Living in... Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle

Six years since the first residents moved in, more than 25,000 people now call Jumeirah Village Circle home

View of the Nakheel Villas in Jumeirah Village Circle. All photos by Antonie Robertson/The National

Commonly known as JVC, the district is home to more than 25,000 residents. Construction of some buildings are ongoing, but completed ones quickly attracted people

This is one of the newer buildings in the neighbourhood. There is a mix of developers, so rents vary from each residential structure

Rents for a one-bedroom apartment start at Dh25,000, but ones in newer buildings like this can cost between Dh65,000 to Dh75,000

Flats in new buildings come with equipped kitchens, wooden flooring and a more modern look

Most buildings in JVC have their own swimming pool and gymnasium

A view of a living room in a one-bedroom flat

Halfa park is one among many other parks in JVC

Most of them have a running track and kids play area

JVC is also known for its unique townhouses and villas

This is a three-storey townhouse that comes with its own private lift

This is the signature structure in JVC -- the Five hotel. It has 269 infinitey pools - nearly one for each room

From three-storey townhouses with private lifts to cosy flats with stunning views of Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle leaves home-hunters spoilt for choice.

Commonly known as JVC, the area is on its way to becoming one of Dubai’s most vibrant communities.

Six years since the first residents moved in, more than 25,000 people now call this family-friendly neighbourhood their home.

As rents have dropped, more have relocated there.

Spread over almost nine square kilometres, JVC was built by Nakheel but a mix of third-party developers are behind the residential structures.

Construction of several more buildings is under way. The completed ones, however, quickly attracted residents.

“This area has become popular among Emiratis and expatriates because of the affordable rents and the varied accommodation and facilities available here,” said Sachin Saxena, sales manager at Azco Real Estate.

“Because there are options of studios to multiple bedrooms in flats and townhouses, you can find singles, young couples, and small and large families living in JVC. Many are renting, but a lot of them are becoming homeowners in this market.”

JVC is part of Nakheel’s Jumeirah Village master plan, which also includes Jumeirah Village Triangle.

People often ask the difference between the two. The latter is more popular for its variety of villas, while JVC is known for its apartments and townhouses.

It is home to Nakheel Villas, which are built in a Mediterranean style and arranged in a circular pattern. It’s an eye-catching view if you’re looking down from a high-rise building.

Location and landmarks near JVC

Neighbouring communities include Jumeirah Village Triangle, Barsha, Barsha South and The Springs.

Residents have three entry and exit points to Dubai’s major motorways and streets – Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Hessa Street.

Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall are each a 20-minute drive away, while Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport are about 40 minutes by car.

Nearby attractions include Dubai Autodrome and Dubai Miracle Garden, which are 10 minutes away.

There are no major landmarks nearby but the location is home to the luxury Five hotel – a 244-metre skyscraper that can be seen from kilometres away.

It sets itself apart from competitors with its 269 infinity pools – one for nearly each room. Guests also have a 360-degree view.

Does JVC have public transport?

Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram do not link up to JVC. Residents and visitors rely mostly on cars, taxis and buses.

Within the community, supermarkets, beauty salons and laundries are in walking distance, as many of the buildings’ ground floors are commercial premises.

Rent prices in JVC

Rents in JVC vary from each building. Some of the older structures have lower rents, while newer ones can be a bit pricier.

But, like nearly all Dubai communities, rents have recently dropped slightly.

The cheapest studio apartment (30 square metres) can be rented for Dh18,000 per year and costs Dh250,000 to buy.

The priciest one in a more modern building (57 sq m) is Dh45,000 per year to rent.

One-bedroom flats start at Dh25,000 and can go up to Dh75,000. Sizes range from 54 sq m to 130 sq m.

Two extra bedrooms cost Dh64,000. And the property value is between Dh340,000 to Dh1.6 million.

Three-bedroom townhouses rent for Dh75,000 per year, but the newer ones with four bedrooms and private lifts cost about Dh140,000 – about the same renting price for independent villas in the area. The sale prices range from Dh1.2m to Dh2.6m.

“People are using this market to upgrade and many people who have been renting here have decided to become homeowners,” said Mr Saxena.

“Developers are offering an attractive three to five-year payment plan to clients, where they can pay 30 per cent at handover and then make flexible payments in that period.”

Facilities at JVC

Apart from a few of the older the buildings, nearly all have their own swimming pools and gymnasium.

Coffee shops and restaurants in the Five hotel are a common hang out for residents.

There are also 30 landscaped parks planned for the district, with 18 completed, and nearly all have children’s play areas and running tracks.

A cycling track is also planned.

Schools and hospitals at JVC

There are plenty of schools and nurseries nearby.

JSS International School, Ladybird Early Learning Centre and Sunmarke School are each about five minutes’ drive away, in neighbouring Jumeirah Village Triangle.

Schools including Nord Anglia International, Gems Al Barsha National, Gems World Academy, Global Indian International and Gems United School can also be found in nearby neighbourhoods.

Medical facilities include Right Health Karama Medical Centre and KMC Jumeirah. There are also five pharmacies.

What shops does JVC have?

There is no shortage of supermarkets and groceries in the area.

Residents can shop at Spinneys, Aswaq, West Zone, Choithrams, smaller grocery shops and mini marts.

Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall are a 20-minute drive away. The Circle Mall is the only shopping centre in the district, but has yet to open.

What makes JVC a good community?

People living there enjoy the easy access to shops, entry and exit points and affordable rents.

Mark Quinto, 39, an electrical engineer from the Philippines rents a one-bedroom flat for Dh35,000 per year.

“It’s a nice, quiet, place and everything is accessible – from grocery stores, parks, swimming pool and the gym,” he said.

“I have a car, so I don’t struggle with transportation. Other people who I know here either take the public bus or Uber.

Indian resident Mohammed Arif, 33, has been a JVC resident since 2017.

The sales executive said the community offers “value for money”.

“I live in a two-bedroom and the prices, for me, have been more affordable than other areas. It has all the things we need nearby,” he said.

“There are some people here who are thinking about upgrading to the newer buildings or apartments with more bedrooms. Rents are low right now and I see that those who have been living here prefer to relocate within JVC, instead of moving somewhere else, because of the value for money.”

A version of this article was first published on November 15, 2020