BackLuxury living never goes out of style - that is a tenet we live by and one that has proven to hold true under all circumstances. Over the years, we have discovered another tenet, and one that is proving to be just as true in the current state of the world - luxury has no price point. Dubai is a city that has always been associated with mega mansions and sprawling villas that are only accessible to a select few. However, there has been a growing wave of newer homes across the city, offering all of the quality, comfort and convenience of a high-end residential neighbourhood without the hefty price tag. Affordable luxury has become one of the major buzzwords in the city, especially during a time when families are looking at new homes that offer them more privacy and security. Over the summer, there has been a major shift from apartments to villas and townhouses, which has put a few different residential communities under the spotlight. If you are looking for a beautiful family home that won’t burn a hole in your pockets, then these are the Dubai neighbourhoods where you will find the best in affordable luxury.
Arabian Ranches
Designed by Emaar, this is one of the original master planned communities in Dubai, and quietly started the affordable luxury trend over a decade ago. Since then, Arabian Ranches has blossomed into one of Dubai’s most sought-after residential areas, spread across two phases with a third currently under development. From homes with classical Mediterranean or Middle Eastern styling to contemporary townhouses, this community offers you quite a variety to choose from. The original Arabian Ranches is built around a championship golf course, which is one of its major selling points. Arabian Ranches II is a closer knit community, with villa neighbourhoods clustered around parks and open green spaces. Both communities have their own educational facilities - Jumeirah English Speaking School and Ranches Primary School, with the former being among Dubai’s top British schools - as well as clinics and community shopping centres. Whatever you and your family need, you will be able to find without ever driving out of the main gates. The community was initially very attractive for home buyers, though it has seen a sizeable increase in rental activity over the years.
Mudon
Named after the Arabic word for ‘cities’, Mudon is a community by Dubai Properties that is meant to reflect the architectural styling and lifestyle of several key cities in the Arab world. Located in the expansive Dubailand district and a short drive away from Arabian Ranches, it is divided across villas, townhouses and a few low-rise apartment buildings, all spread around wide lanes and landscaped pathways. The villas and townhouses in particular have proven to be very popular with both investors and renters, Mudon offers a beautiful and very family-friendly living environment. It includes swimming pools, walking trails, a community shopping and leisure centre, schools, a medical centre, a health club and a park spanning 1.8 million square feet. Truly, it feels like a city within a city.
Damac Hills
We said earlier that luxury living never goes out of style. An addendum to that point would be that golf course living never goes out of fashion either. Damac Hills is among the latest golf-focused residential communities to come on the market and an ambitious project by Damac, set around the Trump International Golf Club, which features a PGA championship course. The community has a mix of very high-end luxury villas (developed in conjunction with Paramount Hotels & Resorts), along with affordable family villas, townhouses and apartments, all conveniently located so that they enjoy views over the golf course or over the verdant environment. One of the highlights of the community is the Trump Clubhouse, which features signature restaurants, fitness facilities, a health club and swimming pools. Residents also have access to the immense Akoya Park, spread across an immense 4 million square feet, and will soon have a retail and leisure destination known as Akoya Drive. Inspired by Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, this strip is also expected to include an ice rink, a cinema and several hotels.
Akoya Oxygen
Yet another Damac-designed golf community, Akoya Oxygen is set around a course designed by none other than Tiger Woods. The project is still in the process of being developed, though certain neighbourhoods are already open and welcoming new residents. It features villas, townhouses and apartments set in tranquil clusters, as well as a select number of serviced apartments and villas. Green pathways connect everything seamlessly and keep the entire community in harmony. The Trump World Golf Club is one of the key amenities in Akoya Oxygen, as well as a spa with a desert-inspired theme, a tropical rainforest-themed biodome, an organic market and a yoga enclave. A waterway is also being planned within the community, with waterfront residential projects to accompany it.
Jumeirah Golf Estates
Jumeirah Park
On the western edge of Dubai, past the towering skyscrapers of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers, you will find this gorgeous little community by master developer Nakheel, which sits tucked away in a pocket of greenery. Jumeirah Park comprises a selection of lovely modern villas and contemporary townhouses (part of a project known as Jumeirah Park Homes). As its name implies, the community’s main feature is an abundance of parks and green spaces. It also has its own school, located near a dedicated children’s park. And there is a stylish community centre known as Jumeirah Park Pavilion, where you can find a variety of retail and dining options, as well as health club.
Town Square
Within the past year, Town Square has become the ultimate residential community when it comes to affordable luxury. It is made up of low-rise apartment blocks and townhouse neighbourhoods with a straightforward contemporary design. They are also very well-priced, making them very attractive for buyers and tenants alike. All of these homes are spread out around Town Square Park, which forms the centre of the community, both literally and in spirit. Town Square Park regularly hosts community events and festivals to bring every member of the community together. It is full of green spaces and open walkways, as well as streetside cafes and boutique stores. Additionally, the community has a trampoline park, a skateboard park, a dog park and a water park. Indoor and outdoor cinemas are in development, as is a community school and a healthcare clinic. Over the next few years, the popularity of Town Square amongst families will only grow.
Victory Heights
Rounding off our list is another exceptional golf community, and one of the hidden gems of Dubai’s residential landscape. Victory Heights sits alongside a championship course designed by Ernie Els, and it comprises several different neighbourhoods, known as ‘villages’, made up of beautiful Mediterranean-style villas, as well as a recently completed townhouse village. The Els Club, which is the golf clubhouse, was always the centrepiece of the community and after a recent expansion, it has become even moreso. The clubhouse has a distinctly European feel, with little touches of South African charm, which can be found in some of the decor elements and in one of its signature restaurants. It also has a fitness centre, an infinity pool and a bar/lounge. There are two schools located within the premises of Victory Heights, as well as a nursery, plus it has several outdoor pools, play areas for children and parks.