Many people dream of relocating somewhere with sunshine, white beaches and endless entertainment, which is what makes Dubai one of the fastest-growing destinations for people moving abroad for work.
Whether you're looking for a high-rise apartment with beach views or a spacious villa in a family-friendly neighbourhood, there is something in Dubai for everyone.
Experts recommend that no more than 30 per cent of a person's annual salary be spent on rent, so home hunters with an income range of Dh15,000 to Dh25,000 a month would need to look for properties going for between Dh60,000 and Dh100,000 a year.
Here, The National takes a closer look at some of the most popular neighbourhoods in the emirate right now.
Best for families
Parents are spoilt for choice with family-friendly communities in the emirate.
There are plenty of neighbourhoods in Dubai with tree-lined streets, playgrounds, tennis courts, recreational facilities and more.
For larger families, one property expert said Town Square is an option worth looking at.
"The community has spacious two-bedroom apartments starting from around Dh65,000 and three bedrooms at an entry level of Dh100,000," said Thomas Poulson, leasing director at haus & haus real estate in Dubai.
However, there are cheaper options if you don't mind travelling farther afield.
"Families can also consider venturing out to other communities farther away from mainstream areas of Dubai, such as Emaar South, where three-bedroom townhouses start from Dh85,000 a year," he said.
"Damac Hills 2 is another option, where families can rent three-bedroom townhouses at a starting price of around Dh60,000 per year."
In Sports City families can take advantage of the affordable housing as three-bedroom apartments range up to Dh80,000. There are many schools near by, including Victory Heights Primary School and Renaissance School, as well as Dwight School Dubai and Wonder Years Nursery.
Jumeirah Village Circle is one of the most family-friendly neighbourhoods in the emirate. It has a range of properties and amenities, more than 30 landscaped parks and fitness centres and is home to JSS International School. There are also a number of clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, and it's close to Dubai Marina and JLT, making commuting to the city fuss free.
It's a popular budget-friendly option for families who are looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in this neighbourhood is about Dh72,000.
Discovery Gardens is another affordable option for families looking for a neighbourhood with good metro access. Residents can use the Discovery Gardens Metro Station, which lies on Route 2020 of the Dubai Metro.
With sprawling green landscapes, there is plenty of space for the kids to play. Apartments are spread across six districts and more than 30 per cent of the area is dedicated to open spaces. The neighbourhood, however, is better suited to smaller families, since three-bedroom apartments are a rare find.
The average price for a two-bedroom apartment in Discovery Gardens can cost between Dh66,000 and Dh78,000 a year.
The neighbourhood has two Carrefour branches, as well as small grocery outlets and mini-marts throughout the clusters. It is also home to UK-curriculum Gems Winchester School and the Indian curriculum Delhi Private School, as well as The Arbor School near Asayel Street, which offers the British curriculum.
Best for singles or couples
People moving to Dubai alone or with a partner can find plenty of options for either a studio or one-bedroom apartment in the city.
Dubai Marina, Bar Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Nahda, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Business Bay are popular areas to live in Dubai for those in this salary bracket.
"Business Bay is a great area for middle income earners due to the competitive rents offered, especially in comparison with the surrounding communities of Downtown and City Walk," said Robert Stevenson, head of lettings at Allsopp & Allsopp.
"Business Bay has a dedicated metro stop and offers easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road, making it the ideal location to secure competitive rents with easy access to all Dubai has to offer."
Rents in the area are typically about Dh59,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
On the coast, Dubai Marina offers mid and high-rise apartments close to restaurants, salons and cafes, many within budget.
If you're coming to Dubai with limited belongings, you can find fully furnished one-bedroom apartments or studios with all the amenities, such as a shared gym, shared pool, parking and concierge services for Dh80,000 a year, with some landlords accepting up to 12 cheques.
For solitary residents, a studio apartment is an affordable choice with Studio One Tower in Dubai Marina offering fully furnished units for less than Dh80,000 a year.
For those who prefer to bring their own belongings, or furnish their properties, Escan Marina Tower in Dubai Marina, which is close to Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, and The Walk JBR, has unfurnished units from Dh59,000 per year, with landlords accepting between one and 12 cheques.
JLT is also one of the city's most talked-about neighbourhoods and is filled with cafes, gyms, hotels and spas. It's less central than Dubai Marina, but is generally more affordable.
Rent in JLT typically starts from Dh50,000 for a studio. Jumeirah Bay X1 building is offering fully-furnished units for Dh70,000 per year.
Dubai Hills is another option if you are looking for a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
"Dubai Hills Estate is a good option for singles," Mr Poulson said.
"There are one-bedroom apartments in Collective and Park Heights starting from Dh80,000. The Views also offers one-bedroom apartments from around Dh85,000 to Dh90,000."
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
AWARDS
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
The Greatest Royal Rumble card
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
SPECS
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South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
