Abu Dhabi has, over the past two decades, announced itself on the global stage as one of the very best places to live. More than 300 days of sunshine per year, an exceptional safety record and favourable tax incentives are just some of the many reasons why expats are flocking to the city. With an abundance of sophisticated neighbourhoods, many of those moving to the UAE’s capital city are faced with the same question: where is the best place to live in Abu Dhabi for expats? Read on to discover which areas you should be looking at.
Saadiyat Island
An area rich in culture, Saadiyat Island is home to some of the city’s most sophisticated museums, such as the Guggenheim and Louvre Abu Dhabi – ideal for those who have a keen interest in history. The Abrahamic Family House – also located in the Cultural District – is a multi-faith facility which highlights the government’s commitment to religious tolerance. The island also features the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, a world-class links course where you are more likely to run into one of the mountain gazelles that inhabit the course than you are to finish anywhere near level par.
Saadiyat offers some of the city’s most exquisite residential developments; chief among them is arguably the top-class Four Seasons Residences at Saadiyat Island. The development has been meticulously crafted with the nature of the island in mind and stands as a place where beauty, luxury and culture combine. This outstanding island is also home to the Hidd Al Saadiyat neighbourhood, a charming enclave showcasing a range of beachfront villas.
Al Maryah Island
Al Maryah Island is for retail and leisure what Saadiyat Island is for culture. Set across roughly 280 acres, the neighbourhood hosts The Galleria, a world-class retail, dining and entertainment facility home to some of the world’s most esteemed retail brands, five-star hotels and high-end restaurants.
Al Maryah is also home to some of the city’s most exclusive residential developments. Four Seasons Private Residences at Maryah Island offers an extraordinary waterfront lifestyle in the heart of the city. Set across 34 floors, the development showcases 124 private residences, each carefully curated with exquisite fabrics and bespoke finishes using some of the world’s finest materials. Sweeping city views are an added highlight of these breathtaking homes, which help position Al Maryah Island as one of the city’s most sought-after residential destinations.
Al Raha
For those who enjoy a slightly slower pace of life, Al Raha Beach represents an outstanding choice. The neighbourhood is sandwiched between Al Raha Creek and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street (E10) and, as such, offers exceptional connectivity to the wider city, as well as Dubai, just an hour away.
The district is home to Brabus Island and Al Muneera Island, both of which house some of the most refined beachfront residences in the area. However, what really sets Al Raha apart from its competitors is its proximity to the world-class entertainment district of Yas Island, just across the creek, which functions as the city’s playground. Home to iconic sporting events such as Formula One and UFC, the area also offers a number of outstanding theme parks, such as Ferrari World, ideal for those with families.
Abu Dhabi Corniche
The historic centre of Abu Dhabi, the Corniche is an exclusive neighbourhood home to arguably the city’s most iconic beach. With a range of lifestyle amenities, the area boasts an abundance of five-star hotels such as The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, where residents can take advantage of outstanding dining options like Villa Toscana. Just across the inlet sits Abu Dhabi Marina, offering further first-class lifestyle offerings such as the Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi hotel and Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, where countless retail and entertainment options can be found.
Erth Restaurant at Al Hosn is one of the area’s most exceptional restaurants, boasting one Michelin star, while Talea by Antonio Guida offers comparative prestige. The Corniche boasts close proximity to further attractions such as the iconic Qasr Al Hosn, the former palace and fort around which the city was built, which infuses a unique blend of heritage into contemporary Abu Dhabi.
In addition, the area is replete with sea-facing high-rise apartments, and with easy access to a range of added lifestyle amenities such as parks, cafes, jogging trails and watersports, it’s no surprise that this area of the city is considered one of the best places for expats to live in Abu Dhabi.
Al Bateen
Just around the corner from Abu Dhabi Corniche (and technically incorporating large sections of it) sits Al Bateen, a long-established residential area on the western side of the city.
The neighbourhood is home to open expanses of coastline, featuring some of the city’s most renowned hotels such as Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi and Khalidiya Palace. Considering its position in the centre of the city, Al Bateen also features excellent road links, making it one of the most easily accessible areas of Abu Dhabi, ideal for those with busy lifestyles. An abundance of first-class restaurants, cultural attractions like Al Bateen Palace and the nearby Abu Dhabi City Golf Club further position this district as one of the best places in Abu Dhabi for expats.
Al Reem Island
Ideally situated to take advantage of the best the city has to offer, Al Reem offers exceptional connectivity to the wider city thanks to its multiple bridges. World-class shopping at Al Maryah Island just next door is a big attraction, while the neighbourhood also boasts a touch more tranquillity than its well-known neighbour.
That isn’t to say nothing is happening on Al Reem Island. The area presents its own retail and entertainment offerings at Al Reem Mall, while also boasting a range of parks, restaurants and cafes, ideal for those with young families.
Moreover, Al Reem Island has seen steady growth in property value recently, offering good investment potential.
Abu Dhabi remains one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for the ultra-high-net-worth community. With exceptional neighbourhoods ranging from pristine beachfronts to vibrant cultural and retail districts, the city offers an unparalleled lifestyle to suit every aspiration. As the capital of the UAE and a global hub of culture, commerce, and innovation, Abu Dhabi continues to set the standard for modern luxury living.
