Why Live In: Pleasure outweighs work at Dubai Silicon Oasis

Residents say the peaceful atmosphere, sense of community and superb facilities at Dubai Silicon Oasis make it great value for money and perfect for families.

Residents Richard Buchanan, right, and Andy James enjoy a cup of coffee at Costa. Lee Hoagland / The National

It's a warm spring morning in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and many of its sun-worshipping residents are getting down to the serious business of the day: cultivating an even tan.

They cruise between the lavishly landscaped communal pools and their luxury villas in full-on beachwear, creating a utopian snapshot of suburban life, an impression that the locals of this leafy idyll are in no hurry to shatter.

"It's quiet and peaceful. The neighbours are generally very courteous and when I drive through the gates at the end of a busy day I instantly relax," says one new resident. "Our children are still small, but I can see this is a place that they will be able to play out safely and make a lot of friends when they are older."

Situated off Al Ain Road, DSO was established in 2004 as a free-zone authority, the first in the region to provide a fully integrated living and working community. There is, however, a marked contrast between the country club ambiance that pervades the neighbourhood's two gated villa complexes, Semmer and Cedre, and the dusty, half-built periphery that houses DSO's offices, showrooms and high-rise apartment blocks.

Far from living a mutually harmonious existence, many residents gripe that the towers were built too close to the villas on the outer edge of the original complex.

"This isn't Manhattan, it's Dubai," says Mel O'Brien, a Canadian who moved to her villa four years ago. "Look beyond the boundaries of DSO and there are miles of open space, yet the high-rises are packed so tightly around that they now block the light from many of the villas that were built before them. It's a real pity."

The other psychological hurdle many residents who relocate to DSO have to overcome is the distance to central Dubai. It's a hefty 22km drive west to the World Trade Centre. "But it is a distance issue, not a time one," explains O'Brien. "It would often take me 20 minutes to get down to Satwa from our old house in Jumeirah, which was just a few kilometres away. From here in the same time we can easily be in Dubai Mall."

Waving away these two disadvantages (three, if you add the neighbourhood's unfortunate name - as one mother of two chuckles: "It makes us all sound as if we've been surgically enhanced), there's little to detract from the obvious charms of the DSO villas.

Residents started moving into the Semmer villas, a complex of 560 three-bedroom luxury residences, more than five years ago. The complex and a community centre are reserved for senior airline employees only, although all residents are free to make use of the complex's amenities, which include a Spinneys supermarket, Costa coffee shop and Al Arrab Lebanese restaurant.

Semmar residents, a mix of long-term Dubai residents and new arrivals, have engendered a real community spirit within their neighbourhood. Fathers have got together to coach football teams for youngsters while qualified residents have set up classes ranging from ballet to swimming.

"We've even had a band playing in the park and barbecues on a couple of occasions," recalls Cheryl Calitz, a South African.

Does being employed by the same company and living in close quarters ever become claustrophobic? "I think it could turn into a bit of a gilded cage if, like a lot of new arrivals, you centre your whole life on DSO," Calitz says. "But we have made a concerted effort to cultivate friends outside work and the area, which I think is important to do."

Early last year, DSO released three to five-bedroom homes in its second complex, Cedre villas, to the open market. The lavish mix of traditional Arabic and contemporary homes are available for rent or purchase.

"Having looked at several Dubai communities with a view to buying our own home, Cedre Villas offers incredible value for money," says Hugh McIlroy, an Irish expatriate who has lived in Dubai for three years. "Even though the complex is not fully established, there's a fabulous atmosphere, attractive and clean communal pools, a great kids area, even a beach volleyball court. I could very much imagine us raising our young family there."

Cedre is also the location for the uber-sized Spinneys that opened its doors in February and has given a massive boost to the neighbourhood. When fully open, at least 30 further shops will fill the centre - not that residents have a shortage of retail therapy.

On their doorstep, a couple of minutes up Al Ain Road, the Dubai Outlet Mall enjoys a steady revenue stream from its DSO clientele. "We have many regular clients from Silicon," confirms an assistant at Priceless, a Harvey Nichols outlet. "They call us regularly to see when our next consignment will be in and we have got to know many of the ladies who live there."

For residents who prefer to keep a lower profile than their neighbours who regularly meet by the pool or for barbecues, it's easy enough to keep tabs on what's happening in the community via an online forum that tackles the minutiae of suburban life from yard sales and toddler groups to classified ads for cleaners and pizza deliveries.

"For a family environment it is hard to beat and four years on, we feel it was a really good move for us," O'Brien says. "We still miss the beach, which we lived just a few minutes from in Jumeirah, but really, it's a small price to pay."

Residents talk about their communities around the Emirates at Neighbourhoods.

What residents say

Sue Shields, UK

We moved to DSO in October and we loved our villa as soon as we saw it. My son's school is in Jumeirah and although it's a distance, I find the 20-minute drive no problem. We already knew a few of our neighbours before we moved in, which is great. I'm very much looking forward to my two boys growing up here."

Maricel Tasic, Philippines

I moved here with the family I work for from Jumeirah three years ago. I was worried because it was such a long way and I do not drive, but at weekends I get a taxi with my sister and cousin who also work here. In the afternoons I sometimes take the children who I look after to the park and they meet up with their friends. It is very safe and they enjoy it very much.

The facts

Property

A three-bedroom villa in the Cedre villas complex at Dubai Silicon Oasis costs from about Dh2.2 million; to rent from Dh150,000 per annum. One-bedroom apartments are available to buy from Dh400,000; to rent from Dh35,000 per annum.

Schools

Wellington Academy, a Gems premium school, is due to open in September, catering initially to children three to 14. The development is also close to Dubai English Speaking College and Dubai Men's College in Academic City, and Repton Dubai. A branch of the Indian High School and a nursery are also planned.

Transport

The RTA now runs a public bus service from DSO to several locations throughout Dubai. Taxis are readily available and residents say they usually arrive promptly. Several schools also run term-time buses to and from the neighbourhood.

Medical Facilities

A medical centre is due to open within the next few months within the Spinneys Centre at Cedre villas. A pharmacy is located in the Semmer shopping complex.

Shopping

Two Spinneys and a Choithrams are within walking distance of many homes. A convenience store and a range of services from beauty salons to banks and coffee shops are also in plentiful supply. Within a 10-minute drive, residents have access to Mirdiff City Centre, Festival Centre and the Dubai Outlet Mall.

Hotel

A Premier Inn is situated within the boundaries of DSO and offers a bistro.