Popular areas to rent studio apartments in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a popular destination among tourists and expats looking for a stable job or planning to open a business in the UAE. The emirate is known for its warm climate and many entertainment venues, leisure facilities, educational institutions, and medical centres. Among tenants, large families prefer spacious apartments, villas, or townhouses, and professionals prefer studios that are located in popular parts of the emirate. In this article, we share the most popular areas to rent studio apartments in Abu Dhabi.

If you’re looking to rent a luxury apartment in the Emirati capital, you should consider Al Reem Island. Apart from its residential communities, which include apartments of various sizes, penthouses, and waterfront villas, you will find a range of retail stores.

Al Reem Island is connected to Abu Dhabi Island via Hazza’ Bin Zayed The First Street and Al Maryah Island. Residents can easily get to Abu Dhabi Downtown within a 15-minute drive, and Yas Island can be reached within 30 minutes. Al Reem Island has several bus stops, such as Al ‘Oud St / Gate Towers, Al Reem St / Al Falaq St, and Al Reem St / Al Zaffah St, among others.

The starting cost for a studio apartment on Al Reem Island, with an area of 517 sq. ft., is AED 35,000 (USD 9,500), per year. Among the most popular developments offering studios on Al Reem Island, the following complexes provide ideal accommodations.

• Hydra Avenue Towers is an apartment complex located in the City of Lights community, which was completed in 2022. Apartments come fully furnished, and residents can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, a gym, sports grounds, a children’s playground, barbecue areas, and cycling paths.
• The ARC at Gate Towers offers 991 residential units that have a minimum size of 481 sq. ft. Residents have access to a swimming pool, a sauna, sports facilities, and other recreation areas situated on the towers’ podium level.

Residents can spend their free time AT Reem Central Park or go shopping at Reem Mall, which has more than 400 retail stores, 85 dining facilities, VOX Cinemas, and Snow Abu Dhabi. Additional shopping can be found at Shams Boutique, which has more than 80 retail outlets.

Note: Al Reem Island is one of the best options to purchase real estate in Abu Dhabi. Real estate transactions on Al Reem Island have reached AED 598M (USD 162.8M) in Q1 2022, while the total number of transactions was valued at AED 1.2B (USD 326.7M). Moreover, buying a residential unit, with a cost of at least AED 2,000,000 (USD 545,000), provides you with the opportunity to apply for a Golden Visa.

Hamdan Street is considered one of the oldest parts of Abu Dhabi. It is located near Corniche and Madinat Zayed and has many high-rise apartment complexes, commercial spaces, hotels, and retail stores. The area is quite popular among foreigners due to its proximity to various business areas in the emirate.

The annual rental rate for a studio near Hamdan Street, with an area of 305 sq. ft., starts at AED 28,000 (USD 7,600). A few of the most popular residential towers include the following complexes.

• Dalma Plaza is a mixed-use tower located opposite the World Trade Centre. Units feature built-in wardrobes and large windows with beautiful views of the surrounding area. The building is situated near plenty of parking spaces, and the complex provides central air conditioning and 24-hour security services.
• Muraijeb Tower is a 20-storey residential complex located in the heart of the capital near various shopping and dining outlets. Views of the Abu Dhabi skyline and Al Lulu Island can be enjoyed by residents of the tower.
  From Hamdan Street, residents have quick access to Lincoln University of Business & Management, as well as other institutions for higher learning. For medical services, residents can go to Elite Medical Centre and Al Khazna Medical Clinic.

There are several community parks, including Lake Park, Capital Park, and Formal Park, which are located within a walking distance of the residential buildings. The nearest shopping centres include Al Mariah Mall, Hamdan Shopping Centre, and World Trade Centre Mall.

Note: In the case you’d like to open a business in the UAE, you might be interested in purchasing a commercial real estate unit. You can choose from office spaces, warehouses, whole buildings, showrooms, and commercial land plots located throughout the emirate.

