This popular community is one of the city’s most original hip spots. It boasts rows of white-washed villas; converted, trendy boutiques; schools and clinics. But how does Umm Suqeim’s community feel and transport links measure up?
Sometimes it can feel like Dubai is all shiny-new and high-rise residential towers. While such buildings are often stunning examples of the city’s architecture and ideal living spots for busy city folk, other Dubai-dwellers are better suited to a more relaxed, beachside environment to call home.
Which is where Umm Suqeim – the older, prestigious part of Dubai – comes in; it is the place to be for a relaxed beach life. It’s a stroll from the sandy stretch of Jumeirah Beach; buzzy Kite Beach, which is located under the sail of Burj Al Arab and offers everything from yoga and kite surfing to a beach library and food trucks; and it’s a stone’s throw from Al Sufouh Beach, one of the city’s secret gems.
From schools to shopping, here’s what you need to know before deciding on your next living location.
The community
As the old coastal residential area of Jumeirah grew, Umm Suqeim developed to straddle old and new Dubai, growing from Umm Suqeim 1 towards Al Sufouh and Burj Al Arab to encompass Umm Suqeim 2 and Umm Suqeim 3.
Transport
There’s a steady flow of traffic through this central location, which offers quick and easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road. It’s less than 10 minutes drive to Mall of the Emirates, plus there’s a new flyover at Umm Suqeim 1 and you can find frequent buses from Business Bay Metro Station and Mall of the Emirates Station.
Schools
There are a lot of reputable schools in the area. Kings’ School Dubai, the only school in Dubai to have achieved an outstanding rating from KHDA every year, is located in Umm Suqeim 3. Collegiate American School and IB curriculum school Raffles World Academy, which are both part of the Innoventures Group, are based in Umm Suqeim, too. There are also many nurseries, including Home Grown Children’s Eco Nursery, Willow Nursery, Blossom Village Nursery and Babilou Umm Suqeim Nursery.
Shopping
There are plenty of supermarkets, cafés and restaurants lining Jumeirah Beach Road, with more choice along Al Wasl Road, which also features salons and boutiques, such as artisan store O’De Rose, and concept shops Home & Soul and The Edit. Al Wasl Road is also home to a large Union Coop and Choitrams.
The properties
The prices of the villas range from Dhs140,000* to rent a three-bedroom and up to Dhs400,000* for a five- to six-bedroom villa, with plenty of outdoor space; and approximately Dhs3.5 million to buy a three-bedroom and up to Dhs15+ million for a six-bedroom villa. Most properties in the neighbourhood are villas.
What the neighbours say
Richard Waind and his family rent a villa in Umm Suqeim. He tells B. Living:
“We were looking for a community that offers all the amenities a young family needs, plus it needed to be an easy commute to Business Bay.
“When we arrived in Dubai with our two-year-old, Umm Suqeim ticked all the boxes. Our daughter is very happy at Blossom Village Nursery and she loves nothing more than breakfast, and a play in the sea when we head to Kite Beach, while Al Safa 2 Park has a huge kids’ play area.
“The cafes and restaurants along Jumeirah Beach Road mean we don’t need to go too far for a great meal, and there is nowhere better for sundowners than the Dhow & Anchor at Jumeirah Beach Hotel.”
What the real estate agents say
Katie Forbes is the Umm Suqeim expert at Betterhomes. She explains:
“Established approximately 20 years ago, Umm Suqeim has three communities that have developed organically, so there is very little construction in the area.
“Properties for sale in the area are few and far between because many are passed down to the next generation or rented out to generate an income. There are a lot more compound villas located in Umm Suqeim than in Jumeirah, mainly because of the number of families and schools in the area.
“Each compound is different – some have pools, some have gyms, while others have children’s play areas and gardens. They’re usually made up of between four to 16 villas per compound. “
If you would like to contact Katie Forbes to arrange a showing or to learn of any ‘open house’ dates in the area, call +971 44 090 911
*All prices mentioned are as per January 2019