Congratulations — Your Family is Growing!
As your family expands, the need for more space becomes paramount, whether that’s fitting a crib for your newest arrival or simply accommodating your little ones as they grow. Finding the right neighborhood in Dubai that caters to families can be a challenge, but fear not! From playgrounds to vibrant communities where you can meet fellow parents, Dubai boasts numerous family-friendly neighborhoods perfect for nurturing your loved ones. If you’re contemplating a move, we’ve compiled an insightful guide to the best areas in Dubai for families.
The Best Areas to Live in Dubai for Families
Arabian Ranches
The vibe: A welcoming family-oriented community featuring spacious villas and a warm atmosphere.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs169,000 per year (for a two-bedroom villa).
Families: Arabian Ranches is designed with families in mind. Enjoy fun outings at Cheeky Monkeys (cheekymonkeys.com) for soft play, relax at community pools, or visit the Dubai Polo Club (poloclubdubai.com) for family-friendly dining and an expansive playground.
Where to eat: Savor a delightful Sunday roast at Maison Mathis (mm-argc.com) or enjoy dinner while watching the sunset at Sansation (sansation.ae), where Mediterranean vibes abound.
Where to shop: Stock up on essentials at Carrefour in The Ranches Souk (emaarmalls.ae) or explore international stalls at Global Village (globalvillage.ae), just a short drive away.
Nightlife: Enjoy a casual evening with drinks starting at Dhs39 at Nezesaussi Grill (arabianranchesgolfclub.com), but for a lively night out, venture further afield.
Health & Wellness: Engage in various activities at Hamdan Sports Complex (hamdansc.com) or book private gym sessions at Safefit (safefitstudios.com).
Transport: Being in the suburbs, transportation options include the F32 or J02 bus, but having your own vehicle is recommended for convenience.
For a special Sunday morning treat, stroll with the family to The Hamptons Café (hamptonsdubai.com) and indulge in the Long Island Big Breakfast.
Damac Hills
The vibe: A thriving family-friendly community with ample green spaces and exciting future developments.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs75,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment).
Families: Damac Hills (2) is a burgeoning neighborhood featuring three distinct parks: Central Park, District Park, and Picnic Park, each equipped with playgrounds and entertainment options for children.
Where to eat: Visit Prato (skelmorehospitalitypartners.com) at Trump International Golf Club for a family-friendly Italian dining experience.
Where to shop: Explore DAMAC Mall (damacproperties.com), a spacious 110,000-square-foot shopping destination with numerous stores and dining options.
Nightlife: For a sophisticated evening, check out ISSEI Dubai at the Rooftop of the Radisson Hotel Damac Hills (radissonhotels.com), offering stunning views and a vibrant atmosphere.
Health & Wellness: Fitness First (uae.fitnessfirstme.com) boasts a ladies-only gym with extensive facilities.
Transport: Well-connected with access to major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road, Hessa Street, and Umm Suqeim Road.
As a resident, don’t miss the picturesque Damac Lagoons inspired by the Mediterranean, which offers free entry to its residents.
Dubai Hills
The vibe: A highly sought-after family destination with a growing array of amenities and a large mall featuring a diverse selection of restaurants.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs75,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment).
Families: Thrill-seekers will love Dubai Hills Mall (entertainment.emaar.com), home to the fastest indoor roller coaster in Dubai, The Storm. For a relaxing coffee while the kids play, visit Osteria Mario (@osteriamario_dxb) in Dubai Hills Mall, which also features a Splash Park.
Where to eat: Don’t miss Time Out Dubai’s Best Pizza winner, Pitfire (pitfirepizzabakers.com), or indulge in local culinary gems like Reif Othman’s Reif Kushiyaki (reifkushiyaki.com) and Hoe Lee Kow (hoeleekow.com).
Where to shop: Explore the expansive Dubai Hills Mall (dubaihillsmall.ae), boasting nearly 600 shops.
Nightlife: For a lively pub experience, The Duck Hook (@theduckhookdubai) features one of the city’s best outdoor areas.
Health & Wellness: Flow Space (theflowspace.ae) offers personal training and physiotherapy, while Fit N Glam (fitnglam.ae) caters to fitness-loving ladies.
Transport: The RTA recently launched new public bus routes connecting major residential areas to the city, including a circular route linking Dubai Hills to Equity Metro station.
For delicious sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan cakes, be sure to visit Angel Cakes (@angelcakes.uae) at Dubai Hills Park.
Jumeirah
The vibe: A prestigious coastal neighborhood renowned for spacious villas, stunning beaches, and a vibrant dining and shopping scene.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs130,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment), Dhs200,000 (for a villa).
Families: Jumeirah is an ideal environment for children, featuring numerous public beaches, parks, and playgrounds, along with some of the best schools in Dubai. Soft play areas like Orange Wheels (orangewheels.com) are also nearby.
Where to eat: Treat yourself to an exquisite dinner at Tasca by José Avillez (mandarinoriental.com) for a taste of Portugal, or enjoy delicious grills at 11 Woodfire (@11woodfire).
Where to shop: Mercato Mall (mercatoshoppingmall.com) offers a blend of high-end boutiques and specialty stores, while Galleria Mall features a variety of fantastic restaurants including Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori (goldfishsushiyakitori.com).
