Areas and suburbs in Abu Dhabi

There are plenty of places for expats to find accommodation in Abu Dhabi. Each area and suburb has its own unique redeeming qualities, and of course, its own personal flaws as well. As an expat moving to Abu Dhabi, you’ll certainly want to learn a little about each part of the city before securing property.

Starting with the city centre, the guide below works its way out to the mainland. All prices shown for housing are yearly rental costs in Dirhams.

Downtown Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's city centre is a vibrant collection of shops, shisha bars, malls, five-star hotels, restaurants and odds and ends. The neighbourhoods that make up this capital city heartland are home to young singles and families alike, though most accommodation is found in low, mid and high-rise residential towers.

Expats who crave the frenetic energy of city life will find themselves in the perfect place; every imaginable amenity is within reach and there's countless opportunities to socialise, entertain and dine out.

Furthermore, there are good school and healthcare options in this part of the city. Though, you'll have to sacrifice space and learn to deal with the congestion caused by crowds and high-traffic, especially on weekends.

The Tourist Club Area and Al Markaziyah

The Tourist Club and Al Markaziyah are two cosmopolitan areas offering a number of attractions, such as the Abu Dhabi mall and the Corniche (waterfront). Abu Dhabi mall is the second biggest shopping centre in the city and packed with high street brands. The Corniche has appeal for those expats who enjoy outdoor pursuits like jogging, cycling or even just leisurely walking.

This area has a vibrant night life scene as the numerous hotels are filled with bars and clubs. Popular places include the Captain’s Arms in the Le Meridian along with PJ O’Reilly’s and Sax in the Royal Meridien.
   
Housing in this area is limited to high rise apartments; expats who choose to live here will have to compromise space for access. Parking can also be a problem, and some landlords will charge thousands extra for a space. Prices for the Tourist Club area range from 170,000 AED to 360,000 AED and 175,000 AED to 500,000 AED for Al Markaziyah.

Young, up-beat areas in Abu Dhabi

Lying just outside the city centre, these areas bustle with life but are slightly quieter and more spacious. Traffic is bad during rush hour and weekends, and finding parking can be difficult. It normally takes 10 to 15 minutes from these areas to the city centre on a quiet day, 30 to 45 minutes during rush hour.

Madinat Zayed

Madinat Zayed is close to the city centre and generally quieter and less congested than those districts found in the very heart.

The Co-Op in Madinat Zayed shopping centre is good for buying groceries, while the vegetable/meat market and Gold Souk make the area ripe for those interested in a taste of Middle Eastern culture.

Apartment prices in this area range from 175,000 AED to 460,000 AED.

Al Whada

Al Whada is slightly further out than Madinat Zayed and traffic is lighter and parking easier to come by. Al Whada mall has a great range of shops and a large Lulu supermarket for groceries. Housing prices are decent, at 65,000 AED for a small flat or 95,000 AED for a small villa. Also getting a cab here is particularly easy because of the presence of the local bus station.

Khalidya

Khalidya is a bustling area with a large western community. Khalidya Park is great for kids or a family picnic. There are also lots of Internet and shisha cafes that are popular among young expat teenagers. The Corniche is within walking distance for those who want to visit the popular waterfront.

Abela supermarket is a stone’s throw away, while Spinney’s is but a short drive, both offer a good range of products and Spinney’s even has an off licence (it’s expensive).

Housing is mainly in the form of apartments, and is priced around 300,000 AED and upwards.

Family friendly areas of Abu Dhabi

These areas have large expat communities and are good for families because of their proximity to a number of schools; the British School Al Khubairat for example (popular among western expats). Housing mainly consists of villas.

Karamah

Karamah is quiet with two villa compounds that house a large expat community. The compounds come complete with gyms, swimming pools and additional facilities. Stand-alone villas and small-rise apartments are also available. Apartments range from 100,000 AED to 135,000 AED, while villas can go from 350,000 AED all the way up to 900,000 AED.

The closest place for food shopping is Al Whada mall’s Lulu supermarket.

Traffic is light and parking spaces are plentiful.

Al Rowdah and Al Mushrif

Al Rodwah and Al Mushrif are quiet suburban areas perfect for family living. While a few corner shops spot and dot the area, you’ll have to travel to Al Whada or the large Carrefour, which is slightly further out, to do any food shopping. For those expats who wish to continue to practice their Christian religion, Saint Andrews church is also nearby, one of the few churches in Abu Dhabi.

Traffic is light and parking spaces plentiful and getting a cab is easy for the most part.

Apartments in Al Rowdah cost between 95,000 AED and 350,000 AED. Villas go from 300,000 AED up to 500,000 AED. Apartments in Al Mushrif cost between 100,000 AED and 200,000 AED.

Al Muroor

Decently priced villas (300,000 AED to 500,000 AED) and a proximity to good schools make Al Muroor great for families looking to avoid the frenetic pace and congestion of the city centre. While parking spaces are plentiful, getting a cab is difficult at times.

The Health and Fitness Club and Equestrian club are both in the area; perks for people wanting access to a gym or swimming pool. These sports clubs also offer activities such as tennis, squash and martial arts lessons.

The New Corniche is within walking distance, a great stretch for those who want to go running or cycling. This part of Abu Dhabi is also quite green, making it good for picnics and kicking a ball about.

Abu Dhabi’s mainland

Khalifa City

Khalifa City is an up-and-coming suburb. Streets are quiet and parking spaces and taxis are plentiful. As it’s still a developing area houses are well spaced apart. While rental prices are rising, you still get good deals on the villas (180,000 AED to 300,000 AED). The only down side is that it takes roughly 40 minutes in a car to get to town.

There are some nice cafés and small shops nearby and an Abela supermarket for food shopping, which saves you having to make a long trip into town for groceries.

Al Raha

Al Raha mainly consists of Villa compounds going for 300,000 AED to 400,000 AED. Apartments are also available from 300,000 AED upwards. Al Raha shopping mall has a Lulu supermarket and a few other shops.

Al Raha and Khalifa city have started opening schools, supermarkets, and hotels. So in a few years it will be just as lively as those suburbs closer to the centre.