A few years ago, my husband and I included Dubai in our travel bucket list. We wanted a close-up sight of the Burj khalifa. Then, life dished us an opportunity to not only ride the safari camels but to spend the rest of our lives basking in the luxury of the city.
My husband moved in first, and I joined him after three months with my little girl, Isla. We had to move into a new home (my husband was staying in a shared apartment.) Finding suitable accommodation for my family was a tedious process. I had to consider the proximity to my husband’s workplace, schools, and a serene environment.
Now, if you are moving to Dubai, you might be worried about how to settle into a new city. Where to live and what the best neighbourhoods are.. You could also be wondering if there are any family-friendly places to reside.
In this article, I have compiled the seven best places to live in Dubai with a family. Let’s explore Dubai!
Is Dubai Good For Family Living?
Making Dubai a home for our little girl, Isla had me extensively researching how safe and family-friendly the city was. When it comes to family, several factors are considered to determine how convenient a location is, ranging from safety, schools, transportation, and lots more.
As a family of three living in Dubai, I’ll say Numbeo wasn’t bluffing when it voted the city as the seventh safest city globally; you could take a stroll at midnight without looking over your shoulders.
Living in Dubai is a breath of fresh air as the city has a plethora of great schools coupled with affordable tutors and nannies. Dubai boasts an excellent transportation system ranging from Ubers to Metros as well as taxis..
Looking for the perfect restaurant for a family night out? Dubai has an abundance of family-friendly restaurants. The city also has stunning beaches with pleasant views for a summer family portrait—Dubai ticks many boxes that make it a great place for families to live.
Where Is The Best Place To Live In Dubai For Families?
Before moving into a new home, the neighbourhood must be family-friendly. After combing through a few residential areas in the city, here are the best places to live in Dubai with family.
- Jumeirah
Photo Credit: Unsplash
If you are searching for the perfect residential area for your kids to enjoy some outdoor activities without the dangers of moving cars, Jumeirah snags the accolade. The suburban area is a blend of locals and expats who love a relatively quiet lifestyle without missing out on the city’s high life.
Jumeirah is divided into three: Jumeirah 1, 2, 3, City Walk and Jumeirah Bay Islands. Each of these communities comprises low rise apartments, townhouses and villas. These residential properties have aesthetically pleasing finishes, with amenities such as parking space, swimming pool, etc., for family convenience.
Jumeirah 1 is the most popular among expatriates, and this is because of its proximity to major amenities. But in all the communities in Jumeirah, you’ll find quality healthcare facilities, places of worship, shopping malls, restaurants and leisure parks for kids’ entertainment.
Jumeirah is well known for seasonal celebrations, which makes it more exciting to reside here. Finding the right educational institution in this city is never a hassle. Notable schools such as GEMS Jumeirah Primary school, Jumeira Baccalaureate school are within the community.
How much does it cost to rent a property in Jumeirah?
S/N | Beds | Apartment | Villa | Townhouses |
1. | Studio | AED 27K and above | – | – |
2. | 1 Bed Unit | AED 50K and above | – | – |
3. | 2 Bed Unit | AED 60K and above | – | AED 120K and above |
4. | 3 Bed Unit | AED 80K and above | AED 110K and above | – |
5. | 4 Bed Unit | AED 400K and above | AED 117K and above | – |
- Dubai Marina
Photo Credit: Timeoutdubai
Dubai Marina is one of the best places to live in Dubai with family. Its contemporary aesthetic and luxurious lifestyle makes it one of the tops and most desirable areas. It’s one of my favourite date night spots as the area is extremely popular for its vibrant nightlife and outdoor dining with its many bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
For family essentials, there are several shopping malls dotted around the community. Malls like the Dubai Marina Mall comprises children fun centres, which are also perfect for family outings. You’ll also find quality schools and nurseries for younger children. Most of these educational establishments offer after school care, which is perfect if you have a working spouse like me. Popular options such as Gems Wellington Academy, Dubai International Academy are in this community.
Dubai Marina is home to over 200 highrise buildings. You’ll find all residential options here, including studio, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments, luxurious villas and stunning penthouses. Each of these properties is fully equipped and comes with extra features such as parking space, security services, fitness centre, e.t.c. You can get family essentials from malls nearby. The city also houses quality health care facilities, religious homes and notable leisure parks for families.
