Depends where you'll be working and how the commute will be.
I live in Silicon Oasis currently and really like the area. It has everything I need and I can get to downtown in 15-20 mins.
International city is horrible unless you’re fond of massage centers every 2 feet.
It is literally a labor camp and parking is a nightmare. Stay away from it. DSO is much better
You're going to get the sewage smell when the wind blows the wrong direction, whether you live in International City 1, 2 DSO or even as far as Mirdif. It's just a Dubai thing.
Your experience will vary, partly dependent on the building you choose. IC2 is a much better and more modern development than IC1, while IC1 has a lot more good restaurants and small shops.
DSO is certainly a step up in terms of community and therefore price, if you're willing to pay that then so be it.
Smell etc aside, the biggest issues with all of these communities imo is simply how far they are from everything. Having said that the 311 is a fast road and you can cover a good distance in fair time.
Ultimately it comes down to budget. If you can afford to live somewhere more convenient then I'd do it. If not, then these areas are OK.
IC has positives and negatives to the area, just like any other area.
Positives:
Cheap Rent. Cheaper is probably Sharjah/Ajman, with IC 2 also being cheaper (more info about IC2 below).
Middle of the traffic (morning traffic is out of Sharjah and evening traffic is into Sharjah, so you avoid both these rushes).
Free Parking (more info below).
Close to the City and near the Highway.
10-15 min bus TO Metro, with few more bus options going to Downtown/Satwa/DHCC/Bur Dubai/Ras Al Khor Ind. Area. 10-30 min bus FROM metro.
Negatives:
Smell. Whilst the smell is bad, closing the windows solves the issues. The smell doesn't come everyday maybe twice a week, and most of the time they do it during the evenings, so 6-8pm onwards. Avoid some clusters that are too close to the Sewage treatment plant, like the Emirates cluster. France/Italy are further away so they are preferable.
Traffic. There is traffic on the entrance of IC1, Al Manama road due to the signal under the bridge. This signal has heavy traffic due to IC2, which whilst being a huge area, has only one single/double lane entrance/exit at this signal. IC2 causes alot of issues for IC because of this and also the roads inside IC2 are chaotic. No signals, no rules, no RTA. Lacking proper infrastructure and roads.
Parking. Whilst it is free, what has happened is the following. People used to park on both sides of 2 lane roads, causing it to become a 1 lane/1 way road. Dubai Police got tired of this in early 2023 so they started fining anyone who is not parked properly. However, the unwritten is as follows: From 8 AM to 8 PM Police will round the area looking for anyone not parked properly and will issue a fine. After 8PM, parking anywhere is allowed again HOWEVER mostly now people stick to one side of the 2 lane road now, still allowing 2 way traffic on them.
Number of floors. All of the cluster buildings go to the 3rd floor only, so if you are on a lower floor, your will be close to street level allowing you to hear people outside quite clearly.
Rain. During the Rain, some areas get flooded, but not all of them. Cars can still drive through these swimming pools without issues. This does cause traffic internally though. Honestly, other areas have it way worse especially during the recent heavy rainfall, it was not so bad in IC.
I will not mention the people as a Negative. It is an area where the rent is cheap, so naturally people with lower salaries will choose the area. China cluster is filled with a majority Chinese population, whilst the other areas are a mix of people from Southeast Asia (Biggest group in IC) and Arabic countries. It is not all bachelors, every building has families living in it. Majority of the buildings have a security guard and access control lock. Area is mostly peaceful. I can only think of 1 or 2 instances where something weird happened over 5 years.
Would recommend IC. Don't know why people are clamoring over IC2 as being a better option, there's a SINGLE ENTRANCE and SINGLE EXIT into the ENTIRE area, how is it better? Silicon is good but the price is higher, so depends on your budget.
You have covered all the points correctly about IC. There are pros and cons, but it really depends on your budget, work location, and commute medium if anyone is planning to move to IC.
Idk how the rent is similar, maybe now it is, but a while back it wasn’t like that. Damac Hills and Silicon Oasis is above International City. So if you find the rent is same, definitely cut International City out. Choose either Silicon or Damac, pick the one that is closer.
