Based on 6 community and 5 building reviews
International City is one of Dubai's most affordable residential communities, sitting in Al Warsan along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Al Awir Road (E44). Nakheel built it across an 800-hectare master plan to house more than 60,000 residents, and its country-themed design is what makes it instantly recognizable.
Low-rise buildings are grouped into ten clusters inspired by Greece, Persia, China, France, Spain, and the Emirates, each with its own facade treatment.
The Central Business District sits in the middle, carrying both residential and commercial stock. Housing has since expanded well beyond the original clusters: Warsan Village adds three-bedroom townhouses, while Lawnz, Petalz, and Olivz by Danube bring newer mid-rise apartments with pool and gym amenities.
The resident base is genuinely mixed, spanning working professionals, small families, students, and long-term expats. Most come for the same reason, which is cost, but the community covers daily needs well, and many buildings are pet-friendly.
Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Al Warqa'a, and Mirdif are all under ten minutes by car, with the airport around fifteen. RTA buses link to Centrepoint and Etisalat by e& stations.
Prices of properties for sale in International City range from AED 209.7K to AED 53M, with a median of AED 750K. A total of 523 listings are available. 242 properties have been listed for sale in International City over the past 30 days. Across all listings, 45% are verified and 42% are listed by SuperAgents.
3
3
1,606 sqft
Apartment
Indigo Spectrum 2, Indigo Spectrum, International City, Dubai
2
2
1,211 sqft
Apartment
Petalz By Danube 2, Petalz by Danube, International City, Dubai
studio
1
405 sqft
Apartment
Lawnz by Danube Block 1, Lawnz by Danube, International City, Dubai
1
2
803 sqft
Apartment
Royal Residence CBD, CBD (Central Business District), International City, Dubai
1
2
712 sqft
Apartment
Indigo Spectrum 2, Indigo Spectrum, International City, Dubai
1
1
656 sqft
Apartment
Riviera Residence, International City, Dubai
studio
1
495 sqft
Apartment
Building L03, Greece Cluster, International City, Dubai
1
2
691 sqft
Apartment
Listone Residence, International City, Dubai
1,866 sale transactions were recorded in International City over the past 12 months, marking a 2.9% decrease YoY.
The data displayed is based on average prices and sizes of all in International City.
See all TransactionsInternational City sits in the Al Warsan region of Dubai, with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) to the west and Al Awir Road (E44) to the north. Al Warqa, Mirdif, and Dubai Silicon Oasis are all under ten minutes away by car. Dragon Mart shapes the retail side of the community, and for everyday errands, most residents don't need to leave the master plan.
Aster and Life pharmacies are within walking distance in many parts of the neighborhood, and restaurants fill the ground floors across the clusters.
If you're around the CBD area, Saharaneen Restaurant Cafe is about a five-minute walk away for Arabic comfort food. Beidouxing Restaurant, a popular Chinese spot, is also within walking distance. Al Sabah Al Jamil cafeteria is roughly the same distance, while Pizza Hut and Shiguoyu are under a ten-minute walk from most central clusters.
Mystic India sits a little farther along the same stretch and is a dependable option for North Indian food. Cocoraco and Chick Bait handle grilled-chicken cravings, while Lan Zhou Noodle is well known across the community for hand-pulled noodles. For coffee, Schonbrunn and Coffee Bene are within walking distance of the France and Spain clusters.
International City doesn't have many on-site school options inside the residential clusters, so most families drive into Al Warqa and Warsan for the school run. The nearest group of schools is usually five to ten minutes away by car, and most follow Indian or British curricula, with a smaller number offering American and IB programs.
The Scholars School, about 1.6 kilometers away, follows a mix of UK curricula (including BTEC).
Newlands School, roughly 2.0 kilometers away, follows the UK curriculum and holds a Good KHDA rating, with fees ranging from AED 21,000 to AED 40,000.
Sharjah American International Private School (Dubai Branch), about 2.4 kilometers away, offers the American curriculum and also carries a Good KHDA rating, with fees ranging from AED 18,000 to AED 45,000.
