Living in Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai: What to Expect in these Areas?

Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai are two of the most popular residential areas in Dubai, ranking amongst the top areas to buy or rent a property. Both offer stylish properties with state-of-the-art amenities, close to major attractions and landmarks. 

Downtown Dubai 

The flagship development of Emaar Properties, the name behind many other popular communities such as Emirates Living, Arabian Ranches and more. 

Predominantly developed by Emaar, although there are residential towers by other notable developers in the area as well.

Both neighbourhoods are situated off Sheikh Zayed Road, a major thoroughfare. Properties in Dubai Marina are close to Jebel Ali, while properties in Downtown Dubai are closer to older neighbourhoods like Bur Dubai and Jumeirah.

Both Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina have an extensive portfolio of apartments for sale, including ready and off-plan units:

1. Those looking at apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai will be spoilt for choice, with apartment configurations ranging from studios to 5-bedroom units, as well as options for luxurious penthouses and duplexes.

2. The sheer number of apartments means that there is a variety of architectural styles and floor plans in Downtown Dubai. 

3. Downtown Dubai apartments come with sweeping views of the city’s skyline and the Dubai Canal.

4. Dubai Marina apartments for sale also have layouts ranging from studios to 5-bedroom flats, along with upscale penthouses and duplexes. 

5. Buyers can choose between various floor plans in Dubai Marina for apartments, which have views of the man-made marina, the Arabian Gulf and the area’s skyline.

Both communities offer units of similar sizes with 1-bedroom apartments ranging between 570 sq. ft to 1,200 sq. ft. The flats in Downtown Dubai tend to have larger layouts.

1. Downtown Dubai apartments also have a higher average sales price-per-square-foot of AED 1,890, due to their proximity to world-famous landmarks and an enviable central location. 

2. Average sales price-per-square-foot for flats in Dubai Marina stands at AED 1,242.

3. The price to buy studio apartments in Downtown Dubai averages AED 1.09M.

4. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom flats have average sales prices of AED 1.52M and AED 2.79M. 

5. A 3-bedroom apartment for sale in Downtown Dubai costs AED AED 4.81M.

6. Average price to buy studios in Dubai Marina stands at AED 769k. 

7. 1-bedroom flats for sale in Dubai Marina average at AED 1.15M.

8. 2-bedroom flats average at AED 1.78M. 

9. 3-bedroom flat for sale in Dubai Marina is AED 2.97M.

The Jewels is one of the towers in the area that offers podium villas.

For those who want larger homes, these luxurious communities also offer a limited, exclusive collection of podium villas. There is a larger availability of these spacious villas for sale in Dubai Marina, ranging from 3 to 5-bedroom units.

1. Prices to buy Dubai Marina villas averages at AED 4.89M for 3-bedroom homes, AED 9.74M for 4-bedroom villas and AED 13.6M for 5-bedroom units.

2. 4-bedroom villas in Downtown Dubai have an average cost of AED 6.54M.

Those renting apartments in Downtown Dubai will enjoy airy living spaces, sleek interiors and fantastic views.

Prospective tenants can expect a similar choice of apartments in both Downtown or Dubai Marina. The apartments for rent in both of these areas range from cosy studio flats to grand 5-bedroom penthouses.

For rental apartments in Dubai Marina, the most popular buildings are:

The most popular buildings in Downtown Dubai are:

1. The average prices to rent flats in Dubai Marina stand at AED 43k for studio apartments, AED 66k for 1-bedroom apartments, AED 98k for 2-bedroom flats and AED 142k for 3-bed flats.

2. Downtown Dubai apartments for rent will cost around AED 57k for studio flats, AED 83k for 1-bedroom apartments, AED 127k for 2-bedroom units and AED 242k for 3-BHK flats.

1. There is a bigger portfolio of rental villas in Dubai Marina, with available layouts ranging from 2-bedroom to 5-bedroom homes.

2. Downtown Dubai villas for rent are available primarily in 3 and 4-bedroom configurations, although smaller units can be found.

1. The average price to rent 3-bedroom villas in Dubai Marina stands at AED 181k.

2. Tenants can expect to pay an average price of AED 233k for 3-bedroom villas for rent in Downtown Dubai.

Life in Dubai Marina means residing in a family-friendly waterfront community, with easy access to the beach and a man-made marina. Those living in Downtown Dubai are in the heart of the action, as the area is home to impressive landmarks and upscale hotels.

1. There are several nurseries, clinics and supermarkets dotted throughout both of these neighbourhoods, ensuring a convenient and comfortable lifestyle for residents. Most apartment towers also have state-of-the-art amenities such as a gym and swimming pool.

2. Enjoying the watersports will love life in Dubai Marina, which is a stone’s throw away from the beach. 

3. Thrilling outdoor activities in Dubai Marina include skydiving, cycling and zip-lining.

4. Downtown Dubai boasts a pet-friendly park, known as the Burj Park, which is ideal for those with furry friends.

1. Those living in the properties in Dubai Marina will face no shortage of shopping and entertainment opportunities. The are plenty of well-known retail outlets in Dubai Marina Mall, as well as a cinema. Meanwhile, the surrounding area is known for its upscale restaurants and clubs.

2. Downtown Dubai edges out Dubai Marina when it comes to leisure attractions and activities. Thanks to the sprawling Dubai Mall, residents of the area have access to flagship stores, drive-in cinemas, musical fountains, ice rinks and more.

3. The nearby Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard is also home to some of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, and the Dubai Opera is perfect for culture vultures.

Downtown Dubai has its own metro station and a few public bus stops. On the other hand, Dubai Marina is serviced by the public bus, Dubai Tram and the Dubai Metro, making it easy for residents to get around without a car.

1. Downtown Dubai has several upcoming residential projects, including popular off-plan apartment towers such as:

2. Dubai Marina is home to some highly anticipated off-plan projects, including the Vida Residences. 

1. Residents of properties in Dubai Marina can enjoy the attractions of the nearby Bluewaters Island Dubai, such as upscale resorts, celebrity chef restaurants and the upcoming Ain Dubai.

2. Dubai Marina is also a short distance from the upcoming Dubai Harbour by Meraas, which is set to be Dubai’s most advanced marina and cruise terminal, and will be an unparalleled waterfront destination.

1. Downtown Dubai has several upcoming residential projects, including popular off-plan apartment towers such as:

- Opera Grand

- Downtown Views II 

- IL Primo

2. Dubai Marina is home to some highly anticipated off-plan projects, including the Vida Residences. 

When Comparing Apartments in Dubai Marina vs Downtown Dubai: 

Both communities offer units of similar sizes with 1-bedroom apartments ranging between 570 sq. ft to 1,200 sq. ft. The flats in Downtown Dubai tend to have larger layouts.

Cost

1. Downtown Dubai apartments also have a higher average sales price-per-square-foot of AED 1,890, due to their proximity to world-famous landmarks and an enviable central location. 

2. Average sales price-per-square-foot for flats in Dubai Marina stands at AED 1,242.

3. The price to buy studio apartments in Downtown Dubai averages AED 1.09M.

4. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom flats have average sales prices of AED 1.52M and AED 2.79M. 

5. A 3-bedroom apartment for sale in Downtown Dubai costs AED AED 4.81M.

6. Average price to buy studios in Dubai Marina stands at AED 769k. 

7. 1-bedroom flats for sale in Dubai Marina average at AED 1.15M.

8. 2-bedroom flats average at AED 1.78M. 

9. 3-bedroom flat for sale in Dubai Marina is AED 2.97M.