Gated community living in Dubai: the pros and cons of Al Furjan
Strategically located on Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Furjan is an upscale multipurpose residential complex with quality infrastructure in the heart of Dubai. Developed by Nakheel, Al Furjan is a lively community that truly reflects the vibrant culture of Dubai. The community’s brilliantly planned commercial and residential properties make it a highly sought after location for all.
Properties in Al Furjan
The distinctive locale of this complex offers an interesting variety of real estate in Dubai. Properties in Al Furjan mainly comprise shops, luxury apartments, townhouses and upscale villas for rent and sale.
The complex is conveniently divided into four distinguished neighbourhoods that are beautifully balanced with urban architecture and natural green spaces. Built to achieve the highest international standards, the complex also offers freehold property for expats in Dubai. The available residential options include over 300 apartments comprising of studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom floor plans. One can also find a variety of villas and independent townhouses in Al Furjan that come in 3 to 6-bedroom spreads.
Prices for buying apartments in Al Furjan start at AED 260k, while the lowest price for rental apartments in Al Furjan is AED 32k as per current listing on Bayut. Prices for rental villas range between AED 99k and AED 300k. Townhouses for rent in Al Furjan can cost anywhere between AED 115k and AED 180k per annum.
Pros and Cons of Al Furjan
There are plenty of residential properties in Al Furjan to choose from. The area is highly desired, but investing in properties is a big decision. Whether you want to buy or rent property in this palatial complex, it is always better to know the pros and cons of Al Furjan before you make the final call.
The Benefits of Living in Al Furjan
Excellent Connectivity
One of the biggest advantages of living in Al Furjan is its infrastructure. The complex has an excellent road network to allow easy access to all the main attractions in Dubai, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, the Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and more. In addition to the road network, Al Furjan is also set to be part of the Route 2020 that links it to the EXPO 2020 site via the Dubai Metro Red Line. The Metro will soon run on the main Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road along the Al Furjan community and other residential complexes such as Dubai Sports City and Discovery Gardens. Those interested in the apartments and villas for sale in Al Furjan should lock in on the reasonable prices now, as post EXPO 2020, the area is expected to become far more popular.
The Joys of a Gated Community
It’s human nature to want to belong somewhere and with a community like Al Furjan, actualising this need becomes easier. One of the biggest benefits of Al Furjan is the fact that the community offers public parks, playing grounds, a sports arena, a fully equipped gym, and four fitness studios for leisure and fitness. Also accessible for residents are the temperature-controlled pools separate for both adults and kids. All these facilities make for great opportunities for people living in Al Furjan to mingle and build on community values.
In addition, the gated community has two community centres that conduct regular events that residents can participate in. There is a separate activity centre for kids – The Ark UAE. It’s a safe place where young minds can explore and enjoy various entertainment activities.
Easy Access to Everyday Amenities
Life in Al Furjan is convenient. The gated community of Al Furjan has four sub-communities that share the collective amenities in the area. The bustling Al Furjan Pavilion is where most of these facilities are concentrated. You can find Spinneys, the Al Furjan Club House, schools, pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, retailers, general stores and other outlets.
There is a community mosque in Al Furjan West. While Al Furjan does not have dedicated community churches and gurudwaras, these places of worship can be easily accessed in Jebel Ali, which is a 10-minutes’ drive away from the community. As far as healthcare is concerned, the community has 12-hour operational Medicentres located in the Al Furjan Pavilion and the Advanced Care Oncology Centre in Al Furjan South.
The Location
One of the greatest perks of living in Al Furjan is the support and comfort of a closely knit society. But even better is an ideal location that puts you in proximity to everything you need or might need. Al Furjan’s location is nothing short of that. The community stands in the heart of one of Dubai’s fastest developing regions, which means there’s a lot to do, even outside Al Furjan.
Out of the top malls in Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall is the closest to the complex. The Ibn Battuta Mall with its plethora of retail outlets is just 12 minutes’ drive away. The nearest hospital – the NMC Royal Hospital can be reached within 20 minutes. Jebel Ali, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), and Dubai Investment Park in the nearby vicinity are home to noteworthy schools, nurseries and university campuses. If Spinneys isn’t enough, you can easily head over to Carrefour in Discovery Gardens. For outstanding entertainment, the Reel Cinemas in Jebel Ali is only 15 minutes away. Living in Al Furjan means that most things are easily accessible.
The Cons
While there are numerous benefits for moving to Al Furjan, there are still a few things to consider when you choose this location for your home.
More Suitable If You Have Your Own Car
An excellent network of roads and highways connects the community to the rest of Dubai. The area remains slightly alienated in terms of public transport; however, it offers access to Dubai Metro Stations. The nearest Metro station would require at least a 30-minute walk to reach, which may present an inconvenience for those who rely on public transport for their daily commute. On the flip side, most Al Furjan residents own private cars that help them reduce their travel time.
The good news is, that the Red Line Metro extension of Route 2020, one of the planned projects for EXPO 2020, is making headway. The route is expected to be completed later this year or early 2020. This route that passes right outside Al Furjan, will make the community more accessible for a wider range of people. For now, the project is under construction and that brings us to the next downside of living in Al Furjan.
Traffic Can Be a Problem for Some
With the concept of public transportation being almost negligible and most people travelling in their own cars, there can be some amount of congestion during peak hours. Metro construction in the area has temporarily heightened the traffic conditions.
That said, on the brighter side of things, this traffic issue will be resolved once the Metro route extension is completed. Residents will have access to the efficient Metro bus service and those on a tight schedule can choose public transport over private conveyance. Also, the completion of the route means no roadside halts and hurdles for “work in progress,” which translates to lesser traffic congestions.
Why Should You Consider Investing in Al Furjan
While you’re weighing the pros and cons of Al Furjan, it is imperative to keep in mind the future market prospects for the region. Located in ideal proximity to the Expo 2020 site, prices for residential properties in Al Furjan are expected to sky-rocket. This might be an excellent time to invest in apartments and villas in Al Furjan because the area will become popular with every passing day.
It is quite obvious that the benefits of living in Al Furjan surpass the downsides to it by a substantial margin. For those of you who are considering renting properties in Al Furjan, now is the time. So, choose wisely – with real estate, timing is everything.
Al Furjan is one of the most popular areas that allow freehold land acquisition in Dubai. However, if none of that works for you, consider the villas for rent in Green Community instead. Alternatively, you can even browse rental apartments in Discovery Gardens.
