Dubai Real Estate: The Top 5 Areas to Invest in 2024

Dubai is one of the most dynamic and attractive cities in the world, offering a variety of opportunities for investors, residents and tourists alike. The city’s real estate market is constantly evolving, with new projects, developments, and trends emerging every year. But which areas are the best to invest in 2024? Which ones offer the highest returns, the most demand, and the best amenities?

In this blog post, we will reveal the top 5 areas to invest in Dubai, based on the latest data from 2023. We will also explain what makes these areas so special, and why you should consider them for your next investment.

But first, let’s talk about why Dubai is such a great place to invest in real estate. Dubai is one of the most dynamic and attractive cities in the world, offering a variety of benefits for investors, such as:

  • A stable and diversified economy, with a strong focus on innovation, tourism, trade, and finance.
  • Strategic location, connecting the East and the West, and serving as a hub for regional and international markets.
  • World-class infrastructure, with modern roads, airports, ports, and public transport systems.
  • High quality of life, with a safe and secure environment, a multicultural and tolerant society, and a rich and vibrant culture.
  • Competitive and transparent real estate market, with a range of options, incentives, and regulations to suit different needs and preferences.

But not all areas in Dubai are created equal. Some areas offer more advantages, opportunities, and returns than others. So, how do you know which areas are the best to invest in 2024? Well, that’s what we are here to tell you.


The Most Popular Areas in Dubai: Where the Action Is

One way to measure the performance of an area is to look at its volume, or the number of transactions that took place in 2023. This shows how active, popular, and in-demand an area is among buyers and sellers. The more transactions, the more liquid and competitive the market is. Here are the top 5 areas in Dubai in terms of volume, along with their total value:

AreaVolumeValue (AED)
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)3,9113.5 Billion
Al Merkadh2,9434.729 Billion
Business Bay2,7415.102 Billion
Dubai Marina2,1648.307 Billion
Dubai Hills Estate1,5933.276 Billion
Source: https://dxbinteract.com/dubai-real-estate-market-report-2023-4

But what makes these areas so popular? Let’s find out.


Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): The Affordable and Spacious Option

Want to live in a community that offers a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments, with plenty of amenities and green spaces without compromising on convenience, money, and spacious properties? If you answered yes, then JVC is the place for you.

JVC is a master-planned community by Nakheel that covers an area of over 870 hectares, and features over 30 districts, each with its own distinctive character and style. JVC offers a range of residential options, from studios to four-bedroom villas with various designs and layouts. JVC also offers various amenities such as parks, schools, shops and mosques, making it a self-contained and family-friendly community.

JVC is popular among investors and end-users who are looking for budget-friendly and spacious properties, with an average price per sqft of AED 650, far lower than high priced areas such as Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai. It’s well-connected to the rest of the city, with easy access to major roads, such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, and Hessa Street.

JVC recorded 3,911 transactions in 2023, with a total value of AED 3.552 Billion. JVC is popular among investors and end-users who are looking for affordable and spacious properties in a well-connected location.


Al Merkadh (Dubai South): The Future-Ready and Growth-Oriented Option

Al Merkadh is a new development that is part of the larger Dubai South project, which aims to create a self-sustained urban destination that supports the Expo 2020 and the Al Maktoum International Airport.

Al Merkadh offers a range of residential options, from studios to four-bedroom apartments, as well as retail and leisure facilities. Al Merkadh saw 2,943 transactions in 2023 with a total value of AED 4.729 Billion.

Al Merkadh is attractive for investors who want to capitalize on the growth potential of Dubai South. It is a nascent community with a lot of potential for growth given it’s proximity to Dubai World Central and Al Maktoum Airport which will become the main airport in Dubai by 2030. The airport will have an annual cargo capacity of 12 million tonnes and a passenger capacity of 160 to 260 million people per year making it one of the busiest airports on the planet.


Business Bay: The Central and Cosmopolitan Option

  • Do you want to live and work in the heart of the city, with stunning views of the Dubai Canal and the Burj Khalifa?
  • Do you want to enjoy a cosmopolitan and sophisticated lifestyle, with a variety of residential and commercial options?
  • Do you want to benefit from the high demand and returns that come with a central business district?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Business Bay is the place for you.

Business Bay is a central business district that covers an area of 64 million sqft and features some of the most iconic skyscrapers, hotels, and commercial spaces in Dubai. Business Bay also offers a variety of residential options, from studios to penthouses, with various designs and features. They are mostly all apartments buildings here to accomodate for both commercial and residential living.