Khalifa City is an area that is popular among locals and expats due to its friendly atmosphere and developed social infrastructure. The area is situated along Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street. Residents of Khalifa City can get to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi Downtown within a 20- to 25-minute drive, and Abu Dhabi International Airport can be reached within a 10-minute drive.

The majority of residential units include villas and townhouses. Tenants can rent a studio, with an area of 350 sq. ft., in Khalifa City for a minimum annual cost of AED 14,000 (USD 3,800). A few of the most popular residential developments include the following complexes.

• Al Forsan Residence offers studios in the Al Forsan International Sports Resort. The gated community provided 24-hour security services, and residents can take advantage of an abundance of amenities, including a gym, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and walking paths, among others.
• Al Dahre Compound offers small units in villas that are located near supermarkets and other essential facilities. Units have built-in wardrobes and excellent finishings.
  If you are looking for a more spacious apartment, you can opt for a one-bedroom apartment in Al Rayanna, which has a starting price of AED 60,000 (USD 16,300), per year.

Residents of the area have access to several shopping centres, such as Al Raha Mall, Forsan Central Mall, and Makani Mall. Al Raha Beach Marina and Zayed Cricket Stadium can also be found nearby.

Note: Khalifa City is one of the best areas for families with children due to its many entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as its large selection of housing options and amenities.

Yas Island is considered the entertainment hub of the emirate, which is why this area is popular among local residents and tourists. The community offers trendy restaurants, hotels, and Yas Mall. Abu Dhabi Downtown can be reached within 30 minutes, and Saadiyat Island, the cultural centre of the emirate, is situated within 20 minutes.

It is a developing area with villas and apartments that are available to buy and rent, including off-plan properties. The annual rental rate for a studio in this area, with an area of 484 sq. ft., is AED 36,000 (USD 9,800). Tenants can choose from several popular complexes, including the following developments.

• Waters Edge is a waterfront community by Aldar Properties, the leading developer in the Emirati capital. The project was completed in 2021. Residents have access to landscaped gardens, a boardwalk with retail stores, gyms, and swimming pools.
  Ansam is a complex of twelve six- to eight-storey buildings located on the west side of Yas Island, an area that offers stunning views of the Yas Links Golf Course. Residents can enjoy Infinity pools, poolside decks with loungers, pool bars, state-of-the-art gyms, and gardens.
• Mayan is a master plan community with beautiful views of the waterfront and mangroves. The building provides a wide range of amenities, including swimming pools, sun decks, a gym, a children’s playground, access to the beach, and 24-hour concierge services.

Yas Island is home to many popular theme parks, such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. Additionally, residents can go to Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts world-class motorsports events and activities, such as Formula 1 races. Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Club can also be enjoyed by local residents.

Note: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest indoor theme park. It offers a wide range of attractions, including more than 60 rides, as well as dining facilities and souvenir shops. The park is divided into six zones where visitors can meet characters from their favourite cartoons and movies, including Batman, Bugs Bunny, and Tom and Jerry. Learn more about Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in this article.

Al Muroor is located near the famous Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street and is one of the best areas for singles and couples looking to have a short commute to work.

The annual rental rate for a studio in Al Muroor starts at AED 24,000 (USD 6,500). Al Muroor Tower is one of the area’s most popular residential complexes and consists of a mid-rise building that provides parking, high-speed elevators, and large windows with stunning views of the community. Residents can also count on 24-hour security and maintenance services.

For leisure activities, residents can go to Eastern Mangrove National Park, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, and Umm Al Emarat Park.

Highly-skilled Metropolitan Capital Real Estate agents are ready to help you with choosing a studio apartment in the Emirati capital. We will answer all of your questions regarding renting accommodations in Abu Dhabi, and we will offer units that best fit your needs and budget, including studios with waterfront views or properties situated in Abu Dhabi Downtown.

Our professionals can also help you with choosing a residential property to buy, as well as provide important information about Golden Visas and mortgage opportunities. Our company provides clients with property management services, which can result in generating a stable income through the local rental market without the need to stay in the UAE.