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Top 10 Places to Live in Dubai

Dubai city

Best Places to Live in Dubai

Dubai, the glitzy, glamorous progressive metropolis of the world, is a constant source of attraction for expats. Be it for leisure or to relocate, the hub of ultra-modern living with its Arabian flair is the ideal hotspot for excursions, nightlife parties, desert safaris, sand boarding, waterparks, golfing, exotic beaches, indulgent shopping, and dining. And, expats who arrive in this amazing city to make it their home undoubtedly feel welcomed by the enticing Dubai culture.

With every part of the city developed to retain its unique charm and flavor, there are umpteen choices of places to live in Dubai. Today we will list the best places in Dubai – the top ten picks for the incredible quality of life enjoyed by the residents.

1. Jumeirah Bay Island

Off the coast of Jumeirah, along the coastline of the glistening Arabian Sea, lies this beautiful piece of the manmade Island spread across 6 million sq. ft. The seahorse-shaped Island is synonymous with an uber-luxurious lifestyle and tops our list of the best places to stay in Dubai. The picturesque area stands tall amidst the gorgeous skyline of Dubai. One of the most extravagantly priced and elite localities, the entire site consists of low-rise apartments and villas, making it a desirable address in the city.

Unique features: Lying close to the sea, homeowners in this freehold community have access to the yacht club, own private yachts and pools, with well-furnished homes equipped with all modern & luxurious amenities. It makes for a fantastic place for families with kids. The upscale pet-friendly neighborhood enjoys superior levels of privacy and security. The whole place is resplendent with refined tastes, and owners have the privilege of uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf, the beach, and of course, the iconic horizon of Dubai.

2. Downtown Dubai

Home to enigmatic skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai is an exclusively happening place in the city. Called ‘The Centre of Now,’ the entire area has been developed by Emaar Properties as a flagship project. Covering about 500-acres of land, the mixed-use prestigious site is home to an unparalleled lifestyle.

Unique features: A mix of creme le creme shopping and entertainment centers like The Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall. An elaborate range of culinary delights for visitors and local residents, starting from local cuisines to fusion, continental, Asian, Indian, and the Mediterranean. There are waterfront restaurants, themed dining outlets, cafes, coffee houses, and roadside eateries lining the entire stretch. There’s Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Fountain, and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo for entertainment. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard is a 3.5 km long stretch and venue for innumerable festivals and displays. The Opera District and The Gallery symbolize the residents’ artistic tastes. 

3. Mirdif

The way to enjoy the cosmopolitan culture of Dubai and yet stay away from all the extravaganza can choose Mirdif as the ideal location for residence. One of the initial residential areas in the city, this place is known for its serene and calm environment devoid of skyscrapers, bustling tourist spots, or hotels. Nestled to the east of the Dubai International Airport, this is an excellent choice for expats and locals.

Unique features: Affordability is one of the biggest pros of Mirdif. It is away from the hustle and bustle of a typical Dubai city center, making it ideal for families. It has an excellent mix of villas, independent and semi-independent units, and the substantial presence of quality GCSE schools, nurseries, and institutes for higher education. To add to it, there are parks, areas dedicated to sports like volleyball and tennis, adventure parks, an equestrian club, an astronomy center, restaurants, malls, etc.

4. Sports City

Located on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Sports City is every ardent sports enthusiast’ dream come true site. The city boasts 70K residents with nine schools and six world-class sporting venues. There’s a 24,000 outdoor stadium. This family-friendly community is home to 1000+ townhouses and villas. There are lawn tennis and basketball courts, shared cycling paths, parks, and playgrounds.

Unique features: The Sports City, Dubai, true to its name, is a holistically developed residential project where healthy living and sports are at the core. The site reinforces Dubai’s sporting sentiments and passion for a lifestyle pivoted around fitness, a one-of-its-kind place. From solar-powered streetlights to the presence of elite sports clubs like The Els Club, LaLiga Academy, Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy, and Dubai Knights Eagles Rugby Club, the four residential complexes have an invigorating essence weaved around them.

