
The community was built keeping families in mind. Demand for rentals is high.
Dimple Uppal, Square Feet Emirates Road (E311).
How to get there: From Dubai, drive on Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi. Take Exit 20 on to the bridge (Interchange 7). Join Emirates Road (E311). At the Dubai Investment Park (DIP) R/A turn right to join E77. Take first right for Green Community.
POSITIVES
- Abundant green spaces, spacious homes, cobbled pathways, play areas and water features
- Self-sufficient as it features a mall that includes a supermarket, dining options and a hotel, while schools are also close by
- Safe and secure with access cards for residents
NEGATIVES
- Being in the city outskirts, you may need to plan your trips to the urban centres in advance
- District cooling bills could run high, while the cost of maintaining your gardens could add to your budget
- Though traffic lights have improved the situation at the DIP roundabout, traffic chaos exists during peak hours
Major landmarks
- The Market, Green Community’s mall
- Greenfield Community School
- Courtyard by Marriott GC hotel
Apartments
What The blocks in Green Community (GC) East, feature Garden Apartments (studios and one- to three-bedrooms), Lake Apartments (studios, one- and two-bedrooms) and Terrace Apartments (three-bedrooms). The North West block in GC West has one- and two-beds.
What you get Beautifully landscaped gardens, swimming pool, leisure deck, jacuzzi, gym and a party hall make up the communal facilities. One parking space is available for studios and onebedrooms, while two- and three-bedrooms come with two parking spaces.
Rentals
- Studio Dh35,000 – Dh45,000
- One-bedroom Dh50,000 – Dh65,000
- Two-bedroom Dh85,000 – Dh120,000
- Three-bedroom Dh130,000 – Dh140,000
- Three-bedroom duplex Dh150,000 – Dh175,000
Source: Better Homes & Square Feet Realtors
Sales
- Studio –
- One-bedroom Dh600,000 upwards
- Two-bedroom Dh850,000 upwards
- Three-bedroom Dh1.45m upwards
- Three-bedroom duplex Dh1.85m upwards
Source: Better Homes, Espace and Square Feet Realtors
We say Popular among singles, couples and families,the buildings feature a ground floor plus three levels. Most have two homes per floor. For those who are keen on location, the Garden East Apartment block is closest to the mall, while the Garden West building sits at extreme corner close to GC West. Overlooking the lake, the Terraced Apartment building, which includes duplex homes with a study, is close to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel that houses a licensed restaurant. The Lake Apartment block is close to the main park, leading to the amphitheatre and the lake.
Townhouses
What Located in GC East, the 310 town houses feature three-bedrooms and a study. Situated on small plots, the homes span approximately 4,000 square feet.
You get The homes feature well-lit interiors, high ceilings, a private garden and dual car ports. Besides communal facilities that include pools and a gym there are basketball, tennis and volleyball courts nearby that can be accessed by all residents.
Rentals
3-bedroom Dh175,000 – Dh190,000
Sales
3-bedroom Dh2.05m – Dh2.25m
We say The homes are spacious — especially the family lounge upstairs. The study can be converted into a fourth bedroom offering great value for money. Because it is part of an older phase in the development, residents feel the homes in GC East have high-quality finishing. The area also has more established gardens. Also the lake, The Market mall and the hotel are located in this area. On the flip-side, exiting GC during rush hour could take a few extra minutes at the T-junction outside. An extra lane and a traffic signal could offer safer, more efficient driving here.
Bungalows
What The homes are spacious — especially the family lounge upstairs. The study can be converted into a fourth bedroom offering great value for money. Because it is part of an older phase in the development, residents feel the homes in GC East have high-quality finishing. The area also has more established gardens. Also the lake, The Market mall and the hotel are located in this area. On the flip-side, exiting GC during rush hour could take a few extra minutes at the T-junction outside. An extra lane and a traffic signal could offer safer, more efficient driving here.
What you get They feature a maid’s room, a two-car garage and a private garden. As with the rest of GC, etisalat is the provider for internet, phone and TV service.
Rentals
4-bedroom Dh190,000 – Dh220,000
Sales
4-bedroom Dh2.6m – Dh2.9m
We say The single-level homes are popular among families due to their large plot sizes. What’s more, the kitchen and dining area offers views of the patio and garden. On the downside, there is no pedestrian crossing between the West and the East side of the community, making it unsafe for kids. Residents do feel the service fees in GC are high, as they are not calculated based on the square footage of your property. Although you may have to pay extra for maintenance, you can count on maintenance firm, Serve-U, any time of day and night.
Villas
What Both the phases of GC feature villas, with GC East having 75 four-bedroom family villas and ten five-bedroom luxury homes. Both come with a study. In GC West there are 240 family villas in a five-bedroom format while there are 42 six-bedroom luxury homes.
What you get The villas feature a private garden, a maid’s and laundry room, while the luxury homes have a driver’s room. Parking facilities include dual car ports for family villas. Luxury villas have a three-car garage. Communal facilities are similar to other sections of the GC.
Rentals
GC East
4-bed (family) Dh230,000 – Dh250,000
5-bed (luxury) Dh300,000 – Dh330,000
GC West
5-bed (family) Dh200,000 – Dh230,000
6-bed (luxury) Dh230,000 – Dh250,000
Sales
GC East
4-bedroom (family) Dh3.05m – Dh3.25m
5-bedroom (luxury) Dh4.7m – Dh5.8m
GC West
5-bedroom (family) Dh3m – Dh3.42m
6-bedroom (luxury) Dh4.5m – Dh5m
We say Ideal for families, the pastel coloured homes offer privacy while the open rail fences also give you a chance to get to know your neighbours. The villas in GC East are built around parks and cobbled paths that discourage speeding, making it safe for children. The GC West villas offer larger plots with spacious back gardens with an option to add a pool. The Children’s Garden nursery is just opposite the GC West gate. District cooling fees could be high. Although GC may be out-of-town, you don’t need to leave the community as it offers everything.
