Dubai offers a wide range of residential communities, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly neighbourhood, a vibrant city lifestyle or an affordable apartment with good transport links.

From waterfront towers to suburban communities with parks and schools, here’s a guide to some of the most preferred places to rent an apartment in Dubai for the long term.

Dubai Hills Estate: Family-friendly environment

Dubai Hills Estate has become one of the city’s most sought-after residential communities thanks to its green spaces, modern infrastructure and family-friendly environment.

Why renters choose Dubai Hills Estate

• Spacious apartments and villas.
• Parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
• Reputable international schools nearby.
• Dubai Hills Mall and healthcare facilities.
• Peaceful surroundings with easy access to major roads.

It’s particularly popular with expat families looking for long-term stability and a high quality of life.

Business Bay: Best for professionals

Business Bay remains one of Dubai’s top rental hotspots for professionals working in the city’s commercial districts.

Why live in Business Bay?

• Minutes from Downtown Dubai.
• Excellent access to Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Metro.
• Modern high-rise apartments.
• Restaurants, cafés and nightlife.
• Popular with young professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

Its central location makes commuting convenient while offering an energetic urban lifestyle.

Downtown Dubai: If you want city living

If you want to live in the heart of Dubai, Downtown Dubai offers premium apartments surrounded by iconic attractions.

Highlights include:

• Walking distance to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
• Luxury residential towers.
• Excellent dining and entertainment.
• Strong public transport connectivity.
• Vibrant lifestyle throughout the year.

Downtown is ideal for residents who enjoy living close to business, shopping and leisure destinations.

Dubai Marina: Home with a view

Dubai Marina remains one of the emirate’s most popular neighbourhoods for long-term renters.

Why choose Dubai Marina?

• Waterfront lifestyle.
• Dubai Metro and Tram connectivity.
• Wide selection of cafés and restaurants.
• Marina Walk and beach access.
• Modern apartments with premium amenities.

The area appeals to professionals and couples seeking convenience and an active social scene.

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): Value for money

JVC has grown into one of Dubai’s fastest-expanding residential communities.

Residents enjoy:

• More affordable rents than many central areas.
• Parks and landscaped streets.
• Family-friendly atmosphere.
• Schools, supermarkets and fitness centres.
• New apartment developments with modern facilities.

It offers a balance between affordability and quality of life.

Dubai Silicon Oasis: Affordable living

Dubai Silicon Oasis is a popular choice for professionals, students and families looking for value.

Key advantages include:

• Competitive rental prices.
• Technology and business hub.
• Schools, clinics and shopping centres.
• Easy access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
• Many buildings offer chiller-free apartments, helping reduce monthly utility costs.

The community combines residential, commercial and leisure facilities in one location.

International City: For budget renters

International City remains one of Dubai’s most affordable apartment markets.

Why it’s popular

• Low rental prices.
• Wide choice of studio and one-bedroom apartments.
• Restaurants and supermarkets nearby.
• Schools and healthcare facilities.
• Convenient access to major roads.

It’s well suited to first-time renters, singles and those looking to keep housing costs low.

Al Barsha: Convenience for all

Al Barsha offers a central location without the premium prices found in Downtown Dubai.

Benefits include:

• Close to Mall of the Emirates.
• Good Metro connectivity.
• Schools and healthcare facilities.
• Wide range of apartment options.
• Established residential community.

It remains a practical choice for families and working professionals alike.

What to consider before renting

Before signing a tenancy contract, consider:

• Your monthly rental budget.
• Distance to work or school.
• Public transport and road access.
• Nearby supermarkets, healthcare and schools.
• Building amenities such as gyms, swimming pools and parking.
• Utility costs, including whether the apartment is chiller-free.
• Payment terms, as many landlords require rent in one to four cheques.

Which area is right for you?

Your ideal location depends on your lifestyle and priorities.

• Best for families: Dubai Hills Estate, JVC
• Best for professionals: Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina
• Best for affordable living: Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City, Al Barsha

With communities to suit every budget and lifestyle, Dubai continues to offer long-term renters a wide variety of options across the city.

