Living in Deira vs Bur Dubai– where to rent or buy in Old Dubai?
- Overview
- Renting Apartments
- Buying Apartments
- Renting Villas
- Buying Villas
- Life in Bur Dubai vs Deira
- FAQs
With the perfect harmony of tradition and modernity, the well-established district of ‘Old Dubai’ is a firm favourite among residents of the emirate. Two of the most popular neighbourhoods within the larger Old Dubai area are Bur Dubai and Deira. While Dubai is best known for its towering skyscrapers and fast-paced life, the bustling lanes and glittering souks in these areas hold their own charm and appeal. Let’s explore the major differences between Bur Dubai and Deira.
LIVING IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA: AN OVERVIEW
Bur Dubai and Deira are among the oldest districts in the emirate and are located fairly close to each other. Bur Dubai might not have the swanky streets and skyscrapers of ‘New Dubai’, but it still is one of the most popular areas in Dubai for renting apartments.
The area has several low-rise residential buildings close to supermarkets, restaurants and public transport facilities. Bur Dubai is also home to two of the most popular leisure destinations in Dubai – The Dubai Frame and Zabeel Park, the latter of which is one of the largest parks in Dubai.
Bur Dubai is also home to several historically significant sites in Dubai such as the Dubai Museum, The Ruler’s Court, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and Al Shindagha Historical District. Some of the other major attractions include the Grand Mosque, which features the city’s tallest minaret and the blue-tiled Iranian Mosque.
The stunning waterfront route of Bur Dubai features a line-up of dhows offering dinner cruises. The district also has many shopping streets and textile souks such as Al Seef and Meena Bazaar.
On the other hand, Deira is the oldest commercial hub of Dubai and has been around longer than other hubs such as DIFC, Business Bay and Downtown Dubai.
One of the significant advantages of living in Deira is that it is located on the Dubai-Sharjah border, making it one of the best options for those who regularly commute between the two emirates.
Deira also borders Dubai Creek, the oldest commercial trade route in Dubai. This charming, old part of the emirate is also home to the glittering Gold Souk, which is highly popular among visitors.
Deira is home to Al Ghurair Centre, the oldest mall in Dubai. The area is also one of the biggest trading hubs for spices, textiles, artefacts, decorative items and other products from Asian and African countries, in particular.
Keeping up with contemporary Dubai, Deira today appeals to tourists with its old-world charm and plethora of restaurants.
Let’s find out more about living in Deira vs Bur Dubai, as well as the average rent and sales prices of residential properties in both areas.
RENTING APARTMENTS IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA
When it comes to renting in Bur Dubai and Deira, there is a large variety of apartments in both areas; these range from studio flats to spacious 3 and 4-bedroom apartments.
While the cost of renting a flat in both areas is fairly reasonable, it can vary depending on the amenities available in and around the building. For instance, apartment buildings that are located next to a metro station are likely to carry a higher rental price.
|
Area
|
Studios
|
1-Bedroom Units
|
2-Bedroom Units
|
3-Bedroom Units
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Area
Bur Dubai
|
Studios
AED 38,000
|
1-Bedroom Units
AED 59,000
|
2-Bedroom Units
AED 79,000
|
3-Bedroom Units
AED 102,000
|
|
Area
Deira
|
Studios
AED 28,000
|
1-Bedroom Units
AED 45,000
|
2-Bedroom Units
AED 68,000
|
3-Bedroom Units
AED 98,000
|
The average price for a studio apartment for rent in Bur Dubai is AED 38k per year. A 1-bed apartment in Bur Dubai is available for an average of AED 59k per annum on average.
Those looking for more spacious options can opt for a 2-bedroom flat for an average price of 79k per year. A spacious 3-bedroom apartment for rent in Bur Dubai averages at AED 102k annually.
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 349 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 986 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 783 SQFT
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 237 SQFT
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 239 SQFT
Deira Dubai is also one of the popular areas to rent apartments in Old Dubai. Tenants primarily prefer renting studios in Deira, but 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments are also highly sought after.
The annual rent for studios in Deira averages AED 28k, while a 1BHK flat for rent can cost around AED 45k per year.
A 2-bedroom rental apartment in Deira will set you back by AED 68k per year, while a larger 3BHK flat for rent in Deira is available for an average of AED 98k per year.
