Convenient or too congested? Pros and cons of living in Bur Dubai
Wonder what it’s like living in Bur Dubai? Strategically positioned between the old and new sides of the emirate, Bur Dubai is one of the largest residential hubs. It is also one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods, close to Deira, Karama, Satwa and Al Garhoud. Residents love being part of a dynamic community that enjoys quick access to facilities, including schools, malls and parks.
Bur Dubai is one of the most popular residential communities among expats from the sub-continent and other Asian countries. It features a mix of apartment buildings, hotels and spacious villas. If you want to move to the area, here are the pros and cons of living in Bur Dubai that you need to consider.
LIVING IN BUR DUBAI – WHAT IS IT LIKE?
Bur Dubai features various sub-districts, ranging from vibrant, busy areas to quiet, family-friendly communities.
Al Fahidi is a historic neighbourhood. Similarly, Al Jaddaf features modern apartment buildings, while Al Mankhool is another popular area near Karama. Oud Metha is a sub-district best known for its outstanding schools. Al Raffa, in particular, has a good selection of villas. Lastly, Zabeel, home to the royal residences, is part of Bur Dubai.
Despite the launch of more upscale communities with ultra-modern properties, Bur Dubai has remained one of the most sought after locations for renting because of its desirable location and abundance of amenities.
PROS OF LIVING IN BUR DUBAI
Here’s a look at some of the benefits of living in Bur Dubai.
LOCATION
The area’s strategic location, as stated earlier, is one of the biggest attractions. Residents have easy access to Downtown Dubai, DIFC, Deira and Dubai International Airport. Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road connect Bur Dubai to different areas. Hence, commuting is never a hassle.
PERFECT FOR EXPAT FAMILIES
Bur Dubai is especially popular among Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Bangladeshi expats. Not to mention, there are many fun things to do in Bur Dubai for people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
The area has supermarkets with dedicated products catering to specific expat communities. The smaller groceries and marts stock products to cater to Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi and Russian expats. Even when it comes to schools, parents can choose between various curriculums, including British, French, Pakistani and Indian.
EASY ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Those relying on Dubai public transportation will indeed not find it challenging to live in Bur Dubai. Both the Red and Green Line of the Dubai Metro are easily accessible.
Dedicated Green Line stations are present in Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi, Oud Metha, Dubai Healthcare City and Al Jaddaf. Whereas the Red Line serves the ADCB Metro Station. Burjuman Metro Station is an interchange station.
The Al Ghubaiba bus station in the district has bus routes operating to nearly all parts of the UAE, including Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Because of the popularity of the area, taxis are available at all times during the day.
CATERS TO THE MULTICULTURAL POPULATION IN DUBAI
Religious diversity and tolerance are among the most important benefits of living in Bur Dubai. You’d find many places of worship catering to diverse religious beliefs, making the area an accurate representation of the multicultural nature of the emirate.
The Grand Mosque Dubai, Zabeel Masjid and Masjid Al Walden are some prominent mosques in the community for Muslim residents.
The Krishna and Shiva temples in Bur Dubai are the first temples in the UAE. One of the oldest churches in the UAE, St Mary’s Church, is based in Oud Metha.
NO SHORTAGE OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY AMENITIES
Parents with school-going kids prefer living in Bur Dubai because of the top educational institutes. Top nurseries in Bur Dubai include Chubby Cheeks Nursery, Hope Montessori Nursery and British Orchard Nursery.
The Indian High School is one of the best Indian schools in Dubai, while Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) is the preferred option for many. If you are looking for British curriculum schools, your options include Dubai Gem Private School, GEMS Winchester School and St. Mary Catholic High School. There is a French school in Bur Dubai, Lycée Francaise International.
Another major benefit of living in Bur Dubai for families is that it is home to several multi-speciality hospitals. The list of acclaimed hospitals in Bur Dubai includes Medeor in Umm Hurair and Mediclinic in Dubai Healthcare City. There are several top hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in Bur Dubai.
Those living in Bur Dubai need not travel far to spot the top supermarkets in Dubai, including Carrefour, Choithrams, Lulu and Spinneys.
THE WIDE VARIETY OF PROPERTIES IN BUR DUBAI
There are many options in terms of accommodation. When it comes to property sizes, there is a mix of larger 2 and 3-bed flats as well as smaller studios and 1-bedroom units. This extensive property portfolio is one of the biggest benefits of renting in Bur Dubai.
Most apartments here are pretty reasonably priced. Those who opt for chiller free rental flats in Bur Dubai can save quite a bit on living expenses.
THE ABUNDANCE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Residents are less likely to get bored as there are many activities for families and kids.
Families can find picnic spots in many nearby parks, including Zabeel Park, one of the best parks in Dubai. It features the famous Dubai Frame, a super tall structure from where you can see the best of new and old Dubai. Al Nasr Leisureland is another family attraction where tourists and families gather to experience sporting events and concerts.
Several museums are also located in Bur Dubai. The Museum of Illusions, Dubai Museum, Coffee Museum and Jameel Arts Centre attract locals and expats. Marsa Al Seef and Sikka Art Gallery are popular among cultural enthusiasts. During weekends, parents can easily entertain kids at the Dubai Garden Glow.
EXCITING SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
From traditional souks to open markets and glamorous malls, there is a wide variety of shopping outlets in Bur Dubai. Bargain hunters will be happy to know that there are numerous thrift shops, textile souks and other smaller shops where you can get a great deal.
There are some well-known malls in Bur Dubai to cater to the retail needs of residents. WAFI Mall and Burjuman Centre are some of the oldest malls in the emirate. If these Bur Dubai shopping areas are not enough, several shopping centres are also operational in the neighbouring districts of Deira and Al Karama.
THE VARIETY OF CULINARY TREATS
Foodies will not be disappointed by the sheer number of restaurants in Bur Dubai. The area is a culinary treasure as it is home to Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, Italian and American restaurants. Besides the bars and eateries in the famous hotels, small street vendors have become household names.
The Tomo and Miss Wang Restaurants are popular for Asian food, and Ustad Special Kebab is even popular with the royal family! Vegetarian eateries in Bur Dubai, such as Rajdhani Delight and Grub Shack, cater to a loyal clientele. Similarly, there are many fast-food restaurants in Bur Dubai.
CONS OF LIVING IN BUR DUBAI
While there are many perks of living in Bur Dubai, there are a few challenges.
PARKING
One of the biggest disadvantages of living in Bur Dubai is limited parking. Being an extremely populated area, finding parking during peak hours is challenging.
TRAFFIC
Roads can get busy during peak hours which is another thing to consider when moving to Bur Dubai. Some areas in Bur Dubai have narrow roads, so you might spend more time reaching your destination.
FAQS
WHICH IS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, DEIRA OR BUR DUBAI?
Considering whether to move to Deira or Bur Dubai? Check out our blog on living in Deira vs Bur Dubai to kickstart your research.
ARE THERE ANY HOTELS IN BUR DUBAI?
Since the area is popular among tourists looking for affordable accommodation, you can easily find top hotels in Bur Dubai.
There you have it – everything you need to know about living in Bur Dubai. If you plan to move to the area, our list of movers and packers in Dubai will come in handy.
If you are looking for similar areas, be sure to check out the pros and cons of living in Al Karama, another popular, vibrant old Dubai community.
