The two most popular Emirates are often compared to one another, and often, the result comes out skewed in the favor of Dubai. Some may view Abu Dhabi as the little brother that lives behind Dubai’s towering shadow. In reality, however, Abu Dhabi is quite sizeable and occupies a space larger than all other Emirates combined. Further to that, it carries a unique and special air of its own and many prefer it over Dubai. In this blog, we give you our version of the Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai verdict in as much of an unbiased way as possible.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Entertainment
Although Dubai is much smaller than its behemoth brother Abu Dhabi, it has a higher concentration of entertainment options and has been dubbed the entertainment capital of the entire Middle East. Whereas Abu Dhabi was built to be the capital of the United Arab Emirates and serves as its oil and gas hub, Dubai was designed to attract tourists.
Large investments have been poured into Dubai since the 90s to make it a tourist paradise. With the world’s largest tower — the Burj Khalifa splitting the sky, visitors and residents of Dubai are spoilt for entertainment options that always veer on the unusual and extravagant.
Entertainment options in Dubai
Although the UAE is scorching hot, that didn’t stop the people from Majid Al Futtaim Group from building a ski world at the heart of the desert city. Ski Dubai is an indoor ice world complete with chairlifts and even penguins. Visitors are usually astounded by the size of the arena, and onlookers from the Mall of the Emirates are hypnotized from behind the glass viewing platforms they can see the indoor ski arena from.
The largest mall in the UAE also exists in Dubai. Named the Dubai Mall, visitors will tire themselves before exploring the expansive 12 million sq ft mall. The mall is home to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo where massive sharks, spearfish, and stingrays can be seen by all visitors of the mall. The mall also hosts the world’s largest fountain show, the Dubai Fountain.
Additionally, Dubai is the site of the Dubai Frame, and the Dubai Miracle Garden which is an expansive park with megastructures and statues all enveloped in greenery and flowers. Dubai also hosts many theme parks and waterparks such as the highly rated IMG Worlds of Adventure which is also one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks.
One can’t visit Dubai without visiting the newly built and highly acclaimed Museum of the Future. The Museum of the Future in Dubai is a unique and innovative institution that explores cutting-edge technology and ideas shaping our future. Visitors can experience a range of interactive exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations that showcase the latest advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and more. Ultimately, the museum offers visitors a window into the future of the UAE as well as the entire globe. The Museum of the Future in Dubai is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the future of technology and its impact on our world.
We can’t finish our entertainment options in Dubai list without mentioning at least one of Dubai’s many outlandish entertainment options. The Smash Room is a great example. This is an indoor activity in Dubai where visitors can let their stress out by smashing through a selection of TVs, washing machines, glass, or even ice blocks. The Smash Room hosts everything from birthday parties to corporate team-building activities. Be sure to give it a shot if you are ever in Dubai.
Entertainment options in Abu Dhabi
Dubai winning the prize for entertainment does not necessarily mean that Abu Dhabi lacks entertainment options. On the contrary, Yas Island is a man-made island in Abu Dhabi that was built to be an entertainment paradise and has in many ways lived up to that name by virtue of its reputation that rings loud across the entire Middle East.
Many important landmarks in Abu Dhabi are located on Yas Island. This includes top-tier attractions such as Abu Dhabi’s largest mall — Yas Mall, and world-class theme parks such as Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, where some of the world’s fastest roller coasters exist.
Another hard-to-miss attraction in Abu Dhabi is CLYMB. CLYMB Abu Dhabi is a world-class indoor skydiving facility that offers a thrilling experience for adventure seekers. It features the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and wind tunnel technology that simulates skydiving in closed quarters.
Yas island also has a unique and one-of-a-kind golf course and many amenities designed to make it a living heaven for all those who decide to reside in it.
Another tourist favorite is the Emirates Park Zoo. Emirates Park Zoo boasts a large collection of exotic animals, diverse habitats, and interactive experiences that enchant all its visitors. Here, animal lovers can get up close with animals such as elephants, engage in camel rides, or even get personal with large feline predators over a shared dining table. Nothing says middle east like getting buddy-buddy with big fuzzy predators, right? Additionally, the zoo has a large aviary, a butterfly house, and a botanical garden making it an unforgettable journey for families and single visitors alike.
Finally, one of the world’s largest and most luxurious mosques exists in Abu Dhabi. In the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visitors are treated by strolling atop the world’s largest carpet. The mosque is adorned with gold chandeliers draped with rare crystals and boasts amazing gardens and courtyards.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Family friendliness
Some may find Dubai to be a disaster for a family, especially for one with children. The city has a very busy atmosphere that can be compared to one big factory where everybody is trying to get somewhere. Abu Dhabi on the other hand is more relaxed, and although busy, it is nowhere near as congested as Dubai.
