10 addresses you'll love in the UAE

Here is a contradictory statement that is certain to trigger much debate: Money is not everything when it comes to finding a perfect home to live in, but money can purchase almost everything that defines perfect living. 

 

When it comes to renting a home in the UAE, several factors are at play besides the monetary aspect, and some long-term residents are wise to throw assorted things into the mix.

 

While access to arterial roads and proximity to schools and services take top billing, lifestyle aspects like tranquillity in quiet spaces and the prestige value of an address seem equally important. 

 

If you have just moved into the country, here are the things that have made these popular neighbourhoods so loved.

 

1. Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi 

 

“We are centrally located and connected to everything,” says Arjun D’Souza, Director of Revenue at the Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, who lives with his family in a spacious three-bedroom apartment just off the Corniche Road. 

 

Although the apartment was allocated by the hotel, the D’Souza family love the location. “We have Al Noor hospital, Central Souq, and several stores within walking distance, and my wife, Leenu, can run errands easily without having to wait for me to drive her.

 

The large apartment sees them regularly host friends and family members.

 

2. Green Community DIP, Dubai 

 

Zara Kay is from Nigeria, her husband Marc is from France, and they are parents to three children below the age of ten. She cannot imagine any other place in the world where she would prefer to live. 

 

Kay says she was extremely conscious of her intercultural marriage until she came to live at Green Community, where she discovered it is the norm.

 

“We have neighbours from across the world, and that healthily exposes our children to different cultures. We also seem to be a tribe of commuters, as many men here have jobs in Abu Dhabi.” 

 

Kay adds that most residents think the neighbourhood’s East Zone to be better than the West Zone.

 

3. Mangrove Village, Abu Dhabi 

 

The family-friendly community of Mangrove Village is about 20 minutes away from the centre of Abu Dhabi, and seemingly, a few worlds apart.

 

Living up to its name, the village-like gated community has a safe environment for children, with dedicated play areas and pools. 

 

The slightly ramshackle but spacious Arabian-style villas are available in four- and five-bedroom combinations. Several facilities are within easy reach — a health club, supermarket, tennis and basketball courts — making the development attractive to expatriate families.

 

Despite the fact that prices hover around the Dh300,000 mark, the waiting list can run into months. 

 

4. Al Nahda, Dubai 

 

“Contrary to what people think of living at one end of Dubai, this border with Sharjah is actually a bridge between the two emirates,” says Sheeba Joseph, Shift-in-Charge at Dubai Hospital, who lives with husband Shibu Nainan (in picture with Sheeba) and daughter Sheona in a penthouse in Al Nahda.

 

She adds that the rent is comparable to Discovery Gardens at the other end of Dubai. 

 

“This is a great residential area with many facilities and my daughter’s school is next door. Driving to work takes us only 15 minutes.”

 

5. Downtown Dubai 

 

The area that defines the modern centre of Dubai spans a staggering variety of apartments and town houses in size, style and price.

 

While some of the most coveted properties are high-rise apartments with views of Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Fountain, there’s also a premium placed on secluded semi-detached homes in communities like Podium Villas at Southridge and The Residences. 

 

Bargains can be found on the periphery of this neighbourhood, with apartments offering the same views but with big savings on rent, albeit with fewer nearby facilities.

 

6. Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai 

 

Located just across the road from the seemingly more prestigious — and thereby more expensive — communities of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence is Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT).

 

The big difference is the sprawling car-free spaces on the inner periphery of the complex of high-rises, complete with lakes, parks, play areas, stores and eateries — making it a popular choice for singles, couples and families. 

 

Two metro stations, several restaurants, five-star hotels, 24-hour supermarkets and its enviable location on Shaikh Zayed Road make JLT much loved by residents. A dearth of parking spaces for guests seems to be the only flaw. 

 

7. The Springs, Dubai 

 

Singaporean Paul Che (below), wife Mariam, and their two dogs have lived in a semi-detached villa at The Springs 2 for the past five years and are unwilling to consider any other option, despite several fluctuations in rent and no less than three changes in ownership. 

 

“We moved here from an old villa in Satwa because of our dogs, as we didn’t think it fair on our neighbours,” Che explains. 

 

“We realised this is the perfect place for us, and not just for the dogs to play around. Access from Shaikh Zayed Road is easy, but more importantly, it is a quiet area, which 

we love.” 

 

8. Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi 

 

“It is a good place to live when you first move to Abu Dhabi, if you don’t want to have a culture shock,” says a post on Expatwomen.com, a blog for expatriate women in the UAE.

 

“It is mostly expatriates living on the island and you can dress as you please without feeling too uncomfortable.” 

 

Anita Days, a resident of eight months, says she and her husband chose the island because it came highly recommended by their friends in Abu Dhabi and they found it reasonably affordable.

 

Besides the older towers, there are several new apartment blocks rising in this emerging district of Abu Dhabi, providing a staggering variety of choices.

 

9. Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi 

 

Undoubtedly one of the most distinguished addresses in the country, Saadiyat Island has a choice of premier apartments and villas. 

 

Comparable to The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Saadiyat Island has the added advantage of the world’s most famous museums on its residents’ doorsteps — the Louvre and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — as well as branches of some of the finest educational institutes, including New York University. 

 

The hefty price tag of around Dh450,000 per year can fetch a handsome home near Monte Carlo Beach Club, with commanding views of the ocean and within walking distance of its shores.

 

10. Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah 

 

Curved alongside Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon and Buhaira Corniche is the area popularly known as Sharjah Corniche.

 

Residents who have rented homes here for several years say it’s one of the most tranquil areas in the emirate, especially during winter. Plenty of stores and facilities dot the area while numerous surrounding parks are a bonus. 

 

The apartments overlooking the waterfront afford views of the Sharjah Fountain and are typically large. A three-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment costs between Dh85,000 and Dh100,000 a year, making this neighbourhood a luxurious yet affordable option for Sharjah residents.