Should you rent an apartment or villa in Dubai?
While Dubai boasts various types of residential properties, the apartments and villas in the city continue to be the most popular with tenants. With these properties available in different styles, locations and budgets, residents can face a dilemma while renting an apartment or villa in Dubai.
If you’re deciding between living in an apartment vs villa in Dubai, we’ve rounded up some of the most important factors to consider before you make a decision.
Things to consider about renting an apartment or villa in Dubai
Before you decide between a stylish rental apartment in Dubai Marina or a spacious villa in Arabian Ranches, take a look at some of the most important factors that will influence your decision.
Price
Your budget is the most crucial factor in the decision on renting apartments vs villas in Dubai. On the whole, villas tend to command a higher rental price than apartments in Dubai. For instance, a 3-bedroom apartment for rent in Dubai Marina starts from AED 75k, as per current listings, while a 3-bedroom rental villa in Mirdif has a starting price of AED 89k.
However, bear in mind that this can vary depending on the apartment tower or villa community. More budget-conscious tenants can find affordable villa communities in Dubai.
Thus, one of the first things to determine when making a decision between villas or apartments in Dubai, is how much you are willing to spend on your annual rent.
Location
Location is another thing to keep in mind when renting apartments vs villas to rent in Dubai. While many areas in the emirate offer a diverse selection of rental properties, some areas are more limited. For instance, the older neighbourhood of Bur Dubai, known for its central location, almost exclusively offers apartments with only a handful of rental villas available. On the other hand, suburban communities such as Reem are only home to cosy villas and townhouses. However, other communities such as Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Silicon Oasis offer a mix of apartments, villas and townhouses.
Thus, whether you rent an apartment or villa in Dubai will also depend on your neighbourhood of choice. It’s a good idea to research the kind of properties available in your preferred areas, which you can do using our comprehensive Area Guides.
Maintenance costs
When it comes to deciding between an apartment or villa, it’s not just the annual rent that you have to pay. You also have to take into account the additional apartment or villa expenses in Dubai, which can significantly vary.
The cost of maintaining a villa in Dubai is generally higher than that of an apartment. Since villas typically comprise of a bigger space, you are more likely to spend a higher amount on furnishing the property, than you would for an apartment. You will also likely incur higher costs for cleaning services as most villas in Dubai come with a backyard and many boast a private pool. Most residents of villa properties hire a gardener in addition to the house help to maintain their backyard.
Also bear in mind that your DEWA or utility bills will also be higher for villas, especially during the summer season, when the backyard requires plenty of water. Villas may also incur higher charges for many services; for instance, the security deposit to set up the DEWA connection for a villa is AED 4,000, while the same for an apartment is AED 2,000.
When calculating your budget, make sure to take these hidden costs and expenses into consideration, so you can make a fully-informed decision on renting an apartment or villa in Dubai.
Lifestyle
If you are debating between a ‘villa or apartment – which is better in Dubai’, it’s important to keep your lifestyle in mind. When considering these two property types, you’ll need to decide whether your priority is privacy or convenience. Apartment towers are typically more centrally-located and closer to leisure and commercial hubs.
On the other hand, villas are located in primarily residential areas or gated communities where amenities and entertainment may be located farther away. These villas for rent in Dubai may be ideal for families, with a quiet environment to bring up the kids. However, a single professional looking to live close to their workplace or a couple wanting to be near restaurants, bars and entertainment options will prefer the convenience of apartment living.
If you would prefer a private outdoor space, a villa or townhouse would be the right choice for you. However, social butterflies may prefer apartment complexes, which offer residents more opportunities to socialise with their neighbours!
Popular villa communities such as Arabian Ranches or The Springs also house schools and nurseries, making them a good choice for families. However, budget-conscious tenants can also opt for apartments in integrated communities such as Dubai Sports City or Dubai Silicon Oasis, which feature both property types and also have schools in the area.
Ultimately, the choice between renting apartments vs villas in Dubai largely depends on your lifestyle.
Views
While this may seem less important than the other factors on this list, surrounding views do contribute to the vibe and feel of your home! Some luxury apartments in Dubai come with unparalleled views for the lucky tenants to enjoy, although these do go for a higher rental price. You can choose the apartments in Jumeirah Beach Residence for sweeping views of the Arabian Ocean or the rental flats in Downtown Dubai for panoramic views of the city skyline.
On the other hand, tenants of most Dubai villas will enjoy charming views of their neighbourhood. Those willing to pay higher rents can experience lake or golf course views if they are living in a villa community. So, the choice between villas vs apartments in Dubai depends on your personal preference – do you enjoy views of sparkling cityscapes or idyllic lakes?
Amenities
So which is better – a villa or apartment in Dubai? You should look at the amenities and facilities you’ll have access to. Those who rely on public transport such as the Dubai Metro to commute to work will most definitely prefer an apartment, as nearly all villa communities are located further away from the metro line.
Apartment towers typically have an attached grocery store, salon or laundry service at the ground level or nearby. However, those living in independent villas will likely have to drive a short distance before they get to the nearest supermarket or mall. Similarly, gated villa communities will also feature a community centre with these facilities, which may not be so easily accessible on foot.
Finally, most apartment towers in Dubai offer access to shared facilities such as gymnasium, pool and play areas for kids, which may not be available in an independent, standalone villa. However, villa communities such as The Springs or The Lakes boast extensive facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, football grounds, jogging tracks and community lawns, although tenants can expect to pay more for these villas.
That’s our guide on choosing between Dubai apartments or villas for rent! As you can see, there are many factors to take into account when deciding between renting an apartment or villa in Dubai, especially your lifestyle and budget. We hope this article makes it easier for you to choose what is better – a villa or apartment for rent in Dubai. No matter whatever you choose, our list of movers and packers in Dubai will come in handy.
If you’re new to the city, discover more about life in Dubai and what this vibrant place offers for different age groups. Here is a comprehensive guide on the cost of living in Dubai to help you determine the amount you need to spend a comfortable life in the city.
Thinking of taking the plunge towards homeownership? You can consider investing in off-plan properties in Dubai, which offer affordable payment plans and the opportunity for capital appreciation. You can take a look at some of the most notable off-plan developments by Emaar or upcoming projects by Dubai Properties, both of which are reputed developers in the emirate.
If you’re still unsure of whether to invest or rent a property in Dubai, know that the city ensures a healthy relationship between tenants and landlords. There is an array of tenant responsibilities that renters are obliged and in case of any disagreement, they can always file for rent dispute in Dubai.
