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 ask what they like and don't like
Business owner Joy Buckner launched an education consultancy 18 months ago and recently renewed the lease on a two-bedroom apartment, which is also her workplace.
Located in Dubai’s popular Jumeirah Village Circle, the unit is within one of the three standout Bloom Towers beside Al Khail Road, with easy access to the rest of the city.
The 43rd floor apartment has two bathrooms and views of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.
Single and originally from the US state of Colorado, Ms Buckner, 44, moved to Dubai from Washington for a leadership role with Gems Education in August 2013.
Here, she invites The National into her home for a look around.
How did you discover your apartment and this area?
I was looking to find a larger apartment, large enough to accommodate an office space. I was living in a one-bedroom unit running a business from my couch and a small desk at the foot of my bed and it was taking a toll. I was already living in JVC and I wanted to stay here.
I found this apartment through propertyfinder.com and viewed several units in the building. The rent is reasonable and it is fairly centrally located. The community is planned well.
I enjoy the parks sprinkled throughout the neighbourhood; I love to walk and they all have walking tracks, lots of trees and flowers and provide a nice escape from the sand and concrete you often deal with in Dubai.
Where did you live before?
I was in Taraf Residence, about three minutes from my current building.
How much do you pay for the apartment?
My rent here was initially Dh69,000 and it just increased to Dh72,000.
Tell us about the features of your home
The first thing that stood out about this property were the floor to ceiling windows. There is so much natural light and the views are stunning, especially at sunset. When you work from home, it is nice to see a view that you enjoy, especially since you look at it most of the day.
The units also have large balconies and I have a view of Barsha Heights, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the Marina and The Palm, so essentially, it’s an ocean view, if you know where you are looking.
I started my business, Buckner Education, in October 2020 and moved to this apartment in July 2021, literally because I needed more office space. I’ve turned my second bedroom into that.
What are the advantages of living in this building?
There are several gyms and two pools, a lap pool and a leisure pool, which makes it feel like a resort in a way. There are also quaint little grassy spots in which to read or relax near the pools and an amphitheatre-looking area.
It really comes down to quality of life. My unit is 1,300 square feet, so it's a good amount of space for the money.
What have you done to make your apartment a home?
I love to collect items for my home when I travel. I want it to be a reflection of my life experiences. You will see artwork, trinkets and textiles from my travels.
I’m particular about the furniture. If I don’t find something I love, I will just go without until I find exactly what I want. I have a kitchen table and no chairs and all of my books are in boxes right now because I haven’t found chairs or a bookshelf I like. I also love candles, plants and fresh flowers.
I have put a day bed in my office so I have a place for company to stay. It is nice not to have to put people on the couch when they come visiting.
Is it a sociable neighbourhood?
I am a bit of a homebody so I don’t do a tonne outside of my unit. I use the pool every now and again, but that’s really it. That said, I know all of my neighbours, so have no issue with finding people to water my plants when I travel and it is not uncommon to have great conversations in the hall or be invited over for a drink and catch up on my neighbour’s balcony.
Another advantage is location: I am directly off Al Khail Road, 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, 10 minutes to The Palm or Marina and five minutes to Motor City. There are malls and shops throughout the community, which makes life easy.
Do you plan to stay in the property?
I am happy in Bloom. I feel the rent is fair and I have had no major issues with my unit. I plan to continue to make the space feel more like home. I will get the furniture pieces I am looking for, maybe paint the wall. If I move, it will be because a new phase of my life requires it.
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Rating: 1/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
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Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
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Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
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