Al Karama District Overview in Dubai: pros and cons

Al Karama is a residential area in Dubai, located on the western shore of Dubai Creek Bay near the city center. Translated from Arabic, «Karama» means «dignity». There is a special atmosphere here, unusual for the usual perception of Dubai as a city of skyscrapers: most buildings have only a few floors.

The community occupies a small area of two square kilometers, while it is the most densely populated. The population consists of migrants from Eastern countries: India, Pakistan, Philippines. They formed a special multicultural environment with their own way of life, oriental bazaars, shops, cuisine. At the same time, embassies and consulates of different countries are located in the community.

Al-Karama is not an attraction, however, tourists are happy to come here to plunge into the special atmosphere of the real East, as well as to buy souvenirs or something special at one of the many second-hand shops.

The famous Zabil Park is located here on the south side, it separates the area from the space built up with skyscrapers. It is a landscaped park with many playgrounds for children, as well as barbecue areas.

The western border of the community is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, which houses the oldest BurJuman shopping center, which has long been renovated and modernized.

Major transport arteries – Zabil and Kuwait Streets – connect with other parts of Karama city.

Realty

Al Karama is an area of low–rise buildings where you can choose from studio housing to spacious 3-room apartments according to your income level. For example, an annual studio rental will cost 25,000 AED, and a one–bedroom apartment will cost 50,000 AED. The community has several multi-apartment residential complexes specifically designed for rental. Housing in them is represented by studios, 1,2,3-room apartments and some types of additional amenities:

1. Al-Karama 1 has elevators, prayer rooms, parking;
2. Al-Karama 2 has a gym, a swimming pool, a children’s playground, a barbecue area and covered parking;
3. Al-Mabrouk has a swimming pool and a children’s playground.

The average studio size is 300 – 610 square feet, 1– and 2-bedroom apartments range from 700 to 1800 square feet. Three-bedroom apartments can cover up to 2,000 square feet.

All residential complexes have created conditions for the comfort of adults and children. They are guarded around the clock and have maintenance services.

Commercial real estate for a store or office can be rented for 900-902,000 AED per year, depending on the area in the range of 100-7,000 square feet. You can rent a warehouse for about 30 000 dirhams per year, a store for 50,000 – 2.5 million AED, which also depends on the area.

Hamsah A Building and Wasl Topaz are two newly developed projects. These residential complexes have gained popularity among those who are looking for modern amenities. The living and common areas are equipped with modern technical devices, the decoration is made in the tradition of modern design. The rooms are spacious and bright, with beautiful views from the windows, and some apartments have terraces. In addition, the buildings provide facilities for recreation and sports, there are swimming pools, saunas, and spas.

Transport and social infrastructure

There are several bus routes through Al-Karameh, and you can catch a bus at one of seven stops. There are two metro stations within walking distance – Burjuman and Oud Metha.

Cars remain an important way to travel. However, there are no underground garages in old low-rise buildings, so you have to look for parking spaces on the surface, and there aren’t enough for everyone. Only new buildings, as well as shopping malls, medical clinics, and government institutions are equipped with sufficient underground and surface parking.

Schools and kindergartens

Al Karama is a family–friendly community, so the availability of kindergartens and schools is an important criterion for comfort, which is respected. There are several kindergartens along the border of the community, which can be reached on foot with a child, for example:

• Cambridgeshire Nursery;
• British Orchard Nursery;
• Chubby Cheeks Nursery.

There are several schools with different educational programs in the neighboring Oud Metha district:

• St. Mary’s Catholic High School;
• Dubai Gem Private School;
• GEMS Winchester School, operating under the British educational program;
• Indian High School conducts education according to the national curriculum of India;
• Lycee Francais International follows the French curriculum.

Medical institutions

There are also enough of them in the foreseeable future. This:

• Rashid Hospital and Metropolitan Medical Center near Oud Metha Metro Station;
• American Hospital Dubai near the Iranian Club Dubai;
• Aster Hospital Mankhool near Al Raffa.

There are several private clinics in Al Karama:

• Aster Clinic Karama (UMC);
• Al Raas;
• the new Apollo clinic.

Churches and mosques

Al-Karama is a multicultural area in which the features of the West and the East are mixed. Mostly people from South and East Asian countries live here, for whom visits to places of worship are an integral part of life. But there are many people from Christian-dominated countries in the community. One of the distinctive features of the community is accessibility to places of worship for representatives of various faiths.

