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Living in Abu Dhabi: Everything You Need to Know
Life in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, one of the emirates in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the country, is one of the top places that individuals from all around the world seek to visit or even to reside in. Life in Abu Dhabi is considered to be very luxurious and is indeed one of the most visited places in the world.
As some consider Abu Dhabi to be somewhat expensive, it is still one of the first options when it comes to living, working, and growing old. Living in Abu Dhabi has many pros and cons, just like living in any other place in the world. However, more often than not, people tend to focus on the pros more than the cons, making it one of the cities that house a large number of different nationalities and religions in the world.
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Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi
The average cost of living in Abu Dhabi is somewhat affordable and reasonable. It is important to mention that even if Abu Dhabi is one of the major cosmopolitan hubs, it is still less expensive than many other countries and cities such as New York, as it is believed to be 43% more expensive than Abu Dhabi.
Living in Abu Dhabi might be challenging especially if individuals do not have control over the amount of money they spend. That being said, the average cost of living in Abu Dhabi is $824 per month, which is equivalent to AED3,026, for a single person without rent. This is of course based on the lifestyle of the person, as this amount of money is for the life that is limited in terms of outings and luxury shopping.
Moreover, a family of 4 members needs around $2,836 per month, which is equivalent to AED10,416, without rent. Also, it all comes down to the lifestyle that the family is living as a family might be spending less or much more money. This typically includes transportation, grocery, restaurants, leisure activities, and everything else that might need to be paid for.
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Places to Live in Abu Dhabi
Places in Abu Dhabi to live are many. The choice can be based on preference and other factors such as the environment, workplace, schools, universities, shopping malls, restaurants, night clubs, beaches, and many other necessities as well.
Living in Abu Dhabi is indeed one of the safest options one can have. Not to mention that it is a combination of luxury and modernity.
That being said, here are some of the places to live in Abu Dhabi:
1. The Corniche Area
The Corniche area is one of the areas in Abu Dhabi that are by the sea. It is located on the northwestern side of Abu Dhabi and it is right on the seashore and to the southeast of Al Kasir. This area typically includes all the facilities one can look for such as Marina Mall, the Corniche Road, beach, restaurants, hospitals, schools, cafes, and more.
2. Yas Island
Yas Island is the area that many choose to reside in because of all the advantages it has. Notably because of the Formula One events that take place at Yas Marina Circuit. It is located 20 km east of Abu Dhabi City Centre and it is a 15-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Airport. This island includes cafes, restaurants, Yas Mall, schools, hospitals, Yas Beach, Yas Marina, hotels, supermarkets, parks, dancing fountain, and more.
3. Al Reem Island
Al Reem Island is known for its luxurious residential towers. It is located around 600 meters from Abu Dhabi’s northeastern coast. It is right next to Qasr Al Bahr and Mangrove National Park. Al Reem Island typically includes cafes, a beach, Al Reem Mall, hospitals, nurseries, schools, a dancing fountain, Gateway Park, Carrefour market, and more.
4. Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island is a cultural hub housing Manarat Al Saadiyat along with other distinct spots. Saadiyat Island is located north of Abu Dhabi City Centre and it is between Zayed Port and Al Jubail Island. It is also a 20-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Airport. Saadiyat Island includes schools, cafes, restaurants, museums, Art Central, Galleria Malls, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and more.
5. Tourist Club Area
Tourist Club Area is one of the places to live in Abu Dhabi which is in the center of Corniche Road. It is located in the northern corner of Abu Dhabi to the northwest of Qasr Al Bahr. Tourist Club Area typically includes hospitals, schools, nurseries, Al Muhairy Centre, landscapes, lavish hotels, restaurants, cafes, and more.
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Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?
Abu Dhabi can be considered expensive for some especially when it comes to rent or to living the luxury life they want to live.
Abu Dhabi was the 39 th most expensive city to live in in the world. However, in 2021, it dropped and became the 56 th most expensive city to live in. The gap is quite interesting as it is not as expensive as it once was.
Furthermore, it is considered less expensive than other emirates in the UAE. That being said, living in Abu Dhabi is around 11% less expensive than living in Dubai. This means that in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi might be one of the best options.
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Is Transportation in Abu Dhabi Expensive?
Transportation in Abu Dhabi is somewhat fair and affordable. It is important to mention that there are many options when it comes to transportation in Abu Dhabi. The options typically include a car, taxi, bus, and even ferry.
Taxi fees usually start around AED4 which is equivalent to $1 and each kilometer costs around an additional AED1.60 which is equivalent to $0.45. Usually, prices are higher between 10 pm and 6 am.
