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

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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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

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

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

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

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.