There are many factors to consider when buying or renting a home for a family. For example, for working parents, it is important to find a home that is close to where you work, not only to save money on gas or transportation but also to have more time to spend with your family. If the children are toddlers or preschoolers, having daycare and schools nearby is important as well. You should also check to see if there are supermarkets, hospitals, medical centers and parks in the local area to make everyday life a little easier. These facilities will give you an idea of how good the neighbourhood is. Last but not least, public transportation infrastructure is one of the key aspects of choosing a good neighbourhood, especially if the family does not have a private car. Moreover, as children get older, having access to public transportation becomes more and more important, as it helps build a child's independence and autonomy.
The list you will find below shows some of the best areas to live in Abu Dhabi, from serene family-friendly neighbourhoods to tourist areas rich in attractions.

Yas Island

Yas Island is one of the best places for luxury accommodation to stay in Abu Dhabi. The island acts as a favorite destination among tourists and expats alike, as it has many places to reside in, restaurants, clubs, hotels, and more. Yas Island is located within a 20-minute drive of the central part of the emirate and is close to Abu Dhabi International Airport. This area offers a wide range of properties from apartments to villas and townhouses. This is where some of the most luxurious properties in Abu Dhabi are located, such as West Yas Villas by Aldar Properties, built right on the waterfront.
Yas Island is always bustling with life as it hosts a large number of events, from the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to The Du World Music Festival to Ultimate Fighting Championship. The list of the island’s attractions is truly impressive – it includes Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, Clymb Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Links, and Yas Beach. The place is also known for its nightlife as well.
As for infrastructure, the island is well established and includes shopping centers, schools, kindergartens, banks and hospitals.

• •    Schools: Sabis International School, Yas School, West Yas Academy.
  •    Medical facilities: Burjeel Medical Center, Avivo Hospitals National Hospital.
  •    Sale prices of real estate on Yas Island start from AED 672К (USD 183К).
  •    Apartments for rent here can be rented from AED 43К (USD 12К) per annum.

Al Reem Island
This is a natural island lying 600 meters off the coast of Abu Dhabi Island. Al Reem Island is only a 10-minute drive away from downtown Abu Dhabi and is a mixed-purpose community, where residential towers stand next to commercial buildings. The majority of residential properties available are studios and modern apartments with 1-5 BR in high-rise buildings, with many positioned along the waterfront. Most of the proposed residential real estate is modern apartments in high-rise buildings, many of which are located along the waterfront. You can also buy/rent townhouses with 2-5 BR or a penthouse with 4-6BR.
Al Reem Island is known as a pedestrian-friendly area, and the island is often chosen by families that would rather live in a luxurious apartment than in a quiet villa. It is also a popular place for singles as well.
While the attractions on Al Reem Island can’t compare to those of Yas Island, there are still quite a few leisure options, including Reem Central Park, Gate Towers, beaches and waterfront promenades. The residential infrastructure is also excellent, and the below facilities are closeby.

• •    Schools and medical facilities: Repton Abu Dhabi School, Reem Hospital, Burjeel Day Surgery Center.
  •    Malls: Shams Boutik, Paragon Bay Mall, Reem Mall.
  •    The sale price of real estate on Al Reem Island starts from AED 650К (USD 177К).
  •    Apartments for rent here can be rented from AED 45К (USD 12.2К) per annum.

Mohammed Bin Zayed City (MBZ City)

MBZ City comprises 34 clusters with detached and semi-detached villas as well as apartment buildings for sale and to rent. However the area does not offer the possibility of 100% ownership rights to own to foreign citizens, only UAE and Gulf citizens can buy real estate here. Nevertheless, the area is popular among expats, as the real estate here provides a spacious area for living with families, the availability of private pools and garden plots. In addition, according to the Abu Dhabi H1 Market Report, real estate in MBZ City ranked within the top 5 of the most popular and inexpensive villas with 4-9 BR.
The city of MBZ can also be a smart choice if you plan to reside there permanently, especially for families with children as the location means you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a serene suburban lifestyle. You'll avoid the heavy traffic and hustle and bustle of the city, yet have everything you need for a comfortable life nearby, including daycare centers, schools, pharmacies, hospitals, grocery stores, and plenty of recreational activities nearby. In addition, MBZ Park has many outdoor green areas, a gym, a running track and a playground. It is worth noting that there is no shortage of public transport in MBZ City. There are many bus routes, so when moving to this area there is no extreme need to have your own car, which is a definite plus.