As for the bus, it can cost anywhere between AED4 ($1) and AED25 (around $7) or more, based on the distance.
Also, there are ferries that can cost AED20 which is equivalent to $5.50 for adults (one-way ticket) and it is free for children who are under 12. However, if individuals are traveling with a car, they have to pay an additional AED100 which is around $27 to be able to bring it on board.
Is Rent Expensive in Abu Dhabi?
Rent in the United Arab Emirates has always been a topic that frustrated many people, especially in Abu Dhabi as it is more expensive than in other places.
Rent in Abu Dhabi is indeed expensive. For example, the average annual apartment rent in Abu Dhabi can be as such :
· One-bedroom apartment can be anywhere between AED65,780 ($17,900) and AED106,630 ($29,000).
· Two-bedroom apartment can be anywhere between AED95,000 ($25,860) and AED153,130 ($41,690).
· Three-bedroom apartment can be anywhere between AED123,890 ($33,730) and AED200,630 ($54,620).
It is important to mention that rent in Abu Dhabi is considered to be more expensive than rent in Dubai. Also, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most expensive emirates in the UAE. Having said that, buying a real estate property in Abu Dhabi can be better in the long run, especially if one decides to rent it out. With good math, individuals will figure out that buying the property is the wise choice to make.
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What Does Abu Dhabi Include?
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This emirate includes so many facilities that many find very useful. Moreover, tourists choose to visit Abu Dhabi each year for all of the advantages it has to offer. It is important to mention that one can find everything in Abu Dhabi, as this city is indeed one of the luxurious cities in the whole world where it is constantly being developed.
That being said, here are some of the facilities one can find in Abu Dhabi:
1. Shopping malls
2. Stores
3. Beaches
4. Restaurants
5. Nightclubs
6. Hospitals
7. Schools
8. Universities
9. Nurseries
10. Gyms
11. Compounds
12. Museums
13. Cinemas
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Pros of Living in Abu Dhabi
Living in Abu Dhabi has many pros, making it one of the best cities to live in.
1. Mix of culture
In Abu Dhabi, one can find different nationalities and cultures. This makes it possible for everyone to learn more about the languages that are spoken in the city, the way individuals are dressed, the different foods that are eaten, and even the customs and traditions of the countries. This makes it one of the modern cities to live in.
2. Travel Opportunities
Abu Dhabi is a city that is close to major travel destinations. Many of the interesting locations are less than a 4-hour flight away from Abu Dhabi. This includes India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, and many more. That is the main reason why the ones living in Abu Dhabi always take vacations, especially during summer.
3. Cheap Food
You can always find restaurants in Abu Dhabi that offer a wide selection of international cuisines at extremely reasonable prices. Some of these cuisines include Lebanese, Indian, Nepalese, Chinese, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and many more. Not to mention that take-out food service is less expensive than other cities and countries in the world.
4. Income-Tax-Free Life
What makes living in Abu Dhabi even more interesting is the income-tax-free life one can have. In Abu Dhabi, you do not have to pay taxes, which enables you to save more money as you will have access to all of your income. The ability to save money thanks to the tax-free law is indeed one of the major reasons that people take into consideration when living in Abu Dhabi.
5. Great Weather
The weather in Abu Dhabi is perfect for summer lovers. Just imagine living the summer life all year long. The good weather makes it possible for everyone to enjoy outdoor activities and it is even very important for the ones who hate winter and who obviously hate the cold weather and the bad weather conditions it brings along.
Cons of Living in Abu Dhabi
Just like any other city, living in Abu Dhabi has plenty of cons as well.
1. High Rent
The rent in Abu Dhabi is indeed one of the major cons and disadvantages, especially for foreign employees who have to rent a place in the city. Nowadays, job offers do not always include rented places to live in, making the costs of living in Abu Dhabi a bit disappointing and making life in Abu Dhabi a challenge in some cases.
2. Traffic
Traffic jams are a real and serious problem in Abu Dhabi. This means that living in Abu Dhabi demands patience as getting caught in traffic is quite the only option one might have at times. The reason is because of the number of individuals living in Abu Dhabi and the crowded places all year long, especially during summer.
3. Strict Rules
As many believe that strict rules are way better than chaos, it is still a problem especially when it comes to foreigners who want to settle and live in Abu Dhabi. Not all countries and governments have strict rules, which means that not all foreigners will be able to obey and adapt at first. Though it is a pro to some, it is a challenge to many others.
Living in Abu Dhabi typically refers to living in one of the most luxurious cities in the whole world. It includes all that individuals might need and it is becoming more and more visited by tourists as the years go by.
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