A guide to the most popular freehold zones to buy property in Dubai, UAE

Looking to invest in property in Dubai, UAE? Here’s a guide to the most popular freehold zones to buy real estate in.

Freehold zones are areas where foreigners can wholly and independently own landed properties. These properties pass on to their children and estate upon demise and are the best area to invest in real estate as a foreigner.

Where can you find freehold properties in Dubai?

There are over 26 major freehold locations and areas where you can invest as an ex-pat. They include:

1.     Arabian Ranches 
2.     Arjan
3.     Al Barari
4.     Business Bay
5.     Blue Waters
6.     Barsha Heights
7.     Culture village
8.     Damac Hills Areas; Damac Lagoons
9.     Discovery Gardens
10.  Downtown Dubai
11.  Dubai International City, Dubai Sports City, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Motor City, and Studio City
12.  Dubai Creek Harbour
13.  Dubai International Financial Centre
14.  Dubai Investment Park
15.  Dubai Land
16.  Dubai Marina
17.  Dubai Silicon Oasis
18.  Dubai South
19.  Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Beach Residence; Jumeirah Lake Towers; Jumeirah Village Triangle; Jumeirah Village circle; Palm Jumeirah
20.  Liwan
21.  Meadows
22.  Meydan City
23.  Mirdif Hills
24.  Mohammed Bin Rashid City.
25.  Mudon
26.  Old Town Dubai
27.  Reem
28.  Umm Sequim

Nine most popular freehold zones to buy property in Dubai, UAE

However, among the list above, some areas are more popular than others. Here are the nine most popular freehold zones to buy property in Dubai, UAE.

1) Arabian Ranches

Earmarked as one of Dubai’s best places to buy villa properties, Arabian Ranches is famous for its luxury apartments and beautiful environment. This community is gated and was officially launched in 2004. It has a golf and polo club and is only a stone’s throw from the City Mall. The Arabian Ranches has some of the most serene jogging trails and green front yards, to mention but a few. It is a good place for family and for business.

2) Damac Hills

Famous among the ex-pat community for the lush green courtyards and suitability for family living, Damac Hills is one of Dubai’s most desirable places to buy property. This city area has all of the amenities an average household needs, including schools, playgrounds, international standard buildings, etc. It also has great proximity to the International Golf Club.

3) Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is where many things are happening at the same time. You will find many of Dubai’s priceless real estate jewels in downtown Dubai. For example, the Dubai Mall, Fountain and the Burj Khalifa are all situated here, not to mention the underwater zoo and the Dubai Aquarium.

4) Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is famous for its whitewashed waterside properties. The Marina area has many studio apartments and skyscrapers developed by many big names in the industry. You can get a property at the JBR, which is not so far away from the Marina. There are many fun things to engage in this area, such as a yacht cruise, premium Spas and lounges, etc.

5) Jumeirah Areas

The Jumeirah areas have been used in this article to categorise the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR); the Jumeirah Golf Estates; the Jumeirah Twin Lake Towers; properties around the Jumeirah Village Triangle; Jumeirah Village Circle; and of course, the most famous man-made palm frond shaped island of Palm Jumeirah.

6) Umm Sequim

You are welcome to Umm Sequim, the hub of the most expensive villas in Dubai. You will find premium luxury here, and of course, at a premium cost. Umm Sequim was developed to provide quality villa houses for the top members of society. The area features properties costing up to a hundred million AED. If you can afford to invest here, you will live in the most glass-like part of the city where every communal accessory literally glitters.

7) Dubai Hills

The Dubai Hills Estate has brought fame to its tall hills, where even taller skyscrapers make a residence feel closer to the heavens. Emaar Properties and Meraas properties jointly developed the properties there, two major movers in Dubai’s property market. This area has a gold club, an adventure park, a cinema, and many eye-catching places.

8) Business Bay

The Business Bay Area is worth mentioning, which is a fast-developing housing market in Dubai. It is a joint commercial and residential area with units built in the city for both purposes. The highlight of this area includes Bay avenue, the bustling nightlife, the elite lounge, and many other premium locations.

9) Dubai Creek Harbour

Lastly is the Dubai Creek Harbour where there are many waterside properties, open-air centres and recreational attractions for people of all ages. The creek harbour attracts tourists with its many fun areas.

There are many desirable areas in Dubai, UAE

There are many other fun areas to live in and economically magnetic areas for business other than the above-listed locations. For example, we have the Mirdif, the Al Barari and MBR cities and the Dubai Sports Cities, where real estate also has a heavy weight and high revenues.