Property for rent in Sharjah

Over the past few years, this city has experienced rapid growth in construction and real estate. A wider range of renting options, from luxury apartments and townhouses to villas with extra rooms for maids and with all essentials nearby are available throughout the city. Extension of the city limits along with various development projects by the government has resulted in several multi-story residential establishments and commercial buildings.

Apartments: Al Nahda, Sharqan, and Al Taawun are the most sought after areas when it comes to finding an apartment for rent. Semi furnished and fully furnished modern apartments with marble floors, centralized aircon systems, gas and fire alarm system are available in large numbers and the rental value varies depending on the exact location and the overall size of the apartment. The average annual rent of a studio apartment is around AED 25,000 while a one-bed apartment is around AED 31,000. Two-bed apartments cost you around AED 40,000 and three-bed apartments go further up to AED 66,000 in the city.

Villas: When it comes to renting a Villa, Al Ghafia, Al Shahba, Hoshi are all good locations. Al Azra houses hundreds of beautiful villas in gated communities and is close to multispecialty hospitals and highly-reputed schools. Rentals of four Beds villa will set you back AED 70, 000 and AED 100,000 annually for a five-bedroom property.

They all come with a dedicated parking place, CCTV cameras, and other club facilities.

The following are the most luxurious and desirable areas to live in.

• Al Majaz-is a serene location alongside the Khalid Lake. The super tall residential towers in this area offer lake view apartments for rent. It is perfect for families to live in as there are plenty of recreational activities as it has dedicated areas for walking, running and cycling, and for children, it has an arts area and a dancing fountain. Boat services are offered at different times of the day and night to cruise around Khalid Lake. Nurseries, many multinational-cuisine restaurants, and a big amphitheater are other highlights of Al Majaz.
• Muwaileh and Aljada-can be the best choice for the expat communities because of the high standard of living that an expat can obtain from this suburb and is also one of the biggest residential areas in Sharjah.
• Al Qasimia-it is an inexpensive suburb where you can rent a two-bed apartment for just over AED 24,000. King Faisal Mosque, Megamall, Ittihad square Park are some of the places that you can visit within this suburb.
• Al Taawun-this neighborhood is very close to Al Qasba, where you can view the iconic Ferris wheel which is referred to as the ‘eye of Sharjah', there are numerous cafeterias and a great water fountain, where children can enjoy a splash during the hot summer day.

Sharjah is quite inexpensive and it is a cultured, traditional city where you can find expat families from many countries. Due to its proximity to Dubai, it is easy to drive your car to Dubai to spend the weekend. Sharjah is cheaper to relocate to when compared to Dubai. Large living spaces can be rented for inexpensive prices. So, it is no wonder that a large proportion of the working community in Dubai lives in Sharjah and commutes to the office in Dubai, each day.

Another big advantage with Sharjah being so close to Dubai is you can avail of the excellent medical facilities of Dubai.

Getting around Sharjah is easy and convenient with the public bus services and taxis and couples can sit tighter on the Bus. Sharjah houses some of the world's best universities and several schools that follow various curriculums such as the International Baccalaureate and there are 38 accredited private schools in Sharjah. It makes it easy and feasible for the expat population to move to Sharjah as you can find a school that you can admit your child to even in the middle of the academic year.

1. Cheaper accommodation: The availability of quality houses that are inexpensive provides an opportunity for the expats to save money. There are various reliable websites and agencies that will help you to find the right apartment with your preferred specifications.
2. Great leisure options: Though you can’t experience an exhilarating nightlife as you can in Dubai, you get to have a culturally rich experience in Sharjah. From museums to architectural marvels to waterparks, to renting a Boat and sightseeing tours you have everything that you need to entertain yourself as well as your family.
3. Wider employment opportunities: Electrical and construction engineers, Sales Executives, Architects, Designers, and financial professionals are all high in demand as the city is expanding to meet the needs of its growing population.
4. Language is not a barrier: Though Arabic is the national language in Sharjah, English and Hindi are also widely spoken making it easier for the different nationalities, especially from India to relocate. Extremely low crime rate, excellent infrastructure, and good accommodation facilities make Sharjah a perfect place to rent and live in.

Fujairah Real estate in Fujairah varies considerably from property to property and, unlike other emirates, there are seemingly unlimited options when it comes to the number of buildings, villas, and apartments available. The majority of rentals are found outside of the city center in local, single-family homes. There is a growing demand for private housing, however, and rents can be fairly high. Short-term leases are more prevalent, with many furnished two-bedroom apartments advertised as available for six months or one year. There are also quite a few properties and apartments in the city center, making it a more attractive destination for foreigners looking to rent short-term. As the natural beauty and access to the coast make

Currency & Taxes in the UAE The currency in the United Arab Emirates is called the Emirati dirham. The exchange rate of the Emirati dirham is pretty close to one U.S. dollar, and a basket of goods costs approximately USD$30. However, these prices can vary depending on the brand and variety of the item. Alcohol, cigarettes, and luxury items can all cost much more in the UAE. The biggest price difference comes with real estate. A very small apartment in the UAE may cost only 400,000 DUH ($125,000 USD), while an apartment in a luxury building could cost over 1 million dinars ($270,000 USD). Due to its primarily Islamic culture, income tax

Taxes and Other Costs Expats who are looking to move to Sharjah will be subject to three types of taxes. The first is a 10 per cent tax on water, electricity and landline bills, which will typically add an additional AED 150 per month to an electricity bill and around AED 75 to a water bill. The second tax is an environmental protection tax. This is a percentage added onto the price of water, which ranges from three to ten per cent. Finally, there is a road tax that is charged on all cars, and a motorcycle license tax. This road tax ranges from AED 50 to AED 1,400 depending on the type of vehicle being registered. In addition, there is a one-

Jacques de Vitry is a real estate investor from Dubai who owns a number of properties including two villas in Sharjah and one villa in Fujairah. He has been investing in Dubai for the past four years.