The Al-Karama Grand Mosque is located next to the Lulu supermarket. But there are also several other mosques:

• Al-Rahman;
• Karama Masjid;
• Ahmad Al Musa;
• Abdullah Al Zahra;
• Essa Saleh Al Gurg;
• Burjuman Metro Station.

Among the Christian churches:

• Apostolic Tamil Church;
• The international community of Miracle Garden;
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church;
• Dubai City Church;
• English MFGC Church;
• St. Mark and Ava Bishoy Coptic Church;
• the Church of the Holy Trinity.

The nearest Hindu temples are located north of Bur Dubai. These are temples:

• Shiva;
• Sri Krishna;
• Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir.

Entertainment and attractions

Restaurants

Multicultural diversity is reflected in a wide range of food options. Al Karama has dozens of restaurants serving cuisines from different countries, including outdoor eateries and upscale restaurants.

Ravi Restaurant is one of the favorites of both locals and visitors of the city. This is an informal establishment offering fine cuisine from Pakistan and Northern India. Ravi Restaurant is famous for its aromatic curries, kebabs, and biryani. In addition, Ravi Restaurant offers comprehensive authentic dining options.

Saravana Bhavan is a renowned vegetarian restaurant specializing in South Indian cuisine. Here you can buy everything from dosa and idli to fragrant curry along with traditional sweets.

Biryani Royale is another popular restaurant for biryani lovers. The restaurant orders biryani with delicious rice, tender meat and aromatic spices. The Biryani Royale menu also features other Indian delicacies to complement the biryani experience.

Some other famous restaurants in Al Karama are Aryaas Gourmet, Blue Ginger, Chowking, MTR 1924, Kerala Kitchen, Canara Restaurant and Kebab Bistros. All of these eateries offer a wide range of dishes, from Indian and Chinese to Middle Eastern and Filipino cuisine.

The China Bistro next to the Park Regis Hotel is a simple restaurant that serves Asian cuisine, including Thai, Chinese and Japanese, including fish, sushi, noodles, and traditional dumplings.

You can have a cup of tea or coffee in one of the many coffee shops.

Attractions, recreation, sports

The main recreation area is Zabeel Park. It is a vast and beautifully landscaped space with an area equal to 45 football fields. Zabeel Park is one of the first green spaces in the emirate created using technology. It houses the famous Dubai Frame, with stunning views of the old and new city from the top floor. There is a museum where guests are introduced to the history of the city, as well as plans for its future. After the tour, you can have a snack with pizza or donuts, as well as visit many attractions.

A playground with attractions, exciting activities with interactive exhibits and educational workshops is organized for children in the park. It is important that the Children’s Playground is designed not only to entertain, but also to educate young minds. Families explore the green spaces of the park and take leisurely walks.

Hiking trails and running tracks are available in the park for adults. While walking alone, with friends or family, you can relax by sitting on a bench or having a barbecue, for which special areas are set aside.

Next to Zabeel Park in Dubai Garden Glow, visitors will find the art world, where Dinosaur Park, Glow Park, Art Park and Ice Park are located. Children love to explore the fascinating Dinosaur Park, the vibrant Glow Park with dazzling light installations.

The Dubai Dolphinarium, which regularly hosts dolphin shows, is a 10-minute drive away.

Those who like active recreation can visit Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, but for this you need to cross the bay.

There are other green areas in the immediate vicinity, such as Creek Park and Al Karama Park. Creek Park offers breathtaking views of Dubai’s famous bay. This is a great place for picnics, leisurely walks, as well as outdoor activities. Al Karama Park is located right in the residential complex, it is a green oasis, ideal for sunbathing. People like to spend time here with friends or enjoy relaxing holidays with their family.

Al Karama is one of the communities in Dubai that is packed with state-of-the-art gyms and fitness centers. There are many world-class gyms right in the community enclave.

Trade and shopping

Visiting supermarkets and shopping malls is one of the favorite pastimes of the residents of the community. There you can buy the necessary goods, have lunch in a cafe or restaurant, visit a cinema, and enjoy a light festive atmosphere.

Al Attar shopping center is a favorite place for bargain hunters. It houses shops and boutiques designed to meet any customer needs. Retail outlets attract customers with good discounts, favorable offers, gifts, and promotions.

The Burjuman Mall shopping center is located on the outskirts of the community. It is an upscale shopping mall with a wide selection of retail stores, fashion boutiques, luxury brands, and department stores. They are popular among those who follow fashion and are used to expensive branded items. Burjuman also has a variety of restaurants, from simple to sophisticated. It also houses 12 cinemas where you can watch new movies with your children or watch an adult movie together.

