My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they pay each month, see who they live with and ask what they like and don't like
Lisa Warren came to Dubai last year for a holiday and was hoping for nothing more than a break in the sunshine.
She has stayed here since then and now lives in a one-bedroom apartment on the 78th floor of Dubai’s famous The Torch tower.
Ms Warren, 41, who works in digital marketing, said she had no plans to ever move away from the emirate after falling in love with the pace of life in Dubai Marina.
The Irishwoman was only too happy to invite The National team on a tour of her home to explain what makes it very special to her.
How much do you pay in rent?
I pay Dh75,000 a year across four cheques. Before moving in here in December, I lived in the Princess Tower nearby and was paying Dh7,500 a month but then the landlord wanted to put it up to Dh13,000 a month.
I decided to move here then because that was such an expensive increase.
Why did you choose to live here?
I chose to live in The Torch because it is so convenient and the views from my apartment are amazing.
It’s a one-bedroom apartment and while it’s very compact, that is OK with me because that is exactly what I wanted.
Friends of mine live in the same building, so we often hang out and go to the beach or hang out by the pool together.
It’s such a great location and is central to so many places. I am immediately within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, the beach, the mall and the harbour.
Life here is so nice and peaceful.
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World's most famous skyscrapers: in pictures
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The $5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort, left, (L) is world-renowned and frequently tops world's most beautiful skyscraper lists. AFP -
Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building at 829.8 metres high. AFP -
Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world until 1998. To this day, it is the tallest property in Chicago. AFP -
A view of the Transamerica Pyramid building on August 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1972 and was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2018. AFP -
Kuwait's tallest building is Al Hamra Tower, left. AFP -
The Evolution Tower is in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known as Wedding Palace and City Palace, its twisted, futuristic form designed by British architect Tony Kettle is what makes it stand out. Getty Images -
While Torre Glories only has 38 stories, it has famously redefined the Barcelona skyline. Alamy Stock Photo -
Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper that's become one of the most recognisable buildings on the English capital's skyline. AFP -
Bahrain World Trade Centre was the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines and has even won awards for sustainability. AFP -
Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is the world's third-tallest building with a hole in it. Getty Images -
The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei Financial Centre, is Taiwan's tallest building, and was the world's tallest until 2009. AFP -
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were for six years the tallest in the world, until 2004. AFP -
Shanghai Tower in Pudong area, Shanghai is the tallest building in China and the world's second tallest building. EPA -
The Chrysler Building has been a key part of the New York City skyline for more than 90 years. Between 1930 and 1931, it was actually the world's tallest building. AFP -
The China Central Television Tower is in the central business district in Beijing. It's referred to as an 'anti-skyscraper' because of its unique design. AFP -
The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I M Pei and the triangular glass building was for a few years the tallest building in the world outside the US. Getty Images -
Home to three schools, Tokyo's Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower boasts a unique cocoon-inspired design. Getty Images -
Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa in Macau boasts unique lotus flower-shaped architecture. AFP -
The Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden is the tallest building in Scandinavia, but it was also the world's first "twisting" tower. AFP -
30 St Mary Axe is a 41-storey office tower that cost £138m to make. Getty Images -
The Shanghai World Financial Centre is among the top 15 tallest buildings in the world and among the top 10 in China. AFP -
Istanbul Sapphire Tower is among the Turkish city's tallest buildings and was formerly its tallest until 2016. Getty Images -
The Lotte Corp. World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, and the fifth-tallest in the world. Getty Images -
The Ryugyong Hotel is the world's tallest unoccupied building. It's based in Pyongyang, North Korea. AFP -
The Gran Torre Santiago, formerly known as Torre Gran Costanera, part of the Costanera complex, is the tallest skyscraper in South America. Getty Images -
Dubai's Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world, one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. AFP -
New York's One World Trade Centre is the tallest building America and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. Getty Images -
For 40 years, the steel-framed, 103-storey Empire State Building was the tallest in the world, until 1971, and remains to this day one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design. AFP -
The 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, designed by HOK. Reuters -
Construction outside the ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National
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I think it’s also one of the safest places to live as well in Dubai, even though I know there were a few fires in the past.
That’s why I feel so safe here, though, because I know the building management is paying extra attention to make sure that never happens again.
The staff here are so lovely and helpful too; you could not ask for nicer security.
They are really helpful when you need something and are always eager to provide help if you need it.
I have a storage unit not far away and the staff are always on hand to come up and help out if there’s any furniture that needs to be moved about.
There is a real sense of community in the building too. People are always eager to help if there’s anything you ever need.
What are the downsides of life on the 78th floor?
The biggest drawback is the waiting time for the lifts. There are times when I press the button for a lift and have to wait up to 10 minutes for it to arrive.
There are times when I go back inside and do something else until I hear the ping and know it has arrived.
It’s even got to the stage where I have picked my favourite elevator, which is less busy than the others because it’s a service lift.
To be honest, though, that’s the only issue I have living here.
What touches have you put in to make the place your own?
Not that much, to be honest, because it was fully furnished. The only things I have changed are adding a few cushions and a big mirror.
I was lucky that it came fully furnished because it meant I saved myself a trip to Ikea like most people have to do when they move in somewhere new.
Couple live large with Dh2,500 per month studio: in pictures
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Ailan and JP Lapuz at their studio apartment in Discovery Gardens, Dubai. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National -
The couple say they love the area and in particular the greenery Discovery Gardens offers. -
They have added a few touches, to make the space their own. -
Ailan and JP have taken a somewhat minimalist approach to furnishing the place. -
The apartment's kitchen area. -
The living area has an L-shaped sofa. -
A multi-purpose rack makes good use of a wall. -
The desk and chair used by Ailan when she's working from home. -
Rent for the apartment is Dh30,000 per year. -
Ailan and JP Lapuz say they like the area and don't plan on moving. -
The couple moved to Discovery Gardens from Deira. -
The bathroom has adequate space. -
Discovery Gardens now offers more transport options, including buses, taxis, bicycles and the Metro.
