Dubai is a city that expats adore as much as its locals. It’s the land of endless opportunities, family-friendly living, lavish lifestyles, tax-free income and perpetual sunshine — a place anyone who’s ever been to quickly wants to call home (move over American dream, there’s a new dream in town).
Whether you’re fresh off the airplane and on the hunt for a place to settle in, or you’ve been living in Dubai for years and you’re looking to upgrade your living space or for a change of scenery, you’re probably wondering: Which is the best community to live in Dubai?
Between the city’s new, self-sustained neighborhoods and older communities that periodically get revamped to keep up with the pace of development and the population’s changing needs, Dubai offers an eclectic mix of residential areas for every lifestyle and budget.
So, answering this question will probably come down to what you’re looking for in a place to live. However, that’s not to say that some communities in Dubai haven’t organically grown over time to become more popular than others.
7 Of the Best Communities in Dubai To Live In
The emirate’s real estate market is one of the most dynamic and ever-expanding in the world, with nearly over 500 off-plan properties in Dubai currently undergoing construction.
At the helm of this growth spurt are some of the finest, masterly skilled real estate developers around the globe, who compete and outdo each other to provide the city’s residents with the very best of living experiences.
On that note, here are seven Dubai residential areas that should definitely be on your radar when searching for a new home in the city:
Dubai Hills Estate
Dubai Hills Estate (DHE) is a lifestyle-focused master-planned community and one of the latest notches on developer Emaar Properties’ belt after Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills and The Greens.
The first phase of Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) City, this neighborhood covers an area of over 11 million square meters set to be the location for over 30,000 apartment buildings, townhouses and villas.
DHE is one of a handful of residential communities in Dubai that are surrounded by an 18-hole championship golf course. So, no matter where you find yourself in the community, you’ll always have an incredible golf course view.
It also features vast stretches of landscaped gardens, walking and biking trails, parks, fitness centers, supermarkets, three schools, various healthcare facilities and high-end shopping and retail destinations like Dubai Hills Mall.
For the everyday commuter and city explorer, DHE’s location at Umm Suqeim Street and Al Khail Road intersection means easy access to any part of Dubai. There are also two metro stations nearby, the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and Equiti Metro Station.
If you’re looking for apartments for rent in Dubai Hills Estate, you’ll find most options available here are in one- to three-bedroom layouts. The neighborhood is also renowned for being one the best villa communities in Dubai; you can choose from three- to seven-bedroom configurations, mainly in Sidra Villas (I, II and III), Fairways Vistas and Parkway Vistas.
Dubai Creek Harbour
In most people’s criteria for what makes up the best community to live in Dubai, a waterfront setting is almost always at the top of their list. And, as far as waterfront living goes, few communities in Dubai come close to Dubai Creek Harbour (DCH).
A self-contained, walkable community set along the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, this six-million-square-meter neighborhood is designed to have everything you need right at your doorstep.
World-class properties, rich cultural offerings, office spaces, amenities, state-of-the-art sports facilities, parks, restaurants, cafes, and swimming pools are every bit a part of DCH’s infrastructure as its gorgeous sea views.
If you decide to rent a property in Dubai Creek Harbour with your family, you’ll find plenty of options with facilities built with your little ones in mind, like daycare centers and playgrounds, as well as excellent international schools of all curricula, such as the Universal American School and Deira International School, all within a few minutes drive.
Dubai Creek Harbour properties for sale also hold great potential for long-term rental yields and capital appreciation — something that usually happens in neighborhoods in Dubai where major development projects are underway.
In DCH’s case, it’s the Dubai Creek Tower, primed to be the world’s tallest skyscraper, surpassing the Burj Khalifa by a whopping 100 meters, as well as the community’s very own metro station coming onto the scene in 2029.
Damac Hills
Previously known as Akoya by Damac, Damac Hills is one of the best gated communities in Dubai. Found in the heart of Dubailand, it’s a luxurious residential area that houses a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments.
Damac Hills is divided into three main areas: Akoya Park, an expansive parkland with small waterways and villas; Akoya Drive, a strip of high-end retail, dining and entertainment options; and the famous Trump International Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course with an exclusive clubhouse and a few upscale villas.
The community includes a range of amenities, including three large-chain supermarkets, top schools for children of all ages, healthcare facilities and clinics, retail outlets, spas and wellness centers.
Some of the best places to buy property in Damac Hills are the Park Villas, Golf Town, Brookfield, Trump Estate and Carson in the Drive. On the list of the best villa communities in Dubai, Damac Hills is undoubtedly one of the top contenders.
