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
Escalating rents forced Heather Clayton to move from her home in Dubai's Downtown almost two years ago.
However, she has not looked back since moving into her one-bedroom apartment in the city's Al Hudaiba area, near Satwa, where the teacher/writer pays Dh57,000 a year in rent.
She invited The National into her home to show us exactly what makes it so special to her.
Why did you choose to live here?
I live here because, a couple of years ago, I was moving out of Downtown because of the soaring rent prices and needed a place I could afford.
I was looking all over and I stumbled upon this building in an area I'd never visited before. I liked the space and I just had good vibes when I came to check it out.
What do you get for your money?
I feel like it's got a lot of space. There's enough space for a dining table. To have a place where I can have friends over was important.
It has an outdoor balcony where I can go to get fresh air. People tend to stay in this building for a very long time, and I think that's very reassuring, especially in such a transient place [Dubai].
Our maintenance guy has been here for 22 years. Everyone in the building is like his family now. There's a real community feel. It's nice to see a familiar face when you're going to your apartment or have people who actually say hi to you. I didn't get much of that in other buildings I lived in.
Is there much around where you live?
There's tonnes of restaurants here. There's a cafeteria behind my apartment where I can get a Dh5 falafel from when the paycheck's thin. There is definitely a variety, as there's a Korean chicken place, there's pizza and there's a barbecue place, too.
What touches have you made to the apartment to make it feel like home?
I've definitely decorated. I come from the US in the south, and us southern women tend to put a lot of decorations out. I have my art that I've collected from my time in the UAE.
I have my own photography that I've done. I've got pictures from the US that I bought while shopping with my mom. She's never been here, but it's like she's here because there are so many things that I've brought from the US.
Is there anything you would change about where you live?
I would say the main disadvantage is that it's an old building, so it doesn't have the shine or sheen of a new building. There are two things that I would change. One is the tub. It's a very small tub. I would like a nice soaking tub. The other is our parking situation, in that there is one parking spot for each unit, but it's not assigned. So if I get here at a certain time, I'm left with that parking space that no one wants.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
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25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
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• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
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