Cafe Society At JLT

Jumeirah Lakes Towers is coming into its own. At one time it had a reputation for being the poor cousin of Dubai Marina – not any more. The community has not only developed into a bolt-hole for price-savvy renters and buyers with an eye for long-term investment potential, it boasts its own modern skyline.

JLT received its fair share of negative press last year when four lakes became three, and plans were announced to develop the reclaimed land into a park. While residents may have initially felt irked, the new park is likely to be a valuable facility in the long term.

Speak to residents and most will point out that JLT is well-priced, with rates steadily rising in line with current trends; however, rush hour in and out of the community can be a congestion challenge. To help alleviate the bottlenecks is the Dubai Tram, a new public transport system serving New Dubai, due to be completed in November 2014.

Traffic aside, JLT has a more relaxed atmosphere than many of Dubai’s more high profile developments with its urban cafes and restaurants, good value commercial rents, and a number of towers have their own small supermarkets, so you’re never more than a short walk from those essential shopping items.

JLT also has a free zone status which means you can expect to find smaller individual and start-up businesses around the development, as opposed to large international chains that tend to dominate in the more expensive parts of the city.

While you’re exploring the area, try the gluten-free cakes at Nofara, a cafe that makes environmental and health awareness top of its agenda; or stop in at Fraiche Cafe & Bistro, another neighbourhood favourite – and possibly the only place in Dubai where you will find French Canadian specialties. For those of you up to it you can follow your cafe visit with a run (or power walk) along the JLT track.

Studio apartments for lease in JLT start at AED 65,000 per year and one-beds at AED 80,000. You may find a small two-bed at AED 85,000, though larger units can be as much as AED 145,000. A large four-bed will set you back AED 210,000 per year.

To find out more about this up and coming area, call our Better Homes JLT Office on +971 4 447 0233 or email customercare@bhomes.com