• •    Malls: the Mazyad Mall and Dalma Mall.
  •    Among the educational institutions are Al Ain University - Abu Dhabi Campus, Diyaf International School, Emirates National School, British Orchard Nursery - MBZ and many others.
  •    Medical facilities: Burjeel Medical City, Emirates Field Hospital, NMC Royal Family Medical Centre.
  •    The sale price of real estate on MBZ City starts from AED 8,6Ðœ (USD 2,3Ðœ).
  •    Rental prices for apartments start at AED 27K (USD 7K) per year and for villas cost from AED 80K (USD 22K) per year.

Khalifa City

This is considered as one of the best residential areas in Abu Dhabi as Khalifa City is a quiet neighbourhood that borders Al Raha and is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Airport. The area is actively developing and consists of 3 sub-districts: Khalifa City (formerly known as Khalifa City A), Shakhbout City (formerly known as Khalifa City B) and Zayed City. Although it does not boast the attractions of Yas Island or the vibrant cultural life of Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City is a family-friendly neighbourhood and a popular area to rent or buy villas or complexes, which are the main type of real estate here. There's a range of real estate within the development such as 6BR apartments, 3-9BR villas, and plots of land and prices here are relatively low. As for rentals, you can choose amongst studios and apartments with 1-4BR or consider options like villas with 2-8BR, townhouses with 2-5BR or 3BR duplexes.
It is worth noting that here, as with MBZ City, foreign nationals can only rent property. Nevertheless, the area offers first-class residential amenities including Kids Academy at Khalifa City A, Disney Nursery and GEMS American Academy, Harmony Medical Center and Samaya Specialty Center. There are also a number of spas, fitness centers and playgrounds for the whole family to enjoy.

• •    Malls: Forsan Central Mall, Al Safeer Mall, Al Raha Mall, Central Mall.
  •    You can buy a 6BR apartment from AED 5.9M (USD 1.6M) and a 3BR villa from AED 4.8M (USD 1.3M).
  •    Annual rent prices start at AED 25K (USD 7K) per year for apartments, AED 80K (USD 22K) for duplexes, AED 62K (USD 17K) for villas and AED 60K (USD 16K) for townhouses.

Other areas to consider living in Abu Dhabi

The list of best areas to stay in Abu Dhabi could include many other options, depending on your personal preferences and family situation. Here are some of them:

• •    Al Mushrif is part of the city centre and lies only 10 minutes’ away from the Corniche. It is a serene residential community often chosen by young families.
  •    The younger crowds tend to go for Madinat Zayed, Kahlidya and Al Wahda, while those who retire may consider the picturesque Hidd Al Saadiyat featuring villas built along a narrow peninsula.
  •    While it’s not that easy to single out the best place to live in Abu Dhabi, the Corniche is undeniably one of the top areas as it also offers enticing yields.
  •    We can’t help but mention the luxurious Al Raha Gardens with its waterfront gardens and the lively, yet comparatively affordable Tourist Club Area with its impressive shopping malls and towers.
  •    Those who want to live downtown may consider Al Karmah with its great infrastructure for family living.

As you can see from the list above, we’ve picked out neighbourhoods offering dramatically different lifestyles, as well as contrasting types of property and price tags. Such a variety will help you make an informed decision when buying or leasing real estate property in Abu Dhabi.

Conclusion

1.    According to the first half of 2021, places like Yas Island, Al Reem Island, MBZ City and Khalifa City are among the best areas to live in Abu Dhabi in terms of rent and residential infrastructure.
2.    Al Reem Island is known as a pedestrian-friendly area, the island is often chosen by families that would rather live in a luxurious apartment than in a quiet villa.
3.    All of the above areas have a well-developed social infrastructure, which creates the most comfortable living conditions for both single professionals and couples with children.