When moving to a foreign country or city, you are faced with the question of finding housing. It can be difficult for a non-local to navigate the areas, so take a look at our guide to find your perfect spot.

5 Best Areas for Expats to Live In

Dubai is a fairly popular metropolitan area with a booming housing market. The number of inhabitants constantly increases and is expected to hit 10 million by 2023. The real estate market here is expanding as well. The most recent increase in residential property prices amounted to 10.9%.

1. Jumeirah Beach Residence

Jumeirah Beach Residence, or simply JBR, is a two-square-kilometre area on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It’s regarded as one of the best places to live in Dubai, the primary reason for which is the beach area nearby.

Apartments and villas are common accommodation types in Jumeirah Beach Residence. There are six apartment building clusters there that accommodate dozens of thousands of people. The overall level of real estate here ranges from affordable studios to luxurious penthouses.

The seaside lifestyle that this place offers is ideal for young professionals and small families. The Mediterranean and Arabic-inspired architecture gives this neighbourhood a unique vibe. Parking spaces, two metro stations nearby, and a well-developed net of supermarkets, schools, and healthcare facilities make JBR perfect for living long-term.

The number of available apartments is strictly limited there. Buy Metropolitan real estate from an agency you trust to make sure all your preferences are met.

2. Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city of about five square kilometres located along the Persian Gulf shoreline. It was established in 2003, but the development is still in the progress. However, it is safe to call Dubai Marina the second most popular location for living in the city already. This destination does have some benefits to offer for expatriates.

Living in Dubai Marina grants direct access to two local beach areas. These are family-friendly and offer lots of activities for representatives of every age group. There is a rich infrastructure built over the residential complex. Some other places of interest are Dubai Marina Mall, Zero Gravity (the location with the world-famous restaurants and nightclubs), and Marina Canal.

The prevalent types of real estate here are luxury apartments and high-end villas. Besides the conventional types of public transport, there are abra, ferry, marine bus, and marine taxi stations. Those are of great popularity in Dubai Marina.

3. Emirates Hills

Emirates Hills is an eastern neighbourhood of Dubai with an area of about 3.5 square kilometres. Although Dubai is full of luxurious residence areas, this place is regarded as the most exclusive of them all. Emirates Hills is one of the pioneer projects featuring the idea of freehold property meaning the owner is responsible for its maintenance.

This neighbourhood is perfect for both wealthy business communities and young couples and families. Premium villas are the prevalent type of real estate here. Despite the remoteness of Emirates Hills, it has an extremely well-developed social infrastructure of kindergartens, educational facilities, and clinics. It’s also one of the greenest places in the entire Dubai.

4. Umm Suqeim

Umm Suqeim is a location of about 7.2 square kilometres along the Jumeirah Beach coastline in western Dubai. It consists of three sub-communities, each with its specificities.

Overall, villas are the predominant types of real estate in Umm Suqeim. Both new and secondary housing options are available here. Although this area is not nearly as green as the prior one, it has a richer infrastructure. The net of public facilities and transportation options are extensive. Not to mention the educational facilities, high-end hotels, tourist spots, and luxurious resort areas. A one-day stay here normally costs somewhere between $250-500.

5. Green Community

Green Community is an area in the Dubai Investments Park — a mixed-use area of about 0.4 square kilometres. The residential community project offers the highest level of living and creates a modern community amidst natural greenery.

Properties here are mostly villas, with a fairly high level of pricing. The neighbourhood is designed to represent a sustainable community. It means more buildings featuring the use of renewable energy. There are also plenty of commercial facilities, retail units, utilities, parks, and children\\\’s play areas.