Mirdif most affordable area to live in Dubai for families with school-age children

The community came out on top in research on rental and sales prices in Dubai locations with strong education offerings

Mirdiff/Mushriff Park, Dubai- 9th December 2008- The final fronteer, this is where Dubai ends and the desert begins (for now). Mirdiff backs onto Mushriff Park, a large wild 'country' park quite unlike the inner city garden style parks. - (Duncan Chard for the National)Show less

Mirdif has the highest number of affordable homes located close to schools, according to a dubizzle report on rental and sales prices in Dubai communities with good education links.

The area has five schools, including Gems Royal Dubai School and Uptown School, with average rental prices for a two-bedroom villa coming in at Dh79,500, three-bed villas at Dh110,000 and four-bed homes at Dh120,000, according to the report. For buyers in Mirdif, three-bed villas cost an average of Dh2.35 million.

“For families, proximity to a good school is a significant factor when choosing the right home, for both renters and buyers,” said Samer Abdin, general manager at dubizzle Property. “For parents in particular, choosing a property close to their child’s school can make a considerable difference in their day to day lives, for everything from morning drop-offs to class plays to sports practice.”

Property companies are developing innovative new methods to help residents decide where to live in Dubai. A new online calculator unveiled last week by Propertyfinder, for example, proposed to solve the dilemma of whether it's more cost-effective to rent or buy in the emirate. The calculator compares the total cost of renting with the total cost of buying, offering residents more clarity on the decision.

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Al Barsha 1  and 2 combined offer house-hunters with school going children the most options with 19 schools to choose from, according to dubizzle. Schools in the community include Dubai National School, Gems Dubai American Academy and Kings School Al Barsha with average rental prices for three-bed villas in these communities at Dh160,000, and Dh198,000 for four-bed homes.

Meanwhile, Umm Suqeim 1 and 3 offer residents close access to seven schools, including Kings School Dubai and Raffles International School. Three-bed homes in Umm Suqeim 1 are available at an average rental price of Dh190,000, while Umm Suqeim 3 three-beds are Dh196,000. However, the area is the most affordable area for four-bed homes, dubizzle said, with average rental rates of Dh217,500 and Dh220,000, respectively.

While Mirdif is the most affordable community to buy a property with good access to schools, according to the report, other areas in that category include The Springs with three-bed villas averaging Dh2.4m, followed by Al Barsha at Dh3m Jumeirah Park and The Lakes at Dh3.5m.

Those looking for affordability on larger family homes should first consider The Springs at an average price of Dh3m, said dubizzle, followed by Jumeirah Park at Dh4m and Al Barsha at Dh4.35m.