Dubai’s little-known suburban communities

Dubai is a city known for its skyscrapers but away from the high-end hotels, beach clubs and sprawling homes in areas like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, there are thriving suburban communities where many residents are choosing to live.

As Dubai has expanded, the residential footprint has grown and post-pandemic many people are moving away from apartments into single-unit homes which offer a suburban lifestyle and crucially, outdoor space.

Jumeirah Islands is a purpose-built gated housing development close to the Marina area. The villas are grouped on 46 small islands surrounded by lakes and greenery. Like many others, the community has its own supermarket, school, clubhouse and leisure facilities.

Sheelah Odedra is a mother of two and a Jumeirah Islands resident. The family moved not long after their daughter was born.

“We didn't really know what we were looking for but we needed more space. The best thing is being part of a community that has a lot of shared parks, a lot of walkways, a lot of nature, and things like the clubhouse. We have a pavilion that has another number of restaurants there as well.”

Sheelah said those kinds of amenities make you feel like you are part of the community which is helpful when you have children.

Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse has restaurants, a gym, a play park, a pool and a salon. Many expatriates see facilities like this as highly desirable and part of the lifestyle compromise that comes with living in a different country to friends and family.

Lorena Guerrero is the General Manager of Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse and told Euronews that there is a strong community here.

“They feel the Jumeirah Island belongs to them. You will see here doesn't matter the time of the day, a groups’ either all a