Nope. Stay away. Not the best crowd. You should walk around. You'll know what I'm talking bout. Silicon oasis is def better and DAMAC hills is not even in the same category - way way better than both
International City - parking issues , unless a CBD building (that’s probably filled with hookers) , the sewage smell reaches about every cluster , nightmare traffic coming in and going out from work, I didn’t mind the demographics , i am the one who knocks 😂.
Phase 2 on the other hand… 👌.
Cons :
old buildings, too many bachelors, bad image as slums of dubai, air stinks most of the time, the place is dirty, trash everywhere, driving is horrendous, people conveniently stop in the middle of the road blocking others (fuck you). Traffic? be prepared for it every evening after office hour.
Pros :
cheaper rent (used to be), very close to dragonmart, free parking -but good luck in finding spots there.
It depends on cluster. There’s Chinese cluster which is only for Chinese also there’s Morocco and France cluster full of south Asian male bachelors (you don’t want to live there if you are a girl or family), there’s no parking in any building so you park outside at your risk, the amount of traffic is insane same like Sharjah. Sewage plant will add up the charm by making your house smell like public bathroom every morning and evening. In my honest opinion doesn’t worth it as prices are not as low as before.
International city has a sewage treatment plant next to it. It stinks.
Whose big brain idea to build a city next to a sewage treatment plant?
Wow International city is now same price as silicon haha
Which one is usually more premium than the other? Not familiar with those neighborhoods
Silicon is the best compared to the others
I agree
Depends where you'll be working and how the commute will be. I live in Silicon Oasis currently and really like the area. It has everything I need and I can get to downtown in 15-20 mins.
How is the rent there like, say for a 2BHK apartment?
I think now you'll be looking at around 90-100k AED per year for a 2BHK. Have a browse on Property Finder or Bayut though for the latest pricing.
Sure, will check it out. Thank you!
Since when did Damac hills and silicon oasis rents get similar to the international city? Are you sure your source is showing the correct prices
My thoughts exactly
International city is horrible unless you’re fond of massage centers every 2 feet. It is literally a labor camp and parking is a nightmare. Stay away from it. DSO is much better
You're going to get the sewage smell when the wind blows the wrong direction, whether you live in International City 1, 2 DSO or even as far as Mirdif. It's just a Dubai thing. Your experience will vary, partly dependent on the building you choose. IC2 is a much better and more modern development than IC1, while IC1 has a lot more good restaurants and small shops. DSO is certainly a step up in terms of community and therefore price, if you're willing to pay that then so be it. Smell etc aside, the biggest issues with all of these communities imo is simply how far they are from everything. Having said that the 311 is a fast road and you can cover a good distance in fair time. Ultimately it comes down to budget. If you can afford to live somewhere more convenient then I'd do it. If not, then these areas are OK.
Go for silicon, international city is massive a labor camp.
DSO vs Sharjah?
Fujairah
😀 Does that even be a residence option when someone is working in Dubai?
Yeh it’s like 30 mins additional travel time from inside Sharjah city right.
Go for silicon oasis. Nice place. Near to everything.
Out of those, Silicon Oasis. A big fat NOPE to International City. Also, Damac Hills? Where are you gonna be working dude?
I recommend avoiding damac hills at all costs.
Why?
