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What is it exactly that makes a certain area better for families? There is no short answer here, for sure. And yet, while working with clients looking for a place to live with their spouse and kids, I’ve noticed that some requirements are mentioned more often. Here they are:
Based on these key features, I’ve created a list of top neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi for living with a family. In addition to the description of the area from this point of view, you’ll also find info about housing options for sale and to rent.
Khalifa City
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. About 25 km away from Abu Dhabi, on the main highway to Dubai. Khalifa City borders on Al Raha, while Yas Island and downtown Abu Dhabi are just a 10-minute drive away. The drive to Corniche Beach will take about 20 minutes.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. There are over 15 schools and nurseries and over five medical clinics, including SEHA. Shopping and leisure are offered by Forsan Central Mall, Al Raha Mall, and Central Mall, to name just a few. There are also parks, children’s play areas and golf courses.
Housing options. Predominantly villas and compounds. Villas vary by area from around 3,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. Land plots can be found, too. When it comes to renting, there are also quite a few villa studios on offer, starting from 600-sq.-ft. units.
Mohammed Bin Zayed City
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. About 15 minutes away from downtown Abu Dhabi. The drive to Dubai will take about an hour - MBZ City is closer to it than other parts of Abu Dhabi. Also, the area borders on the industrial district Musaffah.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. Educational facilities include around 15 schools and 15 kindergartens. There are a dozen medical clinics and hospitals and four malls within the community or in close proximity to it.
Housing options. Mohammed Bin Zayed City is primarily a villa community. From 4-bedroom units to mansions with an area of 35,000 sq. ft. and villa compounds, this neighbourhood has a lot to offer to those interested in spacious housing. However, villa studios starting from 400 sq. ft. can also be found.
Al Khalidiya
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. The cultural hub of Abu Dhabi, Khalidiya is part of the city centre. It is close to Abu Dhabi Corniche beach and most commercial hubs.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. Just a few minutes away, there is everything that downtown Abu Dhabi has to offer, from the residential infrastructure to world-class attractions. Some of the better-known schools are American Community School of Abu Dhabi and Al Bateen Academy, while the prestigious International School of Chouiefat is located just a 10-minute drive away, in the Al Mushrif area. The list of healthcare centres in Khalidiya or in close proximity include Amrita Medical Centre, Al Kamal Medical Polyclinics, King’s College Hospital London, NMC Specialty Hospital Abu Dhabi, and Corniche Hospital, to name just a few.
Housing options. There are mostly mid to high-rise apartment buildings, as well as a few villas in gated communities. The range of options available for sale is rather limited, but rental choices are by far more diverse.
Al Mushrif
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. Part of the city centre, Al Mushrif is less than 10 minutes away from the Corniche, among other attractions and recreational areas.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. The area is close to the hospitals in the city centre and boasts some of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious schools. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Umm Al Emarat Park and Al Mushrif Palace are located within Al Mushrif.
Housing options. Al Mushrif is built up with villas (1,500–34,000 sq. ft.), compounds (4,800–21,000 sq. ft.) and apartment blocks (units from 200 to 4,000 sq. ft.). Residential land plots currently on offer range from 10,500 sq. ft. to 21,000 sq. ft. The number of apartments available for sale is rather limited, but rental options make up for it. Quite a few villas and residential plots both for sale and to rent can be found in the vicinity.
Al Karamah
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. Part of downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Karamah is geographically positioned almost exactly in the center of Abu Dhabi, with all the privileges this implies.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. A drive to Abu Dhabi City Golf Club or Al Mushrif Palace will take just a couple of minutes, while Umm Al Emarat Park is adjacent to Al Karamah Street. There are universities in the vicinity, including Khalifa University, Sheikh Khalifa University and Madurai Kamaraj University. Some of the city’s best-known medical clinics are just 3–4 km away.
Housing options. Al Karamah combines residential, commercial, recreational and institutional areas. There are both new and old residential properties. Apartment blocks range from 5- to 20-storey buildings. Villas and compounds vary by area from 2,700 sq. ft. (3 bedrooms) to 13,000 sq. ft. (10-bedroom compounds).
Al Muroor
Can foreigners own real estate here? No.
Location. Part of downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Muroor occupies the area around Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street. The Corniche is less than one kilometre away. The area is well connected to the main road network.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. Due to its prime location, this area offers a variety of prestigious educational establishments, healthcare facilities and attractions.
Housing options. Mostly mid- and high-rise residential towers, typically positioned along the roads. The list of options also includes villa clusters, compounds, townhouses, land plots and whole buildings.
Yas Island
Can foreigners own real estate here? Yes.
Location. The man-made island is about half an hour drive away from the city centre and 15 minutes away from Zayed International Airport.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. As Yas Island is primarily a tourist destination, the choice of healthcare and educational facilities is somewhat limited in comparison to a typical residential area. And yet, there are so many things here that make up for this fact. Take, for instance, Yas Mall, one of the city’s largest shopping destinations, or Yas Links, one of the best-known golf courses in the Middle East. Yas Island hosts live performances and sports events and boasts great hotels and restaurants.
Housing options. Residential options are rather limited and sought-after. The list of neighbourhoods located within a reasonable distance from Yas Waterworld includes, for example, Ansam (300-500 m away), West Yas, Zone K (3 km) and Yas Acres (2 km). Ansam is comprised of 12 Andalusian-style apartment buildings of 6–8-storeys. West Yas features 4–5-bedroom villas, while Zone K is a gated community featuring contemporary 4- and 5-bedroom villas.
Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Can foreigners own real estate here? Yes.
Location. Mamsha Al Saadiyat is beach-front development in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Being the city’s cultural hub, Saadiyat Island is an attraction in itself. It’s only a 15-minute drive away from downtown Abu Dhabi and Yas Island.
Shopping, healthcare, education, leisure. There are about five schools and nurseries to choose from on the island. Mamsha Al Saadiyat itself is best-known for its exclusive beach and a beach promenade, and there are also swimming pools and a health club.
Housing options. You can find apartment towers, duplexes and townhouses here. There are properties both to rent and for sale.
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