Several nurseries serve families in and around International City. Blossom Nursery International City accepts children from 45 days to four years old and operates within the community itself, which makes drop-offs easier for residents. Ladybird Nursery is also nearby and caters to toddlers aged one through four under the British EYFS framework.
For higher education, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) at Dubai Knowledge Park is roughly a 20-minute drive via Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Closer in, KSK Homes Student Residences is under ten minutes by car and serves students attending institutions in Dubai Academic City and Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai, also in Academic City, is reachable within a similar drive time and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in business and engineering.
Most families still depend on the surrounding Al Warqa, Warsan, and Academic City corridors for daily school runs, because on-site schooling inside International City's residential clusters remains limited.
| School name | Curriculum | Fee range | Distance | KHDA rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Scholars School | UK - UK/BTEC | 1.6 km | Not inspected yet | |
| Newlands School | UK | 21K - 40K | 2.0 km | Good |
| Sharjah American International Private School - Dubai Branch | American | 18K - 45K | 2.4 km | Good |
| International Academic School | American | 15K - 28K | 2.4 km | Not inspected due to COVID 19 |
| Primus Private School L.L.C | Indian | 12K - 25K | 2.5 km | Good |
| Ignite School L.L.C | American | 29K - 45K | 2.8 km | Acceptable |
| International School of Arts & Sciences L.L.C | American | 24K - 33K | 2.9 km | Good |
| Our Own High School - Dubai Branch | Indian | 8K - 16K | 3.0 km | Good |
| Cedar School L.L.C | UK | 25K - 44K | 3.0 km | Acceptable |
| Kings School Nad Al Sheba L.L.C | UK | 43K - 108K | 3.3 km | Very good |
| GEMS Al Khaleej International School - Dubai Branch | American - International Baccalaureate | 34K - 63K | 3.4 km | Good |
| GEMS Our Own English High School | Indian | 8K - 17K | 3.5 km | Very good |
| GEMS Modern Academy | Indian - Indian/IB | 31K - 74K | 3.6 km | Outstanding |
| International School of Creative Science Nad Alshiba L.L.C | UK | 34K - 66K | 3.8 km | Good |
| The City School International Private | UK | 15K - 36K | 3.8 km | Good |
| Repton School | UK/IB | 57K - 103K | 3.8 km | Outstanding |
| GEMS Founders School Nad Al Hamar (Br of FZEGEMS Wellington Academy) - Dubai Branch | UK | 4.3 km | Not inspected yet | |
| Vernus International Primary School - FZCO | American | 36K - 45K | 4.7 km | Acceptable |
| The School of Research Science US High School L.L.C | American | 60K - 70K | 4.9 km | Acceptable |
| The School of Research Science L.L.C | UK - UK* | 37K - 80K | 5.0 km | Not inspected due to COVID 19 |
International City sits in eastern Dubai, with Al Warqa to the north and Dubai Silicon Oasis to the south. Internal streets are named after countries and regions, so once you know the grid, getting around is fairly straightforward. There isn't a metro station inside the community, which is why most residents use buses, taxis, or private cars for the daily commute.
The closest bus stop is International City, Rivera Dreams Apartments 1-1, within roughly a four-minute walk from the center of the community. International City, Rivera Dreams Apartments 1, is also nearby, about a two-minute drive away. Other stops include International City, Post Office 1, and International City, CBD Buildings, both reachable in under three minutes by car.
If you're in the southern part of the development, International City, Persia O02 1 and International City, Persia O02 2 serve the Persia cluster. On the western edge, International City, Civil Defence 1, and Civil Defence 2 cover that side of the community.
Because there's no on-site metro, most residents drive or take a taxi to the nearest Green Line stations. Careem and Uber are widely used, and taxis move through the main internal roads throughout the day and evening.
The road layout is built around named internal streets. Central Business District-C Street and Central Business District-D Street run through the western commercial core, while Central District Street cuts through the middle. In the China cluster, roads run from China-A through China-H streets. The Persia-M, Persia-N, and Persia-O streets handle traffic in the southern blocks.