Business Bay generated AED 5.1 Billion in 2023 from 2,741 transactions. Business Bay is ideal for investors and professionals who want to live and work in the heart of the city, with easy access to Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Sheikh Zayed Road. With a plethora of iconic such as The Opus by Omniyat, SLS Hotel and Residences, the extremely elegant Volante Tower and The Sterling, there is no shortage of gorgeous buildings in this area.


Dubai Marina: The Waterfront and Luxurious Option

Dubai Marina is a waterfront community that features a 3 km long artificial canal, lined with high-rise towers, luxury yachts, and a vibrant promenade.

There’s a wide range of residential options, from studios to penthouses, with spectacular views of the marina, the sea, and the Palm Jumeirah.

Dubai Marina registered 2,164 transactions in 2023, with a total value of AED 8.307 Billion. Dubai Marina is perfect for investors and residents who want to enjoy a cosmopolitan lifestyle, with a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options nearby. Dubai Marina was one of the first real estate projects to be completed in Dubai where the large central waterway has been excavated from the desert and running a length of 3.2 km bringing in the arabian gulf into the city. Lots of amazing buildings are spread across the Marina such as the stunning Cayan Tower with it’s wonderful twist, The Princess Tower which is one of the tallest residential towers in the world, Marina 101, which is the 4th tallest in thw world and 52|42 overlooking the Marina and the amazing Bluewater Island.


Dubai Hills Estate: The Green and Serene Option

If you want to live in a mega-development that spans over 11 million sqm, featuring a golf course, a mall, a park, while enjoying a green and serene lifestyle, then Dubai Hills is for you.

With a diverse range of residential options, from apartments to villas, and access to world-class amenities and facilities, like schools, hospitals, and sports clubs, within your community, makes it a sought-after area.

Dubai Hills Estate recorded 1,593 transactions in 2023, with a total value of AED 3.276 Billion. The predecessor to Emirates Living, Dubai Hills is a master community by Emaar that they built after learning what went wrong with Emirates Living. With modern homes, the second largest mall in the city, the 18-hole gorgeous Dubai Hills Golf Course, the famous Kings College Hospital and the excellent Dubai Hills Park which is great for kids, this is a an open and green community located in the middle of the city, perfect for families with children.


How to Choose the Best Area for Your Investment: The Key Factors to Consider

Now that you know the top 5 areas to invest in Dubai, in terms of volume, you might be wondering how to choose the best one for your investment. After all, each area has its own advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics, and what works for one investor might not work for another. So, how do you make the right decision? Well, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some key factors that you should consider, such as:

  • Your budget: How much money are you willing and able to invest? This will determine the type, size, and quality of the property that you can afford, and the area that you can target. For example, if you have a low budget, you might want to look for affordable and spacious properties in JVC or Al Merkadh. If you have a high budget, you might want to look for luxurious and prestigious properties in Palm Jebel Ali or Downtown Dubai.
  • Your goal: Are you looking for capital appreciation, rental income, or both? This will determine the potential returns, risks, and costs of your investment, and the area that you can target. For example, if you are looking for capital appreciation, you might want to look for emerging and growth-oriented areas, such as Al Merkadh or Palm Jebel Ali. If you are looking for rental income, you might want to look for popular and in-demand areas, such as Business Bay or Dubai Marina.
  • Your preference: Your personal taste and lifestyle will determine the level of comfort, convenience, and satisfaction that you will get from your investment, and the area that you can target. For example, if you prefer a waterfront and luxurious lifestyle, you might want to look for properties in Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah. If you prefer a green and serene lifestyle, you might want to look for properties in Dubai Hills Estate or JVC.

These are just some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the best area for your investment. Of course, there are other factors that might influence your decision, such as the market trends, the supply and demand, the legal and regulatory aspects, and the reputation and credibility of the developers. You should also do your own research, consult with experts, and visit the areas yourself, before making any final decision.


Summary: The Best Areas to Invest in Dubai in 2024

Dubai is a city that offers a wide range of options for real estate investors, depending on their budget, preferences, and goals. Based on the data from 2023, we have identified the top 5 performing areas in Dubai, in terms of volume. These areas are:

  • Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
  • Al Merkadh (Dubai South)
  • Business Bay
  • Dubai Marina
  • Dubai Hills Estate

These areas offer the best combination of demand, supply, quality, location, and amenities, making them the most attractive and profitable for investors in 2024. Whether you are looking for affordable and spacious properties, futuristic and visionary projects, or luxurious and prestigious properties, you can use Viewit to search for video listings!

Written By: Ashar Iqbal Published On: 13 January 2024

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