Nightlife: Experience the lively Restaurant Village at Four Seasons Resort Dubai for late-night dining options ranging from COYA (coya.ae) to Mimi Kakushi (mimikakushi.ae). For live shows and concerts, Coca-Cola Arena (coca-cola-arena.com) is the go-to destination.
Health & Wellness: Get fit at Real Pilates (real-pilates.com), F45 (f45training.com), or Studio14 (studio14.ae).
Transport: Jumeirah Road runs through the neighborhood and features a robust public bus system.
For a more affordable dining experience, consider the Al Muntaha lunch deal priced at Dhs390 at the iconic Burj Al Arab (jumeirah.com).
Jumeirah Golf Estates
The vibe: Luxurious golf estate living.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs90,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment).
Families: Take your little ones to Kidzville (kidzville.ae) at Great British Café for a delightful coffee and play session.
Where to eat: Treat yourself to fine dining at Flame Tree Restaurant (jumeirahgolfestates.com) in the clubhouse, or unwind at Bussola (dubaigolf.com/bussola) in Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Where to shop: The nearby City Centre Me’aisem (@citycentremeaisem) is perfect for shopping essentials.
Nightlife: The clubhouse sports bar, Tap & Grill (dubaigolf.com/tapandgrill), offers a relaxed atmosphere for drinks.
Health & Wellness: The community features state-of-the-art fitness facilities, including a gym and swimming pool, alongside ample outdoor space for recreation.
Transport: Due to its distance from the city center, having a car is beneficial.
Golf enthusiasts should not miss the Earth and Fire golf courses designed by Greg Norman, which offer challenging play and stunning landscapes. Be sure to secure tickets early for the annual Race to Dubai held here each November.
The Greens
The vibe: Suburban living with close city access.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs90,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment).
Families: The Greens Park offers fun monkey bars, while Hive Board Game Café (hiveboardgame.com) stimulates older kids’ minds with board games.
Where to eat: Enjoy New York-style pizza at 42 Midtown (jumeirah.com), vegan options at Planet Terra (planetterra.life), or delicious ramen at Kinoya (kinoya.ae).
Where to shop: Get fresh produce at Organic Store (organicfoodsandcafe.com) and visit The Greens Souk (emaarmalls.ae) for additional shopping options.
Nightlife: Lah Lah roof terrace (jumeirah.com) is a popular spot for drinks.
Health & Wellness: Treat yourself to an organic facial at Native Club (jumeirah.com) at Zabeel House, which also features padel courts. For intense workouts, check out group sessions at UN1T (un1t.com).
Transport: The community is conveniently located near major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road and Hessa Street, with Dubai Internet City metro station just a 20-minute walk away.
Don’t miss Seoul St Café (@seoulstreetcoffee) nestled within the 1004 Gourmet supermarket, famous for its frozen tiramisu.
The Lakes, Springs and Meadows
The vibe: Launched in 2003 by Emaar, these communities are centered around picturesque lakes and lush green parks, ideal for nature lovers. Emirates Hills is nearby for even more family-friendly living.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs175,000 per year (for a two-bedroom villa).
Families: With ample lakes, parks, and excellent schooling options, these areas are ideal for families. Enjoy indoor fun at Playtorium (playtorium.ae) and Mini Bounce (bounce.ae).
Where to eat: Dine at the lively pub garden at Reform Social and Grill (reformsocialgrill.ae) or enjoy Italian dishes at Isola (jumeirahislandsclubhouse.com) at nearby Jumeirah Islands. For a chic dining experience, visit Carine (carine.ae) at Emirates Golf Club.
Where to shop: Essential shopping can be done at Carrefour (carrefouruae.com), Spinneys (spinneys.com), Waitrose (waitrose.ae), and Choithrams (choithrams.com). Springs Souk, Meadows Town Centre, and Meadows Souk also offer a variety of shops.
Nightlife: Phileas Fogg combines live music with happy hours (foggs.xyz) for a fun night out.
Health & Wellness: Enjoy a round of golf at Montgomerie (montgomeriegolfclubdubai.com) or join Warehouse Gym (whgym.com) at Springs Souk for HIIT, yoga, and more.
Transport: Quick access to highways makes commuting easy, with Sheikh Zayed Road on one side and Al Khail Road on the other.
Visit Springs Souk during weekends for Ripe Market (ripevents.com), and don’t forget to grab a slice of carrot cake at Lime Tree Café (limetreecafe.com).
Town Square
The vibe: A vibrant, family-oriented community with affordable living and a plethora of recreational facilities and green spaces.
Average rent price/housing type: Dhs65,000 per year (for a one-bedroom apartment).
Families: Town Square is exceptionally family-friendly, featuring numerous playgrounds, parks, and access to reputable schools and nurseries.
Where to eat: Enjoy a meal at Bait Jafra (baitjafra.ae), a cozy Palestinian restaurant and bakery.
Where to shop: While there are no malls, a variety of retail stores and supermarkets provide essential services.
Nightlife: Unwind at one of the community cafés or restaurants for a relaxed evening.
Health & Wellness: Stay active at F45 (f45training.com) with circuit training sessions, or utilize the many parks and cycling tracks for outdoor activities.
Transport: Easily accessible via major roads like Al Qudra Road and Emirates Road, with ample parking available. Public transport options include buses, but having a car is advantageous.
Be sure to take part in the regular outdoor movie nights and community events held in Town Square Park, offering entertainment and activities suitable for all ages.
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