Your guide to living in Dubai Silicon Oasis

Years after the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority was set up, 90% of the area is occupied and it’s become a village community and demand to live there has grown significantly in the past two or three years.

DSO has everything residents need. There are shopping areas, supermarkets, parking, nurseries and schools, and Zayed University is in close proximity. The new mall at Silicon Oasis, Avenues Mall, is set to open in 2020. Meanwhile, Mirdif City Centre and Dubai Outlet Mall are a short drive away. If you’re a dog owner, it’s nice to walk around the parks which have children’s play areas and lots of green spaces.

Getting around

The Metro has not reached DSO but there are bus stations and you can find taxis really easily. It’s very convenient for people living and working there because it’s a few minutes away from the airport, Mirdiff and the university, and it is well connected to other popular areas and central Dubai.

Your living options

Two villa communities, Cedre Villas and Semmer Villas, offer great living options with three, four, and five bedrooms. However, both communities are in high demand and for the most part, you’ll only find four beds on the market. These two complexes are popular because they’re in a very convenient location, close to shops and the bus station. The villas have gardens and either private or shared swimming pools, and a good built-up area. The best thing about DSO is that it’s very open. The view is not crowded with towers or buildings - there is nothing in front of you. There are apartments in Silicon Residence and Silicon Plaza ranging from studios to four bedrooms. The buildings are low-rise with no more than ten floors for the most part. The finishes and facilities are excellent, with swimming pools, gyms, shops and parking – everything you need.

Best for

Because it’s a free zone with many high-tech companies, people tend to live and work in the area. It’s a good family community as there are schools, supermarkets, and good transport links. You will also find a lot of Arab students renting studios and one-bed apartments because the university is so close.

Meet the neighbours

Matthew Jones moved from JLT to a one-bedroom apartment in Silicon Oasis in January 2014.

“My job is based in DSO so it was a convenient option for me to move here and I can now walk to work. The rent is cheaper and the apartment came with all the white goods, which is quite unusual – you get good value for money. My apartment is big for a one-bed and it has a huge balcony with an unobstructed view over the desert. It’s a quiet and relaxing neighbourhood; there’s never any traffic, yet you’re only really 20 minutes from anywhere. The lifestyle is good as there are lots of restaurants and places to order from, a huge Spinneys, doctors and schools. A lot of DSO residents are Emirates staff so there’s a good mix of expats.”