The Best Places To Live In Umm Al Quwain For Expats
Umm Al Quwain is a peaceful refuge away from the busy city life where expats can choose to live in areas such as Al Salamah, Al Rass, Al Baida, the Emirates Modern Industrial Area, and the Umm Al Quwain Marina. These places are considered the best places to live in Um Al Quwain for expats.
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Situated on the Arabian Peninsula facing the Persian Gulf, Umm Al-Quwain is one of the least populous emirates of the federation’s seven emirates. It offers a quiet life along a coastline that extends for 27 kilometers, with a few areas for expats to live in and enjoy the nature and wildlife.
Are you a nature lover? Do you enjoy silence? Are you interested in learning more about the most remote, untouched, and undeveloped emirate in the UAE? Do you want to know the key advantages of living in Umm Al Quwain?
Read more to learn more about the untouched jewel of the UAE. When finished, you can find out the Best Places to Live in the UAE.
In this Pacific Prime article, we’ll go into detail about the best places to live in Umm Al Quwain, its unique advantages, and what expats should consider prior to making the move to the remote and peaceful emirate.
The Best Places for Expats To Live In Umm Al Quwain
There are numerous places for expats to live in Umm Al Quwain, depending on their priorities. Al Salamah, Al Rass, Al Baida, the Emirates Modern Industrial Area, and the Umm Al Quwain Marina are great locations to live in Umm Al Quwain. Which place is the best? That’s for you to choose.
Al Salamah
Al Salamah is a residential community in Umm al-Quwain that is primarily made up of mid-rise buildings and villas. The community is close to the shoreline, offering all necessary amenities for expat living with the addition of restaurants, supermarkets, recreational facilities, and schools.
- The average annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is USD $4600, or AED 17,000
- The average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is USD $6500, or AED 24,000
Al Rass
Al Rass is a small community in Umm Al Quwain known for its quiet fishing spots, marine life, and wildlife species. The area is under development and is on the way to becoming a major residential area. Al Rass is perfect for expats who like nighttime barbecues and outdoor activities.
- The average annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is USD $4600, or 17,000 AED
Al Baida
Al Baida is a sizable neighborhood in Umm Al Quiwain that features both apartment buildings and freestanding villas. The area is known for its waterfront and easy access to the beach, with numerous facilities like grocers and mosques. This area is a good fit for expats who value practicality.
- The average annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is USD $4900, or 18,000 AED
Emirates Modern Industrial Area
The Emirates Modern Industrial Area is a good fit for expats who enjoy driving and prioritize convenience. The area is an industrial and commercial hotspot in Umm Al Quwain, offering a range of apartments and townhouses while also providing convenient highway access to workplaces and amenities.
- The average annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is USD $4000, or 15,000 AED
Umm Al Quwain Marina
The Umm Al Quwain Marina is a waterfront community that offers a mix of leisure and living for boat enthusiasts and nature lovers. The area comprises yacht clubs, restaurants, and recreational facilities suitable for expats who want access to the best amenities and beautiful mangrove beaches.
- The average annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is USD $5500, or 20,000 AED
The Advantages of Living in Umm Al Quwain
1. Access to Nature
Given that Umm Al Quwain is a relatively undeveloped and untouched area in comparison to Dubai, expats can be sure to receive access to the UAE’s most environmental-friendly area, littered with lush trees, mangrove beaches, and vast deserts.
Thus, Umm Al Quwain’s primary selling point is its natural surroundings. We suggest going to the following location in Umm Al Quwain to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area:
Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Beach
The mangrove beaches of Umm Al Quwain offer expats the opportunity to experience things they have never seen before, showcasing the wonderful wildlife, flora, and fauna within the coastline. What’s more, the area is filled with designated areas for camping, barbecue parties, and caravan parks.
2. Affordability and Low Cost of Living
Umm Al Quwain’s reputation as an undeveloped and untouched area means there are a lack of malls to visit. This results in more support for local stores, which offer food and goods at a lower cost than that of Dubai.
To provide a better comparison, the list of UAE cities below should give you a clearer view of the monthly costs of living for a single person:
- Dubai: USD $1975
- Abu Dhabi: USD $1897
- Madinat Zayed: USD $1471
- Ras al-Khaimah: USD $1395
- Sharjah: USD $1335
- Al Ain: USD $1306
- Fujairah: USD $1109
- Umm Al Quwain: USD $956
For more details about living costs in Dubai, read our Pacific Prime article, The Cost to Live in Dubai.
3. Tourist Attractions
Although Umm Al Quwain is widely known as a quiet, eco-friendly destination devoid of noisy streets and towering buildings, it also boasts a number of popular tourist destinations. To name a few, the Umm Al Quwain Fort, Old Harbor, and Dreamland Aqua Park are great places to visit.
To provide a clearer picture, we’ve decided to list the key tourist attractions and their descriptions below:
Umm Al Quwain Fort
Built in the 18th century, the Umm Al Quwain Fort was once home to the ruler of the emirate. The fort has the coastline on one side and a peaceful creek on the other. Today, it serves its purpose as a museum, housing ancient weapons and artifacts that were present during the height of the emirate’s power.
Old Harbor
Umm Al Quwain’s Old Harbor overlooks a vast building yard where all of the emirate’s craftsmen come together to build traditional Emirati boats. In this area, there are old coral stone homes that were built with skills passed down from generation to generation.
Dreamland Aqua Park
The Dreamland Aqua Park is the UAE’s largest water park. Situated on the coastline of Umm Al Quwain, the park is operated year round with a daily capacity of around 10,000 visitors. This destination is the perfect holiday destination for expat families who enjoy water activities.
UAQ Marine Club
The UAQ Marine Club is a family-friendly outdoor center for families to enjoy an array of water activities ranging from boat berthing to watersports to houseboat tours and fishing.