In addition, demographically speaking, there are more families in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, parks are abundant and lush greenery is everywhere. Also, there seems to be somewhat of a dress code in Abu Dhabi where people dress modestly due to the emirate’s conservative nature. Occurrences of people showing too much skin are somewhat rare, especially in public areas such as malls. The same cannot be said about Dubai.
On a more ethno-centric note, an island by the name of Al Saadiyat serves as the cultural hub of Abu Dhabi. The district which was designed to encourage the intermingling of cultures, is a melting pot of nationalities and has some of the most stunning museums in the country, and many more currently being built.
Below are a few of the existing museums:
Minarat Alsaadiyat (or Place of Enlightenment) is an events venue that ensures there’s never a dull moment in Al Saadiyat. It hosts events such as art fairs, comedy nights, conferences, film screenings, and educational events such as robotics workshops. This is one of the places designed to encourage visitors to interact with one another and is a great place to raise a family around.
Another great museum in Abu Dhabi is the Abu Dhabi Louvre, a world-class museum with unique and unusual displays and exhibitions from all across the globe.
Properties in Abu Dhabi vs. properties In Dubai
Due to rent being more expensive in Abu Dhabi, it could be said that investors are likely to experience higher returns per investment there. Furthermore, the segments that are after properties in Abu Dhabi aren’t necessarily the same segment that searches for properties in Dubai. The former tend to be families, and are therefore more likely to occupy larger properties and for longer periods. Whereas the latter has a higher occurrence of tourists and therefore many hotels and hotel apartments, that offer shorter rents are prevalent.
Although rent and properties are more expensive in Abu Dhabi, renting hotel suites and rooms is strangely cheaper there, but less easy to find and less diverse in options.
Lastly, as has already been mentioned before, Dubai’s economy is more focused on tourism, which also means the property market is used to fewer permanent occupants. In Abu Dhabi on the other hand, residents tend to stay for the long haul, and property owners waste less time searching for and retaining tenants.
People can acquire a Dubai visa by investing a certain amount in properties in the emirate. That wasn’t possible in Abu Dhabi.
Can I get A visa if I buy A property in Abu Dhabi?
You are now eligible for a 5-year golden investor visa in Abu Dhabi if you invest in properties with a value of AED 10 million or more. This is a new regulation, and previously such visas were only available in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai cost of living
The general costs of living are higher in Dubai. Restaurants are 3% more expensive in Dubai, and consumer products are 14% more expensive. However, properties in Abu Dhabi are more expensive than in Dubai by a slight margin.
Are salaries higher in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Salaries are higher in Abu Dhabi and that is because there is less competition among the workforce in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai.
Is Abu Dhabi or Dubai A better place to live?
A family will enjoy Abu Dhabi more than Dubai, whereas a young couple may opt for Dubai due to the ample work opportunities it provides. Another couple who might enjoy a more subdued and romantic time, as opposed to a fast-paced life, will prefer Abu Dhabi. The answer to this question is largely dependent on who it is being asked by.
People who prefer less congested areas and a greener and cleaner atmosphere will also enjoy Abu Dhabi. Lastly, those who lean on the more conservative side of things will prefer Abu Dhabi over its wilder and less predictable sibling, Dubai.
Dubai has many beautiful beaches but visitors will generally need a membership or a pass to utilize the emirate’s sandy shores. In Abu Dhabi however, there are many beautiful, free, and open beaches.
Although Dubai is congested, residents have the advantage of an underground metro that they can use to reach places in only a few minutes. Abu Dhabi doesn’t have a metro as of yet, and luckily it isn’t as congested in order to be in dire need of one.
To find out more about living in Abu Dhabi, read our previous blog titled “Is Abu Dhabi A Good Place To Live In.”
The verdict: Is Dubai better than Abu Dhabi?
Both Emirates are great places to live in and visit. Abu Dhabi is the richest city on the planet, and Dubai is one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations. We, however, prefer Abu Dhabi for it is our home and it is where our offices are located. Another reason we love it here is the promising potential the real estate market has to offer. It is one of the reasons we decided to set up shop here.
Gravity Real Estate
Gravity Real Estate is one of the leading real estate brokers, consultants, and property managers in Abu Dhabi. With agents spread throughout the corners of Abu Dhabi, there isn’t a property we can’t sell, a villa we can’t rent, and a property we can’t find. Through our over 15 years in the real estate market, we’ve developed key relationships with fundamental players and developers in the market such as Aldar, Bloom, and Bayut. As a result, we are able to deliver irresistible deals in a transparent manner that pleases all parties involved.
To find out more about our services click on the previous link, or call us on 800 472 8489 to find out how we can help you execute your desired action.
