Mirdif Area Guide
Being one of the first residential suburbs of Dubai, Mirdif is located at a significant distance from the city center. Because of this, the inhabitants of the area initially experienced difficulties with the transport accessibility of important infrastructure, but this problem dissolved by itself as the city grew. Presently Mirdif is not only fully integrated into the Dubai transport network, but also compares favorably with other residential areas due to its proximity to the Dubai International Airport, while remaining a quiet oasis of family life with all the corresponding advantages.
The main type of housing in Mirdif is villas with an adjacent plot of land, which usually has a garden or pool. At the same time, there are also townhouses and a range of apartments with different layouts, including studios. The area consists of five communities: Uptown Mirdif, Mirdif Tulip, Ghoroob, Shurooq, and Mirdif Hills. Each offers a unique combination of luxury villas, contemporary apartments, and lush green spaces.
Over the years of its existence, Mirdif has accumulated every possible infrastructure type to ensure a high standard of living. The area has many kindergartens and schools with different types of curricula to choose from, supermarkets, shopping malls, and parks, as well as places for recreation and entertainment, including restaurants, bars, and cinemas.
All in all, Mirdif is an ideal place for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern Dubai. The area is very popular among both locals and expats who have been living in the UAE for a long time. This is in no small part facilitated by affordable prices for renting and buying real estate in Mirdif compared to other Dubai suburbs. In addition, the Shurooq community and the recently completed Mushrif Village residential complex are freehold, which means that real estate is available for purchase by foreign citizens with full ownership. This is a great opportunity for foreigners with families to settle in Dubai, as well as an extremely profitable option for real estate investment.
Infrastructure and Attractions
Shopping Malls and Stores
Mirdif is home to a number of shopping malls, including one of the oldest in Dubai - Mirdif City Centre, also known as MCC. It has many different stores of famous international brands, high-class restaurants, and entertainment venues, including those for the whole family. For example, MCC is home to a cinema of the famous VOX Cinemas chain.
Among other major shopping centers are Park Center Mirdif located in Mirdif itself as well as Arabian Center and Etihad Mall located nearby. Smaller ones include the Golden Gate Shopping Center and Khansaheb Lifestyle Park, as well as the Shorooq Community Center in the Shorooq community. They also have restaurants and shops for all occasions, including organic food supermarkets.
In addition to malls, there are many individual retail outlets scattered throughout the area including those of popular clothing brands and pet stores. In addition, there is a Spinneys supermarket in the Uptown Mirdif community and a Carrefour supermarket in Mirdif City Center.
Cafes and Restaurants
Mirdif has cuisine for all tastes. On-the-go eaters will find a variety of eateries in the shopping malls and on the territory of each community. You can choose between individual cafes or fast-food outlets and coffee shops of popular international chains.
A huge selection of cafes and restaurants is offered in Mirdif City Center and other shopping malls, but there are also separate establishments with different types of cuisine. For example, traditional Arabic food is served in restaurants such as Al Jood Mandy Restaurant and Al Arrab Restaurant, Libyan cuisine - at Arz Lebanon, and Chinese - at the Chin Chin Restaurant.
Schools
There are many educational institutions in and around Mirdif, including a number of prestigious schools.
IB curriculum:
- Uptown School (Mirdif)
- Dar Al Marefa Private School (Mirdif).
British curriculum:
- Arab Unity School (Mirdif)
- Gems Royal Dubai School (Mirdif)
- Star International School (Mirdif).
American curriculum:
- New Arab Unity School (Mirdif)
- Mirdif Private School (Mirdif)
- International Academic School (Al Warqa)
- Al Mizhar American Academy for Girls (Al Warqa)
- International School of Arts and Sciences (Al Warqa)
- Sharjah American International School — Dubai Campus (Al Warqa).
Indian curriculum:
- Gems Our Own School (Al Warqa)
- Our Own High School (Al Warqa)
- Rajagiri International School (Al Warqa).