Other roads include England-X Street, Russia-V Street, and Morocco-G Street. Dubai Textile City Street links the eastern edge of the community to the wider road network, and International City 1 Street is the main entry and exit route toward the highways.
Parking is one of the easier parts of living here. There are more than 140 surface car parks across the community, and most buildings have dedicated outdoor lots labeled 621Q. Outside peak hours, finding a spot close to home usually isn't difficult.
From International City, Dragon Mart is roughly a five-minute drive north along the internal roads. Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa area take around 20–25 minutes via Al Ain Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.
Dubai International Airport is under 15 minutes away. Jumeirah Beach is about 30 minutes by car depending on traffic, and Sharjah's city center is approximately 25 minutes heading northeast on Emirates Road.
We visit International City frequently to sample the various Chinese restaurants. Many offer authentic regional cuisine at incredibly affordable prices, providing great value for money. It is definitely worth the weekend drive for a meal with friends. While parking and congestion used to be a major hurdle, the recent switch to a paid RTA system has started to alleviate the issue. For those who enjoy cooking Asian cuisine, the Asian grocery stores in the China Clusters are excellent for sourcing ingredients. We also love stopping by Dragon Mart. It remains the ultimate one-stop destination for building materials and hardware at a great price for DIY.
6 months ago
This is a foodie’s dream—offering a great selection of affordable restaurants, cafés, and minimarts. Catering more to bachelors, the community has a vintage vibe, though some units may be upgraded to match modern aesthetics.
6 months ago
At least for me, International City just doesn’t click. It’s affordable compared to the rest of Dubai, and there’s a residential aspect, but the area feels crowded, a bit chaotic, and traffic on the main roads can get messy. Public transport is limited, so most people rely on a car or taxis, and parking isn’t always easy. On the plus side, if you like authentic food, there are lots of great Chinese restaurants, which gives the place some character. Still, overall it feels more functional than enjoyable, and it doesn’t have the kind of community or vibe you find in other parts of Dubai. If you’re looking for cheap rent and don’t mind compromises, it works, but personally, it’s not somewhere I’d want to spend much time or call home.
7 months ago
Great place but the only issue was the parking
7 months ago
International City has many clusters and some are just for bachelors and some for specific nationals like pakistan or china, Some clusters like France and Spain is for families, CBD is also good for families, alot of restraunt and salons, even groceries and supermarkets.
7 months ago
International city is one of the most affordable residential community in Dubai. You can see many different clusters of buildings with different architecture. It has good walking area, pet friendly. Has most of the hospitals, restaurants in the vicinity. Many schools are located near this area and easy to commute, so attracted by families with school going children. A part of this area gets bad smell most of the time and not preferred by most of the families. Has ample parking spaces.
7 months ago
Building X11
Good locations
3 months ago
Building U15
We have parking problem ,it's a daily problem for us to find parking near to hour home .
3 years ago
Building U15
I am not much satisfied.. building needs more cleanininess...not cleaning on daliy basis .due to many cockroaches are here .
3 years ago
Warsan Village
New residential place in the International City is under construction by Nakheel. It will be affordable and comfortable place to live. Residence is consisting from townhoses with 3 bed room, open community pool, shopping plaza, administration building and walking promenade. Place is in 15 minutes drive from Burj Khalifa.
11 years ago
CBD (Central Business District)
CBD 4 is a really good building. Especially in International City where people thinks its a bit of a shabby community. The building has full facility and allows only families to stay which makes it not crowded. the pool has a kids and adult area. The roof top allows you to do barbeque (party) as long as you tell security. The gym is not crowded at all and well equipped. the tenants are nice and friendly. If you take the bus, the bus stop is nearby. Groceries and restaurants are plenty. The apartments are good sized with closed kitchens which is awesome. For our 1BR before, we have 2 balconies but both from the bedroom side.
