Dubai attracts a vast number of foreign workers, paying special attention to young and talented specialists and future professionals. In particular, the emirate issues student visas and has launched a Talent Pass licence programme which is aimed at freelancers and grants the holder the right to obtain a three-year residence permit. Dubai is also a magnet for mature single expats – they may be people who are unable to relocate with their family to a new country, who have decided to drastically change their lives or are simply confirmed bachelors. We will tell you here about the most suitable areas for single expats to settle in Dubai.
The needs and preferences of single people differ significantly from the requirements of married couples. First of all this concerns the size of the housing. So we will consider the areas where a wide range of studios and 1-bedroom flats are available for sale or rent. Transport accessibility and proximity to centres of business activity, entertainment and landmarks are priorities for bachelors. In addition, we consider the infrastructure facilities available in such districts. At the same time, however, expat families worry about schools and kindergartens, while shops, restaurants and leisure venues are more important for singles.
For the Rich and Successful
Downtown
This district is in the heart of Dubai where the main city attractions are concentrated, such as Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain and one of the world’s largest shopping centres - the Dubai Mall. You will find a lot of career opportunities in Downtown in various industries. In addition, it is bordered by two main business districts - Business Bay and the Dubai International Financial Centre. A well-developed public transport network enables you to reach other parts of the city quickly.
You could call Downtown the embodiment of luxury living. The district has a wide range of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightclubs. As well as the aforementioned Dubai Mall, we should mention here Souk Al Bahar. It is not just a market: it is also one of the centres of nightlife with cafes and restaurants. In Downtown, you will also find green areas, such as Burj Park where various exhibitions and events are held.
Il Primo (Housearch)
As for housing, the cost of renting studios in Downtown ranges from USD 13,600 to USD 51,700 a year, one bedroom flats — from USD 17,700 to USD 92.600 a year. The prices of studios range from USD 177,000 to USD 680,800, one bedroom flats — from USD 300,000 to USD 1.7 million. The floor area of studios in the district ranges from 42 to 52 square metres and one bedroom flats — from 70 to 84 square metres.
Popular residential complexes with small flats in Downtown include Burj Al Nujoom, 29 Boulevard, The Signature, Burj Views and The Address Sky View Towers. You can find new residential complexes here.
Business Bay
As the name implies, the district offers many opportunities for work and business: large office buildings and science and technology parks are located here. However, the development is not limited to business: it is a fully-fledged multifunctional area with housing, infrastructure and entertainment. It goes without saying that the business component enables many people to live close to their workplace.
The characteristics of the Business Bay area are in many ways similar to neighbouring Downtown — excellent accessibility, developed public transport, a large shopping centre (Bay Avenue Mall) and a spacious park, a large number of shops and supermarkets, gyms and fitness clubs, cafes and restaurants, including the famous Izakaya, Prime 68, Farsi Restaurant, Tibba, and Acai & Co. There are a number of bars, pubs, and other nightlife venues, including the popular VIP Room Dubai club.
The Business Bay, designed in the image and likeness of Manhattan in New York, attracts many young specialists. As a significant number of expats live in the area, a newcomer will find it easy to adapt and make friends there.
The cost of renting studios in the Business Bay area ranges from USD 12,300 to USD 36,800 a year, one bedroom flats — from USD 13,100 to USD 231,500 a year. You can buy a studio here from USD 141,600 to USD 1 million and one bedroom flats from USD 150,000 to USD 2.1 million.
Al Habtoor City (Housearch)
The cost of renting studios in the Business Bay area ranges from USD 12,300 to USD 36,800 a year, one bedroom flats — from USD 13,100 to USD 231,500 a year. You can buy a studio here from USD 141,600 to USD 1 million and one bedroom flats from USD 150,000 to USD 2.1 million.
SLS Dubai Hotel and Residences, Mayfair Tower, MBK Tower, Safeer Tower, Executive Towers, Bayz by Danube, Al Habtoor City and DAMAC Towers by Paramount are popular residential complexes for young and single expats in Business Bay. There are countless new residential complexes in the area; you can find more details here.
