The majority of expatriates live in one of the following areas of Dubai:
- Mirdif: some attractive properties at reasonable
prices, but not very central
- Deira: an authentic taste of Dubai, but not recommended
for people with children
- Bur Dubai: a lively area, with an asian flavour,
but somewhat noisy
- Sheik Zayed Road: popular with expatriates and
offering many modern buildings with all amenities, but suffering somewhat
from traffic jams and associated noise
- Jumeirah: good houses, ideally suited for those
with children (many of the international schools are here), but the prices
are correspondingly high
- Umm Suqeim: good quality housing at a more reasonable
price than Jumeirah, but demand is high
- Emirates Hills: Villas in a green setting, ideal
for families
- Dubai Marina: Very attractive apartments with good
amenities, but potential nuisance from ongoing construction work
Congestion is a problem during rush hour in the city. It is best to avoid locations
that require crossing the Creek to get to your workplace, and to check for volume
of traffic during the rush hour before committing to a property.
If you intend to keep a car during your stay in Dubai, you will need a garage
or covered car port. With temperatures reaching as high as 50C, even an air
conditioned car will be unbearable when you first enter it if it has been parked
outside. If left in the scorching sun for any length of time, the bodywork vehicle
will also deteriorate rapidly, impacting it's resale value.
Flat sharing is becoming increasingly popular in Dubai,
particularly following increases of up to 20% in rental costs during recent
years. To share a good-quality apartment, you can expect to pay in the region
of 2000 - 2500 AED per month. The Gulf News carries numerous advertisements
from people seeking flat sharing partners.
Some tips for finding accommodation:
In the advertisements section of the English language newspapers:
On the internet:
Youth Hostel:
The Dubai Youth Hostel is on Al Nahda Road, between Al Mulla Plaza and the
Al Bustan Centre. Phone +971 4 2988161 (or 2988151 (Administration) after 17:30
Daily Dubai time) Fax +971 4 2988141 Rooms cost AED 45 or 65 per night including
breakfast for YHA members Email address: uaeyha@emirates.net.ae
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