Jebel Ali

Jebel Ali is a commercial district that significantly contributes to Dubai's budget. The area attracts businesspeople, investors, and tourists with its developed industry, high quality of life, vibrant infrastructure, and proximity to the Persian Gulf.

Location

Jebel Ali is situated on the coast of the Persian Gulf, with its southern border running along the busy Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), which connects Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

From Jebel Ali, it’s easy to reach important locations in the city:

  • Dubai Parks and Resort – 9 minutes
  • Al Maktoum International Airport – 22 minutes
  • Dubai Marina – 23 minutes
  • The Walk JBR – 25 minutes
  • Dubai Mall – 35 minutes
  • Downtown Dubai – 35 minutes

Advantages and Features of the District

Jebel Ali is divided into several zones:

  • Business – Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA);
  • Leisure – the luxurious artificial island Palm Jebel Ali (with over 80 hotels and resorts);
  • Family living – Jebel Ali Village (a residential complex with developed infrastructure).

The district also has other notable features:

  1. Jebel Ali Port. The largest in the Middle East and the 9th busiest in the world, accommodating cargo ships and US Navy vessels.
  2. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). Home to over 9,500 companies, with significant growth in logistics, e-commerce, petrochemicals, food industries, automotive, and about 12 other sectors. JAFZA provides over 130,000 jobs and attracts 23.9% of Dubai's direct foreign investments.
  3. Awards. In 2023, JAFZA received several fDi awards for global achievements in sustainable development and outstanding non-fiscal incentives, and was named the "Industrial Champion" in the Middle East.
  4. Eco-friendliness. JAFZA hosts the largest solar power installation in the Middle East (158,000 panels), reducing CO2 emissions by 30%.

Infrastructure

JAFZA primarily contains warehouses, offices, and industrial buildings.

Jebel Ali Industrial (1,2,3,4) also has offices, shops, and service companies, along with residential complexes.

The main infrastructure (parks, cafes, restaurants, schools) is concentrated in Palm Jebel Ali and Jebel Ali Village.

Shopping

Each zone of Jebel Ali has around 10-15 supermarkets located near residential and office buildings. The largest and most well-known include:

  • Carrefour;
  • Nesto;
  • Geant;
  • Mango.

There are also large shopping malls:

  • Jebel Ali Mall;
  • Festival Plaza;
  • Ibn Battuta Mall.

Mosques and Churches

Jebel Ali has around 14 mosques, most of which are located along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11).

Churches are concentrated in Jebel Ali Village, with a total of 11 churches and temples, including a Hindu temple, a Sikh temple, Orthodox, and Catholic churches.

Educational Institutions

Most educational institutions are located in Jebel Ali Village.

Jebel Ali Village has around five kindergartens, two general education schools (The Winchester School and Arcadia Global School), and a primary school (Jebel Ali Primary School).

Private schools include The Arbor School and Ghaf Private School. The Delhi Private School, which follows the Indian curriculum, is also located here.

The area also hosts the Belhasa Driving School, Nikon Photography School, and several dance studios.

Vocational education can be obtained at the EGA Training Center in Jebel Ali 3.

Hospitals and Clinics

JAFZA is home to the large Asters Cedars Jebel Ali International Hospital, where emergency care and medications are available 24/7.

Each zone also has 4 to 10 clinics or medical centers near residential and office buildings, ensuring quick access to medical services.

Attractions

1. Palm Jebel Ali. An artificial island shaped like a palm tree, featuring elite villas, luxurious promenades with panoramic views of the Persian Gulf, and clubs for every taste (eco-club, beach club, family club, yacht club).

2. Dubai Park and Resort includes:

  • Riverland. A fairytale land with memorable architecture and picturesque locations. Visitors can enjoy delicious food, see animatronic dinosaurs, marvel at vibrant laser shows, and spend time at the largest trampoline park (1,200 sq.m).
  • Legoland. A park particularly enjoyed by families with children, offering over 40 attractions and around 20 Lego-themed water slides.
  • Motiongate. A park with attractions themed around famous film studios. Locations feature landscapes inspired by popular movies and animations from Lionsgate Film, Columbia Pictures, and DreamWorks.

