Where to rent in Abu Dhabi if you're a new arrival


Anjana Sankar
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Rents for budget apartments and villas are on the rise in Abu Dhabi but good deals are still available, depending on where you look.

Rent for budget villas and apartments rose by close to 8 per cent in the first half of 2023, according to the latest Bayut property report.

The cost of renting a luxury villa in the UAE capital has increased by 11 per cent, according to the same study.

Khalifa City A is an attractive option for those looking for a bargain, with the average annual rent for a studio at a pocket-friendly Dh28,000,with one-bedroom apartments at Dh42,000 and two-bedroom flats at Dh61,000.

The most popular areas to rent affordable apartments in Abu Dhabi, according to the Bayut report, are in Khalifa City A, Al Khalidiyah and Al Muroor.

If you are in the market for a luxury apartment, the most sought after are on Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach and the Corniche area.

Those seeking affordable villas are most likely to search in Mohamed bin Zayed City, Khalifa City and Madinat Al Riyadh.

The most popular locations to own a luxury villa are in Al Raha Gardens, Yas Island and Al Mushrif.

"Abu Dhabi has plenty of coastlines to choose from, so it is not surprising that high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are drawn to the islands, such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Reem Island," said Fibha Ahmed, sales director of Bayut and Dubizzle.

"These islands offer stunning views, luxurious amenities, and a vibrant lifestyle.

"On the other end of the market, Mohammad Bin Zayed City (MBZ City) has become a preferred location for renting affordable villas as its prices remain stable, due to its proximity to the center of Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

"Khalifa City, on the other hand, which is similarly located in the outskirts, is the most popular for budget-friendly rental apartments and has seen a decline in property prices by 5.26 per cent, most likely due to more residents choosing to renew instead of moving."

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Video: Inside Jubail Island's first villas

Where to rent in the capital

Khalifa City A

Khalifa City A, located on the main motorway to Dubai, is the most popular and cheapest area to rent in Abu Dhabi, according to the report. The area has developed into a sprawling residential area, dotted with schools and nurseries.

The going rate for two bedrooms in the area is Dh61,000.

The price for one-bedroom units in Khalifa City A is Dh42,000 while rents for studios tend to cost Dh28,000.

Al Khalidiya and Muroor

Residential towers in Al Khalidiya. The National
Residential towers in Al Khalidiya. The National

Al Khalidiya is also popular for reasonably priced units. One and two-bedroom properties start from Dh33,000 and Dh40,000, according to rental website Property Finder. Studio apartments tend to cost from Dh20,000 to Dh40,000.

One and two-bedroom apartments in Muroor are available from Dh32,000 and Dh42,000. The rent for studios starts from Dh23,000.

Al Reem Island

Rental prices have dropped on Al Reem Island. Victor Besa / The National
Rental prices have dropped on Al Reem Island. Victor Besa / The National

Al Reem Island, located 600m from the capital's city centre, is the most sought-after area for luxury apartments.

The mixed-use development, with its combination of luxury apartments, penthouses and villas, is one of Abu Dhabi’s fastest growing residential communities.

You can expect to rent a one-bedroom apartment from Dh45,000 upwards, while a two-bedroom can be rented from Dh54,000.

A three-bedroom townhouse can be rented from Dh130,000 upwards.

Al Raha Beach

Abu Dhabi's Al Raha Beach development. Bloomberg
Abu Dhabi's Al Raha Beach development. Bloomberg

Al Raha beach apartments and villas have attracted residents who want to live closer to the beach and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

A one-bedroom apartment starts from Dh40,000, while two-bedroom flats are available from about Dh63,000.

Three-bedroom townhouses start from Dh192,000.

Yas Island

Yas Golf Collection, developed by Aldar Properties, is one of the new communities changing the face of Yas Island. Photo: Aldar Properties
Yas Golf Collection, developed by Aldar Properties, is one of the new communities changing the face of Yas Island. Photo: Aldar Properties

Known as Abu Dhabi’s entertainment centre, Yas Island is home to Ferrari World, Yas Water World and Warner Brothers theme park. Many new residential communities have also sprung up, making it a quickly expanding community.

Rents for a two-bedroom apartment start at Dh72,000.

One-bedroom units are available from Dh50,000.

A four-bedroom house is available to rent from Dh255,000 in Yas, while five and six-bedroom homes cost from Dh270,000 and Dh340,000.

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?

Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.

They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.

“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.

He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.

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
Fund-raising tips for start-ups

Develop an innovative business concept

Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors

Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19

Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.) 

Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months

Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses

Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business

* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna

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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Poacher
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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

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.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Recent winners

2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)

2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)

2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)

2007 Grace Bijjani  (Mexico)

2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)

2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)

2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)

2011 Maria Farah (Canada)

2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)

2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)              

2014 Lia Saad  (UAE)

2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)

2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)

2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)

2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)

Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
​​​​​​​Penguin 

If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: January 29, 2024, 7:32 AM`