HIGH RENTS BUT WORTH IT
I’ve been living here for 13 years, so my rent is lower compared to the market. Other rents seem to be high right now but they will go down. I live in Bur Dubai and I pay about Dh80,000 to Dh90,000 on rent, though I think rents in high-end areas will pick up. That will happen after one year. I think the rents will rise as Expo 2020 approaches and will continue to rise after that as the VAT tax is being introduced. By then, everyone will start controlling their expenses.” Farhan Hassan, Pakistan “Rent in Dubai is particularly expensive, especially since it is a well-known city full of opportunities. Over the past couple of years, the rent has been going up quite a bit. I’ve been living in Dubai Outsource and the rent was initially was Dh21,000 but after staying here for a few years the price is roughly Dh31,000 now (yearly). The location is convenient for me. Personally, the amount we are paying is really good compared to other places in Dubai since they have some crazy price ranges. I would say it is pretty decent especially if you compare it to other areas.” Tarik Raouf, England “Rent in Dubai has decreased, I think. I love that I’m in Nahda and I’ve been living here for six years. I think they should go lower because there are plenty of places that are empty. Currently, I pay about Dh90,000 per year. The rents in Dubai have been increasing and decreasing this past year, but at this point they can be categorised as normal. Hassan Naeem, a Pakistani-Omani expat “Rent prices are higher than what I payed back home in Europe, at Dh73,000 for a studio in Abu Dhabi. “Every year we are seeing an increase of about five per cent and you cannot negotiate, even though prices are meant to be decreasing. Rent in Europe is less expensive, but we did not have the pool or gym, although I was living in Paris and payed around 1,000 euros a month.” Ingrid Canal, Corporate Marketing Manager in Abu Dhabi Inssafy Naga, 26, Investment Associate “If you want something within your budget then you will be able to find it. if you want to live in a luxurious area then you will have to pay more than usual. So, living in Saadiyat for example, will of course cost more than living in Khalidiya or Muroor Street. It does have its price, but it’s worth it.”