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What is it about? Al Ain is the second-largest city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, located in the eastern part of the country on the border with Oman. It is known as the "Garden City" due to its oasis, which is one of the largest in the world.
What to pay attention to? The cost per square metre of housing in Al Ain is 1,089,330 ₽. In recent years, there has been a trend towards increasing rental rates and property purchase prices, making investments in apartments or houses very profitable.
Al Ain city is the only place in the United Arab Emirates listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, this city, located in the eastern part of the Abu Dhabi emirate, is a modern settlement that differs greatly from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
It's not just about the absence of the sea in this city. There is a completely different "sea" there — a sea of greenery. Al Ain remarkably resembles a green oasis in the land of the Arab Emirates. Another key feature that distinguishes this city from others in the UAE is the complete absence of high-rise buildings.
Instead, you can enjoy the atmosphere created by cosy small houses, luxurious villas and low-rise buildings that do not exceed 7 floors.
Thus, in Al Ain, you won't see a huge number of skyscrapers, as you would in Dubai. In this city, it is customary to first develop new areas and then landscape them, which gives the place a special charm and harmony.
For the Emirates, Al Ain's landmarks became the first and are still the only ones in the country to have the honour of being recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. Cultural objects are successfully complemented by natural landmarks, such as a hot spring with healing water and the Green Mubazzarah Park.
Al Ain is the fourth most populous city in the UAE, located east of Abu Dhabi. You can get there by car or bus in 2 hours.
Comfortable modern buses, equipped with all necessary amenities, depart from the parking lot in Abu Dhabi every hour. The journey takes only 2 hours, and the ticket price varies from 2 to 3 dollars.
During the trip, the bus makes a 10-minute stop, giving passengers the opportunity to rest and enjoy the magnificent landscapes of exotic trees surrounding the road.
From Dubai to Al Ain, small minivans operate from the taxi park in the Bur Dubai area.
Al Ain, like all of the UAE, is located in a tropical desert climate zone with predominantly hot and dry weather. In summer, the air temperature often exceeds 40°C, so people from cooler regions should not go there during this period.
Image source: Rokaszil / wikipedia.org
However, due to low humidity, high temperatures are easier to bear than on the coast. From mid-September to early May, daytime values range from 20°C to 29°C. The proximity of the desert leads to significant temperature fluctuations between day and night.
In winter, night temperatures rarely exceed 12–14°C and can drop to 0°C. Rainfall is rare, mainly in late winter and early spring, but its amount in Al Ain exceeds that in other parts of the UAE due to the influence of the Hajar Mountains.
Taxis are easily accessible, with low trip costs (old brown taxis will cost 10 dirhams plus 1 per km; silver taxis are more expensive but offer better air conditioning and typically English-speaking drivers).
Women travelling alone are advised to sit in the back seat and avoid conversing with drivers to prevent misunderstood displays of friendliness.
Local bus service is also available.
Al Ain is one of the largest cities in the UAE with a developed educational system, covering institutions from kindergartens to universities.
Image source: Emad Alsharif 88 / wikimedia.org
The most important university is the United Arab Emirates University, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country, offering programmes from bachelor's to doctoral degrees.
Al Hili College trains specialists in the fields of IT, business management and engineering. Also worth noting is the Higher Colleges of Technology, which offers education in various fields such as engineering, medicine, business and information technology.
Al Ain is also home to international educational institutions such as the American and British schools.
Al Ain, a significant city in the United Arab Emirates, has numerous medical facilities, each playing a role in maintaining the health of the local population. One of the most well-known medical centres is Tawam Hospital.
This modern medical complex, equipped with the latest technology, offers various medical services, including cancer treatment, cardiology and neurosurgery. Tawam Hospital also enjoys a good reputation thanks to its research initiatives and partnerships with international medical organisations.
Another important medical institution is Al Ain Hospital. There, medical workers place great emphasis on the quality of patient care and provide services in general medicine, surgery and paediatrics.
Al Ain has three significant shopping centres: Al Ain Mall, Al Jimi Mall and Al Bawadi Mall. The largest among them is Al Ain Mall, which is located in the central part of the city. There you can find both European brands and traditional women's clothing.
Image source: freepik / freepik.com
Al Jimi Mall initially operated as a grocery market, but it is now a modern shopping complex with a large supermarket. Al Bawadi Mall was built quite recently and offers diverse clothing from various brands.