Dubai Marina

5. Dubai Marina

One of Dubai’s most searched residential sites, Dubai Marina is the ultimate site for a residence. Lined with elegant skyscrapers, this place has one key advantage – its view. The waterfront-lined luxurious residential towers are in much demand. Apart from luxury, it is also one of the best fitness friendly areas in Dubai. The entire area covers about 6452391 sq ft converted from a strip of 3.5 km shoreline. Most of the place is filled with apartments, but there are stand-alone villas too, with the canal stretching from one end to the other. There are thousands of activities to do in Dubai Marina.

Unique features: The waterfront view is the invincible feature of this place. The high-rise residential complexes are all equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and facilities. Dubai Marina is also home to promenades, restaurants, shopping malls, and more. The annual community events combined with the chic Riviera-style lifestyle are genuinely inspiring.

6. Al Barsha

Since the inception of the Mall of the Emirates back in 2005, the sandy district of Barsha or Al Barsha has transformed phenomenally. At present, it is one of the most preferred residential choices for expats and locals. There are luxurious villas, independent townhouses, and apartment complexes. Besides, good schools, supermarkets, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, metro stations, hospitals, etc, it also has one of the top parks in Dubai – Al Barsha Pond Park.

Unique features: Al Barsha is a popular residential area because even the luxurious villas are pretty affordable here. It is a self-contained community. One of its biggest strengths is that it is a convenient location and very close to the educational district of Dubai. 

7. Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

Close to Dubai Marina and the Mall of Emirates lies JVC, a mixed-purpose residential site. A well-equipped and family-friendly place has schools, malls, gyms, supermarkets, hospitals, and landscaped gardens within easy reach. The place offers affordably-priced studio apartments, along with one and two-bedroom units.

Unique features: The biggest reason to choose JVC for living is that the villas, apartments, or townhouses are pretty reasonably-priced. The freehold community is also a growing area of interest for investors, which means there are good employment opportunities here. The calm ecosystem of the place makes it a perfect choice for residing.

8. Business Bay

As the name suggests, Business Bay is more of a commercial hub. But, it has some impressive residential units for people keen to stay close to the office. With ongoing rapid developments, the place is fast becoming one of the best places for living in Dubai.

Unique features: The Dubai Water Canal crosses the place connecting to the Dubai Creek, offering an incredible waterfront view to office-goers and residents. The neighborhood has plenty of space for jogging, walks, high-rise skyscrapers with waterfront views, and an excellent location close to the two highways – Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khali Road.

9. Bluewaters Island

Developed by Meraas, Bluewaters Island is an ultimate opulent waterfront residential project. It is pretty close to Jumeirah Beach Residence. The most prestigious address on the Island is the Ain Dubai, the largest observation wheel globally. There are 700+ residential units, many restaurants and shops, and two 5-star hotels for keen enthusiasts.

Unique features: The Island is centrally located near Dubai Marina. The pedestrian bridges, the metro, the tram service, and taxis help connect residents with the mainland. The waterfront view and the availability of a range of upscale residential units make it convenient for home buyers and tenants.

10. Al Barari

The gated community of Al Barari is an all-in-a-one residential site with almost every facility available within easy reach. The residential units have contemporary walk-in closets fitted with modern appliances, open kitchens, private pools, etc. There are restaurants, health clubs, spas, parks, green spaces, and more encouraging peaceful co-existence.

Unique features: One of the best things about Al Barari is its sustainable and eco-friendly features that have been blended flawlessly with luxurious living. This is invariably the green heart of Dubai!

Summarizing

These are the best places in Dubai for living. There are many more amazing places to live and exciting things to do in Dubai. Many more exhilarating projects are upcoming and under construction, making Dubai truly a fabulous place to live, sustain and grow.