HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS
Jumeirah Lake Towers, commonly abbreviated to JLT, is a sought-after vertical neighbourhood. JLT is well-known for its amenities, you will find many restaurants, shops, cafes. It is also known for its affordability with rents consistently lower than neighbouring districts. JLT is known to be one of the top areas in Dubai to rent and buy apartments, as seen in Bayut.com's H2 Market Report 2018. This area guide delves into the perks of living in JLT and things to consider before moving to the area.
IN A NUTSHELL
- Consists of high rise skyscrapers in 26 clusters of three buildings in each
- The district is named after the lakes that provide the pleasant waterfront promenades
- A vibrant mix of offices, residences, retail, food and beverage outlets and hospitality
- Has its own pet-friendly park
- One of the most pedestrian-friendly skyscraper communities in Dubai
Neighbourhood
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
JLT was designed to be an independent community in its own right and consists of 26 clusters, each named after a letter from the English alphabet - A to Z. It is easy to navigate, for example, if you are in Cluster C, keep driving clockwise and you will eventually reach Z, if you miss the turn, you can always go around again. Each cluster has three buildings, and they are comprised of apartments, offices, shops and hotels. The apartments in JLT are a good reflection of Dubai's population, in that you will find people of all nationalities living there.
PROPERTIES IN JLT
Living in JLT is a pleasure with an easygoing community vibe and plenty of amenities that cater to the whole family as well as young professionals who want to be close to the bustle of the Marina but without the price tag. Since it is mainly an area with multiple high-rise buildings there are only apartments available in the area. You can find studios, 1, 2, 3 and even a few 4-bedroom flats. Rental price for a studio in JLT starts from around AED 38k, whereas 1-bedroom apartments start from AED 47k and 2-bedroom flats can be rented for AED 110k. Larger families can opt for a 3-bedroom apartment with a maid's room. The average rent for a 3-bedroom flat is AED 145k, most of these units come with a full view of the lake.
Since JLT is a freehold area there are multiple different properties up for sale in all of the clusters. You can purchase your own studio in JLT for AED 380k, the average price for 1-bedroom flats is AED 825k and buyers can expect 2-bedroom apartments to range from AED 750k to AED 2.7M. This huge gap is due to the fact that JLT is home to a few select deluxe properties.
The actual clusters of apartments in JLT are split roughly in half by a road that connects Sheikh Zayed Road with First Al Khail Street, with clusters A through N are located closer to Abu Dhabi and clusters O through Z on the side closer to Dubai. Those renting in JLT are in the unique position of having their pick of layouts, thanks to the fact that the different towers are built by different developers, it is worth shopping around to find a style that suits you.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES IN JLT
While the various commercial and residential towers have their own parking spaces, these are not usually available to visitors. Limited, time-sensitive paid parking is available to the public, however, the hotels in the neighbourhood offer valet services. If you don’t drive there are usually plenty of taxis in the area, while two metro stations also make public transportation in JLT easily accessible. There is the DMCC metro station which is right next to Cluster D and then the Damac Properties metro station next to Cluster S. For other clusters there are the feeder buses JLT1 and JLT2 which are conveniently dotted through the area, making commuting and getting around a breeze.
AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE
Supermarkets in JLT
You will find a series of small supermarkets in JLT, including Spinneys, West Zone, Carrefour Market, as well as a number of small independent marts and convenience stores at the base of the residential and commercial towers. The nearest big supermarket is Waitrose in Dubai Marina Mall, just across Sheikh Zayed Road.
Churches, Temples and Mosques in JLT
There are currently two mosques in JLT, one known as Tiffany mosque in Tiffany Tower, Cluster W, and another in Cluster A near Movenpick Hotel. Those wishing to attend church can take the short drive to the Al Muntazah Complex next to Jebel Ali, where there are churches of several denominations, as well as the Sikh Gurunanak Darbar Temple located in the same area.
Schools in JLT
The one thing that the locality does not have yet is a school. However, the nearest, Emirates International School, is just a short drive away in The Meadows, and nearby Al Barsha is also home to several, including the very highly respected Kings School Al Barsha and the American School of Dubai.
Parents who are moving to JLT, who have children of nursery age, on the other hand, are spoiled for choice. Nearly every other cluster has its own nursery in JLT, including two branches of Dewdrops Nursery, two Learning Ladders, Paddington Nursery, Kid Kare Nursery, Oakfield Early Learning Centre, and several more, which is probably one of the reasons why the area is so popular with young families.
Older students will also find that residing in JLT has its perks. It is home to 2 universities in the community itself, there is the Austrian affiliated Modul University in One Tower, opp Cluster G. The Dubai campus for the Russian based Synergy University in Cluster I. Otherwise, there are the universities in Knowledge Village which is just opposite JLT. There are many notable and reputed options offering different internally accredited curriculum.
