![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RQ2B5V6BZBRZOILOWTDP32DAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=93942d6c3a4c8055799aaee3cdc892e755087a85e0b146ee4e61285d6ca19bcb&width=400&height=225)
The balcony is one of Paul's favourite places to hang out.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2AJNETMQSRFINAY76RP53E2SOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=292f62000991f114398b0c1cdca887e31f5c9ae5a09278ca7d38510cbbb74874&width=400&height=225)
Paul McCoy loves the view from his apartment at the Horizon Tower in Dubai Marina. Photos by Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OWYLR2THXBAD3IVKUZMZQNMWSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7335f6d082d07db926dc56aae4e9c42c9506cf2d25088989875a5969f161fc99&width=400&height=225)
Renting a room in a house share means you can't put too much of a personal stamp on the communal spaces.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5BKCUDWEXZALBAQNUXLTZ77NYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c3c3a965b46b5bd41294eadc21550380a5d2515f2f2bc9b5d145755a9eaf850&width=400&height=225)
A view of the main living space in the apartment.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADJRW53TLBAKFLXV6ZEJMREESI.jpg?smart=true&auth=44e0be601c00711bc1ee127ae667baefceff1b87b9472a9b52447a2d12281ceb&width=400&height=225)
The apartment offers great views of the Marina.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCLMGB3YRBB2ZENHEWKF6MWOTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d7d9f75734f3ce28c2ee6be8221cf396e1828f38f0d78390f752c49d43af9e5&width=400&height=225)
Sharing a kitchen between seven people can get a bit messy.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCB6A6YPSFBEFEKS7ZTLSV5I4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d9b8a3df783d80a4fd080987355b86d02fa9db5143a38386f15c456051c57da&width=400&height=225)
The couple pay Dh4,000 a month for a double room and share a bathroom with one other roommate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7MFT3E2Y5CK3O7OKTUEVWGCSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6db4fa03e93fa4286da36c29cdbd3eca131170bb3795d843409503fd4ecb88e7&width=400&height=225)
Paul and Niamh have items from home dotted around their bedroom to make the place feel like a home away from home.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJ2BOSTCW5HFZNAHPXOJ2JW4V4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1069a93db462582224286b957f3169158875ea1a2e3a625b02207956b62de5c&width=400&height=225)
Pictures from friends and family back home in Ireland.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MZYJHF3WX5CPHPADAOJ5ZGUYFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=15a970bfe8cc0e1bca076d99ed20c8e98e98cfaa916728e7971b1acba63af028&width=400&height=225)
Paul says the apartment comes alive at 5pm when everyone has finished work for the day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RQ2B5V6BZBRZOILOWTDP32DAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=93942d6c3a4c8055799aaee3cdc892e755087a85e0b146ee4e61285d6ca19bcb&width=400&height=225)
The balcony is one of Paul's favourite places to hang out.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2AJNETMQSRFINAY76RP53E2SOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=292f62000991f114398b0c1cdca887e31f5c9ae5a09278ca7d38510cbbb74874&width=400&height=225)
Paul McCoy loves the view from his apartment at the Horizon Tower in Dubai Marina. Photos by Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OWYLR2THXBAD3IVKUZMZQNMWSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7335f6d082d07db926dc56aae4e9c42c9506cf2d25088989875a5969f161fc99&width=400&height=225)
Renting a room in a house share means you can't put too much of a personal stamp on the communal spaces.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5BKCUDWEXZALBAQNUXLTZ77NYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c3c3a965b46b5bd41294eadc21550380a5d2515f2f2bc9b5d145755a9eaf850&width=400&height=225)
A view of the main living space in the apartment.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADJRW53TLBAKFLXV6ZEJMREESI.jpg?smart=true&auth=44e0be601c00711bc1ee127ae667baefceff1b87b9472a9b52447a2d12281ceb&width=400&height=225)
The apartment offers great views of the Marina.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCLMGB3YRBB2ZENHEWKF6MWOTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d7d9f75734f3ce28c2ee6be8221cf396e1828f38f0d78390f752c49d43af9e5&width=400&height=225)
Sharing a kitchen between seven people can get a bit messy.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCB6A6YPSFBEFEKS7ZTLSV5I4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d9b8a3df783d80a4fd080987355b86d02fa9db5143a38386f15c456051c57da&width=400&height=225)
The couple pay Dh4,000 a month for a double room and share a bathroom with one other roommate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7MFT3E2Y5CK3O7OKTUEVWGCSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6db4fa03e93fa4286da36c29cdbd3eca131170bb3795d843409503fd4ecb88e7&width=400&height=225)
Paul and Niamh have items from home dotted around their bedroom to make the place feel like a home away from home.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJ2BOSTCW5HFZNAHPXOJ2JW4V4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1069a93db462582224286b957f3169158875ea1a2e3a625b02207956b62de5c&width=400&height=225)
Pictures from friends and family back home in Ireland.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MZYJHF3WX5CPHPADAOJ5ZGUYFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=15a970bfe8cc0e1bca076d99ed20c8e98e98cfaa916728e7971b1acba63af028&width=400&height=225)
Paul says the apartment comes alive at 5pm when everyone has finished work for the day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RQ2B5V6BZBRZOILOWTDP32DAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=93942d6c3a4c8055799aaee3cdc892e755087a85e0b146ee4e61285d6ca19bcb&width=400&height=225)
The balcony is one of Paul's favourite places to hang out.
My Dubai Rent: New arrivals pay Dh4,000 a month for busy flat-share in Marina
Paul and Niamh love the social aspect of living with seven people in a five-bedroom apartment
![Kelly Clarke](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d1398b1-947f-4bc8-a663-69c6b02cb849.png?smart=true&auth=168c867e0c9f9e3320a65ec2cb755dfde78d4c07327944646c4aad65792033ee&width=70&height=70)
Kelly Clarke
14 March, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic