Lower rent and proximity to Dubai Marina and the Metro make Jumeirah Lakes Towers attractive, but with construction still under way, shops and services can be hard to find, Eugene Harnan says
From a distance, Jumeirah Lakes Towers is a futuristic-looking metropolis. Up close, say its residents, it's dusty and unfinished.
While many of the planned 87 mixed-use towers in JLT (as it is universally known) are nearing completion, there are still a lot with scaffolding and half-finished cladding.
"We moved here because the rents were good at the time," says Pratik Shaman, a 36-year-old Indian who pays Dh65,000 a year for the two-bedroom flat he lives in with his wife and their three-year-old son. "We would have paid double for an apartment half the size across the road in the Marina."
Despite the disadvantages of its being unfinished, he says, the neighbourhood has improved greatly compared with when they first moved in. "There were no shops, supermarkets or services. Some restaurants even refused to deliver food. It now has a feeling of a lot done - but more to do. There is still no supermarket."
Split into "clusters", each comprising three towers, JLT only last month celebrated a minor milestone when it completed the "S" residential cluster close to the footbridge that leads to Dubai Marina Metro station. The first of 26 similar phases, S-cluster will eventually be home to about 1,400 residents, according to Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA), the master developer. While many of the towers elsewhere in the development have also been finished and are occupied, the announcement of S-cluster's completion signifies that retail and landscaping are also finished. It gives the residents of other clusters a good idea of what they can expect.
JLT has been planned as a business free zone, aiming to be the diamond-trading centre not only of the UAE but of the whole region. It is home to Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre, which moved into Almas Tower; believed to be the country's second tallest tower at 360 metres. There is a diamond exchange on the second floor and a diamond vault in the basement.
JLT's first hotel, The Bonnington, opened a few months ago and The Mövenpick is due to open next year. Two more hotels are planned, as well as shops, restaurants and a "dynamic waterfront lifestyle" according to the development's website.
But the waterfront so far, according to residents, is far from the sought-after image that was portrayed in the brochures. "The water levels have been dropping for the last few months," says Shaman.
According to those in the northern section of JLT, the opening of Dubai Marina Metro station gave the neighbourhood a real boost - making access to the rest of the city much more efficient, as well as opening up the better-developed Marina to them, now within a five- to 10-minute walk. However, those in the southern section say they are disappointed that JLT station is one of the few on the Red Line still not operating, even though it looks finished. Nevertheless, they express delight at being able to use the station's pedestrian overbridge to reach the Marina.
Stephen Gorman, a 27-year-old media buyer, moved to JLT early last year, taking advantage of the low rents. "There's a real young professional buzz to the place now. There was nothing to do around here but the buildings are really nice. It is only now that I see small shops and coffee shops opening around the other buildings."
In common with many residents, he complains about traffic delays getting in and out of JLT in the mornings and evenings. Part of the problem is that the six-lane road that encircles the entire development goes only in one direction and feeds into just two small slip roads onto the highway. "When I want to get out in the mornings it takes me at least 15 minutes. If it was a two-way road, I'd be on the highway in two minutes," says Gorman. "I was told by the letting agent that the one-way road direction was temporary but, nearly two years later, it still has cement trucks all going in the one direction."
One resident, who asked not to be named, says JLT's location outweighs that frustration. "I work in Abu Dhabi and don't have to face the traffic past the Marina area, which is often quite heavy. I have friends who live in Old Town, and it can take them 45 minutes longer to get home."
Residents all say that life in JLT has improved greatly. "At first, it had no internet and taxis were always really difficult to get because they didn't even know this place existed. When we phoned, they wouldn't know the tower and when I said JLT, they'd end up across in the Marina in JBR," says Gorman. "There are more taxis now, there are things opening up - but it still feels a million miles away from the Marina, which is only across the road."
Although Gorman now wants to move, he thinks JLT can only get better. "They are still working on the towers, which is a good sign, the metro has helped link [us] to the rest of the city and we can now walk over to the Marina. Living here depends on what you make of it."
Pratik Shaman, India
The best thing about JLT is the size of the apartments. We wouldn't get anything like this anywhere else. It looks finished but it is far from it. Everything is covered in sand and dust; we have to drive between cement trucks at all hours of the day and there is nowhere for the kids to play outside. There is a constant plume of dust in the air with all the construction activity."
John McBain, USA
"I live in a building developed by Deyaar, have rented it for about 15 months now, and love it, mostly because of its size and the view: I can see the Gulf, Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab. Plus, it is huge - almost 3,000 square feet - and it's great for entertaining. I hardly ever spend any time outside here, though, and have yet to use the Metro, despite it being 200 feet away from my building.To be honest, it is as if I live on a giant construction site; but I'm hoping things continue construction-wise and it will soon be more amenable to go walking around the neighbourhood."
Housing
Prices vary widely according to the apartment's size and amenities. Annual rent for a one-bedroom apartment is Dh50,000-80,000; for a two-bedroom Dh65,000-115,000; and for a three-bedroom Dh90,000-135,000, according to the Dubai office of Allsop & Allsop.
Schools
There are no schools within the neighbourhood but several international schools are nearby, including Wellington International School in Al Sufouh, Regent International School in The Greens, Dubai British School in The Springs and The Winchester School in The Gardens.
Medical facilities
Welcare Ambulatory Centre in Knowledge Village has a walk-in facility. Jebel Ali Hospital is near Ibn Battuta Mall, 10-15 minutes away.
Amenities
Local shops have begun to open but are still quite scarce. Ibn Battuta Mall is a 10-minute drive and Dubai Marina Mall and Almaya 24-hour supermarket are directly opposite JLT, across Sheikh Zayed Road.
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
More on animal trafficking
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The%20Kitchen
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
HAJJAN
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.