Popular areas for students to live in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has made significant investments in international education over recent decades. Collaborations with international educational institutions have proved fruitful and many prominent universities have established campuses in the capital city. As a result, an increasing number of students are opting to study in the UAE’s capital. But what are the best areas for students to live in Abu Dhabi? Let’s take a look.
LIST OF AREAS IN ABU DHABI SUITABLE FOR STUDENTS
Students have the choice of numerous well-established and popular districts in Abu Dhabi. The emirate is dotted with notable universities for students to choose from, including Khalifa University, Mohamed Bin Zayed University, Al Hosn University, Sorbonne University and New York University.
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Here’s a list of some of the most popular places to stay if you’re a student looking for comfortable accommodation in Abu Dhabi.
Al Nahyan
One of the most popular areas for students to live in Abu Dhabi is Al Nahyan. This residential area is located on the outskirts of the renowned Mangrove Reserve and is conveniently located for outings to the beach.
Churches, temples, mosques, shops, hospitals, schools and retail malls are all in close proximity to this popular district, only adding to its appealing nature. Studio apartments to rent in Al Nahyan start from AED 26k and 1-bedroom apartments to rent in Al Nahyan range from AED 33k to AED 65K annually.
Khalifa City A
Khalifa City A is a burgeoning neighbourhood with an ever-increasing population. Also called Khalifa City, this area is not very far from Abu Dhabi’s main centre and is home to lovely parks, impressive real estate, boutique shops and restaurants. The rent in this neighbourhood is also fairly reasonable in comparison to other parts of the city.
Given its convenient location along the Dubai motorway, it’s simple to see why living in Khalifa City is a common choice. This location is known for holding Etihad Airways’ spectacular headquarters, as can be seen from both sides of the highway as you travel into Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
This diversified neighbourhood, which is home to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Al Forsan International Sports Resort, is quite affordable for students. Studio apartments for rent in Khalifa City A can be snapped up for as low as AED 12k, whilst 1-bedroom apartments in Khalifa City usually start at around AED 25k.
Mussafah
Mussafah, which is rapidly developing, is among one of the popular areas to live in Abu Dhabi for students. With its growing population, the district has expanded to include a few new communities, such as Shabiya and Mussafah Gardens, which are devoted to residential constructions, including rent-affordable flats.
The area is dotted with supermarket chains such as Spinneys and Royal Emirates Supermarket in M-9 and Grace Land Hypermarket in M-39. There is also a holistic range of amenities, including churches, mosques and temples.
The Al-Ain University of Science and Technology, located at the border of MBZ City and Mussafah, is one of the most well-known universities in the UAE’s capital. Whilst the prestigious Abu Dhabi University is just a short 10-minute drive away.
In addition to the universities, the neighbourhood is also home to the Jazz Music Institute, which is well respected for its expert tuition in the musical arts. Mussafah is one of the cheaper areas for students to live in Abu Dhabi. 1-bedroom apartments in Mussafah start at AED 40k per year.
Al Mushrif
From both a cost and location perspective, Al Mushrif is definitely an area worthy of consideration for those pursuing higher education in Abu Dhabi. Located between Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, this popular neighbourhood boasts an impressive range of amenities within its borders. Its central locality also ensures easy access to many of Abu Dhabi’s most notable attractions and beaches.
The prices for studio apartments in Al Mushrif start from AED 18k, while those looking for 1-bedroom apartments in Al Mushrif can expect to pay AED 24k upwards.
Masdar City
Masdar City is another popular student housing choice in Abu Dhabi. A contemporary mixed-use development with a combination of residential and business structures, this neighbourhood provides a vast range of amenities. The community features a perfect lifestyle for students with numerous cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, gyms and areas for outdoor activities.
Prices for studio apartments for rent in Masdar City start at around AED 40k and 1-bedroom apartments for rent in Masdar City average at roughly AED 45k.
Al Reem Island
With Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi located on Al Reem Island, the area has understandably become a desired locale for students. The island’s plethora of urban amenities and the convenience they ensure have also played a major role in increasing the demand for rental apartments amongst students.
Foreign students searching for apartments to rent in Al Reem Island often look towards Shams Abu Dhabi and Marina Square. Studio apartment rates in Al Reem Island start at around AED 38k while 1-bedroom apartments rent in Al Reem Island are available from AED 58k upwards.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE POPULAR AREAS FOR RENT STUDIO APARTMENTS IN ABU DHABI?
Popular areas to rent studio apartments in Abu Dhabi include Khalifa City, Al Muroor and Al Mushrif.
WHAT ARE THE TOP UNIVERSITIES IN ABU DHABI?
Abu Dhabi’s top universities include Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, Rabdan Academy and New York University Abu Dhabi.
When relocating to a new apartment on a student budget, it is critical to consider both cost and closeness to your educational institution. It obviously wouldn’t make sense to save money on rent but spend everything save on commuting costs. With that in mind, our guide containing everything you need to know about public transportation in Abu Dhabi is definitely worth a read.
That concludes our look at the most popular areas for students to live in Abu Dhabi. We hope the information provided proves to be helpful and you find the perfect area for you.
Are you studying in Abu Dhabi’s neighbouring emirate? Our guide to popular places for students to live in Dubai is packed full of useful information.