The main difference between Al Ain's shopping places and Dubai's is the absence of large numbers of tourists. It is rare to see travellers in local markets, which allows you to enjoy an authentic Arab atmosphere. The city has four large markets:
What to see in Al Ain?
Families with children and water activity enthusiasts will enjoy the Wadi Adventure water park. Visitors can try rafting on three rivers of different difficulty levels, either independently or with an instructor. The park also has pools for children and adults, restaurants and cafes.
Animal lovers should visit the Al Ain Zoo, divided into sections with cats, reptiles and nocturnal inhabitants. There you can see tigers, panthers, leopards, monkeys, gazelles, snakes, owls, hedgehogs and rodents.
Local residents who appreciate good food choose Mikani cafe at the Hilton hotel, known for its quality service, excellent coffee and shisha. The hotel also has a Mexican bar called Paco's Bar.
If you want to try Indian cuisine, visit the Coriander restaurant on Zayed Bin Sultan Street in Bawadi Mall. Al Areesh on Khalifa Street offers Lebanese dishes, and walking along Bani Yas Street, you can visit the Italian restaurant Pizzaro.
For a light snack, such as Lebanese sandwiches, Al Mallah Cafeteria is suitable.
Nightclubs and bars can be found in almost every district of Al Ain city.
The real estate market in Al Ain, UAE, shows impressive growth, especially in residential and commercial real estate segments. This phenomenon is directly related to the significant increase in rent in major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Let's look at rental price dynamics. Over the past year, the rental cost of three-bedroom villas has increased by 30%, and five-bedroom villas by more than 40%. Despite this significant growth, rent in Al Ain remains substantially lower than in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, making it attractive for families with children and people seeking comfortable accommodation at a more affordable price.
Image source: nednapa / shutterstock.com
On average, villa rentals in the secondary market range within: 45,000 dirhams for a three-bedroom villa; 60,000 dirhams for a four-bedroom villa; 70,000 dirhams for a five-bedroom villa. In the primary market, these figures are somewhat higher: 60,000, 75,000, and 85,000 dirhams respectively. This represents a 35–40% increase compared to the previous year.
However, it should be noted that new luxury complexes offer villas for rent at significantly higher prices, ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 dirhams per year.
Let's turn to the property sales market. There we observe a similar trend of price growth. To get an accurate picture, it's necessary to consider the current exchange rate of dirham to your currency and make the calculations based on prices in local currency.
Typical apartment prices in Al Ain (in dirhams) are as follows: studio apartment ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 dirhams; one-bedroom apartment ranging from 350,000 to 600,000 dirhams; two-bedroom apartment ranging from 500,000 to 800,000 dirhams; three-bedroom apartment ranging from 700,000 to 1,200,000 dirhams; multi-room apartments (four rooms and more) starting from 1,000,000 dirhams.
The cost depends on location, quality of finishing and availability of additional amenities.
As for houses, the price varies in a much wider range, starting from 1,000,000 dirhams for a small house and reaching several million dirhams for luxury villas with swimming pools and large plots.
The price per square metre also depends on many factors, including location, house condition and infrastructure availability. Overall, the average cost per square metre in Al Ain is lower than in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, making it a more affordable option for property purchase.
It should be noted that the real estate market is constantly changing, so before making decisions about buying or renting, it's necessary to consult qualified real estate agents and conduct your own market analysis.
It's important to remember that the data presented in this article is approximate and may vary depending on many factors. It's necessary to obtain current information from reliable sources before making any financial decisions.
Weekends in Al Ain offer an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture and enjoy natural beauty. Al Ain Zoo, one of the largest in the region, offers an exciting excursion into wildlife.
Visiting Al Ain Palace Museum is like a journey through time, allowing you to learn about the history of the ruling Al Nahyan family and see an impressive collection of artifacts telling about life in the region throughout the centuries. Don't forget about a walk through the Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
When making a decision, important factors include location, size and layout of the property, its condition, availability of a land plot, district infrastructure, transport accessibility, as well as maintenance costs and possible expenses for repairs or updates.
Pros: more space and privacy, a garden or land, and the ability to implement individual design ideas. Cons: higher operating costs and the need for independent maintenance of the plot.
Al Ain is a city where ancient traditions harmoniously intertwine with modern lifestyle. There you can find beautiful modern buildings neighbouring ancient fortresses and oases. Al Ain has all the necessary conditions for comfortable living: shops, restaurants, hotels and much more.
Article header image source: ArthurHidden / freepik.com