How much does it cost to rent a property in Dubai Marina?
S/N | Beds | Apartment | Villa | Penthouses |
1. | Studio | AED 45K and above | – | – |
2. | 1 Bed Unit | AED 50K and above | – | – |
3. | 2 Bed Unit | AED 65K and above | – | – |
4. | 3 Bed Unit | AED 100K and above | AED 180K and above | AED 260K and above |
5. | 4 Bed Unit | AED 120K and above | – | AED 400K and above |
6. | 5 Bed Unit | AED 399K and above | AED 440K and above | AED 420K and above |
- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
Photo Credit: Arabian Business
A gated community thriving with technological innovations, Dubai Silicon Oasis is home to a family-friendly environment and relatively affordable accommodations. The area is the ideal spot to live, work and have fun effortlessly; DSO has a wide range of budget-friendly residences, from three-bedroom apartments to stunning villas.
DSO is a haven for eateries offering mouth-watering dishes from Italian to Indian. Finding your local dish should be easy. In addition, leisure areas like the Dragon Mart cinema, Mushrif Park, and Jumeirah Beach, are all a short drive from DSO. The region also houses Dubai’s best schools, including Emirates British Nursery and GEMS Modern Academy.
How much does it cost to rent a property in Dubai Silicon Oasis?
S/N | Beds | Apartment | Villa | Penthouses |
1. | Studio | AED 26K and above | – | – |
2. | 1 Bed Unit | AED 32K and above | – | – |
3. | 2 Bed Unit | AED 40K and above | – | – |
4. | 3 Bed Unit | AED 65K and above | AED 140K and above | – |
5. | 4 Bed Unit | AED 220K and above | – | AED 180K and above |
- Mirdif
Photo Credit: WEMF
Home to locals and expats, Mirdif is one of the best family residential options in Dubai. It sits close to Dubai International Airport and Sheikh Zayed Road. Most expats with families recommend this area because of its proximity to necessities. What’s more, is that if your office is located on the outskirts of the city, you can easily access major areas in Dubai from Mirdif.
There are several residential options to choose from. The city is home to modern architectural structures with appealing designs and finishes. You’ll find studio apartments, 1-3 bedroom apartments, townhouses and villas. Most of these properties come with pools, parking spaces and other attractive state-of-the-art facilities.
For groceries, no worries! The community houses some of Dubai’s best shops, like the Carrefour supermarket, grocery stores and mini-mart, where you can find almost everything! There are also schools and nurseries within the neighbourhood, so you can be confident of giving your child access to quality education. Institutions such as GEMS Royal Dubai School, Uptown School, etc., offer international curricula.
How much does it cost to rent a property in Mirdif?
S/N | Beds | Apartment | Villa | Townhouses |
1. | Studio | AED 28K and above | – | – |
2. | 1 Bed Unit | AED 35K and above | – | AED 45K and above |
3. | 2 Bed Unit | AED 48K and above | AED 50K and above | AED 55K and above |
4. | 3 Bed Unit | AED 73K and above | AED 70K and above | – |
5. | 4 Bed Unit | – | – | – |
- Arabian Ranches
Photo Credit: Luxury Lifestyle Magazine
Stepping foot into this district had me excited at the sight of stunning villas. Arabian Ranches is a blend of luxurious and affordable properties for families. The area is packed with schools, gyms, attraction sites, cafes, shopping malls, parks, all dotted around the community.
How much does it cost to rent a property in Arabian Ranches?
S/N | Bed | Apartment | Villa |
1. | 2 Bed Unit | – | AED 110K and above |
2. | 3 Bed Unit | AED 185K and above | AED 114K and above |
3. | 4 Bed Unit | AED 200K and above | AED 195K and above |
4. | 5 Bed Unit | AED 250K and above | AED 310K and above |
5. | 6 Bed Unit | AED 400K and above | AED 1.2M and above |
Conclusion
I’ll admit that Dubai does live up to its reputation of being expensive, but there are also affordable areas. Keep checking as I will be updating this list regularly with vital information to ease your decision-making process!
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