Aside from the incredible real estate options and everyday conveniences you can find within the community, Damac Hills is also projected to have one of the healthiest rental yields for luxury buy-to-let villas.
The Greens
Not to be mistaken for the Dubai Investment Park’s Green Community, The Greens is a beautifully designed neighborhood that effortlessly walks the line between urban and suburban living.
It consists of low-rise buildings spread over 10 complexes, totaling 40 residential blocks, all of which are surrounded by shaded walkways, manicured gardens, and a lake in the center of the neighborhood (a dog-owners paradise!).
Inside each complex are shared amenities like multiple swimming pools, gyms, basketball courts, children’s play areas and barbecue spots where you can get together with your neighbors for a fun evening.
On the safety front, the Greens ranks as one of the most secure Dubai residential areas since each building is fitted with intercom and CCTV systems for access control.
Renting or buying an apartment in The Greens, you can expect the flats to offer top value for money compared to other neighboring communities. Most of the units come with high-quality finishes, ample living spaces and balconies with scenic views.
In the Greens, amenities outside of the complexes are also plenty. Reputable schools, restaurants, large grocery markets, local retail shops and some nightlife options are within a short distance from all the blocks. And if you’re in the mood for a dip in the sea, you can hop in your car and be at the famous JBR beach in just 15 minutes.
Downtown Dubai
Rightfully dubbed “The Centre of Now,” Downtown Dubai is the heart of the city and the grounds for many of its iconic landmarks and attractions, including Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, and Burj Khalifa, the 200+ storied wonder of the world. For this reason, properties for rent in Downtown Dubai are always in high demand.
Whether you rent or buy property in Downtown Dubai, you’ll have your pick of penthouses, villas, high-rise apartments, and townhouses, most luxuriously designed with top-of-the-line finishes and amenities to suit every lifestyle and taste.
If you’re a working professional, living in Downtown Dubai will grant you access to all the city’s major business hubs and commercial centers, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Business Bay. At night, you can enjoy this side of the city’s busy nightlife with multiple upscale restaurants and some of Dubai’s trendiest bars.
For shopping, you’ll not want for anything with Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar’s fashion outlets and specialty stores a few minutes away.
Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT)
Gated communities in Dubai with family-centered living and environmentally conscious designs don’t come better than JVT. Every aspect of JVT is geared towards providing a serene and wholesome living experience for its residents.
If you’re looking for apartments for rent in JVT, you’re likely to find a blend of low- and mid-rise complexes, most with retail shops right on the ground level. Meanwhile, villas and townhouses typical of these residential communities in Dubai come in many layouts, large plot sizes, and open garden spaces both at the back and front of each unit.
JVT’s commitment to a sustainable lifestyle is evident everywhere around the community. From its streets lined with neatly aligned trees and bushes to its nine community parks, each with water features, ponds and fountains, you’ll surely be spending most of your time outdoors.
The neighborhood’s premium amenities are also why families, big and small, consider JVT the best community to live in Dubai. Between its sports complex (the footfall academy), tennis courts, barbecue spaces, children’s playgrounds, and numerous daycare centers, nurseries, schools, grocery shops, and beauty salons, you’ll never have to leave JVT for anything.
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
JVC is a freehold master neighborhood developed by Nakheel in 2005, around the same time as JVT. Like its sister community, JVC aims to create an affordable, family-oriented lifestyle in a quiet, village-like setting.
When weighing JVC’s varied property types and top-of-the-line amenities against its fairly reasonable price points, it’s not hard to see why a little over 80,000 people choose to build a life here.
Apartments for rent in Jumeirah Village Circle on our listings are available from studio units in Botanica starting at 50,000 AED per annum to two-bedroom flats in Binghatti Crest for 110,000 AED yearly. There are also a lot more options on higher rent brackets, with which, of course, comes bigger and more features like spacious layouts, luxuriously designed interiors, high ceilings, and several bathrooms.
However, if what you’re after is an investment property, you also have a lot of choices on JVC apartments for sale, with rental yields that can reach as high as 8% net!
A few popular sub-communities in JVC where people usually buy or rent property are Seasons Community, Diamond Views, Hanover Square, Bloom Towers and Reef Residence. Within these neighborhoods (along with the rest of JVC) are schools, supermarkets, fitness centers, hospitals and pharmacies for residents to access.
Find your Home in Dubai With McCone Properties
The best community to live in Dubai is one that checks off all your requirements and gives you the lifestyle you want.
To zero in on the right one, you can rely on a partner like McCone Properties whose decade-long experience in the Dubai real estate market and round-the-clock support have helped thousands of people find their dream homes in the city.
Contact us today and start living your life in Dubai in the best community for you.
