5 Best Areas For Families in Dubai to Live in 2025

Dubai offers a wide range of family-friendly neighborhoods that combine safety, excellent schools, green spaces, and modern amenities. In this blog post, we will discuss Dubai as a great place for families and introduce you to some of the best areas in Dubai that provide a nurturing environment for children and convenience for parents.

Dubai’s Population and Demographics

Dubai’s population in 2025 is estimated at approximately 3.9 million, with expatriates constituting a significant 93.5%. Regarding housing, studies indicate that approximately 60% of families favor community-based living while the remaining 40% choose apartments or high-end villas.

The UAE government actively supports families through programs like the Emirati Family Growth Support Programme, which encourages larger families among Emirati citizens to bolster national demographics.

These family-focused initiatives aim to improve overall quality of life, with the average family size estimated at 4.5 members per household. This indicates a tendency toward larger families among Emiratis, a trend influenced by cultural values and governmental incentives.

Why is Dubai a Great Place For Families?

Dubai has long been recognized as an ideal destination for families. Apart from its reputation for safety, excellent educational institutions, and abundant leisure activities, a closer look at the cost of living reveals compelling financial advantages that make Dubai a more attractive location for raising children. Note that the figures presented below are taken from the Numbeo website.

One of the most essential benefits for families in Dubai is the considerably lower cost of childcare compared to major global cities like London. Surprisingly, monthly preschool fees in London, at AED 8,823.50, are a staggering 188.7% higher than Dubai's AED 3,056.25.

This substantial saving extends to primary education, with yearly fees for international schools in London (AED 106,860.71) exceeding Dubai's (AED 49,149.03) by 117.4%. These figures highlight the significant financial relief families can experience when it comes to providing quality education for their children in Dubai.

Beyond educational expenses, transportation, a major household cost, is also notably more affordable in Dubai. A one-way ticket on local transport in London costs 136.3% more than in Dubai, and a monthly pass is a staggering 193.4% more expensive.

Even daily commutes via taxi are significantly cheaper, with London's taxi start fare being 83.4% higher and the per-kilometer charge exceeding Dubai's by 408.5%.

Furthermore, while Dubai might have slightly higher costs for mobile and internet services, the overall cost of basic utilities remains competitive. More importantly, the prospect of owning a home, a cornerstone of family life, is significantly more attainable in Dubai.

The price per square meter to buy an apartment in London's city center is 213.0% higher than in Dubai (24,796.96 AED vs. 77,626.68 AED), and even outside the center, it is over 200% more expensive (13,438.48 AED vs. 41,231.25 AED). Thanks to this affordability in the housing market, families in Dubai will be able to secure more spacious living arrangements for their budget.

Coupled with Dubai's already established reputation for safety, world-class international schools offering diverse curricula, and a plethora of family-friendly leisure opportunities, the clear cost advantages, particularly in childcare, transportation, and property ownership, solidify Dubai's position as a highly desirable and financially sensible community for family living.

Best Areas to Live with Your Family in Dubai

Finding the right place in Dubai where you would like to live with your family can be a bit tricky. In this section, we are going to share with you some of the best neighborhoods in Dubai.

1. DAMAC Hills

DAMAC Hills, previously called Akoya by DAMAC, is a great area for families in Dubailand. This expansive 42-million-square-foot community was developed by DAMAC Properties.

Situated along Al Qudra Road (D63), DAMAC Hills offers a diverse selection of properties, including townhouses, villas, and apartments, alongside a wide array of amenities for retail, sports, spa treatments, wellness, and leisure.

Why It’s a Good Choice: A luxurious gated community in Dubailand, DAMAC Hills offers villas, townhouses, and apartments surrounded by green landscapes. It is home to the Trump International Golf Club, parks, and water lagoons with slides, ideal for kids.
Schools: Nearby schools include GEMS Metropole and South View School.
Amenities: Central Park, District Park, and Picnic Park, plus fitness centers, pools, and Dubai Hills Mall for entertainment.

