The main entrance to the Hurst family's lovely Jumeirah home. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
The main entrance to the Hurst family's lovely Jumeirah home. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Felice and her three children have made this four-bedroom house a home, with personal touches and cosy decor throughout
Felice and her three children have made this four-bedroom house a home, with personal touches and cosy decor throughout
The children have put their own stamp on their rooms
The children have put their own stamp on their rooms
The family have a small yard plus access to the compound's central pool and park.
The family have a small yard plus access to the compound's central pool and park.
Mum Felice pictured with Scarlett, left, Liv, Hugo and Charlie the dog.
Mum Felice pictured with Scarlett, left, Liv, Hugo and Charlie the dog.
There are about 20 villas in the Al Sinyar Street compound, creating a village feel.
There are about 20 villas in the Al Sinyar Street compound, creating a village feel.
Felice says the rent has fluctuated from Dh180,000 to the Dh160,000 they pay now, which they say is a good deal for a large four-bedroom home
Felice says the rent has fluctuated from Dh180,000 to the Dh160,000 they pay now, which they say is a good deal for a large four-bedroom home
Villa compounds have become particularly popular since the coronavirus pandemic, with couples and families looking for office space and gardens
Villa compounds have become particularly popular since the coronavirus pandemic, with couples and families looking for office space and gardens
The compound's central pool.
The compound's central pool.
Many families find a shared pool is much more practical and affordable than a private one
Many families find a shared pool is much more practical and affordable than a private one
Although it is a rented villa, the family have very much made it their own
Although it is a rented villa, the family have very much made it their own
A map on the wall of Hugo's room
A map on the wall of Hugo's room
Felice is a managing partner in a recruitment consultancy
Felice is a managing partner in a recruitment consultancy
Charlie the dog in Felice's room
Charlie the dog in Felice's room

UAE

My Dubai Rent: Family adore Dh160,000 villa in the 'happiest part of the emirate'

Felice Hurst and her three children love the neighbourly Jumeirah compound that they call home

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan

April 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader’s home to have a look at what they pay each month, see who they live with and find out what they do and don’t like

Recruiter Felice Hurst has lived in Jumeirah for almost a decade.

She moved from the UK after hearing stories that people were the happiest in Dubai.

Now, nine years later, she said that moving to the villa compound in Jumeirah was one of the best decisions of her life.

The mother-of-three has lived in the same four-bedroom villa for the past four years, having moved there from a three-bedroom property in the same area that was her family’s first home in Dubai.

The 46-year-old from Lancashire was happy to invite The National into her home and explain why it was so special to her.

How much do you pay in rent?

I pay Dh160,000 each year over six cheques. When I first moved here, it was Dh180,000 and it has gone up and down a bit since then.

I know I could probably pay less for a similar-sized property elsewhere in Dubai but I do not want to live anywhere else.

Everybody is so friendly and helpful. I am a single parent so living in a compound like this is great because it is so sociable
Felice Hurst

A lot of people move to places like Arabian Ranches but it would cost too much having to get taxis in and out all the time.

I have three teenagers who are settled at school, which is only a five-minute walk away as well.

Before we moved here, I read an article saying the happiest people in Dubai lived in this neighbourhood.

We have only lived in one property in Dubai which was 100 yards away and cost Dh195,000 when we first moved in nine years ago.

What makes the house so special to you?

The community around me is amazing. The neighbours are all on a WhatsApp group together and we help each other with everything.

If you need little things like flour or batteries, you can ask and they bring them around.

Everybody is so friendly and helpful. I am a single parent so living in a compound like this is great because it is so sociable, there is a shared tennis court, gym, squash court and a sauna.

There are about 20 villas altogether in the compound. We all get together for the likes of New Year’s Eve and celebrate together.

I also like having the extra space here to entertain friends and neighbours.

It was a blessing to have that bit more space during the pandemic.

The villa is five minutes' walk from the children's school and close to Safa Park. Victor Besa / The National
The villa is five minutes' walk from the children's school and close to Safa Park. Victor Besa / The National

We are five minutes from most places. It is only a few minutes to the beach which my children love because they are crazy about surfing.

I have lots of friends from the old compound that I used to live in and that is just around the corner as well.

