Why should you live in Sharjah and work in Dubai?
Reading the title of this article may surprise those who are new to the UAE, especially to those residents living and working in Dubai. You may be wondering, “why would anyone want to live in Sharjah and work in Dubai?”
The Dubai versus Sharjah debate is long-running, as residents weigh up the benefits of affordable property prices in Sharjah against the longer commute times into the larger emirate. Although Dubai has traditionally been the more popular option, over the past few years, Sharjah has further emerged into a commercial and economic hub for both tourists and expats.
It tends to be the case that residents living and working in Dubai advise that there is nothing better than working and staying in Dubai whereas Sharjah residents say the same for Sharjah. However, these opinions come from individuals that are used to the comfort and convenience of their living situation. What those who haven’t spent much time in Sharjah do not know is that there is the option to have the best of both worlds; work in Dubai and live in Sharjah.
Dubai and Sharjah are prominent emirates in the UAE that offer attractive salaries, impressive infrastructure and a comfortable lifestyle which have prompted working professionals from all over the world to flock to them. Of the two, Dubai is favoured by many because it’s perceived as easier to get a job with a higher salary and, the possibilities of experiencing a lavish lifestyle like no other continues to be a big draw. The nightlife and unlimited dining options – Dubai’s highly international population is reflected in the thousands of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world – as well as its status as a globally-renowned shopping destination – is a combination that many find hard to resist.
However, what if the lavish lifestyle and nightlife that Dubai has to offer is something that doesn’t appeal to you? What if you prefer saving your money rather than spending it on shopping? If you are in this situation, then you should take advantage of living in Sharjah and working in Dubai.
Here are 3 reasons why you should live in Sharjah and work in Dubai
1. Tons of savings
Both Dubai and Sharjah offer residents with top-notch living spaces. Without a doubt, the apartments in Dubai are much more expensive. Rents for 1-bed apartments in Dubai range between AED 50,000 to AED 60,000 at current prices, however, you will see huge variation depending on which area you choose, facilities, size of the property and so on.
Nevertheless, if you are more of a saver than a spender – getting an apartment in Sharjah is the best option as you can save a lot on rent. Rents for 1 BHK apartments in Sharjah range from AED 30,000 to AED 40,000 with the most expensive being around the AED 50,000 mark according to Bayut.com listings. Some of the best areas in Sharjah offers both bachelors and families the opportunity to live in a diverse community with easy access to facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and grocery stores.
If you are looking to settle long-term, Sharjah properties are much cheaper. For instance, your outlay to buy a villa in Sharjah would be much lesser if you are investing in a villa in Dubai.
2. Many leisure options
Although Sharjah doesn’t have quite the same lively nightlife as Dubai does, it has been developing its infrastructure rapidly in recent years, offering residents more places to visit in Sharjah. These include the Sharjah Art <useum and other developments such as the Majaz Waterfront, Al Noor Island and Sharjah Amphitheatre. The Buhaira Corniche is also a great place to take a stroll and relax by the water. Sharjah is not just limited to these, you can find a variety of fine dining options in and around the city, ranging from Indian, Italian and continental. However Sharjah is not limited to this, the city has a wealth of small cafeterias that serve delicious and affordable food options.
3. Opportunity to explore the UAE culture without tourists
There are many atractions heritage sites in Sharjah available to the public for visits. The best part is that most of these areas are yet to be discovered by the tourist population coming to the UAE. With all the tourists rushing to Dubai to enjoy watching the dancing fountains and the top of the Burj Kalifa, you can enjoy exploring and learning about the history of the city without the busy steps of excited tourists.
Even though Sharjah has a lot to offer, there is one downside to living there that may outweigh the benefits of living in Sharjah and working in Dubai. That downside is travel time. If you are travelling to and from Sharjah to Dubai, prepare to encounter heavy traffic during the peak hours which are 6 am – 11 am and 4 pm – 9 pm. If you don’t have a car, plenty of public transportation options are available from Sharjah to Dubai and back, but again, be ready to face a long commute. However, if a long journey is something that doesn’t bother you, then you can enjoy the best of both worlds – working in the vibrant city of Dubai while enjoying affordable property prices and a slightly slower pace of life in Sharjah.
In conclusion, the decision of choosing to live in Dubai or Sharjah comes down to the thing you hold most dear – time or money. The affordable rent in Sharjah has resulted in residents of Dubai considering the option of moving to Sharjah. Renting villas in Sharjah is probably going to cost you way less than renting one in Dubai.
Nevertheless, if the three reasons mentioned in this article have resonated with you, then living in Sharjah is the option for you. You will be able to save a lot of money and live a much more relaxed lifestyle than the residents of Dubai. If you are still not convinced about living in Sharjah, the option of living in Dubai is still open. However, if you are on a budget and want to save money you may want to look into a more affordable option such as a studio apartment in Dubai.
Once again it all comes down to the thing that you value more. So which one will it be? Are you willing to live the best of both worlds?
After reading the above article I came to know indeed Sharjah is so beautiful. Staying in Dubai for so many years never visited Sharjah but now I will surely visit. Thanks for the beautiful article