Jumeirah – Where It All Began

Jumeirah is the place where many of the first expats who relocated to Dubai chose to live and it is easy to see why, with its proximity to the coast and beaches. While properties tend to be among the oldest in the city, there are many advantages – Jumeirah is one of the few districts that has all the facilities you need within walking distance, with shopping facilities that seem friendly and local in comparison to Dubai’s newer mega malls.

A big draw for residents, other than the classic wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is the nearby Madinat Jumeirah, a luxury resort designed to resemble a traditional Arabic town. It boasts a heritage-influenced souk and a good range of restaurants set along a pretty man-made canal, where visitors can take rides on authentic-looking wooden abras. For those whose budgets don’t quite stretch to a stay at the seven star Burj Al Arab, there are eye catching views of this stunning sail-shaped building from all parts of the resort and nearby beaches.

Living in Jumeirah

Foreigners are unable to buy property in the district, but villas are available to rent. Should one become available, you would be wise to act quickly as the area has lost none of its original popularity, and available properties are likely to be snapped up quickly. The fact that it is entirely low-rise gives it a different, relaxed vibe to other parts of the city and the district is home to some hidden, and not so hidden, gems.

For example, the Bikers Café in Jumeirah 1 is rumoured to be a favourite breakfast hangout for certain Dubai VVIPs. Other popular Jumeirah haunts enjoy almost legendary status in Dubai – the Limetree Café, on “Beach Road” (the local name for Jumeirah Road), is a huge hit with generation after generation of Dubai’s transient community. It is always abuzz with families, groups of friends and “ladies who lunch” enjoying healthy salads and sandwiches followed by enormous slices of indulgent homemade cake.

The Jumeirah Beach Park is a great place to spend lazy days, with its beach and lush, green landscaped park, routinely full of people enjoying barbeques. As is the Jumeirah Public Beach with its newly extended running and cycling track.

The fact that Jumeirah is a long-established area does not mean it is standing still. Like the rest of Dubai, it continues to develop, with the newly opened Citywalk, a European-style low-rise shopping complex already proving popular.

If you can’t find a property to suit you in Jumeirah, there is plenty on offer in surrounding areas to allow you to be within a very short distance of it. Umm Suqeim is the next door neighbourhood, similarly relaxed with spacious villas and chilled out beaches. For those with smaller budgets, there is a ready supply of apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road – made up of a mixture of new and old towers with easy access to the hotels, restaurants and offices that flank Dubai’s main strip.

A four-bedroom villa right on the beach in Jumeirah 3 will cost AED 450,000 per annum to rent. If you decide to look slightly further afield in Umm Suqeim and are willing to take on a property that needs renovation, you can find a five bedroom villa for AED 195,000 per annum. Prices for modern, fully renovated properties, start at AED 310,000. The cream of the crop is a six bedroom mansion for rent in Umm Suqeim 3, for AED 1 million per year. If you are looking to make a long-term investment,
a 15,000 sq. ft. six bedroom villa is available to buy for AED 30.5 million.

If you decide to relocate to Sheikh Zayed Road, you can rent a one bedroom apartment in the newly completed Burj Al Salam for AED 91,000, a two bed from AED 139,000, a three bed from AED 220,000, and a luxurious four bed from AED 315,000.

To find out more about life in Jumeirah, call +971 4 551 5837 or email customercare@bhomes.com