My Dubai Rent: How much is rent in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)?

Dubai: Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) proudly calls itself a ‘15-minute city’ where you can ‘work, live, study, and play.’ To see if this claim holds true, take a short walk around the area and you will encounter a vibrant yet tranquil community - mothers strolling with their children, kids playing in the park, dog walkers and commuters either heading home, waiting for their buses, or stopping by the local cafeteria for a comforting cup of tea. It feels like a self-contained town, with everything seemingly within easy reach.

Residents interviewed by Gulf News confirmed that this blend of convenience and a peaceful atmosphere is what attracted them to the area. However, a decade ago, DSO was a very different place. Over the years, it has undergone significant development, transforming into a thriving hub for businesses and families.

“DSO is peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle, yet still vibrant. The area has become less quiet than it was 12 years ago, but it remains relatively peaceful. There are more restaurants, supermarkets, and shops now. It is much easier to access services like maintenance, and deliveries are far more convenient. I remember when I first lived here, I used to have to beg restaurants to deliver, but that's no longer an issue,” said Kathrynne Nicole Alday, a 22-year-old Filipino DSO resident and Public Relations assistant who lives with her family.

Alday revealed that her family currently pays Dh80,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. “It is much more affordable and cheaper than what newer tenants are paying. I also have a close relationship with my security guard and building management, which has been very helpful,” she added.

Since its establishment in 2005, the DSO community has grown significantly, with a population exceeding 90,000 as of 2022.

According to Google Maps, DSO is approximately 25 to 30 minutes away from key hubs and neighbourhoods such as Downtown Dubai, Mirdif, Bur Dubai, and both airports - Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum International). Its prime location and direct connections to major roads make it an ideal choice for many residents.

“I chose this area because it was close to my wife's workplace. I really love the location, it is easy to get in and out, and it is centrally located. It is very convenient and easy to reach places in Dubai like Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai International Airport. I live here with my family, and it's a family-friendly place with plenty of parks and malls,” said Satish Kumar Subramanium, an Indian expatriate and freelance photographer who has lived in DSO for almost 14 years.

Subramanium stated that he pays Dh50,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, which aligns with information presented on DXB Interact (an online platform that uses data on property trends and transaction volumes provided by Dubai Land Department). The platform indicates that the average rental for a one-bedroom apartment in DSO ranges from Dh46,000 to Dh57,000.

Similarly, his wife, Amulya Satish Kumar, was drawn to the community, parks, and proximity to her office near the DSO headquarters. “Although the number of residential apartments has increased in the area, traffic remains manageable. You have everything you need here, so you don't need to leave the area,” she said.

One of the main attractions for residents is the convenience and range of activities available within the area. The DSO community boasts numerous community parks, a local community farm, and a lake. It also has several shopping malls, the most prominent being Souq Extra and Silicon Central Mall, alongside many smaller supermarkets and grocery stores.

The area is pedestrian-friendly with ample wide pavements and walkable areas, making it ideal for those with pets. There are also dedicated lanes for e-scooters, bicycles, and joggers. You can easily walk around the entire DSO community. A hospital, Fakeeh University Hospital, and many other clinics are also located within the area.

DSO is a free zone that houses numerous local, regional, and multinational technology companies. The most recognisable buildings in the area are the DSO headquarters and the Dubai Digital Park, a significant development featuring a mix of offices, residential communities, and the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec).

One of DSO’s standout features is the community garden, which allows residents to rent a plot of land for a few months free of charge to grow their own vegetables. The DSO authority sends an email to residents in October to register for a plot on a first-come, first-served basis. At the community garden, you can find avid gardeners tending to their plots and growing vegetables such as spinach, corn, lettuce, and beetroot.

Gulf News spoke to some residents at the farm, who said that they enjoy growing their own produce, as it is sustainable. It also provides an opportunity to connect with other members of the community, and for those living in apartments, the community farm offers a space to nurture their green thumbs.

Steve S, who moved to DSO during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lower rents, previously worked in the area when it was much more smaller and lacked amenities. However, in recent years, there has been significant development, and it is now a thriving community.

“Silicon Oasis is like a hub, and even though more people are moving into the area, traffic remains manageable due to improvements in road infrastructure, particularly the exits. It is easy to reach main areas of the city like Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai International Airport, and travel times are shorter. I work in Business Bay, and it takes me around 40 minutes to reach DSO with no evening traffic. However, it takes longer in the morning due to the school rush,” he explained.

One of the main factors that attracted him to DSO was the availability of schools within the community. “Another reason why I like DSO is because my daughter's school is located within the community, which makes transportation easier and reduces travel time,” he said.

He pays Dh45,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, which he finds spacious enough for his family.

For many residents, the number of schools and nurseries and its close proximity to Academic City are major draws. The area is home to numerous IB, Indian, and UK curriculum schools.

“I have been living here for five years. I initially moved here because my son started studying in Academic City, and I wanted to live closer. To be honest, I think it is an excellent community - it is clean, calm, and there is very little traffic within the area,” said Merilyn Caroline Fernandes, who runs her own advertising and interiors business.

Academic City is home to many international universities and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a New York-based institution offering degrees in technology and business, is also located in DSO.

"It's also quite well-structured with pockets of community, malls, and eateries. It is well planned with cycling and jogging tracks, and it is very safe. You can easily go for a drive or walk at 2am. Sometimes go for a walk around the DSO lake, which is quite relaxing. Plus, there are 24-hour eateries,” Fernandes said.

She currently pays Dh66,000 for her one-bedroom apartment, which she finds spacious and modern, with premium amenities such as a sky pool and a children's playground. “I also have a great view of Al Ain Road and the Dubai skyline,” she added.

DSO residents may have to wait until 2029 for the Dubai Metro's Blue Line to be launched, but there is a robust public bus network operated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Numerous bus routes connect to central bus stations and Metro stations, including Al Rashidiya, Karama, and Etisalat by e& Metro Station.

DSO also features an ‘electric road,’ introduced in 2020, which charges RTA public buses and electric vehicles while they are parked or even in motion. According to the RTA, a power-charging grid lies beneath the road surface.