Parks and Beaches
Mirdif has a number of parks, but one of the key benefits of living in the area is the walking distance to Mushrif Park - perhaps the main attraction of the area along with Mirdif City Centre. This park is not only the largest one in the city but also the oldest. This is a place for recreation and leisure for the whole family and all ages.
Mushrif Park has jogging and cycling trails, pet walking areas, a botanical garden, playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas, and even the Aventura Parks rope town. Moreover, there are sports facilities, cafes, and restaurants, even an equestrian center for horse riding fans, and on holidays, the park hosts concerts and festive events.
In addition to many places for recreation and entertainment, there is a collection of miniature traditional houses from different cultures of the world that can be found throughout the park.
Other popular parks in the area are Mirdif Park and Uptown Mirdif Park, both of which also offer plenty of family fun.
As for beaches, unfortunately, the nearest one is Jumeirah Beach located in the Jumeirah area about 25 minutes from Mirdif. Swimming fans, however, have access to both the private pools that come with many of the villas and to communal pools in the area's gyms and sports complexes.
Recreation, Sports, and Body Care
One of the most popular places for outdoor activities in Mirdif are the parks, thanks in large part to the extensive cycling and jogging trails. Mushrif Park has a swimming pool and football field, while Mirdif Park and Uptown Mirdif Park have other sports facilities, including those designed for children. In addition, the area’s communities have their own gyms and fitness centers, both mixed and women-only. Among them are Techno Fitness Gym Mirdif, Fitness First Mirdif City Center with a swimming pool, and Fitness Boot Camp Dubai in the Uptown Mirdif community.
There are also a number of beauty, manicure, and body care salons in Mirdif - for example, Sisters Beauty Lounge, Nail Lounge Salon LLC, and Hairy Berry Beauty Salon, as well as the Style Image men's salon. In addition, establishments of this type can be found in the area’s shopping malls.
Mosques and Churches
The following mosques, churches, and temples are located in and around the area:
- Mirdif Grand Mosque
- Mirdif Masjid
- St. Mary’s Church (in Oud Metha)
- Shiva and Krishna (in Bur Dubai).
Medical Facilities
Mirdif has a number of clinics and many pharmacies in all communities of the area. As for hospitals, patients should visit Medcare Medical Center and Mediclinic Hospital.
Public Transport
The nearest metro station to Mirdif is Rashidiya. It is on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro and is about 10 10-minute walk from Mirdif City Centre. Near the station are several bus stops, ensuring non-stop bus access to different parts of the city.
Miscellaneous
There are no particular problems with parking in the area, although apartment residents are advised to have no more than one private vehicle, as parking spaces are allocated at the rate of one per apartment. Owners and tenants of villas and townhouses can count on private garages or dedicated parking spaces.
Regarding the proximity of Dubai International Airport and concerns about the loud sound of overflying aircraft, most residents do not consider this a problem, as the windows of apartments and houses successfully deal with soundproofing.
Property Prices
The real estate offered in Mirdif consists of apartments, townhouses, and villas with different layouts, designs, and architectural styles. But the popularity the area has gained among locals and foreigners is in many ways due to the opportunity to rent a spacious villa in a quiet suburb at an affordable price. For those seeking extra amenities, there are many options with a garden and/or a swimming pool.
The cost of property in Mirdif has been rising in recent years, but it is still a relatively affordable option for those looking to buy property in Dubai.
For those looking to rent a property in Mirdif, the average rental prices are as follows:
- AED 80,000 per year for a one-bedroom apartment
- AED 120,000 per year for a three-bedroom villa
- AED 150,000 per year for a five-bedroom villa
For those interested in purchasing a property in Mirdif, the average sale prices are as follows:
- AED 1.2 million for a one-bedroom apartment
- AED 3.5 million for a three-bedroom townhouse
- AED 4.0 million for a five-bedroom villa
If you consider the purchase of real estate in Mirdif as an investment, potential investors can count on the following ROI rates:
- 5.6% for a studio
- 4.5% for a one-bedroom apartment
- 4.6% for two and three-bedroom apartments
- 3.4% for a three-bedroom villa
- 4% for a four-bedroom villa
- 6% for a five-bedroom villa.