Since I have a background in the real estate sector and still continue writing articles, I will be writing detailed reviews about popular communities in Dubai. I do believe this will be useful to people within the UAE, wanting to move from their current homes, as well as people abroad, who are looking to move to Dubai, but cannot figure out where to live.
I start by writing about where we live…
TECOM is a mixed use development with flourishing towers featuring apartments and offices, retail spaces as well as a number of hotels and serviced apartments.
Tecom’s greatest advantage is its accessibility through its numerous entry and exit points – from Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and the new Parallel Road, whether coming from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Proximity to the business districts of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, to hospitals such as Saudi German and Zahra; to schools such as American School of Dubai and Gems Wellington and to retail destinations such as Mall of Emirates, Lulu Hypermarket and Barsha Mall also adds to the lure of Tecom. The Dubai Internet City metro station within Tecom is a major draw for those preferring not to use their cars.
Tecom boasts of its own supermarkets – Carrefour Express, Geant Easy, Park and Shop, as well as a number of smaller groceries, beauty parlours, pharmacies and Laundromats. An Emirates NBD branch within Tecom is handy as is the Eppco petrol station, which includes a service center. F&B options are dotted throughout, and included within hotels such as Media Rotana and Grand Millennium.
The apartments themselves are mostly of a good quality with relatively larger rooms compared to those in other freehold areas. Amenities such as gyms and pools are standard, with ample parking provided for in all buildings. Rents have become reasonable too with one bedrooms ranging between AED42,000 and AED50,000 and two bedrooms between AED55,000 and AED70,000.
So, whats lacking? Footpaths and Greenery!!!
Tecom is probably the most pedestrian unfriendly location in Dubai with families either having to walk on sand or having to risk their lives by walking on the roads. Speed breakers are few and far between and the pedestrian crossings could surely do with a coat of paint. Poor lighting, sand hills and few pavements make life difficult for all, especially those with children, with walking to the local pharmacy or grocery becoming a nightmare for many.
Also, the area has just a handful of trees with nothing being done to improve the situation. I hear that as per the original plan, the center of the project was to be a car free landscaped area, which the adjacent towers would overlook. As quite a few of the towers are still ugly muddy holes in the ground, the landscaping has taken a back seat. Lack of green spaces and play areas and the ongoing construction works add further woe to the lives of the residents.
I do hope the authorities read this blog and do something about the maintenance of public spaces to enable the neighbourhood to evolve into a pleasant community to live in…