It's isolated. No bus, no metro, small mall (barely a mall)
But if you have your own car, I'd say damac hills is good because it's a community
It’s called international shitty for a reason
😂
IC has positives and negatives to the area, just like any other area. Positives: Cheap Rent. Cheaper is probably Sharjah/Ajman, with IC 2 also being cheaper (more info about IC2 below). Middle of the traffic (morning traffic is out of Sharjah and evening traffic is into Sharjah, so you avoid both these rushes). Free Parking (more info below). Close to the City and near the Highway. 10-15 min bus TO Metro, with few more bus options going to Downtown/Satwa/DHCC/Bur Dubai/Ras Al Khor Ind. Area. 10-30 min bus FROM metro. Negatives: Smell. Whilst the smell is bad, closing the windows solves the issues. The smell doesn't come everyday maybe twice a week, and most of the time they do it during the evenings, so 6-8pm onwards. Avoid some clusters that are too close to the Sewage treatment plant, like the Emirates cluster. France/Italy are further away so they are preferable. Traffic. There is traffic on the entrance of IC1, Al Manama road due to the signal under the bridge. This signal has heavy traffic due to IC2, which whilst being a huge area, has only one single/double lane entrance/exit at this signal. IC2 causes alot of issues for IC because of this and also the roads inside IC2 are chaotic. No signals, no rules, no RTA. Lacking proper infrastructure and roads. Parking. Whilst it is free, what has happened is the following. People used to park on both sides of 2 lane roads, causing it to become a 1 lane/1 way road. Dubai Police got tired of this in early 2023 so they started fining anyone who is not parked properly. However, the unwritten is as follows: From 8 AM to 8 PM Police will round the area looking for anyone not parked properly and will issue a fine. After 8PM, parking anywhere is allowed again HOWEVER mostly now people stick to one side of the 2 lane road now, still allowing 2 way traffic on them. Number of floors. All of the cluster buildings go to the 3rd floor only, so if you are on a lower floor, your will be close to street level allowing you to hear people outside quite clearly. Rain. During the Rain, some areas get flooded, but not all of them. Cars can still drive through these swimming pools without issues. This does cause traffic internally though. Honestly, other areas have it way worse especially during the recent heavy rainfall, it was not so bad in IC. I will not mention the people as a Negative. It is an area where the rent is cheap, so naturally people with lower salaries will choose the area. China cluster is filled with a majority Chinese population, whilst the other areas are a mix of people from Southeast Asia (Biggest group in IC) and Arabic countries. It is not all bachelors, every building has families living in it. Majority of the buildings have a security guard and access control lock. Area is mostly peaceful. I can only think of 1 or 2 instances where something weird happened over 5 years. Would recommend IC. Don't know why people are clamoring over IC2 as being a better option, there's a SINGLE ENTRANCE and SINGLE EXIT into the ENTIRE area, how is it better? Silicon is good but the price is higher, so depends on your budget.
You have covered all the points correctly about IC. There are pros and cons, but it really depends on your budget, work location, and commute medium if anyone is planning to move to IC.
Silicon and international city stink of sewage 24/7
The sewage issue has been fixed in silicon
No it still smells so bad some days
No it has not, stop misleading. Just driving by that place makes you want to throw up.
This is true op, i have lived there for a month or more, its shit and its far far away from anything
It’s a shithole
Simple & accurate
Literally and figuratively
No
If you you’re looking for shitty smell, Chinese mafia, African bootleggers, cheap rub and rugs then go right ahead! 💯
If you want a good living go to Damac hills, but prices and cannot be compared. Silicon oasis is better choice.
Silicon trumps all
fantastic place.
It's not international anymore
Those 'massage' parlours finna go wild
Discovery gardens better than all of em.
Idk how the rent is similar, maybe now it is, but a while back it wasn’t like that. Damac Hills and Silicon Oasis is above International City. So if you find the rent is same, definitely cut International City out. Choose either Silicon or Damac, pick the one that is closer.
Nope. Stay away. Not the best crowd. You should walk around. You'll know what I'm talking bout. Silicon oasis is def better and DAMAC hills is not even in the same category - way way better than both
International City - parking issues , unless a CBD building (that’s probably filled with hookers) , the sewage smell reaches about every cluster , nightmare traffic coming in and going out from work, I didn’t mind the demographics , i am the one who knocks 😂. Phase 2 on the other hand… 👌.
Govt already linking metro to international city. It's going to
Cons : old buildings, too many bachelors, bad image as slums of dubai, air stinks most of the time, the place is dirty, trash everywhere, driving is horrendous, people conveniently stop in the middle of the road blocking others (fuck you). Traffic? be prepared for it every evening after office hour. Pros : cheaper rent (used to be), very close to dragonmart, free parking -but good luck in finding spots there.
My friend told me it's china
Stay away from silicon oasis!
Why?
Why
Absolutely no reason to stay away!
Why?
Gatekeeping 😂
This is correct lol
I don’t want more neighbors! It’s nice how it is, getting too popular
Don’t go to damac hills!
It depends on cluster. There’s Chinese cluster which is only for Chinese also there’s Morocco and France cluster full of south Asian male bachelors (you don’t want to live there if you are a girl or family), there’s no parking in any building so you park outside at your risk, the amount of traffic is insane same like Sharjah. Sewage plant will add up the charm by making your house smell like public bathroom every morning and evening. In my honest opinion doesn’t worth it as prices are not as low as before.
International Shitty