Clinics and Hospitals in JLT
You will also find a choice of medical facilities and hospitals in JLT including Dr K Medical Center DMCC, the Dome MedDental Clinic, and countless others include the Armada Medical Centre, the Optimum Diagnostic Clinic, and the German Dental Clinic. Other healthcare needs are also met, with the Scandinavian Physiotherapy Centre and Dr Batra's Homeopathy Clinic.
TOP 5 BUILDINGS IN JLT
Placing first is New Dubai Gate, a high rise residential building in Cluster Q, it overlooks the resident favourite: JLT park. In terms of the residential units in the building, it includes options to both: rent an apartment or you can choose to buy your own property.
Based on searches on Bayut.com, Icon Tower was one of the most popular buildings in the area. Rents for a 1-bedroom apartment in Icon Tower range from AED 50k to AED 72k. If you would like to purchase a 1-bedroom flat, that would set you back on average by AED 762k. Goldcrest Views follows closely and takes third place with Lake Point Tower being the next most searched for building, while Saba Tower rounds off the list.
Nearby Areas
You can find JLT’s towering skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road across from the bustling Marina. Residents often take the metro bridge to cross into Dubai Marina, when they fancy going to the beach.
It is also next to the upscale Emirates Hills development, it is close to the communities in The Meadows, The Springs and Jumeirah Park.
Lifestyle
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
Given the relaxed vibe of the community, it’s hard to believe the sheer number of services and amenities that are on offer for residents. Clinics, pharmacies, a vet (the area is very pet-friendly), select retail shops, beauty salons, groceries and supermarkets such as West Zone, Zoom and Spinneys are all located along the waterfront promenade that winds around each building as well as on the ground levels of most of them. Having such a vibrant ambience is one of the biggest benefits if you are thinking of moving to the area.
Malls in JLT
The closest mall to JLT is the Dubai Marina Mall, located just across Sheikh Zayed Road. With a huge selection of international stores, this mall is perfect for the cosmopolitan residents to indulge in a spot of shopping. Other shopping malls near JLT include Mall of the Emirates in the Barsha area just 15 minutes away while Ibn Battuta Mall is just 10 minutes away.
Restaurants in JLT
Foodies are particularly catered to with the myriad of restaurants in JLT, as the neighbourhood is a veritable dining hotspot in its own right. Travel the world with every imaginable cuisine, from Vietnamese to Greek, soul food from New Orleans or Sri Lankan cuisine, the list goes on, with options for every palate and price point. There are a few licensed ventures in the area as well. Popular options include Jazz at Pizza Express in Cluster A, Nola's Eatery and Social House which serves up American fare in Cluster P. As well as the lounges and bars in the Bonnington Hotel in Cluster J.
Recent years have also seen the location's popularity surge as a nightlife destination, thanks to the opening of eagerly anticipated trendy spots.
BEACHES NEAR JLT
As the area is located on the east side of Sheikh Zayed Road, it does not enjoy its own beach. However, JBR Beach is just across the road, a short taxi ride or walk across the road via the metro station bridge. JBR Beach has its own amenities and facilities perfect for a fun day out.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS
One of the newer crazes to hit Dubai are escape rooms. You willingly lock yourself up in a room and solve clues to find the key to the door. There are different themed rooms to escape from and there are two in JLT - Phobia Dubai is located in Cluster X and Escape Quest is in Cluster N. You don't have to venture out too far for some excitement with Dubai Marina and JBR just across the road.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY
Differing from the fast-paced lifestyle of Dubai Marina across the road, those renting in JLT can enjoy the largely pedestrian-friendly community, along with a pet-friendly park that’s a hit with families thanks to the children’s play areas, as well as young professionals who are frequently seen jogging, rollerblading and exercising there. This is certainly one of the biggest benefits of living in JLT. Apart from the regular gyms which JLT has plenty of, it has a few places for a unique workout. There are dance and yoga studios, as well as boxing clubs for fitness enthusiasts looking for something different to try.
In terms of beauty related activities, there are tons of spas and salons scattered throughout the neighbourhood, there are plenty of options for both men and women.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
For the community, there are multiple events that occur, in October you have the Breast Cancer Awareness 'Pink Walkathon'. For the rest of the year, there are ongoing sporting events, a kids football tournament and even an outdoor art gallery.
As it is a family-friendly neighbourhood, it’s unsurprising that there are a number of events in JLT that happen throughout the year, from carnivals to flea markets and even open-air movie screenings that draw people not only from the towers but the entire city.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Although the area is certainly a great place to live in Dubai, there are a few things to consider before moving to JLT. JLT has experienced problems with traffic in the past, however, recent changes to the roads have significantly reduced this. Although, if you do drive, it's worth bearing in mind that after moving to JLT, because the neighbourhood is a strictly one-way destination, if you miss your turn - you will have to loop all the way back around. Parking spaces are not always provided with each apartment, so check with your agent or landlord to clarify before moving to JLT as to whether one is included in your rent payments.