11 years ago
International City is mainly a low-rise apartment community, and the country-themed architecture is a big part of its identity. The 10 clusters are Greece, Persia, Spain, Morocco, Italy, England, France, Russia, China, and the Emirates. At the center, the Central Business District (CBD) adds a mix of residential and commercial properties. Newer projects from Danube Properties and other builders have widened the choices with mid-rise towers and more modern facilities.
Studios and one-bedroom apartments make up most of the apartments for rent in International City stock, though two-bedroom and three-bedroom units are also available.
At the newer end of the market, Listone Residence lists studios from approximately 341 sq. ft. and two-bedroom apartments near 1,000 sq. ft. Nearby Dubai Silicon Oasis apartments for sale start higher for similar sizes of apartments for sale in International City, while Discovery Gardens sits in a comparable price band but gives you a different commute profile.
Warsan Village is the main villa sub-community for villas for rent in International City. Nakheel developed it, and it was completed in 2015. The project has 942 three-bedroom townhouses across Blocks A, B, C, and D. Each home covers two stories with a built-up area of about 2,013 sq. ft. on plots of roughly 1,658 sq. ft.
Souk Al Warsan is a newer Nakheel project with three-bedroom duplex-style apartments of about 2,384 sq. ft. spread across multiple blocks (A through H). These units work much like townhouses, with two-story layouts and access to community amenities.
Sale prices at Souk Al Warsan sit around AED 1.55M–1.85M, while Warsan Village townhouses range from roughly AED 1.9M to AED 3M. Both sub-communities offer freehold ownership of villas for sale in International City and give families more space without the price tag of established villa communities like Arabian Ranches or Mirdif.
Most layouts for a duplex for sale in International City include an open-plan living and dining area on the ground floor, bedrooms upstairs, and balconies on both levels. Sale prices range from approximately AED 1.55M to AED 1.85M.
The blocks are within walking distance of restaurants along the Souk Al Warsan retail strip, and Kings School Nad Al Sheba is under ten minutes by car.
International City works well for working professionals, students, and budget-conscious singles or couples who care more about low rent than a polished lifestyle. France and Spain clusters often appeal to families, while the CBD gives you newer buildings with facilities like pools and gyms.
International City's low entry prices and strong rental demand from a large tenant pool make it one of Dubai's higher-yielding communities for studio and one-bedroom apartments. Buyers looking for modern amenities often focus on Olivz by Danube, Petalz by Danube, and Lawnz by Danube at more affordable price points.
International City is a freehold community. Residents and overseas buyers can own property outright here, with no restrictions on resale or leasing. Sub-communities including Warsan Village, Spain Cluster, England Cluster, France Cluster, Emirates Cluster, and the CBD all carry freehold title.
International City was developed and is managed by Nakheel, one of Dubai's leading master developers known for communities like Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Islands, and Discovery Gardens.
International City is best known for its country-themed clusters and affordable housing. It's also home to Dragon Mart, the largest Chinese trading center outside China, which makes it a major draw for retail and wholesale shopping.
International City was launched in 2003 by Nakheel and has been gradually expanding ever since. Today, it's a mature residential community with well-established infrastructure.
International City doesn't have its own metro station yet, though a future Blue Line station has been referenced in some project listings. The closest current stations are Centrepoint (Red Line) and Etisalat by e& (Green Line), both roughly a 12–15 minute drive away. RTA bus routes 20B, 36B, 50, 53, and 55 connect the community to these stations and to other parts of Dubai.
International City's 10 country-named clusters, including Greece, Persia, Spain, France, and England, are made up of low-rise buildings with themed facades and mostly studios or one-bedroom apartments. The Central Business District sits at the core and includes taller, mixed-use towers like Trafalgar Central, Global Green View, and Riviera Dreams.
International City is generally considered pet-friendly, and many residents keep pets in both the clusters and Warsan Village. Building rules can vary, so check with the landlord or property management before signing a lease. The open walkways and low-rise layout also make dog walking easier than in many high-rise neighborhoods.
