Apartments for rent in Ras Al Khaimah

Sandwiched between Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term Ras Al Khaimah has an interesting meaning when translated from Arabic to English – it means ‘Top of the Tent'. This term does a great job describing the location of RAK since it is the northernmost emirate. One interesting aspect of RAK is that it is better known for its natural surroundings as it for its infrastructure. Those who visit RAK often do so to enjoy its natural beauty. Most of the local population in RAK prefers the relatively humble lifestyle it has to offer. One is unlikely to experience stress related to traffic or experience excessive urban noise. Although the emirate is growing, most of RAK is uninhabited and sparsely populated. This makes properties in Ras Al Khaimah ideal for those who are looking to live in a less populated area with natural surroundings.  Similar to how other neighbouring emirates are governed, RAK has full autonomy in managing its affairs and so it has its own set of laws, codes and governmental policies. Rated grade ‘A' by Standard & Poor, an American financial services company, RAK can be a great place to start a business. Since the cost of setting up business in the free zone is so low, many have shifted their business operations to RAK. The emirate has a dynamic economy with no sector exceeding 20% per cent of its GDP.

Types of Apartments in Ras Al Khaimah

The typical studio apartment in RAK will come with 1 bath and 450 sq. ft. of floor space. There are also several 1-bed flats to choose from in RAK, many of which come with an oceanfront view.  The typical 1-bed unit will come with 2 baths and 1,053 sq. ft. of floor space. The average 2-bed flat will come with 3 baths and 1,300 sq. ft. of floor space. 3-bed residential units in RAK are the largest. They typically have 3 baths and 1,500 sq. ft. of floor space.

Popular Areas of Ras Al Khaimah

One of the most popular communities in RAK is Al Hamra Village. This area is very well-established and one will find several hotels and resorts in this community. It also has its own mall known as the Al Hamra Mall where residents can enjoy a complete dining, shopping and entertainment experience. Nearby, there are several standalone retail stores and right along Vienna St, one will find a huge golf-course known as the Al Hamra Golf Club. Studio flats in Al Hamra are the most popular amongst those looking to rent property here.

Lifestyle in Ras Al Khaimah

The cost of living in RAK is relatively inexpensive when compared to more established emirates. A single individual could expect to spend an average amount of AED 20 for a meal, while 2 individuals can expect to spend around AED 80 to dine at a mid-range Resturant. Most residents will pay on average of AED 600 in utility bills which includes water, electricity, gas and other essential utilities. Those looking to move to RAK with school-aged children can expect to pay around AED 21k in yearly school fees – these fees are for schools that follow an international curriculum. Moving on, one could expect to pay an average amount of AED 40k  per annum for a 1-bed apartment within the city limits of RAK. Those thinking of setting up a business here or planning on finding employment in RAK will come to know that the average salary in RAK is around AED 7k. For leisure activities, the best place to visit is the beach and RAK certainly has no shortage of beaches. The most popular beaches have private resorts built on them. One will find that beaches in RAK are a hotspot for water sports activities, where one could enjoy Jet Skiing, waterboarding, wakeboarding, banana boating and other similar water-related sports. For those who are not fond of water, RAK has several malls where one can enjoy the weekend – be it with friends or family. Some great examples of malls in RAK are Manar Mall, RAK Mall and Al Naeem Mall. Apart from all the exciting venues and things to do in RAK, one will quickly get used to living here as the communities are close-knit and they allow people from all over the world to interact on a day-to-day basis. Unlike Dubai or Abu Dhabi, public transportation in RAK shouldn’t be relied upon as one will have to rely on taxis to get around. It’s best if one has their own car. Despite being the most isolated emirate, residents will find that the culture of RAK is liberal and welcoming of all nationalities. All in all, one will have to compromise very little in their standard of living but this will certainly be offset by the relatively low cost of living that comes with living in RAK.

Rent Price Trends for Ras Al Khaimah

A luxury studio apartment in RAK can be hired for an annual rent of AED 20k per annum, while a 1-bed apartment with a sea view would demand an annual rent of AED 40k. Those interested in renting a 2-bed apartment should know that a typical apartment in this class will cost around AED 55k in annual rent. A 3-bed apartment on average will demand an annual rent of AED 70k per year.