The Top 5 Apartments in Dubai
If you’re fairly new in town and you’re in search of a new home in Dubai, we have your back!
Today, we’ll review some of the best apartments in Dubai. We’ll also cover the usual costs of rent and the factors you have to remember when hunting for an apartment.
The Cost of Apartments in Dubai
The rent for apartments in Dubai can vary depending on the location, size, amenities, and other factors.
Nonetheless, we created a table that shows the estimated cost of annual rent for apartments so prospective tenants can get a view of how much they’ll have to invest in an apartment.
High-end properties are usually the ones that are in prime locations, while lower-end properties are those that are quite far from the city center.
Note that these are just the usual rental fees, so the utility or housing fees are not yet included in the rates.
The Best Apartments in Dubai
Before you explore the entries on this list, it’s best to know the factors we used to review them:
1. Bellevue Towers
| COST | ★★★★☆ |
| LOCATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★★ |
| IN-BUILDING FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| SAFETY FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| TENANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| TENANT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | ★★★★☆ |
Bellevue Towers is one of the most easily recognized apartment buildings in Downtown Dubai. It comprises two towers that are mainly composed of luxury apartments, lofts, and penthouses.
Most units in the property feature contemporary architecture. They are also furnished with glass facades, which many tenants like because it offers scenic views of Business Bay and Downtown Dubai.
Another notable feature of this apartment building is that it is within walking distance from the city’s key hubs, such as Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and Dubai Mall.
On top of that, since the building can be easily accessed through Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, you can conveniently visit various retail, dining, and entertainment options.
Furthermore, we like the in-building facilities they offer. For your reference, here are the amenities and facilities you can enjoy in Bellevue Towers:
- Infinity Pool
- Standard Pool
- Gym
- Restaurant
- Common Garden
- Kids Club
- Covered Parking
- 24-hour Security/ CCTV
All told, this apartment building is worth considering if you have a substantial budget. Since they mostly offer luxury apartments, you can expect that the overall price for the units can be a bit costly.
Nonetheless, if you’re interested in this property, but you want a cheaper option, we suggest that you look into their unfurnished 1-bedroom apartments because the starting rate for those units is around 75,000 AED per year.
Pros
- Building is ideally located
- Offers covered parking
- Features glass facades on units
- Features 24-hour security/CCTV
Cons
- Starting can be a bit expensive
- Mostly features luxury units
2. Reef Residence
| COST | ★★★★★ |
| LOCATION | ★★★★☆ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★★ |
| IN-BUILDING FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| SAFETY FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| TENANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| TENANT RATINGS | ★★★★☆ |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | ★★★★☆ |
Reef Residence is an extensive skyscraper in Jumeirah Village Circle established by Reef Real Estate. It has 378 units, which are mainly composed of studios, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments.
Here’s the first thing that we love about this residential building – its starting rate. You see, the rent for their studio apartments costs around 26,000 AED to 34,000 AED per year.
Annual rents for 1-bedroom apartments are between 40,000 AED to 65,000 AED. Alternatively, if you plan to live with a roommate, we suggest that you also look into their 2-bedroom apartments, which cost around 66,000 AED to 85,000 AED.
We think this is a good steal considering all the community amenities they offer.
Once you become a tenant, you’ll be able to access a range of facilities, including a landscaped leisure deck with two swimming pools, a gymnasium, a children’s play area, and spaces for barbecue parties.
We also like that they have a team of on-ground security officers on top of their round-the-clock CCTV monitoring because you’ll never know when an emergency will happen.
Among other things, if you prefer to stay in a simple but well-equipped apartment, Reef Residence is worth considering.
The only downside we notice with this residential building is that they are quite far from popular landmarks in Dubai, such as La Mer by Meraass, Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab, and Palm Jumeirah.
However, we think that this may not be much of a problem for most tenants because Reef Residence is still within walking distance of various outlets, including salons, hypermarkets, and restaurants.
Pros
- Features affordable annual rents
- Within walking distance to various outlets
- Has on-ground security officers
- Has two basement levels for parking
Cons
- Quite far from landmarks and airports in Dubai
- Features basic furnishings on units
3. La Riviera Tower
| COST | ★★★★☆ |
| LOCATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★★ |
| IN-BUILDING FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| SAFETY FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| TENANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| TENANT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | ★★★★☆ |
This mid-rise residential building can also be an excellent option for you if you want to experience upscale living in Dubai Marina.
As for the interior, we like that each unit in the building is furnished with central air conditioning and central heating.
Besides that, we also like that they have balconies because it would be such a waste not to see the waterfront views, especially if you are on the higher floors.
Fur parents will also be delighted to know that La Riviera Tower is a pet-friendly residential building. Furthermore, the tower has a wide array of in-building facilities such as an atrium every three floors, squash court, and weight training area.
If you just want to take a break, you don’t have to go far because they also have steam rooms, a jacuzzi and sauna, and a rooftop infinity pool.
We also commend their security services because their security staff guards the building day and night, and the whole property is monitored 24/7 by CCTVs. Along with this, each apartment is also furnished with a security card system.
In terms of location, we can say that this building is ideally situated because it is close to Jumeirah Beach Residence Station, DMCC Bus Station Landslide, and Marsa Dubai Bus Stop. In addition to that, this place is also a short drive away from several metro and tram stations.
However, since it’s in the middle of the bustling Dubai Marina, we noticed a few complaints about the noise from the busy roads. It depends partly on where you are in the tower, of course, but be sure to check out your prospective unit when roads are likeliest to be full, so you can be sure.
