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
Imagine spending your time watching people fall from the sky past your balcony.
That is how one woman often spends her days in her apartment in one of the UAE’s most famous buildings, Cayan Tower, which happens to be right beside Skydive Dubai.
Ketaki Golatkar, 40, an Indian resident who works in the communications sector, pays a little less than Dh170,000 a year across four cheques to live in the Dubai Marina building.
She invited The National for a tour of her one-bedroom apartment and to see why she could not imagine calling anywhere else home.
You don’t live in a typical Dubai rental set-up, do you?
No. I pay my rent to a property management company which covers everything from the utility bills, furniture – right down to the internet and Netflix.
It’s a little expensive but if I had to buy my own furniture and pay the bills each month, I am pretty sure I would end up spending more.
Why did you choose to live here and not somewhere else?
It’s just really so convenient. I travel a lot for work and this contract means I only have to give a month's notice to leave – not that I plan to.
Everything is taken care of, all the way down to issues with plumbing and other maintenance.
The apartment came fully furnished so it was basically a case of “plug and play”.
I work from home most days and this isn’t like other areas of the marina – it’s pretty quiet and you avoid most of the traffic.
There’s easy access as well on to the Sheikh Zayed Road from here.
What do you get for your money?
The view. It’s nothing short of amazing. It’s so peaceful and you get to see so much of the marina.
It faces Skydive Dubai and when I am in my bedroom, I can watch them descending from the sky.
Like most other buildings in the marina, there is access to the gym and pool.
There are so many cafes and shops beside me, too, and I like to go running in the evenings, around the promenade – even though it’s a little challenging in the weather right now.
Does it offer value for money?
It’s expensive, for sure, but fortunately, I can afford it right now.
I don’t want to have to buy a load of stuff and have to transport it around with me every time I move.
Do you see yourself staying here for the long term?
I have no plans to move anywhere else. It’s definitely not temporary. I want to stay here.
Was it a challenge to put your own stamp on your home if it came fully furnished?
The style of the furniture that was here was pretty unique and it matched my own sensibilities.
There is a blue and grey theme to the apartment. It’s very chic and minimalistic.
I have my own touch in there. There are my books, I have my own library and there are a lot of handloom stuff as well as pictures and posters.
I also have block-printed bedsheets, which is a very Indian tradition.
Is there anything about your home that you would change if you could?
The rent is obviously expensive but there are certain things I don’t want to compromise on. Having a great view is one of them.
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
SPECS
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