If you’re planning to relocate to Um Al Quwain with your family, this is a must visit location.
4. Enjoyable Road Trips
If you plan on settling down in Umm Al Quwain, chances are you’ll be driving your own vehicle. The good news is that the interconnecting roads of the emirate allow for enjoyable road trips from home to a tourist attraction or from Umm Al Quwain to Dubai.
Moreover, the Umm Al Quwain Police pays close attention to the roads, making use of smart technology to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules and reduce the number of violations. This is another reason to feel safe when driving on Umm Al Quwain roads.
5. Abundance of Hospitals and Pharmacies
If you’re in need of urgent healthcare or need to pick up some medicine, you can rest assured knowing that Umm Al Quwain has an abundance of hospitals, private clinics, and pharmacies for you to choose from.
Listed below are the registered hospitals, private clinics, and pharmacies as shown on the Umm Al Quwain Government page:
Umm Al Quwain Centers and Private Clinics
- Gulf Medical Center
- Dana Medical Center
- Thumbay Clinic
- UAQ Medical Center
- Sini Medical Center
- Dr. Jamal Medical Clinic
- Dr. Rana Hussein Center
- Al Jazbir Medical Clinic
Umm Al Quwain Hospitals and Health Centers
- UAQ Hospital
- Sheikh Khalifah Hospital
- Al Khazzan Health Center
- Al Salmah Health Center
- Al Rafeii Health Center
- Falaj Al Mu’alla Health Center
- Preventative Medicine Center and Maternity Care
Umm Al Quwain Pharmacies
- Wataniyah Pharmacy
- Makkah Pharmacy
- Al Haram Pharmacy
- Jabal Nour Pharmacy
- Health First 12 Pharmacy
- Tajran Pharmacy
- Dovaa Pharmacy
- Ibn Sina’a Pharmacy
- Al Mulla Pharmacy
- UAQ Pharmacy
- Dana Pharmacy
- Al Mujamaa Pharmacy
Likewise, if you wish to know about the quality of healthcare in other emirates, you may also read up on the list of hospitals in the UAE or Where Dubai Ranks in Healthcare?.
6. Top Quality Education
Umm Al Quwain offers expat families numerous schools, such as the English School, Sharjah American International School, and the International School of Choueifat. These schools offer high quality education to those who want to send their children to school in an international environment.
Listed below are a few good schools to consider:
1. The English School
Expatriate parents can rest easy knowing that their children are receiving an excellent education at the English School in Umm Al Quwain, which is conveniently located close to the Green Belt Defense Camp. It offers a CBSE curriculum that caters to students from kindergarten to grade 12.
2. Sharjah American International School
The Sharjah American International School provides an international learning environment for children to develop their abilities and skills. The school enrolls students from kindergarten through high school and follows an American curriculum, attracting children from over 25 different countries.
3. The International School of Choueifat
The International School of Choueifat offers a world-class SABIS curriculum to students with a goal to attend one of the top universities around the world. Because it has the best facilities in Umm Al Quwain, expat families can send their kids here to develop to their fullest potential.
Before Moving To The UAE
Whether you’re planning to relocate on your own or with your family, it’s important to consider the essential aspects of living, especially healthcare. All foreign nationals who plan to work or live in the United Arab Emirates must secure medical insurance in accordance with visa and residency regulations.
Furthermore, securing private health insurance means that you’ll receive the best medical care at a moment’s notice, reducing unpredictable costs stemming from medical emergencies during your stay in the UAE.
There are two main types of health insurance plans for you to consider:
- Individual Health Insurance: Provides coverage for a single person, focusing on the specific needs of the person by adapting the policy’s coverage terms, deductibles, benefits, and addons.
- Family Health Insurance: This plan provides coverage for an entire family, ensuring that every member receives timely access to healthcare and financial protection against exorbitant medical expenses. The plan also includes maternity, pediatric, and shared coverage.
If you’re still unsure or need help navigating the intricate world of insurance, working with a broker can help expedite your understanding. Likewise, if you’re still reading up on more UAE cities to live in, Ras el Khaimah and Abu Dhabi may be of interest to you.
Pacific Prime is here to assist you in locating the most suitable medical insurance for you and your loved ones. Additionally, as an investor or entrepreneur setting up shop in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you may want to consider purchasing property and casualty (P&C) insurance.
For more information, check out our blog section or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to settle down in Umm Al Quwain?
Because of its relative calm, Umm Al Quwain is an excellent place for families with young children to make their permanent home. Moreover, Umm Al Quwain is an attractive option for families looking to save money because, like Fujairah, it has a low cost of living.
Can foreigners purchase real estate in Umm Al Quwain?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows foreigners to purchase real estate. However, there are restrictions. The only areas where foreigners are allowed to buy property are those designated as “freehold zones”.
What is Umm Al Quwain’s primary source of revenue?
Tourism, trade, fisheries, and manufacturing all contribute to Umm Al Quwain’s bottom line, but the emirate places most importance on manufacturing and tourism.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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What has been your experience with accessing healthcare services in Umm Al Quwain? Have you found it challenging to navigate the local healthcare system, and do you have any tips for newcomers?
Accessing healthcare services in Umm Al Quwain is relatively straightforward, as the emirate offers a range of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, such as Sheikh Khalifah Hospital and Gulf Medical Center. However, navigating the local healthcare system can be challenging for newcomers, especially regarding appointment scheduling and insurance coverage requirements. For a smoother experience, ensure your health insurance policy is compatible with local providers and familiarize yourself with nearby facilities.
If you’re moving to Umm Al Quwain, securing comprehensive health insurance is crucial. Visit our Contact Us page to explore tailored health insurance options for expats in the UAE.
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