Like it or not, rent is something that will likely affect everyone at some point in their lives.
Whether you’re after a short-term flat share in a city-centre apartment or a long-term family home in a villa in the suburbs – there’ll be a property with your name on it.
And it doesn’t have to be as complicated or expensive as you might believe.
Unusually, the UAE is currently both a buyer’s and a renter’s market – which is positive news whichever way you look at it.
And if you’re looking to move, now could be the ideal time, with prices more affordable than ever.
We’ve spoken to experts from top property firms across the UAE to get the lowdown on the cheapest areas to live and the most expensive, too.
“Ask someone who has been renting in the UAE for more than a year, and you’ll probably find out their rents have dropped,” Swapnil Pillai, Associate, Research Middle East at Savills tells Time Out.
“There are a few examples like Yas Island and Al Ghadeer in Abu Dhabi where rents have remained more stable, but generally rents have dropped over the past 12 months by somewhere between five to ten percent.
“And for those with rental renewals coming up, it’s worth thinking about whether you can negotiate a better price or even look at upgrading to a bigger property with more space.”
With that in mind, and according to property experts in the UAE that we’ve spoke to, the most affordable areas to rent in Abu Dhabi are Al Ghadeer, Al Reef and Al Khalidya.
On the other side of things, the most expensive places to rent in Abu Dhabi are Al Raha Beach, Saadiyat Island, Reem Island and Yas Island.
Thinking of making your next move? Here’s everything you need to know.