3. Jebel Ali Beach. A place to escape the city hustle, engage in surfing, kayaking, or other water sports. Being far from tourist centers, the beach is usually quiet and peaceful, yet fully equipped for a comfortable stay.

4. The Resort Golf Club. A 9-hole, par 35 golf course with stunning views of the Persian Gulf and roaming peacocks.

5. Shooting Club. A shooting range with indoor and outdoor areas, designed in a medieval style. Suitable for shooters of all levels, from beginners to professionals.

6. Recreation Club. A leisure center with a British-style pub, restaurants serving various national cuisines, BBQ, live music, tennis courts, a pool, squash courts, and a cinema.

Complexes
Residential Complexes

Jebel Ali features several zones with residential complexes:

  • Palm Jebel Ali. Beachfront villas with 5-6 bedrooms and coral villas with 7 bedrooms provide direct access to the Persian Gulf and offer stunning sea views.
  • Jebel Ali Industrial. This area includes mid-rise residential complexes with studios and 1-2 bedroom apartments.
  • Jebel Ali Village. Residential villas with 4 and 5 bedrooms are surrounded by lush greenery.
  • Discovery Gardens. A cozy, green residential complex consisting of 300 low-rise buildings with studios and 1-2 bedroom apartments.
  • Jebel Ali Hills. This district is still under development, where you can rent a plot of land or a villa.
Transportation Accessibility

Jebel Ali offers excellent conditions for car owners, with spacious parking near shops, schools, sports and entertainment centers, and parking spaces next to low-rise residential buildings, villas, and offices.

The area also has several metro stations – Jebel Ali, Ibn Battuta, Energy, UAE Exchange, Danube, Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens, and The Gardens. These stations are all on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, connecting Jebel Ali with other districts.

Public buses regularly run along the coastal part of the district: from JAFZA to Jebel Ali Gardens. These buses allow travel within Jebel Ali or to other areas. JAFZA also has a bus station, with Bus 99 running to the UAE Exchange Metro Station.

For quick travel, you can easily call a taxi, with Uber and Careem services available.

Average Rental and Purchase Prices

The average annual rental cost for properties in Jebel Ali is as follows:

  • studio – AED 26,000 (USD 7,080.03);
  • 1-bedroom apartment – AED 35,000 (USD 9,530.81);
  • 2-bedroom apartment – AED 45,000 (USD 12,253.90);
  • 3-bedroom villa – AED 114,000 (USD 31,043.21);
  • 4-bedroom villa – AED 126,000 (USD 34,310.92);
  • office – AED 39,000 to 75,000 (USD 10,620.05 to 20,423.17), depending on size;
  • shop – AED 100,000 to 212,000 (USD 27,230.89 to 57,729.49).

The minimum purchase prices for properties are:

  • studio – starting from AED 360,000 (USD 98,031.20);
  • 1-bedroom apartment – starting from AED 690,000 (USD 187,893.14);
  • 2-bedroom apartment – starting from AED 900,000 (USD 245,078.01);
  • residential plot – AED 850,000 to 4,100,000 (USD 231,462.57 to 1,116,466.49);
  • office – starting from AED 1,600,000 (USD 435,694.24);
  • warehouse – starting from AED 2,000,000 (USD 544,617.80).
Is it Profitable to Invest?

Yes. The profitability of investments is ensured by:

  • a developed transportation system;
  • proximity to the Persian Gulf;
  • the largest port in the Middle East;
  • a high number of jobs and the economic significance of the area;
  • family-friendly living amenities;
  • a variety of residential and commercial properties;
  • popular entertainment centers.

Purchasing or renting property in Dubai is a stable investment that helps preserve capital. The value of residential and commercial buildings increases each year, making investments in this area profitable.

The most profitable investment is in 3-bedroom apartments, which offer an annual return of 6.8%. The annual return on investment for 2-bedroom apartments is 5.1%, and for 1-bedroom apartments, it is 5.4%.

Additionally, significant profits can be made by purchasing property during the construction phase, as the cost of unfinished buildings is lower than that of similar completed properties.