The fact it is not so hectic as other parts of Dubai is a big plus, too. Our lives are hectic enough so it is good to have somewhere quieter to relax and call home.

I love that we are right beside a mosque. It is soothing to hear the call to prayer.

When the children were younger, they knew when they heard the evening prayer it was time to go to bed.

There is also a cycle track outside the villa.

What have you done to make the house your own?

I have redecorated and painted the walls in different colours and changed all the bathroom suites to white.

They were multicoloured before and I had them redone to be a bit more simple.

The landlord has been very accommodating on that front.

I would love to do more but I am not sure it is worth it when you do not own the house.

Is there anything you would change about your home?

The only thing I can think of is that I would love to buy it.

You are not able to buy property around here unless you are an Emirati, unfortunately. I try not to think about how much rent I have paid in nine years living here.

Other than that, there is absolutely nothing I would change.

Dog-friendly townhouse that costs Dh105,000 a year: in pictures

Communications consultant Rebecca Rees with her dogs Sam and Ella, at her rented house in Jumeirah Village Triangle in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Communications consultant Rebecca Rees with her dogs Sam and Ella, at her rented house in Jumeirah Village Triangle in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Inside Rebecca Rees's two-bedroom townhouse at Jumeirah Village Triangle in Dubai.
Inside Rebecca Rees's two-bedroom townhouse at Jumeirah Village Triangle in Dubai.
Rebecca Rees with her dogs at Jumeirah Village Triangle. She describes it as 'the perfect location', with supermarkets and shops within the community and great facilities for walking the dogs.
Rebecca Rees with her dogs at Jumeirah Village Triangle. She describes it as 'the perfect location', with supermarkets and shops within the community and great facilities for walking the dogs.
Relaxing at home with dogs Namr, Sam and Ella. Each dog has its own sofa.
Relaxing at home with dogs Namr, Sam and Ella. Each dog has its own sofa.
Rebecca Rees's home in JVT, Dubai. She likes townhouse life as 'you don’t need to lug bags in the lift or use a trolley to carry shopping up 20 floors'.
Rebecca Rees's home in JVT, Dubai. She likes townhouse life as 'you don’t need to lug bags in the lift or use a trolley to carry shopping up 20 floors'.
In the garden with salukis Ella, Namr and saluki-German shepherd mix Sam.
In the garden with salukis Ella, Namr and saluki-German shepherd mix Sam.
Rebecca Rees outside her home in Dubai's JVT. The annual rent is Dh105,000 ($28,580).
Rebecca Rees outside her home in Dubai's JVT. The annual rent is Dh105,000 ($28,580).
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Combating coronavirus
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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. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
  • The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
  • The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
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Tomorrow 2021
The specs: McLaren 600LT

Price, base: Dh914,000

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm

Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm

Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km

RACE CARD

6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200

7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m

9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m

 

The National selections:

6.30pm Underwriter

7.05pm Rayig

7.40pm Torno Subito

8.15pm Talento Puma

8.50pm Etisalat

9.25pm Gundogdu

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
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While you're here
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Tom Fletcher

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

While you're here
While you're here

Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray 

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Switching%20sides
%3Cp%3EMahika%20Gaur%20is%20the%20latest%20Dubai-raised%20athlete%20to%20attain%20top%20honours%20with%20another%20country.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVelimir%20Stjepanovic%20(Serbia%2C%20swimming)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20raised%20in%20Dubai%2C%20he%20finished%20sixth%20in%20the%20final%20of%20the%202012%20Olympic%20Games%20in%20London%20in%20the%20200m%20butterfly%20final.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJonny%20Macdonald%20(Scotland%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBrought%20up%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20represented%20the%20region%20in%20international%20rugby.%20When%20the%20Arabian%20Gulf%20team%20was%20broken%20up%20into%20its%20constituent%20nations%2C%20he%20opted%20to%20play%20for%20Scotland%20instead%2C%20and%20went%20to%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20Sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20daughter%20of%20an%20English%20mother%20and%20Emirati%20father%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20in%20Dubai%2C%20then%20after%20attending%20university%20in%20the%20UK%20played%20for%20England%20at%20sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE-based players

Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim

Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Our commentary on Brexit
Updated: April 05, 2022, 11:17 AM`
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