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Book by young South Korean girl covers travels of Italy and UAE
Bored? What do you do to find a way out of it? You could go on a travel, draw something or make yourself a quick snack. Or you could write a book and publish it with elements around all of the forementioned, as 11-year-old Grace Joo-eun Choi has done.
Grace has published her first book The Way Out Of Boredom, and she made an appearance as a mini-celebrity in her own right at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival at the emirate’s Expo Centre. The 14th edition of the SCRF concluded on Sunday after more than 1,700 events with 68 prominent authors, writers and literary figures as guests, a Cookery Corner with 12 chefs from nine countries, plenty of entertainment, engaging skills workshops, fun and games.
Not only has Grace written the book, she has even drawn the comic characters and illustrations that serve the graphic elements on the 40-page square size book. She started writing the book during the pandemic days when her father’s work took them to Italy as a South Korean diplomat.
“It is about our travels to the country’s various iconic places which we visited, seen through the character The Fluff ball,” says Grace on the sidelines of the SCRF at the stand of her book publisher, Austin Macauley. Written in poetry fashion with rhyming lines wherever possible character, Grace traces her travels through Fluff across 10 cities in 10 days in the book.
Grace Choi’s book about her UAE experiences is to be published towards the end of the year. Supplied
“I never thought much about my travels. In fact, I used to get bored at times. But when Covid-19 happened, you realised the importance of going out. So now I want others to experience the realisation I had through this book.”
The next natural question and answer to it is prompt – the focus of Part 2 of The Way Out Of Boredom is the UAE, because her father Choi Young-joon has been posted as the Deputy Consul General in Dubai. And her best place in the country is? “This is not an answer on the expected lines, but I like the malls here the most, especially the Dubai Mall. I love skating and it amazes me to see a skating rink that big at the Dubai Mall,” she said.
The skating may be off the beaten track, but the writing, drawing and a passion for cooking is genetics. Grace’s mother is an author herself, who has written two books around art and cooking in the Korean language.
Grace displays remarkable poise as an experienced writer would, though her female lead in the book is named The Fluff. The naming process was also a bit random, the Harry Potter fan recalls. “For both my books, I have taken inspiration by characters from my digital drawing gallery. Still, me and my brother took help from a random generator to short-list three characters. I went with The Fluff.”
Grace’s favourite hero is Spiderman. The Marvel follower acknowledges she gets help as a writer from the friendly neighbourhood, but starting with her home. “There is no method when I write. Whenever I get an idea, I pen it down. Then usually my first draft is ready within six months. My mother helps me with the design process and the final revisions before my work is commissioned to a publisher.”
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Dubai continues to attract professionals, families, and digital nomads seeking long-term apartment rentals, thanks to its strong economy, modern lifestyle, and world-class infrastructure.
However, for newcomers, finding the right apartment that fits both budget and lifestyle can feel overwhelming.
Here are some of the top areas in Dubai for long-term rentals, based on tenant preferences, amenities, and rental trends:
Think luxury
- Dubai Marina
Still one of the most in-demand expat hubs, prices vary a lot by tower, view, and furnishing.
Typical rents:
Studio: Dh55,000 – 110,000
1BR: Dh75,000 – 135,000
2BR: Dh110,000 – 200,000
3BR: Dh200,000 – 350,000
Market note:
Median rent sits around Dh130,000 across unit types
Waterfront views and newer towers push prices to the top end.
Palm Jumeirah (Palm Islands)
This is a completely different tier—think luxury, beachfront, and limited supply.
Typical annual rents:
1BR (apartments): Dh 140,000 – 200,000
2BR: Dh 250,000 – 350,000
3BR apartments: Dh 500,000 – 700,000
Best for families with quality living
- Dubai Hills Estate:
Green, peaceful, and family-focused. Popular for expat families, with top schools and long-term tenant stability.
Typical rents:
- 1BR: Dh80,000–120,000
- 2BR: Dh130,000–190,000
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC):
Affordable, community-driven living with parks and strong rental yields. Ideal for families seeking quiet suburban life.
Typical rents:
- Studio: Dh45,000–65,000
- 1BR: Dh65,000–95,000
Best for professionals and city life
- Business Bay:
A central business hub with high demand, perfect for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Typical rents:
- Studio: Dh60,000–85,000
- 1BR: Dh85,000–130,000
- Downtown Dubai:
Premium urban lifestyle near offices, dining, and entertainment. - 1BR: Dh110,000–180,000
- 2BR: Dh180,000–280,000
- Dubai Marina:
Vibrant waterfront living with high-rise apartments and strong rental appeal. - Studio: Dh70,000–95,000
- 1BR: Dh95,000–140,000
Best for affordable rentals and value
A practical choice for professionals working in tech or nearby zones. Known for quieter living and relatively lower rents.
International City
Remains one of Dubai’s most budget-friendly areas, popular for first-time expats or singles.
Typical rents:
- Studio: Dh30,000–45,000
- 1BR: Dh45,000–65,000
Al Barsha
Well-connected (especially via metro) and still offers decent value compared to newer developments.
Typical rents:
- 1BR: Dh70,000–100,000
- 2BR: Dh100,000–150,000
Discovery Gardens
This is firmly in the ‘affordable but spacious’ category. This neighbourhood is popular with expats who want bigger apartments without Marina-level prices.
Typical annual rents:
- Studio: Dh 30,000 – 55,000
- 1BR: Dh45,000 – 72,000
- 2BR: Dh65,000 – 110,000
- 3BR: Dh90,000 – 120,000
Market reality:
- Average rents sit around Dh 54,000 – 68,000/year, depending on unit type
- Studios start at Dh 47,000, while 2BR units can go up to Dh 110,000
- Still one of the best ‘space-for-money’ areas in Dubai, with larger layouts than newer buildings
How it compares
- Discovery Gardens: Budget-friendly + bigger units + metro access
- Cheaper than JVC and much cheaper than Dubai Marina
- Trade-off: Older buildings + less ‘premium’ feel
For expats prioritising affordability, older central neighbourhoods such as Al Karama, Bur Dubai, and Deira continue to offer relatively lower rents compared to newer communities.
On the fringe
Further savings can be found in areas like Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, and outer residential zones, where rents are more accessible, but often at the cost of longer commute times and fewer modern amenities.
Typical budget range (older areas):
- Studio: Dh28,000–50,000
- 1BR: Dh45,000–75,000
Why Dubai is still ideal for long-term rentals
- Flexible payment options (1–4 cheques or annual upfront)
- High-quality amenities (gyms, pools, parking in most buildings)
- Strong, expat-driven rental market
- Wide mix of luxury, mid-range, and budget communities
How to choose if you’re new to the city
With rising rents, the decision often comes down to trade-offs:
- Want energy and convenience? – Business Bay, Downtown, Marina
- Want space and community living? – Dubai Hills, JVC
- Want affordability? – Silicon Oasis, International City, Deira
In 2026, several residents are compromising on location to gain space or save 15–25% on rent, especially with hybrid work becoming common.
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