The best areas in Dubai for families.
Where families buying in Dubai tend to look: communities with villas, townhouses and room to grow. Each one links to our full area guide.
In short
The Dubai communities that suit families best are Jumeirah Village Circle, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai Hills Estate, Al Furjan, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches and DAMAC Hills. All are freehold, so foreign buyers can own outright.
The areas
- 01
Jumeirah Village Circle
Suits young families
A large, leafy Nakheel community between Al Khail and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed roads, and one of Dubai's busiest markets for first-time buyers.
- What you can buy
- Studios & 1–2 bed apartments · Townhouses · Off-plan launches
- Getting around
- There's no metro station yet, so most residents drive: Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road run along its edges, and buses link it to the nearest stations.
- 02
Jumeirah Village Triangle
Suits families
JVC's quieter neighbour: more villas and townhouses, a growing set of boutique apartment buildings, and easy access to Al Khail Road.
- What you can buy
- Villas & townhouses · Boutique apartment buildings · Off-plan studios
- Getting around
- Reached by car via Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, with JVC next door and Dubai Marina and Al Barsha a short drive away.
- 03
Dubai Hills Estate
Suits families
A master-planned community built around an 18-hole golf course and a large central park, with Dubai Hills Mall on the doorstep.
- What you can buy
- Villas · Townhouses · Park- and golf-view apartments
- Getting around
- A driving community beside Al Khail Road, with Downtown, Al Barsha and Dubai Marina all within a short drive.
- 04
Al Furjan
Suits families
An established Nakheel community between Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed roads, with its own metro station on the Route 2020 line.
- What you can buy
- Villas & townhouses · 1–3 bed apartments · Ready homes
- Getting around
- Al Furjan has its own station on the Dubai Metro's Route 2020 line, with Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road close by.
- 05
Palm Jumeirah
Suits families
Nakheel's palm-shaped island off Dubai's coast: beachfront villas on the fronds, apartments along the trunk and resort hotels on the crescent.
- What you can buy
- Frond villas · Beachfront apartments · Branded residences
- Getting around
- The Palm Monorail runs from the mainland along the trunk to the crescent, and the island connects by road to Sheikh Zayed Road near Dubai Marina.
- 06
Arabian Ranches
Suits families
Emaar's established villa community in Dubailand, built around a golf course, with schools, parks and a community centre inside its gates.
- What you can buy
- Villas · Townhouses · Ready homes
- Getting around
- A driving community off Al Qudra Road, with Motor City and Dubai Sports City nearby. There's no metro, so most residents drive.
- 07
DAMAC Hills
Suits families
DAMAC's master community on Al Qudra Road, laid out around the Trump International Golf Club, with villas, townhouses and apartment buildings.
- What you can buy
- Villas & townhouses · Golf-view apartments · Off-plan launches
- Getting around
- A driving community on Al Qudra Road, with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road close by and Arabian Ranches and Motor City as neighbours.
Families FAQ
Questions buyers ask us.
What are the best areas in Dubai for families?
Of the communities we cover, the ones that suit families best are Jumeirah Village Circle, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai Hills Estate, Al Furjan, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches and DAMAC Hills. Each has a full area guide on what you can buy there and how you get around.
Can foreigners buy property in these areas?
Yes. All of them are freehold areas, so foreign nationals can own property there outright.
Why is Jumeirah Village Circle on the list?
A large, leafy Nakheel community between Al Khail and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed roads, and one of Dubai's busiest markets for first-time buyers. Our guide lists it as suiting young families.
Why is Jumeirah Village Triangle on the list?
JVC's quieter neighbour: more villas and townhouses, a growing set of boutique apartment buildings, and easy access to Al Khail Road. Our guide lists it as suiting families.
Why is Dubai Hills Estate on the list?
A master-planned community built around an 18-hole golf course and a large central park, with Dubai Hills Mall on the doorstep. Our guide lists it as suiting families.
Choosing an area?
Tell us how you live. We'll suggest the area.
Budget, commute, schools and whether it's to live in or to let. We'll come back with the community that fits and the buildings worth a look.