Renting an Apartment in Dubai with Kids: 5 Must-Check Features Before You Sign That Lease!
“Home is where one starts from.” — T.S. Eliot
When we went to look for an apartment for our family of three, we realized that renting a home wasn’t easy. We were new in Dubai and looking to start a new life away from chaos, turmoil, and economic crisis.
Driving in your car along Sheikh Zayed Road, you’ll think, “Wow, there are so many options available”, but truthfully, there aren’t many that suit your needs perfectly. Finding a “home” is a challenge even in the swarm of houses.
Our search made me realize how tricky (yet not impossible) it is to find your home sweet home.
So, there are five essential things to look for when hunting for an apartment for your family in Dubai. Before signing the apartment lease, let’s scroll through what you must look for.
- Storage
- Space
- Window
- Cleanliness
- Community
Let’s dig in deeper.
We Need Storage For Our Stuff
Affording a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai is a massive struggle for many middle-class expats who come to the city for a better life. In 2025, a 2BHK in an area like Discovery Gardens is for anything over 90,000 AED/year. This amount only increases as we scan other neighborhoods like Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Dubai Silicon Oasis, or Downtown Dubai. Thus, many expats are squeezing their families into one-bedroom apartments, which are also rising in rent.
Nonetheless, there are still many areas in Dubai offering reasonably priced apartments. The thing you need to see is how big they are. We visited Binghatti Diamonds as one of our rental options in DSO and were shocked by the sheer size of the apartment. It was a 60:40 ratio, meaning a whopping 40% was the balcony. There was hardly any storage, such as cupboards in the kitchen or wardrobes in the bedrooms.
If you observe most apartments in Dubai, people have stored several things on the balcony, but…
a) it spoils the look of the building, and b) there is a chance your things might burn in the scorching sun or c) suffocate under all the dust, especially if there is a dust storm.
Many one-bedroom apartments in areas like Jumeirah Garden City are 500 to 800 sqft, renting out for 70,000 to 85,000 AED with limited storage space. However, neighborhoods like Al-Quoz or The Gardens have apartments with more in-built closets or space to add extra storage.
Anyhow, what you need to focus on is the space. With a family, you need space and storage. You need cupboards and racks in the kitchen and spacious wardrobes in the bedroom with walls to keep storage boxes, almaris (cupboards or cabinets), a chest of drawers, etc.
Am I Renting a Balcony or an Apartment?
As mentioned above, some balconies can seriously shock Trump because they’re “YUGE!”
I mean, sure, having a balcony is a blessing too because you can step out a bit and make it a miniature garden or a comfortable spot for coffee time, book reading, or stargazing — but with children in the house, it’s usually best to keep your balconies locked. Thus, having a big balcony isn’t a plus point for parents of toddlers.
So, parents, when searching for an apartment in Dubai, wherever it may be, check the balcony and whether it is helpful. If not, keep searching. You’ll find something reasonably proportioned, including a lounge, kitchen, bedroom, and balcony. Just don’t give up. It’s tiring, but finding a comfortable home for your family in Dubai will ease your life.
When with kids, the size allocated to covered and open space in the apartment is important because you want to topple over each other in something as big as a burrow. After all, you’re not paying the rent for a balcony!
Our Window of Opportunity
Back in Karachi, Pakistan, when I stood in front of a large squared and grilled window in my mother’s bedroom, she said, “It is a window of opportunity”. I never asked her why she said it, but now, living in an apartment with a full-length window, I understand what she must have meant.
At my mom’s, the window is an opportunity to embrace the greenery outside and to help passersby with a glass of water or something to eat. Because it faces the gate of her villa, she can keep a vigilant eye on the entrance.
The tall and wide windows in my home have saved us from suffocation. When we were looking for an apartment, we even visited some that looked like prisons because the windows were too small!
However, many new apartments in Dubai have large windows. The only problem with modern apartment construction is that the windows don’t have grills, barriers, or anything for an additional layer of protection. Well, we hope these non-grill windows are strong enough.
Nonetheless, with kids, it’s better to have a home with a window of opportunity.
A Clean Place, Pretty Please.
Keeping the house clean with kids is tough, but this isn’t the point I need to make. I am talking about how the apartment is given to you. Among the many things, check the ceiling and lighting fixtures, the nooks and corners in the bathroom, the storage and exhaust in the kitchen, the grouting and tiles, the windows and balcony, and the doors. Scan the apartment like a diligent spy and don’t sign the lease unless your potential apartment is crisp and clean.
When kids are young, crawling and walking, they want to explore each part of the house, so you must ensure everything is free of cockroaches, rust, dust, dirt, and anything unhygienic or potentially harmful.
Before signing the papers, let the owner know if anything needs to be cleaned or changed because they are good to you for the first few months, and after that, their favors tend to fade. So, look out for dirty walls, blackened grout, broken flooring, scratched ceilings, and other things.
The management cleans the apartment before giving it to you, but not always everywhere, and it is not up to your standards.
Raise the bar and inspect like a hawk.
What’s The Neighborhood Like?
Dubai is safe all over, but not all neighborhoods match your needs and personality. Choose a community that is child-friendly. Some of the best areas to rent in Dubai include Mirdiff, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Wasl Gate Village, Discovery Gardens, The Spring, etc.
Depending on your budget, you will find both affordable and high-end options.
When renting in Dubai with kids, find a community with amenities and features designed to support family life, promote child development, and foster a sense of community.
Features of a nurturing community:
- Playgrounds for children to play on their own and meet new friends
- Sports facilities so kids are active and choose a healthy lifestyle
- Green spaces (parks) to inspire your child’s development
- Sidewalks to ensure safety while walking, running, and jogging
- Well-lit streets for evening and night outings
- Zebra crossing for parents and kids to securely cross the road
- Ramps for strollers because parents will love the convenience
- Security guards for buildings and cameras around the community
- Community centers (pavilions) with pharmacies, clinics, superstores
- Daycare centers for early learning and working parents
- Swimming pools to learn a great new life skill
- Medical centers for medical concerns and emergencies
- Retail stores to shop within the community if need be
- Low-traffic streets, so it’s safe for kids to play and run around
- Family dining so that parents and children can eat and be close to home
- Good schools for easy accessibility to learning and growing
- Cafes with children's play areas so moms and dads can have a break
- Safe community — a given
And so, take care, yes!? The search for a (near to) perfect home is challenging but not impossible. Be patient and be sensible. You will find your home in Dubai. And (fingers crossed), hopefully, your kids will love it too.
Know that you won’t find everything in one apartment. It will be a mix and match of good and not-so-good features, so pick the one that suits your needs and wants.
Good luck!
