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.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
