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Abu Dhabi’s Top Residential Neighbourhoods To Live In

  • Better Informed
  • 02 Sep, 2024
Abu Dhabi’s Top Residential Neighbourhoods To Live In

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is ranked one of the best cities in the Middle East to live in. The city has achieved this status by providing excellent public utilities, a convenient transport network, entertainment facilities, and world-class education. If you are looking for a residential neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi, we have compiled a list of the best ones to consider. So read on to discover your perfect home in Abu Dhabi that suits your budget, preferences, and needs.

Yas Island

Yas Island is easily one of the hottest places to live in Abu Dhabi. You can buy or rent apartments, villas, and townhouses right in the heart of action. The neighbourhood is home to famous hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and other entertainment spots. Some of the notable attractions in Yas Island are:

  • Ferrari World
  • Warner Bros World
  • Yas Waterworld
  • Yas Marina Circuit
  • Yas Beach

The neighbourhood is known for its high residency standard, providing fun on every corner. Along with Yas Mall, residents have plenty of other supermarkets and famous retail stores for shopping. Commuting to and from Yas Island is also easy as several bus stops serve the area, such as Yas Mall West, Yas Mall North, Ikea, and Ferrari World bus stops. 

If you are planning to move to Yas Island with family, there are several schools within the community. You can choose from Noya Aldar Academy, SABIS International School, and West Yas Academy. Here is what you can expect to pay when renting or buying a home in Yas Island.

Property Type

Average Selling Price

Average Rent (Yearly)

Studio Apartment

AED 850,000

AED 60,000

1 Bed Apartment

AED 1,235,000

AED 75,000

2 Bed Apartment

AED 1,995,000

AED 120,000

3 Bed Apartment

AED 2,500,000

AED 145,000

2 Bed Villa

AED 2,700,000

AED 195,000

3 Bed Villa

AED 3,635,000

AED 260,000

4 Bed Villa

AED 5,175,000

AED 325,000

 

Al Reem Island

A gated city within a city, Al Reem Island has everything to make it a great place to live, work and have fun. It includes many lavish residential communities, including Marina Square, also known as the face of Reem Island and has 14 high-rise buildings with pedestrian-friendly walkways and waterfront views. The impressive Gate Towers feature the world's highest penthouse bridge connecting three towers. Other popular communities in Al Reem Island are the City of Lights, Najmat Abu Dhabi, and Reem Hills. Apart from these, Al Reem Island features the beautiful Gateway Park and Reem Central Park.

Ideal for young couples and families, the neighbourhood provides easy access to Al Reem Mall, Carrefour supermarket, and hospitals. The schools in and around the neighbourhood are Repton Abu Dhabi, Mosaic Nursery, INSEAD, and NAS Abu Dhabi, so residents don't have to worry about travelling long distances for their children's education. 

Residents can choose from apartments, penthouses, villas, and townhouses for residential options. Let's look at sales and rental trends for residential properties in Al Reem Island.

Property Type

Average Selling Price

Average Rent (Yearly)

Studio Apartment

AED 650,000

AED 55,000

1 Bed Apartment

AED 950,000

AED 70,000

2 Bed Apartment

AED 1,45,000

AED 100,000

3 Bed Apartment

AED 2,110,000

AED 145,000

2 Bed Villa

AED 1,700,000

AED 95,000

3 Bed Villa

AED 3,150,000

AED 165,000

4 Bed Villa

AED 4,675,000

AED 240,000

 

Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Island, also known as the cultural hub, houses Manarat Al Saadiyat, the art and culture centre in Abu Dhabi. It is a well-planned neighbourhood with green spaces, scenic beach views, and peaceful spots for relaxation. You will find private and public beach clubs, parks with play areas for children, swimming pools, and sports facilities here. There's the Saadiyat Public Beach and Saadiyat Beach Club for beach lovers, while golf enthusiasts can head to the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, designed by renowned golfer Gary Player.

