Pros and cons of living in Al Qasimia

Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE is often considered a cheaper alternative to living in Dubai. It is also well known for offering great properties for family living. Some areas of Sharjah that are particularly close to the Dubai-Sharjah border are preferred by people looking for such cheaper and calmer neighbourhoods from where they can easily travel to Dubai on a regular basis. The good news is that those living in Al Qasimia can also enjoy this luxury.

Since most offices and educational institutes are located in city centres, people look for areas that have well-developed road links. Hence, living in Al Qasimia becomes a good option for residents of the city.

Located close to Corniche Road, King Faisal Street and Al Ittihad Road, you can have the best of both worlds if you decide to move to A Qasimia. Residents can enjoy a relatively relaxed lifestyle in Al Qasimia and at the same time, remain close enough to the city centre so they can travel to key destinations each day without hassle. 

The residential properties in the neighbourhood offer great value for money. Rental apartments in Al Qasimia are also more affordable when compared to other localities in Sharjah. 

Living in Al Qasimia

Al Qasimia is named after the royal “Al Qasimi” family in Sharjah. In this blog, we shall look at the pros and cons of living in Al Qasimia, so you can consider all the factors and make a well-informed decision. 

Pros of Living in Al Qasimia

There are quite a few reasons that make Al Qasimia a desirable neighbourhood with tenants in the city. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of living in Al Qasimia. 

Affordable Rents 

When we make a purchase decision, it is based on two factors – our budget and our individual preferences. Each choice we make has a cost attached to it. The same applies to when you want to buy or rent a property. One of the big benefits of living in Al Qasimia is that it offers excellent facilities at a reasonable cost. This means that you can save up money every month and spend it elsewhere.  

Typically, the rent for a studio apartment in Al Qasimia would be in the range of AED 14k to AED 20k. Whereas, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment in Al Qasimia for as low as AED 16k. If you want greater space and facilities the rent may go up to AED 30k.

The rental price for a 2-bedroom flat in Al Qasimia can be as low as AED 24k. Depending on the area, services and space on offer, the rent can go up to AED 49k. If you prefer a larger unit, the 3-bedroom apartments in Al Qasimia are also relatively cheaper with rents starting from AED 35k as per current listings. 

It’s close to Dubai 

Often people move to Sharjah because it is close to Dubai. Hence, they can save on home rent and still work in Dubai. In such a situation Al Qasimia is the most suitable location. Typically, it will take around twenty minutes to reach Dubai. This is one of the perks of moving to Al Qasimia that interested tenants should consider. 

There are lots of supermarkets and malls in Al Qasimia

While living in Al Qasimia, you will have plenty of retail options to choose from. All of the supermarkets offer quality products and excellent customer service. Al Madeena Supermarket is the most popular place to buy monthly groceries. Moreover, Al Mahattah Supermarket located close to the city centre is another option. Shamia Supermarkets and Dalia Supermarket offer more alternatives.  

Furthermore, there are many malls in the neighbourhood which you can visit regularly when living in Al Qasimia. Mega Mall is one of the most popular malls in Al Qasimia, with lots of excellent brands and a multiplex cinema. 

There are a lot of educational institutes close by 

For young families, the availability of quality educational institutes is a major advantage of living in Al Qasimia. The area has many top class nurseries and schools. Al Farha Nursery and Alayadi Nursery are located close by. Whereas, for schools, you can consider Emirates Private School, Progressive English School and Sharjah Indian School.

For higher education, Al Qasimia University is a great choice. It’s one of the most popular universities in Sharjah. 

A plethora of entertainment options 

Al Qasimia is close to Adventureland and Al Montazah Water Park. You can head over to the Sahara Centre and enjoy amazing rides for adults and children at Adventureland for a weekend of fun. 

Al Montazah Park is also just a 10-minute drive from Al Qasimia. During summers, you can spend a day at the Pearls Kingdom Water Park. When the weather cools down, you can go to the Island of Legends, the amusement park in Al Montazah Park.

The King Faisal Mosque and Ittihad Park are landmarks close to Al Qasimia. The beautiful King Faisal Mosque is of particular interest for locals as well as tourists. It has a separate section for women so families can go for prayers together. 

For beach lovers, the Sharjah Beach is a short drive. Other beaches in the vicinity are Al Khan Beach and Al Mamzar Beach. History buffs can visit the Mahatta Museum and learn the heritage of this beautiful city. 

The restaurants in Al Qasimia reflect the diversity of the area. A wide range of eateries means you can find varieties of cuisines. Rest assured, you will not be bored with the food options available while living in Al Qasimia. 

Perfect neighbourhood for car owners 

One major concern for car owners in the UAE is the availability of parking. But, this is not an issue while living in Al Qasimia. There are plenty of parking spots and residential buildings usually offer at least one parking spot per flat.  

Cons of Living in Al Qasimia

While there are definite advantages, there are also some things that you need to consider before making the final call about moving to Al Qasimia.

Lack of public transport 

If you own a car, living in Al Qasimia is a good choice. However, due to limited public transport, life without a car can be a little challenging. 

No villas 

If you prefer to rent a villa rather than a flat, Al Qasimia is not for you. Currently, there are no villas for rent in this community. This is one of the major disadvantages of living in Al Qasimia.

This completes our review of Al Qasimia. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Living in Al Qasimia is cost-effective, family-friendly and full of recreational options. Like Al Qasimia, there are many advantages of living in Abu Shagara. It’s a similar residential community, with a good choice of properties for affordable rates. 

There are also some top areas in Sharjah for expat investment if you are keen to make a permanent home in the cultural capital of the UAE.