When it comes to selecting a residence, the United Arab Emirates, the majority of people, first of all, turn to Dubai – this is logical, since it is an international metropolis with an attractive outlook, impressive tall buildings and opportunities for a comfortable life.
Just across from Dubai, Sharjah is nearly as enticing, with a few differences that could well have you changing your mind about where you live. If you are seeking more affordable accommodation without the compromise on proximity, then Sharjah may be for you. It is now time for a more detailed look at the reasons why Sharjah may well be the superior choice for you.
1. Lower Rent Costs: Live More for Less
Still another principle factor that makes people prefer living in Sharjah is the relatively low cost of rent. The price for real estate as well as other vital commodities in Sharjah is comparatively lower than that of Dubai. For example, one can lease a large 2 BHK in Sharjah, about 1,600 sq ft, for as little as AED 50k-70k annually. While a similar apartment in Dubai can cost up to AED 200,000 per year for rent! These differences are all the more stark and enable the residents to get up to ten times more living space for the same outlay.
Furthermore, the average salary also points at this fact, when distinguishing between affordability of these services. Average salary of the employee in Dubai is about 16000 AED per month while in Sharjah it is about 10000 AED per month. The cost of rent is lower in Sharjah by a very large margin and therefore it provides better financial leverage.
People, singles, couples, and families in Sharjah can apply their savings for other necessities and other areas of life such as better holidays, eating out or for an emergency fund for the future. Another factor that make Sharjah a suitable place to live is the fact that here you can still maintain good income and expenses balance.
2. Affordable Dining Out: Enjoy More for Less
If you like eating out, Sharjah just goes on and on about its lower prices. I have to mention that on average, a dinner for two in a decent restaurant in Sharjah will range between 50 and 100 AED. However, the same meal in Dubai costs between 200 to 300 AED if taken in more modern or even fancier restaurants.
Such a price difference gives you an opportunity to enjoy more regular visits to restaurants together with friends or beloved ones without spending much money. However, Sharjah has a great list of restaurants; the local restaurants and the international restaurants so you won’t be compromising on a variety of foods.
3. Convenient Location: Just a Short Drive to Dubai
This is even more surprising, with Sharjah recognised as much cheaper than Dubai and located right next to the city, in general. When you live in the selected part of Sharjah, it only takes 20 minutes to get to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Downtown. Conversely, if one lives in the western areas of this city, it could cost 30 to 35 minutes to get to the same location, during the peak hours.
For those who may be employed in or who regularly travel to Dubai whilst wishing to avoid the high cost of living in the emirate, then Sharjah is the perfect solution. It offers easy access to the Dubai employment sector as well as affordable shopping and entertainment amenities at a much lower price than in the core of Dubai. Third, Sharjah is properly regulated in the aspect of transport trappings and relative convenience of the city.
For instance, there is a rule of Sharjah Parking Timings and Rules that provide sufficient and cheap places to park in all areas of the city, so people will not have problems with parking, as, for example in Dubai, or they have to pay a lot of money. This makes Sharjah an ideal choice because it is affordable, easily accessible and a very convenient location for many.
4. Quality of Life: More Space, Less Crowds
Sharjah is another Emirate worth a visit; known as the cultural capital of UAE, is not as active as Dubai in terms of business and vibrations per square inch. As compared to Dubai, Sharjah is less tourist populated and less developed to cater commercialization and it has a localized feel to it, being more family friendly.
There are more parks and green areas, and a more distinct neighborhood, making this an excellent place to raise a family if for one reasons you prefer a slower pace of life. Moreover, one can feel more comfortable in terms of paying for utilities, education, and healthcare to compare with nearby emirates as to the living in sharjah cost.
5. Tradition and Innovation
While Dubai is accepted as city of the future with its fabulous height towers and distinguished commercial structures, a visit to Sharjah will be like visiting the civil city of the future while enjoying the traditional outlook of the Arab city. Apart from being the third largest city in the UAE, Sharjah has a great number of museums, galleries, and memorable buildings that seem to tell the story of the region. It is a city where all the comforts of having a big city are provided with the cultural identity of Arab countries.
To the families who are thinking about moving, it is also worth to consider that Sharjah is especially strong in education, such as in institutions like Sharjah Indian School – education is wide and accessible. The admission process of the school is detailed and well structured to ensure all students admitted are accommodated for their needs thus making the school the best option in the provision of both academic and cultural education to the clients.
Of course, Dubai provides only glamour and entertainment, but in terms of comfort and costs, Sharjah is much more appealing to those willing to find a place to live near Dubai. Cheaper rent, cheaper food, shorter distances to most important areas in Dubai, and less bustle and more family-oriented living make Sharjah a strong contender for anyone seeking a compromise between price and quality of living in UAE.
Well, if you are planning to shift your base or just feeling the need for change, perhaps now is the best time to virtually ‘discover’ Sharjah. It can be beneficial to discover that living in Sharjah is financially more advisable, and at the same time, living in Sharjah helps to avoid the stressful pace of the Dubai life. Why not give it a try?