An entire district on Saadiyat Island is dedicated to culture and the arts, featuring famous landmarks like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Other popular attractions in Saadiyat Island are Mamsha Al Saadiyat, a beachfront promenade and Abrahamic Family House, a collection of three religious spaces: a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. The family-friendly neighbourhood provides easy access to some of the best schools, like Lycee Theodore Monod, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.

With some of the priciest real estate in Abu Dhabi, it is a quiet haven offering contemporary and Mediterranean-styled villas, luxurious apartments and exquisite townhouses. Their average sales and rental prices are:

Property Type

Average Selling Price

Average Rent (Yearly)

Studio Apartment

AED 950,000

AED 52,000

1 Bed Apartment

AED 1,550,500

AED 90,000

2 Bed Apartment

AED 2,650,000

AED 135,000

3 Bed Apartment

AED 3,775,000

AED 185,000

3 Bed Villa

AED 6,432,000

AED 365,000

4 Bed Villa

AED 7,610,000

AED 440,000

 

Al Reef

Al Reef has become a gold standard for affordable living with urban amenities. It is divided into two sub-communities, Al Reef Villas and Al Reef Downtown. Being located close to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai makes it a popular choice among locals and expats. The community is surrounded by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street (E12), Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10), and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road (E11). For public transport users, Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal A and Zayed International Airport Terminal A Departure and Arrival stops are located 10 minutes from Zayed International Airport.

Residents of Al Reef benefit from public parks, pools, landscaped gardens, health clubs, retail stores, and a medical clinic. Zoom, a convenience store, is present within the neighbourhood. Amity International School is just a 10-minute drive from Al Reef, while SABIS International School is 15 minutes away.

Al Reef features some of the most desirable residential properties in Abu Dhabi. Whether you like living in an apartment or a villa, choices are plenty. Below are the sales and rental trends in Al Reef:

Property Type

Average Selling Price

Average Rent (Yearly)

Studio Apartment

AED 480,000

AED 40,000

1 Bed Apartment

AED 630,000

AED 55,000

2 Bed Apartment

AED 800,000

AED 70,000

3 Bed Apartment

AED 1,295,000

AED 95,000

2 Bed Villa

AED 1,250,000

AED 87,000

3 Bed Villa

AED 1,600,000

AED 115,000

4 Bed Villa

AED 2,450,000

AED 140,000

 

Corniche

Corniche, located on the northwest shore of Abu Dhabi, features beautiful sandy beaches, picnic areas, biking trails, a public beach, and the iconic Emirates Palace Hotel. The area has lively attractions like the Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Theatre, Emirates Palace, and Observation Deck at 300. The residential towers in Corniche offer waterfront living and are close to the most visited tourist area, Corniche Road. The average rental price for apartments in the residential buildings are:

Property Type

Average Rent (Yearly)

Studio Apartment

AED 75,000

1 Bed Apartment

AED 90,000

2 Bed Apartment

AED 130,000

3 Bed Apartment

AED 142,000

4 Bed Apartment

AED 170,000

 

Countless supermarkets in the Corniche include SM Laguna Hypermarket, Al Safa Supermarket, and a branch of Lulu Express. Corniche is close to International Jubilee Private School, Al Muna Academy, and Lycee Francais Theodore Monod for educational needs. NMC Specialty Hospital, LLH Hospital Abu Dhabi, and Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital are nearby.

Conclusion

These neighbourhoods represent some of the best places to live in Abu Dhabi. Each area provides unique benefits, whether it is the exciting entertainment options on Yas Island, the cultural richness of Saadiyat Island, or the affordable yet modern living in Al Reef. With top-notch amenities, excellent schools, and easy access to transportation, these neighbourhoods cater to various lifestyles and preferences. If you are looking for a place to call home in Abu Dhabi, these neighbourhoods should be at the top of your list for their quality of life and exceptional living experiences.

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