2. Jumeirah Village Circle

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) is a freehold master-planned community in Dubai, launched in 2005 by Nakheel. It is located next to Sheikh Zayed Road.

JVC is a large development that spans over 870 hectares and is organized into six districts. It offers a variety of housing options, including spacious villas (some with up to five bedrooms and large balconies), townhouses, and apartments. While many properties are already occupied, the area is still undergoing construction.

Why It’s a Good Choice: JVC is an affordable, well-planned community with a mix of apartments, townhouses, and villas. Its central location offers easy access to major highways, and it is packed with green spaces like Circle Community Park and Khansoor Park.
Schools: Sunmarke School, Arcadia School, and Jumeirah International Nursery are within or near JVC.
Amenities: Circle Mall, supermarkets like Spinneys, and many parks make it quite convenient.

3. Arabian Ranches

Arabian Ranches, situated in a quieter area outside the city center, is a well-liked choice for families, particularly those with young children. Its residential streets are characterized by tree-lined pathways, providing a secure environment for pedestrians and children at play.

The best thing about Arabian Ranches is that it offers a tranquil atmosphere, a welcome escape from the city's bustle and traffic. The housing options vary from two- and three-bedroom townhouses to larger villas with as many as seven bedrooms. What’s more, each property includes private covered parking and gardens while their proximity to one another fosters a strong sense of community among residents.

Why It is a Good Choice: A gated villa community known for its serene, desert-themed environment, Arabian Ranches is a top choice for families. The community includes parks, communal pools, tennis courts, and a golf course. Its proximity to major highways ensures connectivity to Downtown Dubai.
Schools: Arabian Ranches benefit from close proximity to several schools, such as Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches (0.6 km) and GEMS Metropole School Al Waha (2.4 km).
Amenities: Arabian Ranches provides convenient local amenities including a supermarket, shops, a travel agency, a pharmacy, cafes, restaurants, and beauty services. For recreation, it offers tennis and basketball courts, a pool, and green spaces. There is also the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, which features horseback riding, polo lessons, stable tours, and hosts equestrian events.

4. Midrif

Mirdif is another great residential area that is situated in northern Dubai. This neighborhood suits both visitors and residents with a diverse selection of educational institutions, healthcare centers, restaurants, and leisure activities.

Mirdif presents an attractive living choice for various individuals, including new or established families with children of all ages, and professionals who want affordable rental options.

Why It is a Good Choice: A well-established, affordable neighborhood with large villas and apartments, Mirdif is known for its expat-friendly, village-like feel. It is close to Dubai Airport and features Mushrif Park for outdoor activities.
Schools: Mirdif has quite a few excellent educational institutions, including Star International School, GEMS Royal Dubai School, and Mirdif American School.
Amenities: Mirdif City Center, Uptown Mirdif, and Dubai's Mushrif Park. Residents get to enjoy many green spaces and outdoor areas as well as play areas for children.

5. Al Safa

The last area for families that we want to talk about in this section is Al Safa. This is a residential neighborhood in central Dubai, which is known for Safa Park. Bordering Umm Suqeim, Al Wasl, and Jumeirah, Al Safa is close to vibrant Downtown Dubai and Kite Beach.

Why It is a Good Choice: Al Safa is a great choice for families, given its central location. It provides access to numerous well-regarded schools and a variety of convenient amenities.
Schools: This area is home to a wide selection of well-regarded educational institutions, such as Jumeirah College, Jumeirah Primary School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Ittihad Private School, and Emirates English Speaking School.
Amenities: Al Safa offers residents convenient access to several supermarkets, including Carrefour Market, Spinneys, and Choithrams.
For religious needs, the area has many mosques, with Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Ayesha Mosque located within. A church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) is also available.
Moreover, specialized medical centers like Medcare Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital, Medcare Women & Children Hospital, and Wooridul Spine Center are also located in the community.

Final Words

If you are looking for a suitable neighborhood to live with your family in Dubai, we suggest checking out the areas discussed above. If you need more assistance in this regard, you can always reach out to us at Entralon where it is our job and expertise to help you find the right place.