Ras Al Khaimah is on the rise as a prime living destination in the UAE – with a taste of the great outdoors, lower rents and a growing number of residential and leisure developments helping to attract newcomers.
As the emirate famed for its mountains, dog-friendly beaches and kilometres of hiking trails continues to grow, more people are looking north to start a new, quieter way of life.
Affordability is a factor, as rents continue to rise elsewhere in the UAE – but there are also attractions beyond the familiar outdoor sports for which RAK is known.
New hotels and restaurants are a big plus, say fresh arrivals, but it is the Wynn mega resort, due to open in 2027, that has placed Ras Al Khaimah firmly in the shop window.
John Allen, chief executive for valuation and advisory at estate agency Asteco, said now is the time for RAK to shine.
“Affordability is a key factor, with many long-term tenants seeking more value for their money as rents rise in their current buildings or communities.
“While rental prices are a primary motivator for relocation, several other factors contribute to this trend.
“These include employment growth in the Northern Emirates driven by economic development, a wider selection of quality developments and master-planned communities, and increased flexibility offered by hybrid working models.”
He said Ras Al Khaimah is enticing some UAE residents to lay down roots.
“The Northern Emirates offer lower rental rates and have seen significant investment in quality developments and supporting infrastructure, both physical and social, making them increasingly attractive to tenants,” he said.
“An increasing number of tenants are transitioning to home ownership to gain greater stability and mitigate the impact of rising rents.”
That trend has been seen around the world, as some people look beyond the hustle and bustle of city life, choosing instead to live in rural areas.
Global trend
A recent survey by Deluxe Holiday Homes analysed 50 countries to assess the global switch towards rural life.
Countries were ranked on their rural population increase, while additional factors such as living costs, quality of life and remote working statistics helped clarify the reasons behind the rural migration trend.
Iceland led the way, with a 1.71 per cent increase in its rural population, followed by Pakistan, Kenya, Philippines, Nigeria, Germany, Cyprus and Switzerland.
The trend is not being driven solely by more affordable countryside living costs.
Pakistan recorded a 1.44 per cent growth in the numbers migrating inland, while 29 per cent of those making the move in Kenya said they had done so due to more opportunities for remote working, away from urban hubs.
In Germany, where a 0.59 per cent growth in its rural population was recorded, cost of living was a significant factor with rural living costs almost half those of the city.
Deborah Bellis Wyborn has just marked a year since moving to Ras Al Khaimah from Damac Hills 2 in Dubai, an emirate she had called home for 15 years.
While her rent in Dubai was the same amount that she now pays in Ras Al Khaimah, Dh75,000, Ms Bellis Wyborn said the pull of the outdoor life was hard to resist.
“A couple of years ago, I was made redundant and lost my job overnight because of Covid, so I had to cut my costs,” she said.
“In Dubai, I was moving further and further out of the city.
“RAK has a peaceful serenity to it. I already feel part of the Emirati community here.
“I wanted that stability, and the knowledge that you were safe and that there was respect, I quite like that.”
Now living just an hour or so from the modern metropolis of Dubai, she is close to the mountains where she hikes and to some of the region’s best diving hotspots in nearby Oman.
“All I need now is a dog, because the community here is very respectful of animals, and they're great with dogs,” said Ms Bellis Wyborn.
“There's lots of space to walk them, on the beaches and in the free areas or the mountains. It's just lovely.
“Jebel Jais is about 40 minutes, but I'm literally at the base of the mountain. It’s really wonderful.
“People in Dubai have an idea of it being quite remote and rustic out here, but that's changed and there is a lot more to do now.”
Mega hotel on the way
The $3.9 billion behemoth Wynn Al Marjan Islands is set to become the jewel in the crown of RAK’s hospitality offerings, boasting 1,500 rooms, suites and villas, as well as two dozen restaurants, a spa, theatre and the UAE’s first “gaming area”.
Marjan Islands is already a hotspot for tourists and staycationers from nearby Dubai, with its stunning 7.8km of pristine sandy beaches and 23km waterfront, packed with hotels, homes and restaurants.
The UAE's sizeable British community – typically more familiar with Dubai and Abu Dhabi – are also setting up home in RAK.
The British Embassy said there are 130,000 Britons in the UAE, an increase of around 30,000 since 2020.
While most are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there are also communities of British citizens living in the Northern Emirates.
Several major British companies operate in the free economic zone, including Ahmad Tea and UK University (Bolton), while there is a RAK British Business Group of entrepreneurs.
Phil Richardson, a radio DJ and quiz host, moved to Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai with his wife eight years ago, after she was made redundant.
“We’ve seen a lot more British people in particular coming up to live from Dubai,” he said.
“More people are investing in real estate as well, as everyone sees [RAK] as the next big thing and it's a lot more affordable than elsewhere.
“At the moment it's in its fledgling growth, but prices are definitely going up.
“I've been in the UAE for 35 years, and RAK has the feeling of Dubai 35 years ago. But things are going to change as there are big plans here. It's going to get much busier.”
Mr Richardson aims to establish the emirate's first dedicated FM radio station.
Having already launched an online station – RAK Rock Radio that attracts 50,000 weekly listeners – he now has eyes on a commercial station, hopefully with government support to promote tourism in the emirate.
“The radio station will have a strong focus on RAK,” he said. “There's no English newspaper, radio station or TV station dedicated to RAK so there is demand.
“It will be music and all the news about RAK business tourism, what's on here, and everything to do with RAK.
“But the frequency that we're looking at is on FM, so people can get it in their cars.
“It is still a popular platform for people to listen to radio in the UAE, as it's free.
“It will be a big opportunity for businesses looking to grow and expand in RAK.”
