Dubai is a cosmopolitan hub with residents from around the world, who have different individual preferences when it comes to the ideal location to call home. While some prefer areas that feature high-end accommodation, offering an extensive portfolio of luxury villas and apartments, others look for areas that are more affordable and have strong connections to the region’s rich cultural past. Today, let’s take a look at a comparison of living in Old Dubai vs New Dubai based on the type of areas, properties, amenities and much more.
OLD DUBAI VS NEW DUBAI – A COMPARISON
While you can discover interesting facts about Dubai’s history through old Dubai, New Dubai offers you an insight into the progress and evolution of the city. Let’s take a closer look at how living in New Dubai compares to Old Dubai.
AREAS
The major difference between old and new Dubai is based on the type of areas. Old Dubai typically features historic, well-established areas like Bur Dubai, Deira, Al Nahda, Al Karama and Al Garhoud that have evolved over an extended period of time to become bustling commercial and residential centres in the city.
In comparison, areas such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Arabian Ranches epitomise the glitz and glamour of New Dubai, with swanky hotels, phenomenal architecture and beautiful promenades.
PROPERTY TYPES
While both the newer and older parts of Dubai have a wide range of property options for residents to choose from, generally properties in New Dubai are more recently constructed and feature more shared common amenities such as pools and gyms. The most common types of residential properties in Dubai – villas and apartments – are available in both areas of the city, but the newer areas also offer a bigger inventory of lofts, townhouses and duplexes for residents in Dubai.
AMENITIES
While both the areas have an abundance of facilities, the newer areas have more facilities for people of determination, barbecue areas, daycare centres with some properties even offering luxurious saunas, jacuzzi, swimming pools and more. Older areas primarily focus on the basic utilities such as elevators, security and parking spaces.
When it comes to other amenities, both sides of town offer access to supermarkets, schools, healthcare centres, restaurants and malls. The schools and hospitals in Old Dubai are, however, predictably older while the options in the more recently launched developments are more modern and contemporary.
ATTRACTIONS
When it comes to attractions, there is no shortage of tourist hotspots in both older and newer parts of the town. The older areas in Dubai have historic spots such as Deira Clocktower, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the emirate’s first major port, Dubai Creek.
Newer areas, however, feature the most unique restaurants and coffee places in Dubai as well as a large variety of Dubai’s most famous tourist spots. The prime examples include the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest musical fountain – The Dubai Fountain and the stunning Palm Jumeirah.
PRICES
Here is a complete breakdown of prices based on the top areas in the older and newer parts of Dubai.
FOR AREAS IN OLD DUBAI
According to prices advertised over the last six months on Bayut, the average rent of apartments in Al Garhoud ranges between AED 45k and AED 96k. Villas in Al Garhoud, however, have rents that average between AED 120k and AED 175k.
For those keen on renting in Al Karama, there are quite a few options available, from cosy studios to large 3-bedroom apartments. The average rent of Al Karama apartments starts at AED 39k.
The third most popular area with tenants in Old Dubai, the flats in Al Nahda are available for rentals between AED 29k – AED 87k.
Other areas to rent apartments and villas in older Dubai include Bur Dubai and Deira. While tenants renting apartments in Bur Dubai pay an average of AED 37k – AED 132k, there is a small inventory of villas in the community available for an average of AED 185k. The Deira apartment rentals, however, cost between AED 28k and AED 126k on average, depending on the type of unit you are opting for.
AREAS | APARTMENTS | VILLAS |
|---|---|---|
AREAS Al Garhoud | APARTMENTS AED 45,000 – AED 96,000 | VILLAS AED 120,000 – AED 175,000 |
AREAS Al Karama | APARTMENTS AED 39,000 – AED 90,000 | VILLAS N/A |
AREAS Al Nahda | APARTMENTS AED 29,000 – AED 87,000 | VILLAS N/A |
AREAS Bur Dubai | APARTMENTS AED 37,000 – AED 132,000 | VILLAS AED 185, 000 – AED 221,000 |
AREAS Deira | APARTMENTS AED 28,000 – AED 126,000 | VILLAS AED 80,000 – AED 186,000 |
FOR AREAS IN NEW DUBAI
When it comes to areas in New Dubai, the prices of these neighbourhoods vary based on the property type. While some areas offer both apartments and villas, others specialise in one type of property. The most popular area for renting both apartments and villas in New Dubai is Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). While Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai do have a certain number of podium villas, they are more well known for their apartments.
The apartments in the Downtown Dubai range between AED 57k and AED 644k while villas start at AED 92k.
Tenants can find flats for rent in Dubai Marina starting at an average price of AED 47k. Villas in Dubai Marina, however, range between AED 157k and AED 492k.
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) offers a choice of affordable apartments, villas and townhouses. The apartments for rent in JVC are available at an average price ranging from AED 32k and AED 136k.
While DIFC offers apartments, Arabian Ranches is popularly known for picturesque villas in Dubai. The rent of apartments in DIFC starts at AED 63k while Arabian Ranches houses are available between AED 104k and AED 298k.
AREA | APARTMENTS | VILLAS |
|---|---|---|
AREA DIFC | APARTMENTS AED 63,000 – AED 173,000 | VILLAS N/A |
AREA Downtown Dubai | APARTMENTS AED 57,000 – AED 644,000 | VILLAS AED 92,000 – AED 262,000 |
AREA Dubai Marina | APARTMENTS AED 46,000 – AED 323,000 | VILLAS AED 157,000 – AED 492,000 |
AREA Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | APARTMENTS AED 32,000 – AED 114,000 | VILLAS AED 72,000 – AED 136,000 |
AREA Arabian Ranches | APARTMENTS N/A | VILLAS AED 104,000 – AED 298,000 |
As you can see, the prices for properties in New Dubai generally tend to be on the higher side. But this is understandable, considering the more modern facilities on offer. For investors keen on buying properties in Dubai, most of the freehold areas are also located in New Dubai. If you are looking for areas where you can enjoy free ownership, check out these freehold areas in Dubai for 2020. For those of you who prefer to live in areas epitomising the culture and heritage of the UAE, take a look at the most popular areas in old Dubai for rent.
And that brings an end to our comparison between Old Dubai and New Dubai. Each of them offers comfortable and peaceful living for residents in Dubai. It’s up to you – whichever of these areas you deem most fitting for your preferences and needs.
