Living in Business Bay – Ideal city life or a bit too hectic?
Business Bay is more than just a hub of skyscrapers. It boasts a variety of modern amenities, such as entertainment venues, luxurious apartments, hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. Living in Business Bay also means being near Downtown Dubai – one of the city’s most vibrant areas. If you are considering relocating here, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons of living in Business Bay to help you make an informed decision. Let’s take a look.
PROPERTIES IN BUSINESS BAY
Over the years, Business Bay has developed as a major commercial and residential district in Dubai. The community enjoys a central location next to Downtown Dubai and proximity to DIFC, Al Quoz and Jumeirah.
Residential properties in this community include luxury apartments and podium villas for rent and sale.
You are spoilt for choice in Business Bay when it comes to places to live. Plenty of beautiful, spacious apartments are for sale in complexes and stand-alone towers. Flats here are usually available in studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4-bed configurations.
PROS OF LIVING IN BUSINESS BAY
Moving on to the pros and cons of living in Business Bay, let’s first look at why people want to move here.
IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILIES
Larger residential units mean you will see many families living in the district. There are nurseries and pre-schools, including the Maple Bear Pre-School. Residents will also find plenty of top schools near Business Bay, including GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, JSS Private School and Horizon English School.
The residents also have easy access to healthcare facilities in Business Bay such as Emirates Hospital Clinic, located within the community.
Bay Avenue Park is a great place for kids to have fun. Many buildings have dedicated kids’ play areas and other recreational facilities. Teenagers will likely love Bay Avenue, with its funky graffiti-style design and skate park. It’s a great place for them to hang out with friends within the neighbourhood.
A CENTRAL LOCATION
If glittering skyscrapers are what you love about Dubai, living in Business Bay is a good option. Unlike Downtown Dubai, a key benefit of considering apartments in Business Bay is that you have spacious units.
One of the biggest benefits of living in Business Bay is its approximately 12 to 15-minute drive from Downtown Dubai and all its marvellous amenities, including The Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Opera and the ever-trendy Downtown Dubai restaurants.
TOP-NOTCH AMENITIES
One of the pros of living in Business Bay is the ease of access to retail stores, convenience outlets and supermarkets. And if you prefer an active lifestyle, there are quite a few yoga studios and gyms in Business Bay.
DIVERSE POPULATION
Business Bay is an upbeat and vibrant neighbourhood. One of the biggest advantages of living in Business Bay is that you will find people from nearly every continent living in harmony.
Often, events at Bay Avenue, including concerts and farmer’s markets, present a great chance for the residents to interact. This means that you will always feel at home, no matter where you are from.
UPSCALE LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Business Bay is an absolute haven for those who love the high-end lifestyle. Many hotels in Business Bay offer great opportunities for fine dining and nightlife. Residents can even catch exhilarating artistic performances at La Perle by Dragone.
The Dubai Canal is also close by so you can go cruising in the city. With so many options just around the corner, your weekends will never be boring.
WELL-CONNECTED NEIGHBOURHOOD
If you rely on public transport for the daily commute, worry not, as Business Bay is exceptionally well-served by Dubai’s public transport system.
Regarding public transport in Business Bay, residents won’t be disappointed with the available choices. You can travel via Dubai Metro as the district has a dedicated Red Line station – Business Bay Metro Station. Taxis are available to help you commute in and out of the area. The locality also has a good network of buses.
CONS OF LIVING IN BUSINESS BAY
While we just enlisted all the benefits, living in Business Bay has certain challenges. Here are the disadvantages of living in Business Bay that might affect your decision.
A SKYSCRAPER DISTRICT
It’s hard to escape the skyscraper city feel when living here, as most buildings have over 20 floors. If you prefer outdoor areas, green spaces and quaint communities, Business Bay may not be your ideal option. Commercial and residential skyscrapers dominate this area.
RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC
As a leading commercial and residential district, it’s no surprise that rush hour traffic in Business Bay can be bothersome. Hundreds of people commute daily. Plus, hotels attract a large number of tourists. Traffic jams are perhaps the biggest disadvantage of living in Business Bay. However, it’s not something that cannot be worked around. For instance, you can always take extra time to get to your workplace in the morning.
HIGH COST OF LIVING
The cost of living in Business Bay will be higher than in other areas in Dubai, such as Al Nahda or Al Karama in Old Dubai or International City and JVC. But as you live close to major attractions, you might end up saving up on fuel and transportation costs.
NO SCHOOLS
There are no schools in Business Bay. However, there are several schools in neighbouring areas that you can consider for your kids. Especially considering the distances to some excellent schools are fairly short.
The most prominent options include the Jumeirah English Speaking School, The English College Al Safa and the GEMS Our Own Indian School.
FAQs About Living in Business Bay
WHICH ARE THE TOP BUILDINGS TO BUY APARTMENTS IN BUSINESS BAY?
You can find a variety of studios to 4-bedroom apartments in the neighbourhood. And if you’re searching for larger units, you can go for penthouses and duplexes. According to the sales transactions for apartments in Business Bay, Paramount Tower Hotel & Residences, Reva Residences and Mayfair Tower are some of the most popular options.
HOW FAR IS DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM BUSINESS BAY?
Depending on the traffic, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to drive from Business Bay to Dubai International Airport. This is another one of the pros of living in Business Bay.
ARE THERE ANY GOOD RESTAURANTS IN BUSINESS BAY?
Yes! Plenty. Some of the best restaurants in Business Bay are Tong Thai, Izakaya, Kitchen 6 and Prime 68.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BUSINESS BAY DUBAI?
There’s certainly no shortage of hot spots in this happening district of Dubai. Some of the best things to do in Business Bay include visiting the Water Canal, going for a walk around Bay Avenue Park and dining at one of the restaurants in the area.
And that’s all, folks! Overall, Business Bay is an excellent option for anyone who wants a modern lifestyle in a well-connected area of Dubai. If you aren’t considering buying a home immediately, you can always consider renting apartments in Business Bay.
For more neighbourhood options like Business Bay, you might want to check out the pros and cons of living in JLT.
