My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don't like
For all its many charms, Dubai is not a city that you would associate with people being able to walk everywhere to get everything they want.
However, that's the reality of life for Malcolm Ballantyne, from the UK, who said if he has to drive anywhere for leisure, then it's not for him.
The 68-year-old, who works as a health and safety manager in a power plant, pays Dh80,000 ($21,800) a year to live in Noon apartments, a stone's throw away from Mall of the Emirates.
He invited The National into his home to show us why it's so very special to him.
Why did you choose to live here?
When I came to Dubai, four years ago, I was looking for a furnished apartment that offered secure parking. I looked at several apartments but this was the one that stood out, I've been here ever since.
You couldn't wish for any better. All around me there are numerous restaurants and it's just a few minutes walk to Mall of the Emirates and the Lulu hypermarket.
If I want to go out at the weekend, I can go to the local hotel. It's within walking distance as well, if I have to drive anywhere, then I'm not interested.
What do you get for your money?
Apart from being so close to the mall and so many restaurants and hotels, there's a rooftop pool in the building that's open all year around, which is quite nice. We have a fully equipped gym below that too. The building is very well-maintained.
Location-wise is a plus too. I work in Abu Dhabi and having easy access to the E11 is a big help.
What touches have you made to make it feel like home?
It was a furnished apartment when I moved in but I've changed most of the furniture. I've replaced the sofa and the chair – I like a recliner.
I have put more modern furniture in and have installed a bigger TV. I also recently installed a new washing machine. Even though it's a furnished apartment, the kitchen appliances really are your responsibility.
How well do you know your neighbours?
I know them but I leave for work at six in the morning and am home about 6.30 in the evening.
By the time I've done a 12-hour-day, I come home and do a bit of cooking, watch some TV, fall asleep and then repeat.
Have you any plans to live anywhere else anytime soon?
I've got no intention [of moving], I'll stay here until my company say it's time for me to retire.
I'm pretty sure that there's probably cheaper apartments around here but the service that I get here is really good.
If I've got anybody coming and I just want to chat to them there's a very nice lobby downstairs.
There is 24-hour security which is great and everything is monitored. So, that gives me great security.
During the floods earlier this year, I was out of the country and worried about my car. But when I got back it was perfectly fine.
The building wasn't affected by the floods, even though most of those around me were, it was completely bone dry.
Are there any disadvantages?
The only thing I would say is traffic can be a bit heavy when you're coming back in the evening towards Mall of the Emirates from around 5pm.
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
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Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
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- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
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Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
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Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
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