Your guide to living in Yas Island

In just eight years, Yas Island has gone from being a dry barren land to a desirable hub bubbling day and night with tourists, investors, and renters.

Living in Yas Island is an experience everyone needs to have as the area is full of activity, from the state-of-the-art restaurants and hotels to large multi-level mall.

Once a part of the mainland of Abu Dhabi, this man-made Island was designed by a master-developer ALDAR who continues to maintain the island to meet international standards. Yas Island has something to suit everyone’s taste, old and young. The area is a multi-purpose entertainment, leisure, residential and retails project. The opening of the Grand Prix circuit in 2009, and the first Formula 1 race taking place the same year opened up the opportunities for more attention, attraction, and facilities.

This guide will help to discover what is in store for you at this amazing destination called Yas Island.

Community Overview

Yas Island with its long-term potential attracts investors from all over the world. It is the premium area of Abu Dhabi with standard properties including high-end hotels, luxurious apartments, the largest shopping mall in the city and other amenities. Yas Island Area houses Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Waterworld, Yas Links Golf, and Yas Mall.

Transportation

When it comes to transportation in Yas Island Area, you have no worries. Abu Dhabi airport is just a 10-minutes drive away from Yas Island while Dubai airport is 75 minutes away. Taxis are available too to get you to the island and help you commute within the Island. You can grab a taxi at the Mall and the hotels. Free shuttle buses also run within the area and through the Saadiyat Island. If you are driving a car, the easiest route to follow is through the Yas Island Tunnel connected to the E10 exit on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. Public Parking spaces are amongst the things Yas Island does not lack. All attractions have their own sufficient parking spaces. Residential buildings and communities have their parking lots too. During large events like Formula 1, the area can get quite crowded. However, overspill car parks are opened for more parking spaces during this period.

Schools and nurseries

Finding a great school for kids can be a source of worry for parents living in the capital. The school system in and around the Yas Island covers students of all ages, the children and the teenagers. For families with younger children, the reputable Yellow Submarine nursery is a stone’s throw away from the Island. Located on the island, Sabis International School offers the Sabis system until K-12 and is known as a reputable educational facility. Aldar Academy in West Yas, another premier private school offers the American curriculum to students until year 12.

Healthcare and Hospitals

The developer of Yas Island understands that the health of residents, tourists and investors come first. The area is well covered on the medical front. For minor ailments, most residents of Yas Island visit the Burjeel Medical Centre in the Yas Mall for treatment. Additionally, there are a variety of multi-specialty hospitals close to the island including NMC, Cleveland and Al Noor, all located on the mainland.

Shopping

Opened in 2014, the Yas Mall remains the largest mall in Abu Dhabi with a lot of exciting offers, festivals and sales for every shopper. It's a favorite place for shopping lovers especially during summer when the temperature rises. The mall features bright, broad boulevards over two levels, the large plaza in the middle and a spacious parking space. The mall is home to a cinema and a huge supermarket where you can shop for groceries. There are lots of catering outlets and high street brands in different sizes and shapes. Items sold on the malls are not restricted to women's favorite: clothes and shoes but also covers furniture shops, bookshops, large electronics stores, amongst others. Did you get hungry while shopping? There is a big food court and other mid-range restaurants like Paul, Cheesecake Factory, Carluccio's, and PF Changs. If you are a first-timer, be mindful when you go to the mall, the parking space can get confusing!

Restaurants

Yas Island offers an array of choices when it comes to food. Aquarium and Stars’n’Bars in Yas Marina and Belgian Cafe in Radisson Blu are some of the best restaurants on the island also popular for night outs in the city. The Yas Island Area has plenty of gourmet affairs that have some of the Emirates’best-licensed bars and clubs which also offers shisha. Angar - modern Indian cuisine, and Atayeb - Arabian and Mediterranean flavors, in Yas Viceroy gives you the best dining experience.

Beaches

If you live in the Yas Island Area, you don't have to venture far to look for a beach. After the bustle and bubble of the city, a beautiful, serene beach is the getaway you need. Yas Beach is popular for its shiny blue waters, white sands and natural mangroves. If you find the sunbathing boring, try some of the topnotch entertainment options with a range of watersports like paddle boarding, jet skiing and more. And the best is, there is an outdoor gym for you to keep fit while relaxing right in the open air.

Leisure activities

Living in Yas Island, there is no room for boredom to creep in. There are a whole lot of options to explore during your leisure time, from a world-famous Formula 1 Grand Prix course to a gorgeous Golf Course and a massive event arena. The world-famous leisure places include the Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World. Yas Marina Circuit features the Grand Prix racers during its season. You can join the Yas Motor Racing Club to try out your professional driving experience in the offseason. Not into racing? There are cycling and running paths for you to enjoy as well. Ferrari World is a unique theme park with a series of Ferrari themed rides. It's a place of thrill and fun both for parents and youngsters. Want to feel the rush of a looping freefall waterslide or surf the waves of excitement? Be sure to visit Yas Waterworld – Middle East’s leading waterpark with over 40 rides, slides, and attractions.

Yas Island is undoubtedly among the nicest places to be in the world! While it's certainly one of the most exciting places to live in Abu Dhabi it is also one of the busiest areas in the capital where there is a constant stream of activities and events. These are things to consider while choosing your house or apartment in Yas Island.