A lot of people relocate this time of year as leasing contracts come to an end and before school starts again. This week we take a look at Al Raha Gardens, just off the island, as an option for renters in the capital
Al Raha Gardens, developed by Aldar Properties, is located beside Al Raha Beach, close to Khalifa City A and is a 25-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city.
The properties range from three and four-bedroom townhouses to three, four
and five-bedroom villas, and deluxe five-bedroom villas. Properties have allocated parking, a maid’s room, balconies, and some have terraces.
“Al Raha Gardens offers peaceful luxury living,” said Shareef AlSheikh, assistant marketing manager at Property Shop Investment. “Some of the best schools in Abu Dhabi are located nearby, the properties are finished and ready for tenants, and the villas and townhouses are large so they are suitable for big families.
“The community is serviced by Raha Gardens Plaza which contains restaurants, a hypermarket, a dry-cleaning outlet, a pharmacy and more.
“The project features a high level of security and safety, with quality facilities such as a health club, nearby retail, and kids playing areas,” AlSheikh added.
Tenants Brian Pitts and his wife Jessica moved to Al Raha Gardens last year because they loved the design. “We chose Al Raha Gardens because of the quality of the villa construction, spacious interiors, and outdoor living spaces,” Brian said.
“We like it because it’s a livable community with well planned urban design elements and great parks with shaded walking trails.”
After spending three years living in a city apartment Sachin Shah wanted a change.
“I wanted to shift to an area where I could enjoy having a villa and a garden with a more relaxed lifestyle yet close by everything in Abu Dhabi,” Shah said.
“With the easy access to the city from the improved Salam Street, the closeness to Yas and even Saadiyat, I found what I was looking for. Plus Dubai is 45 minutes away so I can easily go there for a dinner and come back the same night.
“The villa I am staying in is a four-bedroom townhouse with two floors, a small garden and a terrace. It has been well designed in terms of space.
“I am enjoying having my BBQ’s here with friends in the evenings, taking my dogs for their daily walks in the green compound.
“Having moved there really helps me escape from my work and feel that I am in a very different environment then when I was leaving in the city centre.”
Shah’s only complaint is the lack of pool access. “I heard they are building a pool. Several pools spread amongst the different compounds would seem like a better idea.”
Al Raha Gardens properties are available to purchase by UAE nationals only. Rent costs from AED 160,000 to AED 250,000
THE EXPERT’S VIEW
New or old?
With another new building handover on Reem Island imminent – Mangrove Place opposite Sun and Sky Towers – now seems like a good time to look at the pros and cons of living in apartments in new or old buildings.
A small percentage of our clients actively seek out apartments in older buildings on Abu Dhabi Island, normally for one of three reasons: a) budgetary constraints as the rents in the new communities are too high but they don’t want to go off island to try to get a cheaper rent b) they are looking for a bigger apartment as the older buildings tend to have larger internal areas and c) they are looking for a penthouse apartment with a roof terrace which are traditionally found on top of the lower-rise older builds. Whilst there can be some really good finds if your timing is right, tenants seeking out these kinds of properties need to be very aware of the potential pitfalls, namely difficult parking and maintenance and upkeep issues. Check out, as far as you can, what the procedure is for both routine and emergency maintenance.
Most tenants however are currently looking for a ‘move to quality’ – namely a new build. Listening to our clients’ feedback, the main draw to these projects is to live in a new community. They want to benefit from both onsite maintenance and facilities management, parking and leisure facilities, and also enjoy the surrounding amenities that these new master developments offer. These additional facilities include beaches, food, beverage and retail outlets, banking and supermarkets. They are becoming more connected with popular transport routes into the heart of Abu Dhabi as they become more established, with buses and taxis readily available.
If you are viewing with an agent they will know the buildings and communities and should be able to advise you of the pros and cons of each!!
Our contributor: Jane Irvine is Director of Business Development for real estate agency LLJ Property in Abu Dhabi