Pros
- Pet-friendly residential building
- Each unit has a security card system
- Furnished with balconies
- Offers various in-building facilities
Cons
- Starting rates can be a bit expensive
- Complaints about the noise from the busy roads
4. Al Yousuf Twin Towers
| COST | ★★★★☆ |
| LOCATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| IN-BUILDING FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| SAFETY FEATURES | ★★★☆☆ |
| TENANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ |
| TENANT RATINGS | ★★★★☆ |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | ★★★★★ |
If you’re looking for a family-friendly community to stay in, you can look into this multi-building complex in Jumeirah Village Circle. There are 288 residential units in this building, and it includes studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom apartments.
The most popular apartment type in this building is their 1-bedroom apartment because it already has an attached bathroom and guest bathroom as well as a living area. Moreover, these units are also furnished with balconies for extra ventilation.
Some of the facilities and amenities you can enjoy in the building are the following:
- Shared gym
- Sauna and jacuzzi facilities
- Pools (for kids and adults)
- Indoor play area for kids
The annual rent for 1-bedroom apartments is between 46,000 AED to 59,000 AED. However, if you think this is not within your budget, we recommend that you also browse through their studio apartments because the starting rate for those is around 36,000 AED.
Although the annual rents can be a bit higher than other entries on this list, we think many people will still check out Al Yousuf Twin Towers because it has direct access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Besides that, it is also situated between Hessa Street and Al Khail Road, so you can easily access a range of bus stations, metro stations, tram stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
We would just like to note that their main entrance currently doesn’t have a ramp for wheelchairs, strollers, or trolleys, so it can be a bit inconvenient. The only ramp available in the building is the one in the parking entrance.
Pros
- Ideally located on main roads
- Close to various transportation options
- Within walking distance to supermarkets, malls, and restaurants
- Offers pet-friendly units
Cons
- Main entrance doesn’t have ramps
- Annual rents can be expensive
5. Joya Verde Residences
| COST | ★★★★★ |
| LOCATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| IN-BUILDING FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| SAFETY FEATURES | ★★★☆☆ |
| TENANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| TENANT RATINGS | ★★★★☆ |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | ★★★★☆ |
Joya Verde Residence is a mid-rise building in JVC District 11. Although it’s only a 4-story building, it covers an area of 121,300 sq. ft. and has 110 units in total.
Among the things that make them stand out from other entries on this list are their expansive rooftop gardens, which are furnished with recreation and play areas that adults and children can enjoy.
These spaces can also be an excellent spot for outdoor events and casual gatherings. Most importantly, they’re ideal if you’re the type who needs greenery around your home
We’d also like to note that Joya Verde offers the most affordable units on this list. The annual rent for a studio flat starts at 24,000 AED, while a 1-bedroom apartment can range from around 44,000 AED to 55,000 AED.
On the other hand, if you’re in search of a 2-bedroom apartment, it’s best to know that the starting rate is 78,000 AED per year.
In addition to that, if you’re gifted with a green thumb, you can also opt for a unit with a private garden. Again, this shows you why we’d recommend them for those with an affinity for flora or who demand it near their residences.
Among other things, they also offer numerous amenities, including a swimming pool, well-equipped gym, and play area for kids.
Since the building is located near Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, tenants can conveniently access a range of schools, hospitals, and pharmacies.
Aside from that, it’s also within walking distance from various supermarkets such as All Day Supermarket, Choithrams, and Jyothis Supermarket.
In conclusion, we think Joya Verde Residence is a great deal for people looking for a budget-friendly apartment with green features.
The only problem we’d like to point out are past complaints about the AC system on the units. However, since most of the issues have been resolved, we think that’s a minor issue now.
Pros
- Has expansive rooftop gardens
- Offers affordable annual rents
- Close to main roads
- Close to various transportation options
Cons
- Several complaints about AC systems on units
Things to Consider When Looking for An Apartment
An apartment may not be as big and expensive as a house or other properties, but it’s still a substantial investment you can’t take for granted.
That is why it’s vital to think about the factors we listed below before signing a lease.
- Stay close and note your ideal location.
Traffic in Dubai can be a bit hectic, especially during rush hours, so it might be best to look for an apartment that is near your workplace.
Moreover, if you don’t have your own mode of transportation, you also have to consider if there is available public transport in that area. This is to ensure that you can conveniently reach places you frequently go to.
That said, if you have a car, you can also consider apartments that offer free parking spaces.
- Know your budget.
Before you start your search for an apartment, we suggest that you determine how much you can allocate for your rent. The safest estimate for this is that the rent should not exceed 20% of your monthly income.
Note that there are still additional costs such as housing fees and DEWA (water and electricity bills).
- Make sure to personally visit the apartment.
Although you can check out apartments online, you can’t trust all the descriptions and pictures you see. For this reason, it’s still best to get an actual view of the place to check everything in person.
Determine if the unit still requires some repairs, finishing, or renovations. If that’s the case, we recommend that you get the owner to accomplish everything first before they hand the apartment over.
- Get a sense of the community.
Since you’ll be staying in that area for quite some time, we suggest that you walk around the neighborhood just to see how they are in the community.
You can also ask around to get a view of the specific and unspoken rules they may have. Make sure to know the rules and expectations of the neighborhood before signing a lease.
- Let a local realtor look over the lease.
Well, this step may seem a bit extreme for some, but as the saying goes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. That is why before you put your signature on the lease, we recommend that you let a lawyer or local realtor review it.
This is to guarantee that there will be no hidden or surprise fees and the agreement is legitimate. Understand everything that’s written on the document and make sure that it fits your requirements.
FAQ About Apartments in Dubai
If you happen to know other good apartments in the city, don’t hesitate to hit us up so we can also review them.
Also, if you need more choices, we suggest that you explore our reviews on the best serviced apartments and furnished apartments in Dubai.