What is the guide to Living in Abu Dhabi for families and individuals? Abu Dhabi is the biggest emirate in the UAE. And based on the 2022 statistics. It witnessed a growth rate of 1.85% with nearly 1,600,000 national citizens and expats residents.
This guide will elucidate what you need to know about the area. As it will illuminate the important aspects to neutralise its majority as much as possible.
Living in Abu Dhabi
Living in Abu Dhabi means having a luxurious lifestyle. You get to choose the area you want to reside in based on what you need. For instance, you can live in affordable areas or special areas as we will mention later on.
Abu Dhabi Location
Abu Dhabi occupies part of the Persian Gulf. It borders Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, and it also has a maritime border with Iran. As for the internal borders of the UAE, it borders Dubai and Sharjah from the north.
Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi
It’s important to know the cost of living before moving to a new area. Here is the average monthly expectation for the cost of living in Abu Dhabi. Note that the following numbers are retrieved from Numbeo.com.
| Cost | Individual |
| Accommodation | AED 35,000 – 50,000 |
| Groceries | AED AED 250 – 300 |
| Transportation (taxi) | AED 720 |
| Transportation (bus) | AED 120 |
Top Areas
You can find the best place to live in Abu Dhabi based on your income. As the areas are varied when it comes to property prices and the cost of utilities. Nevertheless, you might not find any difference in groceries or personal needs. Discover the top 13 areas to live in Abu Dhabi, and read this list to consider where to live:
Affordable Areas in Abu Dhabi
The following areas are affordable to live in because the annual rental cost does not surpass AED 65,000, which are:
- Al Ghadeer
- Grand Mosque District
- Khalifa City A
- Mohamed Bin Zayed City
- Al Mussafah
- Al Zahraa
- Diplomatic Area
Upper-Class Areas in Abu Dhabi
The luxurious apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi or villas are located in the best communities. They include all the needed amenities with amazing views. Here are the best up-scale areas in Abu Dhabi:
- Yas Island
- Al Reef
- Al Raha Beach
- Saadiyat Island
- Emirates Hills
Abu Dhabi Landmarks
Living in Abu Dhabi will help you explore the famous landmarks in the city. Additionally, they are famous on a worldwide level. Here are the landmarks that shape the amazingness in Abu Dhabi and attracts tourists from all over the world:
- Qasr Al Watan
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Al Jahili Fort
- Wahat Al Karama
- The Founder’s Memorial
- Qasr Al Muwaiji
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Al Ain Museum
Transportation
Unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi doesn’t have a metro, but the project of building a metro line is being planned. However, there are other transportation means, including:
- Taxi fare
- The ferry (between Abu Dhabi and Delma Island)
- Buses
It is worth noting that the Abu Dhabi government launched an electronic card to pay for all transportation means in the Emirate, named Hafilat Card, and is characterized by its high efficiency.
Properties
We learned so far that Abu Dhabi is the biggest emirate in the UAE. Hence, every area of it has average rental and sale prices when it comes to properties. The tables below the average rental and sale prices for both apartments and villas.
Apartments
If you’re seeking a room for rent in Abu Dhabi or a studio for rent in Abu Dhabi. But with various prices, then here are the approx prices of what you might find.
| Apartment | Average Rental Prices | Average Sale Prices |
| Studio | AED 35,000 – 50,000 | AED 350,000 – 709,990 |
| 1-bedroom | AED 42,000 – 60,000 | AED 500,000 – 900,000 |
| 2-bedrooms | AED 63,000 – 110,000 | AED 650,000 – 1,700,000 |
| 3-bedrooms | AED 85,000 – 118,500 | AED 860,980 – 2,000,000 |
Villas
Villa for rent in Abu Dhabi or for sale vary based on the area. Here are the average prices between the cheapest and the expensive:
| Villa | Average Rental Prices | Average Sale Prices |
| 2-bedroom | AED 57,000 – 185,000 | AED 1,080,000 – 1,999,998 |
| 3-bedrooms | AED 95,000 – 250,000 | AED 1,400,000 – 2,950,000 |
| 4-bedrooms | AED 150,000 – 300,000 | AED 2,274,500 – 3,766,480 |
Top Services and Facilities
Whether you want to talk about schools, restaurants, or malls. Or even other important services and facilities including the medical establishments. You will find that every area has its own famous places. Expats are willing to take the trouble of moving to gain the best lifestyle. The following will show the popularity of everything in Abu Dhabi:
Popular Schools in Abu Dhabi
