My Dubai Rent: Family pays Dh250,000 for four-bedroom villa in Umm Suqeim

Ana Elisa Seixas and her family, a Portuguese marketing professional and her husband who is an architectural and travel photographer, have lived in Dubai for 21 years, spending most of that time in the Umm Suqeim neighborhood. For the past seven years, they have rented a four-bedroom villa in the area, paying Dh250,000 per year.

The Seixas family, including their eight-year-old son Ethan and their cat Gruffy, share the villa that features four bedrooms, an office, and a closed kitchen. The kitchen has been modernized and personalized, and the villa includes a double garage and a private garden that opens onto a community garden, a highlight for the family.

They chose the area due to its "old Dubai" vibes, proximity to the beach, and the community's diversity. The family feels fortunate to have great neighbors and enjoys the amenities, such as the beach, cycling track, and local restaurants. They have transformed the extra ground floor space into the husband's office and plan to continue living in the area, despite the increased rental prices, which they believe will help preserve the neighborhood's charm.