Communities in the UAE

The UAE's communities fall into a few broad types: dense apartment districts around the water or the city centre, like Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai; master-planned villa and townhouse communities built around parks, schools or a golf course, like Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills Estate; and Abu Dhabi's islands and waterfronts, such as Yas and Saadiyat. Each emirate also sets its own ownership and tenancy rules, so where you can buy — and on what terms — depends on the emirate as much as the address.

Most people narrow it down by a handful of practical questions before looking at individual homes. The guides below take each community in turn: who it suits, what residents like, what to weigh up, and how to get around. We don't quote prices or yields, which change month to month; for current figures, check the Dubai Land Department's data and the official rental index.

• Budget. Apartments in the central districts, or more space for the money further out.
• Commute. How close you are to work, and whether the area has a metro station or relies on driving.
• Home type. Apartment, townhouse or villa — and the lifestyle each brings.
• Family needs. Schools, parks and quiet, for those with school-age children.
• Ownership. Whether the area is open to foreign freehold ownership, if you're buying.
• The trade-offs. Every guide states the drawbacks as plainly as the draws.