Inside Arjan: Why residents say it’s one of Dubai’s most liveable areas

Dubai: Arjan has steadily become a popular choice for families, newcomers to the UAE, and young professionals. The tree-lined streets and modern amenities make it suitable for almost every lifestyle.

The neighbourhood offers a peaceful yet lively atmosphere, quiet enough for those seeking calm, but with just the right amount of activity to feel connected to the city. With excellent schools nearby, wide footpaths, and parks, and a convenient location close to the city’s main highways, Arjan has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s most desirable new residential areas.

A warm sense of community

We met the cheery, smiling Sarah Mustafa, who lives in one of the buildings in Arjan neighbourhood. Without much of a preamble, she took us into her cosy home, where she resides with her brother and two very large cats. Spacious, compact and organised well, Mustafa, who works as a senior school doctor at Nord Anglia, shares what exactly drew her to this neighbourhood.

She says, “I’ve been living here for over three years, going into my fourth. I live in staff accommodation, provided by work.” One of the primary reasons why she likes her place: It’s four minutes away from work. “I think it is one of the best places I’ve lived in Dubai, so far. I love how developed it is, and how it continues to be developed. When I moved here four years ago, there wasn’t much to be seen in Arjan, other than apartment buildings but now there’s now the efforts to make Dubai greener here,” and this reflects in the growth of the parks.

Moreover, there is no dearth of choice when it comes to schools; in fact there’s a cluster of schools nearby too around Hessa Street, which also includes GEMS. “We’re also 10 minutes away from Dubai Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden and in the winter, it makes such a perfect evening outing.” Furthermore, there’s a warm sense of community in Arjan. “Over here, neighbours really get to know each other, whether you stay in the same building or not. You can really see the apartment buildings light up for Christmas, Diwali or Halloween.”

Regarding prices and rents, she admits that it is a tad pricier now. “When I first moved in, the prices ranged from Dh56k to 60k for an unfurnished apartment, but now that new developers have started building in the area, I’ve noticed that the prices have risen up to about 90k,” she says.

‘There’s something for everyone’

A few buildings away, lives Anika Berger, a PR professional. Living in a home that overlooks balconies and gardens, she has similar sentiments to Mustafa. Berger, who has lived her whole life in Dubai, moved to Arjan four years ago.

“I chose Arjan because it was relatively new when I moved here. I bought the apartment for Dh895k, offplan, and so there wasn’t much around, at first. But you could see that it would grow into an area like JVC,” she says. Calling herself a ‘massive advocate’ for Arjan, she details what she loves about the neighbourhood. “Getting in and out is so much easier, and you can get straight on highways and that is so beneficial. And, we’re also surrounded by neighbourhoods like JVC, Motor City and Arabian Ranches.”

There’s something just for everyone here, whether you’re single or in a family, she maintains. There are parks, and it is filled with restaurants, including cake and pastry shops. “You’ll always find something to do here,” she says.

Why this Dubai resident chose to live in Arjan

“I currently live in a one-bedroom apartment with my husband and four cats. Our rent is Dh48,000 per year. It’s been steadily increasing, but only within the legal threshold. We also pay an additional air-conditioning fee - when we first moved in, it was chiller-free,” said Sheeren Zemno, a Russian-Palestinian expat born and raised in the UAE.

Zemno and her husband moved to Arjan three years ago as newlyweds, looking for a budget-friendly neighbourhood with easy access to central Dubai.

“At the time, I was working in City Walk but now I work in Media City, which is under 30 minutes away. Both are relatively close - that was one of the reasons we chose this area. Its location is very convenient, plus it’s near other popular neighbourhoods like JVC, JVT, Studio City and Motor City,” she explained.

Compared to nearby JVC, Zemno finds the traffic in Arjan much easier to manage.

 “We have more exits and entrances, and we can easily access E311, Al Khail Road and Hessa Street. You don’t have to weave through multiple lanes or streets to get on the main road either. Of course, there’s peak-hour traffic, but even on busy days, it only takes me around 10 minutes to get out of the area.”

Parking challenges 

However, Zemno admits that parking remains a major concern for many residents.
 “Currently, parking is an issue. My building only allows one parking spot, so my husband has to use public parking. We’ve spent around Dh2,400 per year on a parking permit, but that doesn’t even guarantee a spot, especially in the evening.

“Since Arjan is developing so quickly, we do worry about parking and whether it will improve. Hopefully, Parkin will invest in more infrastructure to create additional parking spaces.”

Another challenge Zemno mentioned is the limited direct connectivity between Arjan and JVC, two neighbouring areas.

 “A lot of Arjan residents go to JVC for malls, gyms, shopping or restaurants. Getting there is quick and easy, but coming back is a hassle. You have to loop around and get back on the busy E311 just to return, even though it’s right next door, it can take more than 20 minutes on a busy day. Hopefully in the future, there’ll be a direct road between Arjan and JVC for residents.”