Sharjah has launched a new sustainability campaign encouraging residents to swap single-use products for reusable alternatives as part of its efforts to create a cleaner and greener emirate.

Called ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, the initiative will run until December 31 to help individuals, families and businesses adopt environmentally friendly habits in their everyday lives.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is it all about?

The campaign focuses on reducing waste by encouraging people to replace disposable items with reusable alternatives.

It is part of Sharjah’s wider sustainability strategy and supports the UAE’s environmental goals by promoting responsible consumption and protecting natural resources.

How can residents help?

The campaign encourages simple everyday actions such as:

• Carrying reusable shopping bags.
• Using refillable water bottles.
• Choosing reusable coffee cups.
• Avoiding disposable cutlery and straws.
• Using reusable food containers instead of single-use packaging.
• Reducing unnecessary waste at home and work.

The idea is that small lifestyle changes, when adopted by many people, can have a significant environmental impact.

How will the campaign reach people?

Throughout the year, residents can expect to see:

• Awareness campaigns on TV, radio and social media.
• Educational programmes in schools and communities.
• Interactive exhibitions and workshops.
• Community events promoting sustainable living.
• Distribution of reusable shopping bags at shopping centres.

The campaign is designed to engage people of all ages and make sustainable choices easier to understand and adopt.

Why is Sharjah focusing on single-use products?

Disposable products are one of the biggest contributors to household waste and environmental pollution.

Replacing them with reusable alternatives can help:

• Reduce landfill waste.
• Cut plastic pollution.
• Conserve natural resources.
• Lower carbon emissions linked to manufacturing disposable products.
• Encourage more sustainable consumption habits.

Across the UAE, authorities have introduced measures to phase out many disposable products while encouraging businesses and consumers to adopt more sustainable alternatives.

Sharjah’s initiative complements these efforts by focusing on public awareness and long-term behavioural change.

The campaign highlights that sustainability doesn’t always require major lifestyle changes. Simple actions, such as bringing your own shopping bag or reusable water bottle, can collectively reduce waste and help protect the environment.

Paying for parking in Dubai just became easier.

Motorists using the new Harbour West Car Park at Dubai Harbour can now pay parking charges directly through their Salik account, eliminating the need for paper tickets, cash or payment machines.

The new service, launched through a partnership between Salik and Shamal in collaboration with Parkonic, came into effect on July 13.

Here’s what drivers need to know.

How does the new Salik parking system work?

The system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify your vehicle when you enter and exit the car park.

Instead of taking a ticket or paying before leaving, the parking fee is automatically charged to your linked Salik account.

The process is completely contactless and requires no manual payment.

Where can you use it?

The service is currently available at the new Harbour West Car Park in Dubai Harbour.

The nine-storey facility offers:

• 845 parking spaces
• Rooftop parking
• Easy access to Dubai Harbour attractions

Who will benefit?

The car park is expected to serve visitors travelling to:

• Dubai Harbour
• Dubai Marina
• Marina Walk
• Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Internet City

The location is designed to accommodate both residents and tourists visiting one of Dubai’s busiest waterfront districts.

What are the benefits for drivers?

Using Salik for parking offers several advantages:

• No paper parking tickets.
• No cash payments.
• No waiting at payment machines.
• Faster entry and exit.
• Automatic payment through your Salik account.
• A smoother parking experience.

The system also helps reduce queues and improves traffic flow within the parking facility.

Is Salik becoming more than a toll system?

Yes.

While Salik is best known for collecting road tolls across Dubai, the company is gradually expanding into a broader digital mobility platform.

The addition of parking payments is part of Salik’s strategy to offer integrated transport and payment services beyond toll gates.

The partnership supports Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s smartest cities by making everyday transport services more seamless and digital.

For drivers, it means fewer payment steps, quicker exits from parking facilities and a more convenient experience, whether commuting or visiting popular destinations around Dubai Harbour.