Pros and cons of living in Al Satwa
Thinking of moving to Al Satwa? MyBayut is here with a comprehensive guide of the pros and cons of living in Al Satwa. We’ll tell you all about what life in Al Satwa is like and all the positive things this community has to offer. Also, to give you a complete outlook of the community, we cover a few of the challenges you can encounter if you move to Al Satwa.
Read on to find out all the pros and cons of living in Al Satwa.
About Al Satwa
Al Satwa (often referred to as Satwa) is one of the oldest suburban neighbourhoods of Dubai. It’s a compact area situated right in the centre of the city; just after Bur Dubai and right before Downtown Dubai. Other neighbouring areas include Jumeirah and Al Wasl.
Al Satwa is predominantly an expat community with low-rise buildings separated by busy streets, lined with quaint shops and cafes. It is quite synonymous to areas such as Al Karama and Bur Dubai which are a perennial favourite for residents looking to live within the city, in homes that boast the cheapest rents in Dubai. The eclectic neighbourhood also features a total of 16 murals painted on the streets that portray the country’s heritage and historical significance. The 16 murals were painted as a part of the Dubai Street Museum’s initiative in 2016.
Now that we know a bit about the neighbourhood, let’s take a look at all the things you get to enjoy if you are living in Al Satwa.
ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN AL SATWA
Here are some of the benefits of living in Al Satwa that residents get to enjoy.
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY WITH PLENTY OF AMENITIES
One of the biggest benefits of living in Al Satwa is the fact that it is a melting pot of cultures. You can find Indian, Pakistanis, Philipinos and Arabs all living in harmony together.
This diverse mix of nationalities has resulted in an integrated community with amenities that cater to all cultures. Mosques are spread all around the community while temples and churches are 10-15 minutes away. The area is also serviced by many pharmacies and specialised clinics.
Grocery shopping is never a let down because of the multitude of supermarkets in Al Satwa, the most famous one being Al Madina Supermarket. There is also the Al Maya Mart which is one of the popular Dubai supermarkets for expats. Apart from that, there are plenty of community parks in Al Satwa that are equipped with sports courts, running tracks and grassed patches, perfect for a picnic. If the Al Satwa parks are not enough, residents can also head to Zabeel Park – one of the biggest and best parks in Dubai.
EASILY CONNECTED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Don’t have a car? Don’t worry! Travelling in and out from the Al Satwa locality is a breeze thanks to all the public transportation options in the area. It is one of the major advantages of living in Al Satwa. The Al Satwa Bus Station connects bus routes from all across Dubai and hailing a taxi is very easy due to the popularity of this place. There are also plenty of metro stations near Al Satwa which include Al Jafaliya and Dubai World Trade Center which are both easily accessed by a 5-minute bus ride. The multitude of public transportation is not the only advantage residents have. Al Satwa’s prime location means it just 10-minutes away from Jumeirah and it’s amazing restaurants, beaches and more!
AFFORDABLE RENTS
Apart from having a diverse community of cultures, the affordable rents are amongst the most significant pros of living in Al Satwa. Within the lowrise buildings in the area, you can find a generous mix of flats that come in studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. As per Bayut’s latest listings, prices for a studio flat for rent in Satwa Dubai start as low as AED 37k. Rents for a larger space like a 1 BHK for rent in Satwa start at AED 52k yearly. Families looking to live in the area can opt for the 2 or 3-bedroom flats for rent in Al Satwa for which the rents start at AED 72k and AED 80k respectively as per current listings on Bayut.
MULTITUDE OF DINING AND SHOPPING OPTIONS
“Affordable” is the buzz word when it comes to Al Satwa. Not only can you find cheap flats for rent in Satwa, but everything around the area is affordable too. The area is famed hosting the best shawarma places in Dubai like Al Mallah and its offbeat tea and fast food cafes that are a regular hangout spot for residents after work and on weekends. Shopaholics won’t be disappointed either because you can find every category of retail item here. Whether it is jewellery, textile or even car accessories, the Al Satwa district doesn’t disappoint when it comes to cheap shopping in Dubai.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING TO AL SATWA
While Satwa is a haven for affordable living, there are a few things to consider before moving to Al Satwa. Here are some of the cons to life in Al Satwa.
BUSY STREETS
Al Satwa is a buzzing locality that has just grown in popularity over the years, thanks to the range of eclectic restaurants and shopping complexes. However one of the disadvantages that come along with growing popularity is the irrefutable sound of chatter and busy foot-traffic that can extend into the evenings. Expect a lot of that if you plan to move to Satwa. If you are someone looking to move to a quiet neighbourhood that shuts down during the evenings, Al Satwa may not be the right fit for you. But if this upbeat and buzzing lifestyle is something you enjoy, you will definitely enjoy living in Satwa.
LIMITED PARKING AND CONGESTED ROADS
The growing popularity also means that residents can experience some heavy traffic during peak hours which can increase travel time to and from work. While there are plenty of paid parking spots around the area, finding an open spot can be one of the challenges of living in Al Satwa, especially during the evenings as a lot of people visit the area during that time.
SIZEABLE COMMUNITY OF BACHELORS IN THE AREA
Al Satwa has been home to many expats for generations. But one of the things this place is known for is the fact that it’s a bachelor-centric locality. Many families are present in the locality but it is mostly dominated by singletons. While this is not necessarily a disadvantage of living in Satwa, it is an important thing to take note of.
That concludes this guide on the advantages and disadvantages of living in Al Satwa. We hope you found this article informative enough for you to make a well-informed decision about moving to Satwa. If you’d like to know more, our comprehensive area guide can give you more information on Al Satwa. Also, don’t forget to check out the flats for rent in Al Satwa.
If you’d like to check out a similar neighbourhood in the Deira area, check out the pros and cons of living in Al Quasis. For those who would prefer one of the newer communities check out these details on Town Square.
Which area would you like us to cover next? Let us know on mybayut@bayut.com and we’d be happy to cover it. And for more updates about life in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut – the best property blog in the region.
