Pros and Cons of living on Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai’s most well-known thoroughfare, the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR), centrally connects the city like no other major road in the emirate, offering residents and visitors easy access to the rest of the UAE. Besides serving as a key commuting route, SZR in Dubai is lined by high-rise buildings, corporate offices and residential projects. An epic highway in the heart of a busy metropolis, Sheikh Zayed Road is an icon of the UAE. If you’re thinking of moving here, it’s important to evaluate some of the pros and cons of living on Sheikh Zayed Road before making your decision.
PROS OF LIVING ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Making the final moving decision becomes easier when you’ve considered the pros and cons of living on Sheikh Zayed Road. Rated among the best places to live in Dubai by residents and expats alike, let’s start with why renting an apartment on SZR is a good idea.
A WIDE RANGE OF PROPERTIES TO CHOOSE FROM
Fancy enjoying fantastic panoramic views of Dubai? Owning or renting an apartment on Sheikh Zayed Road in the tallest residential towers ever built in the city, is a luxury, to say the least. Given its ideal location, the market demand for properties in the area is always high. Hence, if you are looking for a property on SZR, there are plenty of options. Leading developers are always trying to outdo their competition by offering beautiful properties with exceptional amenities.
SZR is especially popular with those looking for rental flats close to the city centre. Available apartments for rent on Sheikh Zayed Road include studios to 4-bedroom units. So, whether you want to move here alone or with a family, you’ll be able to find a suitable apartment.
Most apartments on SZR feature amenities like rooftop swimming pools, gyms, play areas for kids, covered parking spaces and BBQ areas. Some flats even offer spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa.
POTENTIAL FOR HANDSOME RETURNS ON INVESTMENT
Given the popularity of the area, those who invest in properties on Sheikh Zayed Road can expect lucrative returns. This is one of the major pros of living on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Plus, the central location means SZR is currently one of the hottest residential areas for local and international investors. In fact, some business owners consider the road a landmark that adds value to their businesses.
IDEAL FOR WORKING EXPATS
Sheikh Zayed Road is also considered a good residential option for single professionals and families looking for housing near their workplaces. Getting an apartment on SZR also places working individuals close to Dubai’s major business hubs like DIFC and Business Bay – a bonus for expatriates keen on short commutes to their workplaces.
CONNECTIVITY WITH NEIGHBOURING EMIRATES
Sheikh Zayed Road is one of the main highways in the UAE that connects residents to other emirates. Those who prefer a fast and easy commute to Abu Dhabi can use the road to reach their destination in just over an hour’s drive.
Similarly, depending on traffic conditions, northern emirates like Ras Al Khaimah can be reached in an hour and a half. Whereas for Ajman or Umm Quwain, it takes just under an hour. So whether you have to travel for work or to meet a family member, a complicated and stressful journey is unlikely to be a concern.
AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Those living on Sheikh Zayed Road also rely heavily on the Dubai Metro. In fact, most stations for the Dubai Metro Red line are located on SZR.
Similarly, there are several bus stations on and near SZR. Whilst RTA taxis, Uber and Careem services are all readily available around the clock. The ease of access to public transport is certainly one of the major pros of living on Sheikh Zayed Road.
ABUNDANCE OF RESTAURANTS
One of the major advantages of living on Sheikh Zayed Road for foodies is the abundance of casual and fine dining restaurants. For example, DIFC is home to popular high-end restaurants and is a prime destination for fancy dinners. In fact, there are many restaurants in DIFC that foodies just can’t ignore.
Plus, the availability of international eateries serving cuisine from all over the globe makes SZR an absolute dream for those of us who love to eat out on a regular basis. Not to mention, fast-food outlets like McDonald’s, KFC and Subway are continuously dotted along this epic throughfare.
If you’re planning a hangout with friends and family, do check out the list of best cafes and restaurants on SZR. You won’t be disappointed!