As Ritish Arora, a sales director at Marquis Developers headquartered at Arjan summarises: "It's a community living area, dedicated to families, with open spaces, parks, access to more than 10 schools, easy connectivity to three major highways and close proximity to Dubai Hills Mall." The rent for 1Bhk is around Dh75-80k, and for 2 BHK, it's around Dh120-150k, he says.

Living in Arjan - A quiet community with citywide connections

Arjan is a mixed-use community developed by Dubai Properties Group. Known for its family-friendly vibe, mid-rise buildings, and easy access to key highways, the area has become one of the city’s most popular emerging neighbourhoods for renters and investors alike.

Iconic landmarks

Two of Dubai’s most famous attractions are located in Arjan:

• Dubai Miracle Garden – the world’s largest flower garden, showcasing more than 50 million blooms in vibrant designs.

• Dubai Butterfly Garden – home to thousands of butterflies from around the world, set within climate-controlled domes.

Where is Arjan located?

Arjan occupies a strategic position between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Umm Suqeim Road (D63), offering residents easy connectivity to the rest of Dubai.

• To the north: Al Barsha South

• To the south: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Dubai Motor City

• Nearby areas: Dubai Hills, JVC, Motor City, and Al Barsha

Residents can reach Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina in around 20 to 25 minutes, and enjoy direct access to Al Khail Road for smooth commuting.

Residential options and property prices

Arjan primarily offers apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, with some serviced residences available. The area appeals to both young professionals and families seeking affordability without compromising on access.

According to DXB Interact, a data platform tracking real estate trends in Dubai:

• The average rent for a new one-bedroom apartment is around Dh72,000 per year, while renewal rents average approximately Dh52,000.

• Studios rent for up to Dh48,000, though some have recently been leased for around Dh42,000.

For buyers:

• A ready one-bedroom apartment is priced at around Dh928,000, while off-plan units average approximately Dh1.23 million.

Schools in and around Arjan

For families, Arjan offers convenient access to several schools featuring international and CBSE curricula.

Within Arjan:

• Dhruv Global School

• Highgate International School

• Nord Anglia International School Dubai

• Australian International School

Nearby in Al Barsha, parents can also find:

• Dubai Heights Academy

• Brighton College Dubai

• Next Generation School

• Dubai National School Al Barsha

• Safa Community School (SCS)

This variety makes Arjan particularly appealing for families looking to stay close to reputable education options.

Hospitals and clinics

While there is currently no major hospital within Arjan, healthcare access is close by.

• Mediclinic Parkview Hospital is less than 10 minutes away.

• Medcare Medical Centre operates within Arjan, offering outpatient and family medical services.

Parks and outdoor spaces in Arjan

Arjan offers plenty of green spaces and recreational areas for families and fitness enthusiasts. The neighbourhood features several small playgrounds for children, neighbourhood parks, and a larger community park where residents can relax or enjoy outdoor activities.

You will also find sports facilities such as basketball and football courts, padel courts, and wide grassy areas perfect for walks, picnics, or weekend gatherings. These well-maintained parks add to Arjan’s appeal as a family-friendly and pet-friendly community.

Mosques in Arjan

Arjan has a number of mosques serving the local community, providing residents with convenient access to places of worship. Notable mosques in the area include:

• Al Karmastaji Mosque

• Aamina Moossa Geepas Masjid

These mosques are easily accessible to residents across the neighbourhood, offering a welcoming environment for daily prayers and Friday congregations.

Public transport and connectivity

Arjan is best suited for residents who own or regularly use a private vehicle, as public transport options are limited.

The F36 bus route runs from Mall of the Emirates Bus Station to Arjan, but the number of bus stops in the area remains few. Residents who rely on public transport may find commuting more challenging, although connectivity is expected to improve as development continues.

Shopping and daily essentials

Arjan has numerous small grocery stores within walking distance of most buildings, along with several larger supermarkets such as:

• Carrefour

• Grandiose

• Nesto

• Viva

• LuLu Express (Al Barsha South)

Nearby shopping destinations include My City Centre Al Barsha, First Avenue Mall (Motor City), Circle Mall (JVC), City Centre Me’aisem, Dubai Hills Mall, and Galleria Mall Al Barsha.

Restaurants, cafés, and delivery options

Arjan offers a diverse food scene with both casual eateries and international restaurants. Popular dining spots include My Govindas, Pitfire Pizza, and several Palestinian, Thai, Afghan, Chinese, Italian, Persian, and Indian restaurants.

Residents also benefit from fast delivery services, with apps such as Noon Minutes, Careem, Talabat, and Amazon Now offering deliveries within 15 to 30 minutes. And if you’re looking for more options, nearby neighbourhoods like JVC, Motor City, and Al Barsha are just minutes away, offering countless cafés and restaurants to explore. 

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly apartment, a community-oriented environment, or easy access to central Dubai, Arjan offers something for everyone.