Dubai's emerging mid-market communities are experiencing an increase in demand for residential property as 1,000 residents a day move to the emirate.
Property Finder recorded 750,000 searches for sales and rentals a month for Jumeirah Village Circle in April, a 3 per cent increase year-on-year, with the top five searched-for buildings including Binghatti Corner, Belgravia and Bloom Towers.
Key search terms for this area included “brand new”, “12 cheques” and “ready to move”, with most-desired amenities such as a balcony, a maid’s room, pool, gym and central air-conditioning.
Al Furjan was searched for half as much, but its growth was strongest among any area listed on Property Finder’s database, with an increase of 23.4 per cent yearly. Popular towers included Murooj Al Furjan, Avenue Residences, North Village and Azizi Residences, with the accessibility of the Metro and pet-friendly accommodation factors in users’ search criteria.
This surge in demand has led to increased rental and sales prices. In Al Furjan, apartment sale prices increased by 15.4 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, according to Property Monitor, while townhouses and villas were up 30.3 per cent and 42.5 per cent, respectively. This reflects rising confidence in the community’s long-term potential, Daniel Hadi, chief executive of Engel & Volkers Middle East, told The National.
JVC retained its lead in off-plan and resale apartment sales, according to the company’s first-quarter 2025 market report, supported by attractive pricing, strong rental yields and proximity to major road networks.
“Similar communities such as JVC, Arjan, Silicon Oasis and Town Square also outperformed the Dubai average price growth of around 16 per cent over the last 12 months, with apartment prices rising between 21 per cent and 25 per cent,” Mr Hadi added. “These areas are increasingly popular with first-time buyers, investors and young families seeking well-connected, amenity-rich neighbourhoods at more accessible price points.”
This all comes as residential property sales across Dubai increased by 22.4 per cent year-on-year, with a 29 per cent increase in the total value sold, according to Engel & Volkers.
Dubai Land Department data also revealed Dh62.1 billion ($16.9 billion) was made in total sales in April − the highest monthly total for the emirate. This is a 94 per cent year-on-year surge and a 54 per cent rise in transaction volume, according to Property Finder.
“Dubai’s real estate market continues to scale new heights, propelled by bold city planning, regulatory innovation and investor trust,” said Cherif Sleiman, chief revenue officer at Property Finder. “The sustained growth across both primary and secondary segments is resounding proof of its resilience and long-term appeal.”
A boom in buyers
“It’s no surprise residents are making the switch to property ownership,” Kundan Choudhary, founder of Prime Estates, told The National. “Especially with Al Furjan offering great value for villas and JVC/JVT standing out for affordable apartment options. With prices starting from under Dh1 million for a decent home, we have seen over a 30 per cent increase in demand for these areas compared to last year.”
Mr Hadi said they expect these communities to remain in demand as new infrastructure and amenities continue to be added. “However, price growth may moderate as more off-plan supply begins to hand over in the coming quarters.”
One such project includes Tasmeer Indigo Properties’ SquareX Residence, with 170 residential units being constructed in the heart of JVC. About 90 per cent of these spaces sold within three months of receiving the building permit, said company chairman Aman Kassim.
Demand has been especially strong from young professionals – millennials and Gen Z end users, he added.
‘The best area to live’
Life coach Anne Jackson bought her JVC villa off-plan in 2006 with little idea of how the community would grow. “Back then, the plan announced by master developer Nakheel in 2004 sounded idyllic: a central park with a radial design, office spaces, villa clusters, apartment complexes, schools, supermarkets and even a European-style tram,” she told The National.
“But the global credit crisis in 2008 dramatically slowed progress. Developers withdrew, projects stalled and by the time I moved in – 18 months behind schedule – in 2010, the vision had not yet materialised.”
Over the past 15 years, she’s watched the neighbourhood flourish, however. “I had lived in Dubai since January 2000 and had already seen how neighbourhoods could be transformed from barren desert to thriving communities. I knew JVC would grow. There was something uniquely charming about watching that evolution unfold around me.”
She said the transformation has been “remarkable” and she firmly believes JVC is the “best place to live”.
“When we moved in, my children were four and seven. Now they’re 22 and 19 and JVC is still ‘home’ when they return from university. They’ve had the stability of growing up in the same house, attending the same school, and forming lifelong friendships. That’s a gift not every city can offer in such a fast-changing world.”
Growing appeal of Al Furjan
Long-term Dubai resident Sara Loch, who recently bought a three-bedroom townhouse in Al Furjan, said one of their main deciding factors on location was the potential for property appreciation. “It doesn't beat some of the older areas like The Lakes, but we felt it was a good investment for our budget,” she said. “The size of land you get in this area is much better value that most others areas in Dubai.”
Tatiana Tonu, chief executive of developer Object 1, said Al Furjan is establishing itself as a trusted investment hub, driven by high demand and long-term growth potential. “Its strategic location between two major highways, metro access and proximity to commercial hubs have boosted its appeal, with rental transactions rising 8 per cent and one-bedroom rental values surging 39 per cent, delivering yields of up to 9 per cent,” she said.
Meanwhile, JVC remains Dubai’s most actively traded off-plan residential cluster with strong value and competitive rents, she added. Rents in other affordable villa communities such as Dubailand, Meydan and International City are also soaring between 39 per cent and 46 per cent year on year. “Mixed-use projects, which integrate residential, retail and recreational elements, are witnessing heightened demand as buyers increasingly value walkable, lifestyle-centric environments,” said Ms Tonu.
While these areas are popular in terms of volume, the appeal of wealthier locales such as Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah and DIFC also shows no signs of slowing down. “Off-plans in Dubai have never been more varied or exciting, with something for every budget,” said luxury property adviser Laaleen Sukhera of Liv Squared.
She said now is the time to invest. “Expect rapid transformation citywide for Dubai 2040 including master communities in the vicinity of Al Maktoum Airport … We’re also seeing a boost in global interest in light of Trump’s tariff effect, with more interest from US investors.”
For anyone seeking strong returns, Ms Tonu advised investors look at properties in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and JVC, which she said “continue to be standout options in a thriving market”.
Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
HWJN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
%3Cp%3E1.%20Singapore%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Switzerland%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Denmark%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Ireland%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Hong%20Kong%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Sweden%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Taiwan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Netherlands%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Norway%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
