The best Neighbourhoods in Dubai

Dubai Marina is a popular neighbourhood for expats and young professionals, offering a great view of both the Marina and the sea. The area is known for its high-end restaurants and bars, as well as the proximity to the Marina Mall (in the heart of the Marina) and the Mall of the Emirates, which is not too far by car.

The average price of a one-bedroom apartment tends to float between AED 90,000 to 120,000 per year, depending on the level of luxury and furnishing. A few Pros of living in the Marina include the beutiful views of the Marina and/or sea, the abundance of dining and shopping options, and the proximity of many activities. On the other hand come of the cons include the heavy traffic congestion during rush hour and the constant crowds in the most busy areas of the Marina.

JBR, or Jumeirah Beach Residence, is another popular area for expats and young professionals, consisting of somewhat traditional beige-coloured buildings with private pools and gyms, among other amenities, exclusive to people living in the condominiums. It’s located along the beach and features high-end restaurants, bars and many shopping options, including The Beach and the Walk at JBR.

The average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 110,000 per year, but this can vary, depending on the furniture, floor and even building. Some of the Pros of living here include the stunning views of either the sea or the marina, the direct access to the beach and the proximity to a lot of dining and entertainment options. There are some cons however, as for some it can be quite overwhelming the number of tourists who visit this area on a daily basis, leading to increased traffic.

JLT, or Jumeirah Lake Towers, is a popular neighbourhood for families and young professionals, situated across the highway from the Dubai Marina area. It features many parks, lakes and playgrounds, making it a great place to live if you have children.

The area is known for its affordable housing options, and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 65,000 per year. A lot of the buildings in JLT give you access to a resident’s pool, which can be quite important during the warmer months. The Pros of living in JLT are the high number of outdoor spaces such as parks, lakeside walking pavement and it overall gives for a great community feel. On the other hand, don’t expect a lot to be happening in this area, as it is more quiet, with many offices located there, which means less restaurants or other activities compared to other areas in Dubai.

Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island that’s become a popular destination for tourists and expats. It’s known for its luxury hotels and high-end dining options, as well as a very exclusive and high standard of living. Full of stuning Villas with private access to the beach, the Palm Jumeirah is considered to be one of the most expensive places to live in Dubai, with the average price of a one-bedroom apartment being between AED 120,000 to 140,000 per year.

However, it is more common to find Villas in this area, which can be much more expensive, depending on the are and level of luxury. Something to consider about living in the Palm however, is the traffic jams during certain times of the day, because there is one main road which you have to go through to access most points in the Palm.

Deira is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai and is known for its traditional feel. Nowadays, it’s a popular area for families, particularly Indian, given the abundance of Indian restaurants, shops and other services, and features many parks and outdoor spaces that are friendly for both toursist and Expats.

This area is generally the most affordable in the city and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is around AED 45,000 per year. It is important to know however, that Deira is not very well located in relation to some of the most common working areas such as Media and Internet City, and the traffic during rush hour can mean it will take you more than normal to commute to the other side of Dubai, if you need to.

Downtown is the heart of Dubai, and it’s known not only for its skyscrapers and luxury hotels, but also for its proximity to Business Bay and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. It’s a popular area for expats and young professionals, and it features many high-end dining and entertainment options.

The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in this central location is around AED 95,000 per year but it can be much higher if you choose to be closer to the Dubai Mall. This is an excellent area for overall entertainment and shopping, but note that, as any touristic area, it can get quite busy, especially when there are events, like New Year’s Eve.