NEARBY MALLS AND GROCERY STORES
The emirate of Dubai is considered a major shopping hub and Sheikh Zayed Road is certainly one of the reasons for that deserved reputation. Especially popular with tourists, notable malls on SZR are Mall of the Emirates, Oasis Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall and Marina Mall – all of which feature popular retail brands selling everything from street-wear to luxury fashion, as well as providing numerous leisure and entertainment options. The Dubai Mall is also centrally located just off of SZR in Downtown Dubai.
Grocery runs aren’t a problem either. You can find outlets for Unique Tower Supermarket, Carrefour Supermarket, New Delma Supermarket, Al Maya Supermarket, City Supermarket, West Zone Fresh Supermarket and Spinneys Supermarket throughout SZR. The optons are plentiful and convenient.
Additionally, Dubai Garden Centre is also close by.
SERENE BEACHES
Who doesn’t want to live by the Dubai coastline?
Sheikh Zayed Road is constructed parallel to the coastline. In other words, anyone who acquires housing here will find themselves minutes away from some of Dubai’s best beaches. Notable beaches nearby include Kite Beach, Jumeirah Beach and the JBR Beach.
Kite Beach, in particular, deserves special mention. It is a popular spot for beachgoers, especially kayakers and kite surfers, as excellent facilities are available for watersports. The white sandy beach features everything from a walking track to a play area for kids.
LOTS OF NEARBY HOTELS
There are also some stunning hotels on SZR, including Crowne Plaza, Sheraton, Fairmont, Shangri-La and Dusit Thani. The tallest hotel in the world, the Gevora, is also located on Sheikh Zayed Road. So, if a friend or relative is coming to visit, they can always find a hotel close by.
THE DUBAI FOUNTAIN
Imagine living just a short distance from the iconic Dubai Fountain — the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. Wouldn’t it be simply awesome to be able to go to this incredible place on a regular basis and enjoy its magnificence?
CONS OF LIVING ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
SZR has several attractions and residential options that make it ideal for anyone who wants to live right in the middle of the bustling Dubai metropolis. However, there are some challenges of living on Sheikh Zayed Road that you may want to consider before moving there.
HEAVY TRAFFIC
Being the main highway that connects all the emirates, you can expect the traffic situation on SZR to be challenging, especially during peak hours. Accommodation here offers value for money, but getting stuck in traffic while returning home from work isn’t a particularly appealing prospect. This is one of the major cons of living on Sheikh Zayed Road.
LACK OF PARKING FOR VISITORS
While most buildings have parking areas for residents, at times it can be challenging for visitors to find parking.
FAQS
ARE THERE ANY SCHOOLS ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD?
While there are no schools on SZR, there’s is nothing to worry about as there are plenty of excellent schooling options within a short 10-minute drive. Some of the top ones include Safa Early Learning Center, British Orchard Nursery Dubai, British Berries Nursery, GEMS Wellington Primary School and Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.
CAN I FIND HEATLH CARE INSTITUTIONS ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD?
Yes, there are several clinics and hospitals on Sheikh Zayed Road. For example, you can find Elite Style Polyclinic, Padra Clinic Medcare Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital, Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery Dubai and the Medcare Women & Children Hospital.
IS SHEIKH ZAYED THE LONGEST ROAD IN DUBAI?
Yes. It stretches to 558.44 km from Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi.
All in all, Sheikh Zayed Road is a lovely place to call home. For most people who reside here, the pros of living on Sheikh Zayed Road outweigh the cons. You can find spacious properties at relatively reasonable rates with all the amenities you could want. There are outstanding shopping and schooling options. Plus, there are so many things to do on Sheikh Zayed Road.
There are plenty of other options for those who want to live in one of Dubai’s bustling districts. For example, our guide to living in Business Bay will come in handy for anyone considering living in the middle of Dubai’s commercial hub. You may also contemplate living in DIFC, one of the emirate’s busiest business hubs. If living away from the city centre is your dream, our guide to the pros and cons of living in Mudon is well worth a read.
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