Ansar Gallery is another famous shopping mall. Under its roof there are numerous retail outlets with goods designed for different income of customers. In addition, Ansar Gallery often hosts promotions and sales, which makes it popular with shoppers.

The Old Al-Karama Market is a vibrant and lively place in the center of the community, immersing guests in the local shopping culture. Merchants sell clothes, accessories, interior items and much more from open counters. It is customary to bargain here, so you can buy the product you like at a good price.

Residents satisfy their daily needs in supermarkets, which are also numerous here.

Lulu Hypermarket is a well–known retail chain in the emirate. In Karama, the branch is located next to the Emirates Post office. Here, residents buy fresh food and semi-finished products daily, as well as household and everyday goods. There is also a branch of Lulu Hypermarket, located across the street from Zabeel Park. It offers a wider product range and wholesale discounts.

Fish market

It is popular among seafood lovers. It is located across the street from the huge Spinneys supermarket and is a must-visit destination for tourists. The market is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to choose fresh seafood from sellers – from fish to shrimp, crabs and other seafood delicacies.

The pros and cons of living

Living in Karama has many advantages, but it is not suitable for those who are looking for houses, townhouses or villas. Housing here consists of apartments and studios in low–rise buildings. The area has a good transport infrastructure, but the building features (this is an old area with few wide multi-lane highways) create problems during rush hours, as well as difficulties with parking.

Let’s take a closer look at all the advantages and disadvantages of living in a community.

Positive

1. Easy access to key locations such as the airport, the World Trade Center, the central districts of the city and the attractions located in them. This is one of the main advantages of staying.
2. Well-developed transport infrastructure. There are 7 bus stops and two metro stations on the territory of the community. Motorists have two highways connecting Karama with other communities. You can also take a water taxi to cross the bay faster.
3. Al-Karama is a great place for a family stay. There are kindergartens for kids, and students can choose to attend a school with a suitable curriculum (American, British, French, Indian, or international). In addition, there are two universities here.
4. Clinics and wellness centers are equipped with modern medical equipment. Here: they will quickly diagnose, prescribe treatment, provide proper care, help with emergencies, and develop a rehabilitation program.
5. Housing affordability. Renting apartments with several rooms is much cheaper than in other communities. At the same time, the living conditions are just as comfortable, just without too much chic. The accommodation is designed for workers and employees who arrived from South and Southeast Asia, with an average salary. For this reason, it is advantageous to rent accommodation in the community for tourists who have arrived in the UAE for several months.
6. The presence of landscaped parks and green areas. They have walking and jogging paths, play towns for children, and picnic and barbecue areas for adults. The main attractions are also located there, for example, the Dinosaur Park or the Dubai Frame building.
7. Multinational cuisine. The presence of dozens of ethnic groups has given rise to a variety of catering establishments. Here you can find simple eateries with national cuisines of China, Pakistan, India, Thailand, as well as expensive restaurants serving fine Oriental cuisine.
8. There are numerous shopping malls and supermarkets where people simultaneously have fun and buy goods for every day.

Minuses

1. Heavy traffic. The main thoroughfares – Zabil and Kuwait Streets – are wide multi-lane highways. However, the streets connecting them are narrower. This is a problem of old urban areas in many countries. Congestion often occurs on such streets, which leads to increased travel time.
2. Traffic jams during rush hours are common, due to increased traffic density and a lack of wide highways.
3. Noise. As mentioned above, Al-Karama is the smallest in area and the most densely populated part of the city with narrow streets and a lot of transport. Unsurprisingly, increased noise around the clock is a common background in life. For those who get up early for work, students, and people whose work requires concentration, this is a strong irritating factor.

Conclusion

Al Karama in Dubai is a dynamic community that combines cultural traditions and modernity. Low-rise residential buildings stand out from the general picture of the city, built up with state-of-the-art skyscrapers, but at the same time they look more authentic and cozy. At the same time, residents are not deprived of the comfort typical for living in the emirate. They have at their disposal huge shopping malls with shops, cinemas, restaurants, other entertainment, green areas for recreation, fitness clubs, swimming pools, spas.
Al Karama is an area of Dubai that is not included in the list of tourist attractions, it is more suitable for permanent residence. But at the same time, it is a center of attraction for those who arrived in the emirate for the purpose of shopping.