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
With a love for loft-style apartments, it was a quick search on Google that prompted Injeel Moti to take a leap of faith and move into her dream open-plan duplex in Dubai nearly two years ago.
After visiting her colleague’s quirky apartment in Downtown Dubai several years ago, it sparked her love for open plan living, and in September 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Moti found her perfect pad in Shamal Residences in Jumeirah Village Circle.
The single businesswoman, who started Catch Communications, her own company several years ago, bagged a great deal on her rent during the pandemic, when the rental market was slow moving.
But never one to stay in one place for too long, she plans to move out of her one-bedroom apartment at the end of the year.
Here, she invites The National into her home.
Where do you live?
I’m in Jumeirah Village Circle. I've been here for almost four years now, and nearly two years in this apartment. I love this area because it has a great sense of community. There is such a mix of people living here and it’s quite cosmopolitan.
We’ve got everything from grocery stores to restaurants and even our own mall nearby, so it’s great if you ever need to nip out and get something. The one thing I loathe about JVC is probably the construction, and unfortunately there’s some going on right outside my apartment now.
Tell us about the property you live in
It’s a loft-style apartment. There’s actually a little story as to how I ended up here.
When I was 23, I went to a colleague's apartment in DIFC and it was a loft layout. I absolutely fell in love with it and knew immediately that I wanted to live in a place like that, so I guess you could say I sort of manifested this space over the years before moving in.
The apartment doesn't have a lot of privacy but I’m single so that’s fine for me. I wanted to live somewhere like this and get it out of my system before I get married and have lots of babies. It's definitely not a family-friendly space but moving in here was like a tick on my bucket list.
How much do you pay per month?
I moved in September 2020 and I got a really sweet deal. I pay Dh65,000 a year, so about Dh5,500 per month. I got really lucky with the rent because back then, due to Covid-19, rents were quite low. My neighbours, who just moved in recently, are paying a lot more than me.
Tell us about the unique features of the space
Oh honestly, I was sold as soon as I walked through the doors of the apartment because of the wall to wall and floor to ceiling windows.
There was so much natural light and that really helps boost my mood. I love the open staircase too. It has quite cool metalwork, which lots of people comment on when they visit.
I’m also obsessed with the floor tiles in the kitchen area, they’re colourful and quirky and you don’t see that kind of style a lot in rented apartments.
One of the best things about the building is the huge terrace that my cats can play on and the fact that my neighbours don’t mind my two cats roaming the corridors.
What it's like to live in a loft apartment in Dubai's Jumeirah Village Circle
How have you made your house a home?
I love vibrancy and colour so you will see a lot of that in my apartment. In terms of the art pieces, it's all pretty random.
I picked them up from my travels in Zanzibar, Turkey, places like that.
You’ll also see a few cat portraits. I have two of my own, my two boys, and they are some of my favourite pictures.
My lounge area is really comfy and it’s a great place to relax. I have a few book shelves as I love books and love reading in my downtime.
How did you find the apartment?
I Googled loft apartments for rent in Dubai and came across Lootah Properties.
I had viewed two other apartments before this one but my mind was made up as soon as I walked in the door. I liked that the building was small too, it’s only four storeys and I’m on the top floor.
Do you plan on staying here for a while?
In this apartment no, but in Dubai, yes. My contract finishes in September so I am looking to move and actually buy a property nearby, probably a villa.
I do like to change things up a little bit, so two years in one place is a good effort from me. I’ve had a lovely time while being here.
