Living in Dubai: Budget vs Luxury Rental Apartments

Homes! They can be such a reflection of ourselves, right from the look and feel of the house to the location and size of the property. Some of us like cosy studios in plush locations, while some of us prefer large homes in quieter neighbourhoods. This week, we at Bayut bring you the best save or splurge choices for those looking at rental apartments in Dubai. Take a look at these affordable vs luxury apartment rentals in Dubai, for popular areas with studios, 1 and 2-bedroom units for rent in the city.

Affordable Studio in JVC Vs Luxury apartment in Dubai Marina

JVC vs Dubai Marina studios for rent — Save with a studio in JVC or splurge with a Dubai Marina apartment

There is certainly no shortage of Dubai studios for those looking at a snug, private space that’s easy to maintain. The wide variety of choice also means that you can either save thousands of dirhams by renting in a pocket-friendly location, or, you can splurge on fancy, upscale rental apartments in one of Dubai’s premium districts. For renting studios in Dubai, one of the most in-demand locations is predictably Dubai Marina, the preferred home of Dubai’s elite professionals, close to the commercial hubs of Dubai Internet City, Media City and JLT. The average rent for a studio in Dubai Marina is AED 62k. Now, some of us would be absolutely fine with dishing out this sum for a gorgeous waterfront Dubai Marina apartment with views of the Marina docked with opulent yachts.

If you are, however, looking to rent an apartment in Dubai that is a little less fancy and more affordable, yet close to the commercial hubs of New Dubai, the studios in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) are a great alternative. They are modern, spacious rental apartments allowing you access to community living at a modest price tag. The average annual rent for a studio in JVC is AED 42k, which is a significant AED 20k less than those in Dubai Marina. Definitely, a healthy amount to go into the savings account for a rainy day.

Modest 1-bedroom Apartment in Discovery Gardens or Upscale Flat in Palm Jumeirah

Discovery Gardens Vs Palm Jumeirah 1 bedroom apartmnet for rent — Save with a 1BHK in Discovery Gardens or splurge with a 1BHK in Palm Jumeirah?

The man-made archipelago of Palm Jumeirah is one of the most incredible places to rent apartments in Dubai with beautiful apartments, gorgeous views and an array of recreational facilities to rival the world’s best. Living on The Palm comes with an enviable list of amenities, including waterfront views, exceptionally maintained buildings, a dedicated mono-rail, malls and supermarkets. The annual average rent of AED 131k for 1-bedroom apartments in Palm Jumeirah is a small price to pay for this luxury address in Dubai, which is in close proximity to the Jebel Ali free-zone.

If you are wallet conscious, you could look at properties in the Discovery Gardens, one of the first communities to introduce the city to the perks of renting in a gated community at a reasonable price. The 1-bedroom apartments in Discovery Gardens command significantly lower annual rents, at AED 60k on average. That’s less than half what you would pay for a property of the same size in Palm Jumeirah. In fact, if you save AED 70k on average for 3 years, you might even have enough money for a down-payment to buy a 1-bedroom apartment in Discovery Gardens!

Reasonable 2-bedroom apartment in Business Bay or Elite 2-bedroom property in Downtown Dubai

Business Bay vs Downtown Dubai Apartments for rent — Save with a 2-bed in Business Bay or splurge with a 2-bed in Downtown Dubai

Often described as the centre of Dubai, the bustling district of Downtown Dubai is an address unlike any other in the city. Living in Downtown Dubai has a host of benefits; you are literally in the epicentre of all the happening things in the city with most tourist attractions just a short distance away. With the towering Burj Khalifa, mammoth Dubai Mall, scintillating Dubai Fountains and cultural centre Dubai Opera, there are plenty of reasons for wanting to look at rental apartments in Downtown Dubai. The average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Downtown Dubai is AED 160k, which might be on the higher end of the scale for many of us. But one can’t really put a price on feeling like a rockstar, which is what a Downtown Dubai apartment is all about.

If you are looking at an area close to Downtown Dubai, with slightly lower rents, look no further than the properties in Business Bay. They are a short ten-minute drive away from the many things to do in Downtown Dubai and boast an equal selection of high-end amenities. The average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Business Bay is AED 124k. So if you decide to save instead of splurge that’s an annual saving of AED 36k; enough funds for a down-payment for that fancy car you have been eyeing for a while.

As you can see there’s always a choice for those looking for rental apartments in Dubai. It’s a matter of choosing priorities, managing budgets and finding the property that matches your goals when it comes to the perfect home. Now that you know the best budget and luxury options for popular districts in the city, what are you most likely to do: Save or Splurge? Don’t forget to let us know what your top choices are when it comes to finding the perfect apartments in Dubai. Stay tuned to the best property blog in Dubai for more information on the real estate market in Dubai.