My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don't like
UAE resident Stephan Melchior has found his ideal Dubai home in the serene surroundings of Town Square's Sama Townhouses, where he pays Dh125,000 annually for a three-bedroom house.
After years of living in bustling high-rise buildings, the German entrepreneur, 50, sought a quieter, greener space that offered both tranquillity and convenience.
With lush, tree-lined streets, biking paths and everything from supermarkets to coffee shops within walking distance, Town Square provides the perfect balance for his active, off-road-loving lifestyle.
Whether biking to run errands or enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, Mr Melchior has embraced this community, where nature and modern living blend seamlessly into everyday life.
He invited The National into his home to show us why it's so very special to him.
Why did you choose to live here?
I work from home and travel a lot, so it’s an easy place to live, as it’s very green, quiet and relaxed. The pros are that it's quite close to the Al Qudra desert, which is nice, because I do a lot of off-roading. I lived in Switzerland for six years, so when I came back to Dubai, I decided I didn't want to live in a high-rise building any more. Everything is also within walking distance, like supermarkets and restaurants, so I like to bike or walk.
What do you get for your money?
I am getting value for money, but this is because I'm on an old contract, so I don't pay as much as people will pay on new rental contracts. But there are a lot of facilities here. Town Square is quite well developed – it's got a lot of restaurants and coffee shops, and there's new ones coming every couple of months.
There are supermarkets, barber shops a community pool and, infrastructure wise, everything is there in the community where I am.
Is there a sense of community?
Yeah, there is, of course. We’ve got all these townhouse communities, and I've got great neighbours. We’re quite well-connected with the community. I know most of the people coming in and out.
What touches have you made to make it feel like home?
I’m a DIY guy, so I’ve installed a TV wall, painted a few walls and made some structural changes.
Have you any plans to live anywhere else anytime soon?
Probably, it's one of my final homes. My aim is to find a way to travel between Europe and Dubai when I get closer to retirement. Dubai will always be on the menu somehow as a residence. It may not be my only residence, though.
Are there any disadvantages?
Traffic is an absolute nightmare for people to go in and out of Town Square, and it's been like this for a year, so that is a downside. It doesn't affect me a lot because I don't have to go to an office, but if you don't leave Town Square by 6am you will be stuck for an hour.