Are you seeking the best Indian schools in Abu Dhabi? Or perhaps the best British Schools in Abu Dhabi? If yes, Here’s a general list of the popular schools in in the city:
| School | Location | Curriculum | Contact Information |
| The British International School Abu Dhabi | Zayed City, Abu Dhabi | British | +971 (0)2 510 0100 |
| Repton School – Rose Campus | Shams Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi | British | +971 2 507 4800 |
| Al Dhafra Private School | Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Shabiya 9, Abu Dhabi | American | +971 2 610 8400 |
| Global Indian International School (GIIS) | Bani Yas, Baniyas East, Abu Dhabi | CBSE Curriculum | +971 2 507 9555 |
Nurseries
If you’re familiar with living in the UAE, you might notice that the best nurseries have branches distributed in almost every city. Here are the popular ones in Abu Dhabi:
1. Discovery Nursery
- Location: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Curriculum: British EYFS
- Contact Information: +971 (0)2 665 3331
2. Maple Bear Nursery MBZ City
- Location: Mohamed Bin Zayed City, ME-9, Abu Dhabi
- Curriculum: American Curriculum
- Contact Information: +971 50 640 9971
3. Apple Bee Nursery
- Location: Hazza ‘ Bin Zayed The First St, Al Rawdah Area, Abu Dhabi
- Curriculum: American Curriculum
- Contact Information: +971 2 443 4747
4. Ladybird Nursery
- Location: Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi
- Curriculum: UK EYFS
- Contact Information: +971 50 384 9555
Hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Clinics
Finding a medical center in Abu Dhabi will not consume much time. As the city has the best hospitals on a global level. They enhance the best technologies and a crew of the best doctors and nurses. These are the famous hospitals:
- Burjeel hospital Abu Dhabi
- NMC specialty hospital Abu Dhabi
There are numerous clinics in Abu Dhabi as every area has its own group of clinics with specialised doctors.
Malls
Luxurity, exciting events, the latest movies in cinemas. As well as dining, and more are what you will experience in the biggest malls in Abu Dhabi! These are the famous malls in the city:
- Abu Dhabi Mall
- Marina Mall
- Dalma Mall
- The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Abu Dhabi Hotels
What type of hotel are you looking for? You can read this list if you’re searching for a cheap hotel in Abu Dhabi. But if you’re searching for a 5-star hotel you can check these:
| Hotel | Location | Rating | Contact Information |
| Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island | Al Saadiyat Island | 4.7 / 5 | +971 2 492 2222 |
| Centro Yas Island | Yas Island | 4.5 / 5 | +971 2 656 4444 |
| Hilton Abu Dhabi | Yas Bay, Yas Island | 4.6 / 5 | +971 2 208 6888 |
| Al Raha Beach Hotel | Channel Street, Near Al Raha Mall Al Raha Creek | 4.5 /5 | +971 2 508 0555 |
Things to Do in While Living in Abu Dhabi
Residents and tourists have many options of entertainment in Abu Dhabi. Here are a few suggestions for fun.
Parks in Abu Dhabi
Parks in Abu Dhabi embrace beautiful nature, and some of these are theme parks. Moreover, they host events for families and friends so you get to have a memorable time of your life. Here are the popular parks in the city:
- Heritage Park Abu Dhabi
- Formal Park
- Mohamed Bin Zayed Park 1
- Capital Park
- Delma Park
- Family Park
- Abu Dhabi Water Park
- Mangrove Park Abu Dhabi
Beaches
Are you a fan of beach vibes? If yes, you’ll feel fortunate to have beaches nearby when living in Abu Dhabi city. The beaches in Abu Dhabi have many amenities and resorts. Along with everything you need you’ll have while spending time glimpsing the turquoise water and walking on the sand:
- Al Bateen Beach
- Sir Bani Yas Island
- Corniche Beach
- Kai Beach
- Intercontinental Bayshore
- Yas Beach
- Saadiyat Beach Club
- Nation Riviera Beach Club
Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
No matter where you’re from or the culture represents you. You’ll have a taste of home in Abu Dhabi with recipes made with love by professional chefs. All to offer a menu that reflects their nationality. They include Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi and other amazing options. Have an incredible food experience in the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi city:
- Payyannur Restaurant Abu Dhabi
- Dai Pai Dong Restaurant
- Villa Toscana
- COYA Abu Dhabi
- Wagamama
- Byblos Sur Mer
- Il Forno Restaurant, Abu Dhabi Mall
- Cabana Beach Bar & Grill
- Cyan Brasserie
This is a wrap to your guide of Living in Abu Dhabi on every aspect. If you’re interested in discovering more about the city, you will enjoy reading about the best spas in Abu Dhabi. As well as the best gyms in Abu Dhabi. Feel free to check more topics about the UAE and general topics on Property Finder blog.
