Dubai Property Hunt

Mirdf was considered as one of the best areas of Dubai with a quiet neighborhood, nice villas, low rents and not too far out of the town but now due to new residential and retail developments the rents are on the rise. Rashidya is also one of Dubai’ older areas, full of single storey villas. Al Warqa is not densely populated but growing and International City is one of Dubai’ most reasonably priced freehold properties. Mirdf has a mix of independent villas and small compounds. The new Uptown Mirdf development offers apartments on a 99 years leasehold basis as well as townhouses for sale and rent. A decent three bedroom villa’s rent is around Dhs 120,000 to Dhs 160,000 a year. The rent depends on whether the villa is stand alone or in a compound. Some of the villas have a little garden and shared pool.

Al Warqa is mainly consisted of increasing number of independent villas with lots of desert in between. Rashidya has smaller single storey villas some are divided into rooms to provide low cost staff accommodation. The rent of a three bed roomed place is around Dhs 150,000.

International City behind the Dragon Mart on the Dubai Hatta Road is a new residential area. Each of its area reflects the architectural style of a different country or region and cheaper than many other properties for sale in Dubai, a one bedroom apartment in international city will sell for around Dhs 500,000. Mirdf has number of shops selling the basics and the impressive Uptown Mirdf. For weekly shop there is a Spinney and Westzone supermarket. Bin Sougat Mall with a small Spinney supermarket is located in Rashidiya, with a pharmacy an excellent stationary shop and perfume, clothes and cosmetic stores. The main post office of the area is in Rashidya.

Al Warqa has a big ‘Mars’ supermarket with an internet café behind it Deira city is just 10 minutes away and Festival City sports an IKEA, HyperPanda and numerous fashion stores and boutiques in waterfront malls.

On Midriff’s Street 15 Next to the big mosque there is a DVD rental shop and a place for internet access for Dhs 7 an hour. Rashidya Library offers a small selection of English Language books with internet facility.

Uptown Mirdf is famous for its facilities. Its pizza styled court yard has numerous stores including Mothercare, Early Learning centre, Accessorize, Adidas, Beyond the Beach and Pumpkin Patch. Mirdif has i good restaurants such as Oregano and Open House. Mexican, Chinese, Pizza and Indian and traditional chippy all have takeaways, uptown has a huge food court. Mushrif Park is so big and it has a train, swimming pools and tennis courts. Rashidya has a quiet park with lots of greenery and swings and slides, but it is ladies and children only except Fridays and holidays, Lots of trees and paths and a playground. Rashidiya Clinic is the government clinic in the area. Rashid is the nearest government hospital, with 24 hour emergency services. The private Welcare Hospital is nearer, also with round the clock A&E. Mirdif has number of nurseries including Small Steps, Super Kids and emirates British Nursery. Sharjah American international School in Al Warqa, Royal Dubai School in Muhasinah, and the American academy for Girls in Mizhar are some of the good schools of the area. The traffic is minimal within Mirdif, Al Warqa and Al Rashidiya; However the main road through Mirdif is often used as a shortcut for Emirates road traffic heading to Sharjah. Parking is not a problem as most villas have plenty of room out front or on the driveway. Getting a taxi in this area is not easy so you have to call for one (04 208 0808). The area is generally safe, but some people drive too fast around the neighbourhood streets. Burglaries do happen, so don’t leave windows or doors open. Emirates Road gets jam, and o the airport is close so aircrafts noise can be annoying.