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UK-born Tara Rose Kidd is the owner and founder of a chain of hair and beauty salons who lives with her family in a waterfront apartment in Abu Dhabi.
The 42 year old moved to the UAE 17 years ago and has spent almost half that time as a resident in the fast-evolving Al Raha Beach district of the capital.
She now lives in a modern unit in a stylish building overlooking the water in the Al Bandar community with her husband, Murray, their son, Sonny, aged eight, and their Italian greyhound called Frank. They pay Dh240,000 ($65,350) per year to rent it.
The National takes a look around.
Please tell us about your home
We are in a sea-facing, 11th-floor apartment in Al Bandar, at Al Raha Beach. It is a three-bedroom apartment with three bathrooms and a kitchen.
It has a huge balcony which feels like another living room, so is perfect for the cooler weather that has arrived.
How long have you lived here?
We've been eight years in Al Bandar. The first two years we were next door in the Al Naseem Residences B building, and then six in our current sea‑facing apartment.
Earlier we lived in Al Raha Gardens, the Al Reef community and – when we first arrived in Abu Dhabi – a converted villa in Al Nahyan Camp.
Why did you choose your current place?
It was our dream. I remember sitting at Tiki Pacifico [local restaurant and bar], looking up and saying, “one day”. It’s the view and the freedom of being on the water, having the doors open and the breeze rolling in.
The apartments are well-built and spacious. It just feels like home, which is why we’ve never left.
Also the property is close to one of the motorways connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi so I can visit branches of my business, Tara Rose Salon. And my husband can easily reach the car showrooms he co-owns in Dubai.
We are also a very short drive to Zayed International Airport, which is handy for when we go on holiday.
How much do you pay to live there?
The apartment cost us Dh180,000 when we moved in. Today it is Dh240,000 a year. In the grand scheme of things, that’s a reasonable rise over time. Also, we have a fabulous landlord, which makes all the difference.
How have you made it your home?
It isn’t about things, it’s about the life we’ve built here. This home holds my son’s childhood, the years our businesses grew and a marriage that has deepened. The sea view we once dreamt about now frames our every day and that’s what makes it feel completely ours.
What amenities are nearby?
We have access to two resident pools, plus tennis courts, a gym and a squash court. There’s an on‑site supermarket, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, so everything we need on weekends.
The area is quiet, comfortable, not crowded. It feels easy and stress‑free and is right by the water with a marina promenade.
We are minutes from Yas Island and Yas Bay for dining and events, and we can even take a boat across to Yas. Dubai is an easy hop during the week.
What would you change about living there?
I would only add more space, such as an extra couple of bedrooms and a dedicated office. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing.
What keeps you renting vs buying?
We’ve always reinvested into our businesses, so tying up capital in a purchase never made sense while we were building.
My husband has his company and I have mine.
Have you thought about buying your own property?
The dream is to buy. For us that means Ramhan Island. I even sit in the show home sometimes and picture it as already being ours.
Over the years we’ve seen some amazing places, but for us the sea view comes first. We fell in love with Ramhan Island because it gives us both – a villa with real space and water all around.
It’s peaceful and quiet – everything we’ve always wanted. Now it’s about saving hard to make it ours.
