Pros and cons of living in Al Barsha: Convenient lifestyle or busy neighbourhood?
One of the most popular residential districts in Dubai, Al Barsha is known for its affordable apartments, spacious villas, beautiful parks and abundant amenities. If you are thinking of moving to this vibrant neighbourhood, it’s important to take stock of the pros and cons of living in Al Barsha to make an informed decision about whether the area’s lifestyle is right for you.
Comprising of several sub-communities such as Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3 as well as the newer area of Al Barsha South, this residential district is a favourite with both locals and expats.
Pros of living in Al Barsha
While there are many reasons to live in Al Barsha Dubai, here are some of the key features that make this neighbourhood a great option for families, young couples and single professionals.
Large area with different types of properties
One of the biggest advantages of living in Al Barsha is the fact that there is a wide portfolio of properties for tenants to choose from. Right from compact studio apartments to palatial 6-bedroom villas, there is a wide selection for those looking for a rental property in Al Barsha. The properties in Al Barsha are also available at different price points, catering to people with various budgets.
While the apartments for rent are typically located in Al Barsha 1 and Al Barsha South, you can find family villas in nearly all sub-communities, including Al Barsha 2 and Al Barsha 3.
For those looking at rental apartments in Al Barsha, they can expect layouts to range from studio flats to 3-bedroom family apartments. As per the current listings on Bayut, tenants looking at studio apartments for rent in Al Barsha can expect to pay a minimum of AED 26k. For 1-bedroom rental flats in Al Barsha, the annual rent starts at AED 33k. However, this can go up to AED 75k for fully-kitted out serviced apartments, as per our current listings. When it comes to 2-bedroom apartments in Al Barsha, tenants can expect asking rents to start from AED 45k.
Residents looking for larger properties can consider a villa for rent in Al Barsha. There is a wide variety of rental villas in Al Barsha, ranging from cosy 2-bedroom homes to 8-bedroom mansions. As per current listings on Bayut, the starting rent for 3-bedroom villas in Al Barsha is AED 100k, while 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom houses start from AED 120k and AED 125k respectively.
In addition to these long-term options, Al Barsha has a selection of hotel apartments for rent, which are preferred by business travellers, thanks to the area’s proximity to commercial hubs such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City.
Established neighbourhood with nearby amenities
Another one of the major benefits of living in Al Barsha is that the area boasts numerous facilities that ensure a comfortable lifestyle for both expats and local residents.
There is no shortage of supermarkets in Al Barsha, with the most popular options being the massive LuLu Hypermarket or Carrefour in the Mall of the Emirates. There are also several branches of West Zone, Spinneys, Aswaaq and other popular supermarkets. Most buildings in Al Barsha also have smaller grocery stores near them, which also offer a convenient home delivery option.
Life in Al Barsha Dubai is also ideal for families due to the abundance of schools in the area, especially in Al Barsha 1 and Al Barsha South. Some of the notable schools in Al Barsha include the King’s School Al Barsha, GEMS Dubai American Academy, American School of Dubai, GEMS World Academy and Dubai National School. The area is also close to the universities in Dubai Knowledge Park, making it accessible for parents of college-going children. On the other hand, parents with younger children will be interested to know that there are many nurseries in Al Barsha.
Moving to Al Barsha also means that residents will be in proximity to several hospitals and medical facilities. Most of the leading hospital chains in Dubai including Al Zahra, Saudi German and Medcare have branches in the area while there are notable clinics in Al Barsha such as Aster Clinic, Prestige International and IMC Medical Centre.
Those living in Al Barsha will also have no problem finding a pharmacy, laundry service, salon or gym near their home!
A wealth of attractions and recreational facilities
The lifestyle in Al Barsha is appealing to all age groups, thanks to the variety of leisure facilities. Whether you’re a foodie, love shopping or enjoy a little bit of adventure, there are plenty of things to do in Al Barsha.
One of Dubai’s best shopping malls, Mall of the Emirates is the star attraction in Al Barsha, housing a cinema, well-known brands, upscale restaurants and arcade centre. There are also smaller retail centres including Al Barsha Mall and My City Centre Al Barsha, which is perfect for a quieter shopping experience.
Foodies will have a gala time sampling delicacies from the wide variety of restaurants in Al Barsha. Whether it’s Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Italian or Greek cuisine, you’ll find a restaurant in Al Barsha to cater to your tastes!
Other leisure activities such as Jumble and The Smash Room are easily accessible for Al Barsha residents. In addition to this, the lush parks in Al Barsha including the famous Al Barsha Pond Park are havens for residents during the winter season, with jogging and cycling tracks, lawns, play areas, sports facilities and more!
The area’s bustling vibe is one of the biggest benefits of living in Al Barsha, which means there is never a dull moment for residents.
Easy access to public transport
Another reason why living in Al Barsha is such a popular option is due to ease of access to public transport. The neighbourhood is extremely well connected with bus routes, even in the more remote villa areas. Al Barsha residents can also commute to other parts of the city through the Mashreq and Mall of the Emirates stations for Dubai Metro. Taxis are also easily available in the area and residents can always use ride-sharing apps to hail cabs, too.
Centrally located area
Properties in Al Barsha are also highly sought after due to the area’s central location. Commercial hubs such as Barsha Heights (Tecom), Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and JLT are all easily accessible for Al Barsha residents. Popular tourist areas such as Dubai Marina and JBR are also located a short distance from Al Barsha.
Those living in Al Barsha can also easily access major road links such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
Cons of living in Al Barsha
Now that we have summed up the advantages of the area, let’s take a look at the things to consider before moving to Al Barsha.
It’s a non-freehold area
Perhaps the most significant disadvantage of living in Al Barsha is that it is one of the non-freehold areas in Dubai. This means that expat residents cannot own property here; only GCC or UAE nationals can buy a property in Al Barsha. However, even though expats cannot own property in Al Barsha, the area’s rental properties are a hit amongst residents looking for affordable homes in Dubai. The Al Barsha South community, however, is open to freehold ownership.
Traffic congestion during peak hours
The increasing popularity of the area with both single professionals and families means that Al Barsha is a busy neighbourhood. Due to this, residents do experience slight traffic delays while exiting and entering the neighbourhood during peak hours.
Overall, for those asking ‘Is Al Barsha a good place to live?’ aside from a few factors to consider, life in this neighbourhood is pleasant and full of exciting activities for residents!
That concludes this guide to the pros and cons of living in Al Barsha. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why moving to Al Barsha is a popular choice with so many of Dubai’s residents.
We also recommend reading up on our guide to the best buildings in Al Barsha to rent apartments, to find out more about average prices and amenities.
While Al Barsha is an older, established area, you can find many new rental apartments in the area, which feature modern interiors and spacious rooms.
Stay tuned to MyBayut for more information on the best residential neighbourhoods in Dubai!