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 1075 SQFT
BUYING APARTMENTS IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA
Bur Dubai has many residential projects where you can find apartments for sale. The flats for sale in Bur Dubai range from cosy studios to spacious 3-BHK apartments. Let’s look at the price breakdown for apartments for sale in both areas.
|
Area
|
ROI
|
Studios
|
1-Bedroom
|
2-Bedroom
|
3-Bedroom
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Area
Bur Dubai
|
ROI
3.10%
|
Studios
AED 1,288,000
|
1-Bedroom
AED 1,704,000
|
2-Bedroom
AED 2,528,000
|
3-Bedroom
AED 4,115,000
|
|
Area
Deira
|
ROI
2.49%
|
Studios
–
|
1-Bedroom
AED 2,519,000
|
2-Bedroom
AED 3,729,000
|
3-Bedroom
AED 5,609,000
|
On average, a studio apartment for sale in Bur Dubai is available for AED 1.28M, and a 1-bedroom flat for sale in Bur Dubai is available for AED 1.70M.
Those looking for a bigger home can get a spacious 2-bedroom flat for an average price of AED 2.52M, while a luxurious and airy 3-bedroom apartment for sale in Bur Dubai costs a whopping AED 4.11M on average. The ROI for properties for sale in Bur Dubai is 3.10%
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 1697 SQFT
On the other hand, those on the lookout for apartments for sale in Deira can get a 1-bedroom flat for sale for AED 2.51M. An airy 2-bedroom apartment for sale in Deira is AED 3.72M and a 3-bedroom apartment is available for AED 5.60M. ROI for investment in Deira stands at 2.49%.
VILLAS FOR RENT IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA
While Bur Dubai and Deira are best known for their massive portfolio of rental apartments, the latter also has some villas for rent and sale.
Tenants can get a 3-bedroom villa for rent in Deira for AED 90k yearly on average. Looking for a bigger home? A 4-bedroom rental villa is available for AED 150k per annum, while a 5-bedroom villa can be rented for around AED 185k per annum. Similarly, a 6-bedroom villa for rent is available for AED 192k.
Bur Dubai has a limited number of villas for rent. On average, tenants can get 3-bedroom villas for rent in Bur Dubai for AED 187k. Bigger units such as 5 and 6-bedroom villas have an average yearly rental cost of AED 295k and AED 350k, respectively.
VILLAS FOR SALE IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA
Compared with Bur Dubai, there are limited villas for sale in Deira. These properties range between 3 to 5 bedroom units. The average price to buy a 3-bedroom villa in Deira is AED 1.60M, whereas a 5-bedroom unit costs AED 2.04M on average. The ROI for these properties is 4.65%.
LIFE IN BUR DUBAI VS DEIRA
Bur Dubai is one of the largest residential hubs in the city; some of its popular communities include Al Mankhool, Oud Metha, Culture Village, Al Raffa, Al Jaddaf, Al Karama and Umm Hurair. In Deira, Al Rigga and Al Muteena are popular with renters.
The apartments for rent in Bur Dubai and Deira are among the most affordable options in the emirate.
Bur Dubai and Deira are quite popular with the Indian and Pakistani expat communities, so there’s no shortage of restaurants and ethnic stores where you can find food and products from these regions. Bur Dubai is also home to several popular upscale hotels and restaurants amongst tourists and residents alike.
Bur Dubai and Deira have all the necessary amenities such as schools, hospitals, clinics, restaurants, supermarkets and much more. Both residential areas are also well connected by public transport facilities; there are multiple metro stations, bus stations and abras connecting these neighbourhoods to the rest of the emirate.
Deira is also fairly popular among residents who frequently travel to Sharjah for work. The Dubai International Airport is also a short drive away from the Deira community. It’s also home to a number of souks in Dubai such as the Gold Souk, Spice Souk and more.
If you’re wondering which of these neighbourhoods is right for you, learn more about what these areas have to offer with our in-depth guide to living in Bur Dubai vs Deira.
FAQs about Living in Deira vs. Bur Dubai
WHAT ARE THE BEST AREAS TO RENT APARTMENTS IN DEIRA?
Deira is a thriving residential community with plenty of apartments available for rent. Popular areas to rent apartments in Deira include Al Rigga, Al Muteena, Al Baraha, Al Murar and Al Muraqqabat.
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO RENT APARTMENTS IN BUR DUBAI?
Popular areas to rent apartments in Bur Dubai include Al Jaddaf, Al Mankhool and Oud Mehta.
This brings us to the end of our guide on life in Bur Dubai vs Deira. As you can see, both of these Old Dubai communities offer a similar lifestyle for residents. However, Deira does have an edge when it comes to affordability. Similarly, those who frequently commute to Sharjah would prefer to live in Deira as well. On the other hand, Bur Dubai is best suited to those who want easy access to other hubs such as Downtown Dubai, DIFC and Sheikh Zayed Road.
We also have similar handy guides for other popular residential neighbourhoods in Dubai. For instance, take a look at our comparison of life in DAMAC Hills vs Town Square. If you’re not sure whether Old Dubai is the right choice for you, check out our guide to living in Old Dubai vs New Dubai!
