Is DAMAC Hills 2 good for families?

DAMAC Hills 2 comes up a lot when families want a villa or townhouse with a garden on a sensible budget. It suits many families well, but not all of them. Here is what to weigh up.

What families like

The main reason is price. A three bedroom townhouse is around AED 1.7 to 2 million to buy and AED 100,000 to 120,000 a year to rent, far less than in Arabian Ranches or Dubai Hills Estate. For less than the rent of a two bedroom flat in Dubai Marina you can have a house with a garden.

Kids get plenty to do. Water Town has Malibu Beach, a lazy river and splash areas, and there are parks, sports courts and pools across the clusters. Many families also like that it is calm and green, with room for pets.

What to think about

Distance is the big one. DAMAC Hills 2 is on Al Qudra Road, about 35 minutes from Downtown outside rush hour and longer at peak times. You will need a car, and often two.

Most schools are outside the community. The closest are about 15 to 20 minutes away in Dubailand and Arabian Ranches, with some nurseries inside. Before you sign, drive to your school at 7am on a weekday and see how long it really takes.

There are fewer shops and services than in older communities, so most families do the weekly shop outside, often in Town Square or Motor City.

Which homes work best for families?

Look at homes close to Water Town, the parks and the main shops. They are easier day to day, and they usually rent and sell faster. Check the plot, whether the garden faces a road, and how far the house is from the community entrance, because some clusters are a long drive inside the gates.

Our honest view

If your work and school are in the south and west of Dubai, or one parent works from home, DAMAC Hills 2 gives you a lot of house for the money. If you both commute to DIFC or Deira every day, the drive will wear you down, and Arabian Ranches 2, Town Square or Dubai Hills Estate may suit you better even with less space.

Our full DAMAC Hills 2 guide has prices for each home size. If you like, we can shortlist homes near Water Town within your budget and check the school run with you.