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
This is Dubai’s second major business hub where the offices of banks and international financial companies are located. It borders Downtown Dubai from the south. As DIFC attracts many foreign workers, a multinational and diverse community has developed here. You can find everything that you need in a small area - from shops and restaurants to sports clubs and entertainment venues. DIFC regularly hosts concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events that may be of interest to singles. The area is also attractive from an architectural perspective.
The cost of renting studios in DIFC ranges from USD 21,800 to USD 38.100 a year, one bedroom flats - from USD 22,600 to USD 49,000 a year. You can buy studios here from USD 258,700 to USD 490,000 and one bedroom flats from USD 250,500 to USD 731,000.
For Beach Lovers
Dubai Marina
Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai Marina is known for skyscrapers with beautiful waterfront, city views and yacht clubs. It is ideal for singles who prefer to live by the sea. It is easy to reach other parts of the city and the airport, both by car and public transport (the area features two metro stations and a modern tram line).
There are two large shopping centres in the area — Dubai Marina Mall and The Beach Mall. Several high-class medical centres, beaches and parks are available here with a number of places where you can play tennis, golf or football. It is also home to a number of famous restaurants (The Marina Walk, Reem Al Bawadi, Pier 7), cafes, live music venues and discos, guaranteeing a vibrant nightlife.
Marina Gate (Housearch)
Dubai Marina is a unique place. There are more than 200 residential towers here, including six of the ten tallest residential buildings in the world (Marina 101, Princess Tower, 23 Marina, Elite Residence, Il Primo Tower and The Marina Torch). Due to the dense development and high-rise buildings, families with children tend to avoid this area. That is why it is more suitable for singles or people staying in Dubai for a short period.
The cost of renting studios in Dubai Marina ranges from USD 12,200 to USD 40,800 a year, one bedroom flats from USD 15,300 to USD 70,800 a year. You can buy studios in this area from USD 130,700 to USD 708,000, one bedroom flats from USD 163,400 to USD 1.5 million.
Marina Diamond, Manchester Tower, Marina Gate, Escan Marina Tower, Marina Pinnacle, DEC Towers and Zumurud Tower are some of the popular residential complexes in Dubai Marina (in addition to the aforementioned skyscrapers). In most cases, the infrastructure includes swimming pools, saunas, barbecue areas and gyms. You can see new residential complexes in Dubai Maria via this link.
Jumeirah Beach Residence
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) consists of 35 residential and five hotel towers, designed to accommodate in total approximately 15,000 people. As it is located inside Dubai Marina, all the above is available for JBR as well. The key advantages of Jumeirah Beach Residence are direct access to the beach, the AquaFun Water Park, and ample opportunities for water sports.
Five JBR (Housearch)
There are six residential blocks in total in JBR: Sadaf, Rimal, Murjan, Bahar, Amwaj and Shams. The cost of renting studios in JBR ranges from USD 19,000 to USD 59,900 a year, one bedroom flats from USD 23,100 to USD 81,700 a year. You can buy studios from USD 272,300 to USD 1.4 million, one bedroom flats from USD 300,000 to USD 3.5 million. Here you can see new complexes.
For Lovers of a Quiet Life
Dubai Hills Estate
TThe area is suitable for people who prefer to live in the suburbs. Dubai Hills Estate is part of the large-scale Mohammed Bin Rashid City and occupies an area of over 11 million square metres. Located in the centre of Dubai, it is a prestigious, comfortable and peaceful place to live. The transport accessibility of Dubai Hills Estate will improve soon, as additional metro stations are scheduled to open there.
The main feature of Dubai Hills Estate is an 18-hole championship golf course. In this area you will find a large shopping centre Dubai Hills Mall, cafes, restaurants, stores and sports facilities.
Golf Suites (Housearch)
