Average rent: Studios begin at Dh50,000, one-bedrooms vary from Dh70,000 to Dh90,000. On the upper end are penthouses with private swimming pools for Dh300,000.
Pros: JBR has a European vibe. Expats enjoy the myriad choice of cuisines available at The Walk, plus easy access to the beach. Five-star hotels with licensed bars are within walking distance, eliminating the need for taxis and cars.
Cons: The beach has no showers or changing rooms and the originally proposed beachfront villas are now long-forgotten.
CAUTION: Residents are not allowed the use of gas cookers in the apartments. All homes come fitted with electric kitchen appliances and tenants have to use only these.
DUBAI MARINA
Average rent: This upmarket area has seen a massive crash in rental prices with studios now starting for as little as Dh40,000 in the lower-end buildings such as DEC Tower, Marina Diamond Buildings and Manchester Tower. Two-bedrooms available from Dh90,000 onwards.
Pros: Located in the heart of New Dubai; residents also have access to a newly opened Metro station and easy access to Marina Walk.
Cons: The odd bit of rush-hour traffic and ongoing construction, which can be quite jarring in a neighbourhood such as this.
BEST THING ABOUT IT: Almost every tower offers a view of the marina.
JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS
Average rent: From Dh30,000 for a studio to Dh65,000 for a two-bedroom in towers such as Seef Towers, Bonnington Tower and Lake View.
Pros: Proximity to Marina Mall and the Palm Jumeirah. Private parking space and 24-hour security.
Cons: Ongoing construction. The majority of the lakes haven’t been filled in yet.
BEST THING ABOUT IT: It’s walking distance to the Metro station and Dubai Marina.
DISCOVERY GARDENS
Average rent: Rents are cheap, with studios starting at Dh30,000 and two-bedrooms available in the range of Dh70,000-Dh80,000. Pros: Rock bottom rents, private parking, landscaped open areas and proximity to Ibn Battuta Mall.
Cons: The electricity lines are too close to the buildings. Access to the area is a bit of a hassle too.
CAUTION: Check the apartment carefully before renting. Many units still have snags and defective fixtures and fittings.
SPRINGS
Average rent: From Dh70,000 onwards for a two-bedroom villa, and Dh110,000 for a three-bedroom.
Pros: The area is fast developing with the opening of Spinneys, a pet food store and various dining outlets.
Cons: Non-stop construction. No Metro connection.
A LI’L EXTRA: Villas on corner plots have a larger garden area than the rest.
ARABIAN RANCHES
Average rent: From Dh90,000 for a two-bedroom villa to Dh350,000 for a six-bedroom villa with a private pool.
Pros: Villas are luxurious and garden areas are larger than average.
Cons: The area is not centrally located and there is no Metro connection. Only suitable for those with a car.
SPECIAL INTEREST:
The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is a treat for those who enjoy equine sports.
AL BARSHA
Average rent: Studios begin at Dh35,000 and three-bedrooms at Dh75,000.
Pros: From luxurious villas to cheap apartments, Al Barsha has a mix of different cultures, nationalities and lifestyles.
Cons: Traffic, congestion, unfinished roads
BEST THING ABOUT IT: Mall of the Emirates and Lulu hypermarket are a five-minute drive away.
INTERNATIONAL CITY
Average rent: Studios begin at Dh22,000, while one-bedrooms are going for Dh30,000.
Pros: The most affordable residential area in Dubai, with plenty of retail.
Cons: Traffic. Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
CAUTION: Fire alarms ring for hours as security is rarely around to switch it off. Clusters such as Russia, which are nearer to the sewage plant, are subject to regular wafts of stench.
BUR DUBAI
Average rent: Fairly competitive with studios in Al Mankhool starting at Dh40,000 onwards and four-bedrooms going up to Dh150,000.
Pros: Budget accommodation, five-star hotels, Metro station and connecting buses, banks and BurJuman Centre.
Cons: Traffic is a major issue. It may take an hour to drive through what should be a 10-minute commute.
BEST THING ABOUT IT: Old meets new in Bur Dubai. Rubbing shoulders with high-rise five-star hotels and buildings are some of the city’s oldest areas including Bastakiya.
KARAMA
Average rent: Prices can be as low as Dh30,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in one of the older buildings with window A/C, or Dh65,000 for a large two-bedroom with private parking and central A/C.
Pros: Convenient location in the heart of Dubai, a newly opened Metro station, business centres, malls and parks.
Cons: As many of the buildings are old, with no underground parking, finding a spot can be a bit of a nightmare.
Fact: Expect traffic congestion. The area has loads of Indian eateries.
MIRDIF
Average rent: Five-bedroom villas can be found for Dh130,000. Apartments in Shurooq Mirdif begin at Dh35,000 for a studio, and Dh64,000 for a two-bedroom villa.
Pros: The neighbourhood is pet-friendly and is a 15-minute drive from the city centre. For retail therapy, the area has Uptown Mirdif, Mirdif City Centre, Emirates Co-op and Arabian Mall.
Cons: The noise of the airplanes. Rush-hour traffic can be quite harsh since Sharjah residents tend to drive through Mirdif on their way home.
TIP: All villas along Street 37, near Lifco supermarket, are on the flight path. If you’re ready to brave the noise, there are deals to be found, such as three-bedrooms villas for Dh65,000.
AL NAHDA
Average rent: Studios available for Dh25,000 and large three-bedrooms for Dh65,000.
Pros: Most buildings have a pool, gym and sauna.
Cons: Driving during rush hour can be a nightmare since it’s en route to Sharjah. Give yourself approximately two hours each way.
Fact: Residents now have access to NMC Hospital and various schools and nurseries dotted around the area.
