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Dubai Rating · season 2024–2025

Best district to live in

The first nomination of our rating is about the city's districts. We are opening the vote for the most comfortable place to live in Dubai. Which will it be? Marina, loved by Russian speakers, green Dubai Hills or romantic Bluewaters? We choose not only with our hearts but also with logic. That's why we invited a wide range of experts to shortlist the districts: an urbanist, real estate specialists, experts in art and children's education — and even a hedonist.

Voting closed11 nominees7 criteria

Nomination results

Criteria and selection method

Experts from different fields helped us shortlist Dubai's best districts using criteria such as:

  • Infrastructure — How rich and convenient the district's infrastructure is overall: greenery, places to walk, shop, study and do business
  • Conditions for families with children — Nurseries, development and entertainment centres for kids, and good schools
  • Transport access — How convenient the location is for people with and without a car
  • Ecology — Large parks and closeness to nature
  • Social appeal — Cultural and notable landmarks, tourist density, notable restaurants, leisure spots and shops
  • Real estate prospects — Average price per square metre, new construction, potential for price growth, proximity to one of Dubai's five centres
  • Cost of housing — Value for money per square metre — how well current prices match what you get. If prices seem too high to you, give a lower score; if everything feels fair and worth it, give a higher one.

Shortlist

  • Al Barsha

    Al Barsha

    A large district with a convenient strategic location — close to the coast but without the tourist crowds. Property prices in Al Barsha are fairly gentle by Dubai standards. It is also home to the popular Mall of the Emirates, the Dubai Miracle Garden and the world's largest butterfly garden

  • Arabian Ranches

    Arabian Ranches

    A green district of villas and townhouses with parks, artificial lakes, a golf club and an equestrian centre. Although many homes are no longer brand new (and the district was noticeably affected by the floods), Arabian Ranches remains one of the most popular areas for family life, with many top-rated schools and good nurseries. But Marina's promenades, Burj Khalifa and other popular hotspots are a long way away

  • Bluewaters

    Bluewaters

    A district with the world's tallest — though not operating — Ferris wheel, and property prices to match. The whole quarter sits on an artificial island connected by a bridge to Dubai Marina

  • City Walk

    City Walk

    A walkable district next to Burj Khalifa that successfully tries to feel like a European city quarter. Extra pluses: quality low-rise buildings, proximity to the metro and a licensed area with bars and restaurants for every taste

  • Creek Harbour

    Creek Harbour

    A promising district tipped to become the new Downtown, especially once a new metro line reaches it and Creek Tower — the 'female' counterpart of Burj Khalifa — is built. Even now it offers a pleasant family life and some of the best sunsets over the waters of Dubai Creek

  • Downtown

    Downtown

    A magnet for tourists from all over the world — this is where the legendary Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are. But they're not the only thing that gives the district its atmosphere: there's also a great boulevard with street art, galleries and cafés, surrounded by luxurious towers with postcard views

  • Dubai Hills

    Dubai Hills

    A modern, fresh district that keeps developing and has taken the best for living: low-rise buildings, green areas for walks, a cosy mall, trendy cafés and restaurants. All that's missing for complete happiness is better transport access and parks that cope better with rain

  • Dubai Marina

    Dubai Marina

    The district where you're most likely to hear Russian and meet fellow countrymen, grown around a man-made 'arm' of the Gulf. In the Marina you can admire the yachts and easily walk to the beach. There are many nurseries and Russian-speaking services, but not enough greenery. Most of the housing has lost its former freshness, and traffic jams in and out are, alas, an almost daily companion

  • Greens

    Greens

    One of Emaar's first family communities remains a popular place to live despite its age. Low-rise buildings, green areas that are friendly to families with pets, all within easy reach of the metro. Dubai Marina is the easiest to get to from here, but Dubai Mall is no problem either

  • Palm Jumeirah

    Palm Jumeirah

    The famous Palm is home not only to the classic Atlantis hotel, a huge water park and trendy beach clubs. Besides tourists and holidaymakers, residents live here too: luxury villas line the Palm's 'fronds', and apartment towers stand on its 'trunk'. Thanks to the shape of the artificial island the water is calm, but the same shape also creates traffic jams between the Palm and the rest of Dubai

  • Sobha Hartland

    Sobha Hartland

    A growing community well worth a look if you're after a place with long-term prospects. There are already many landscaped parks with footpaths and good international schools, and the Ras Al Khor flamingo sanctuary and Design District are nearby. By 2026 Sobha Hartland promises a modern 'nature-inspired' mall. On the downside: there's no metro

Nomination experts

We shape the methodology and the list of nominees together with experts — opinion leaders in their fields. For the first nomination we chose people who can judge a district on its merits: infrastructure, convenience and even design

Nomination partner

Furni

A Russian-speaking online furnishing and renovation service in the UAE. With Furni you can relax while your future home fills with comfort. The team will renovate, design, furnish and fit out your apartment with stylish interior pieces. You don't even need to be in the Emirates — the whole process can be managed online. Furni has also expanded and now works not only in Dubai but also in Abu Dhabi.

Partner website

Sources and links