My Dubai Rent: Food app owner pays Dh155,000 for four-bedroom villa in Villanova

My Dubai Rent series brings readers inside the homes of Dubai residents to explore their living arrangements and preferences. In this installment, we visit the four-bedroom villa in Villanova, shared by Briton Andrew Burgess and his family. The 51-year-old founder of the food app Forked Up pays Dh155,000 annually for the home, which he shares with wife Lucy, nine-year-old son Cyrus, nanny Nancy, rescue cat Jack and dog Harley.

The spacious villa boasts three bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, a maid's room, a balcony, and a garden.

Burgess moved to Dubai in 2007 and has lived in various neighborhoods, including Mira, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Beach Residence. He chose Villanova for its family-friendly community, green spaces, parks, and neighborhood atmosphere. The villa's spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area serve as the heart of the home, where the family cooks together, Cyrus does his homework, and friends often visit.

The downstairs bedroom has been converted into Burgess's office, and the garden has become an extension of their living space, complete with a football goal, golf practice net, and barbecue. The community center offers a range of amenities, including a supermarket, pharmacy, pet shop, coffee shops, and restaurants, all within walking distance.

For Burgess and his family, the sense of community and the spacious outdoor areas are the most valued aspects of their home.