From JLT to Barsha Heights: A Comedian's Dh65,000 Dubai Apartment Choice

In the latest installment of 'My Dubai Rent,' we step inside the home of Gail Clough, a 61-year-year-old co-founder of The Laughter Factory, the UAE's oldest touring comedy club. Clough, who also works as a DJ and producer, values her Dubai apartment as a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation after her performances across the country. She currently resides in a one-bedroom apartment in Barsha Heights, paying Dh65,000 in rent. This marks her latest move in the UAE, where she has lived for over three decades.

Clough, who is of half-English and half-Irish heritage, shares her spacious 1,000-square-foot apartment with her French bulldog, Winston. The apartment, located on the 18th floor of Warsan Tower in Barsha Heights, offers a view of Tecom (Barsha South). It features an open kitchen, one bedroom, two bathrooms, and a balcony, with her DJ equipment notably housed in the living room. She has resided in this building for two years.

Her previous residences include a five-year stay in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and another five years in a two-bedroom apartment on Sheikh Zayed Road, where she paid Dh65,000. For the majority of her 22 years in Bur Dubai, she paid Dh30,000 for a two-bedroom flat. Clough finds the Warsan Tower building exceptionally well-managed and maintained.

The decision to move to Barsha Heights was driven by two primary factors: the apartment's generous size and its strategic location. While she enjoyed her time in JLT, an impending Dh30,000 annual rent increase and the sale of her previous property, which necessitated renovations by new owners, prompted her to seek a more affordable and suitable option. She considers Barsha Heights to be Dubai's best location.

Clough chose the area due to its proximity to live music venues, aligning with her profession and enjoyment of nightlife. She appreciates the neighbourhood's vibrancy, noting that her apartment remains a quiet retreat. Unlike JLT, which she found challenging due to the prevalence of e-bikes and e-scooters, Barsha Heights offers safer and more comfortable walking conditions with its abundant curbs, ideal for her and Winston.

She believes the apartment offers excellent value for money, especially considering its size, the inclusion of chiller fees, and a price point approximately Dh20,000 lower than comparable nearby apartments. The proximity to the Dubai Metro, with Internet City station a 10-minute walk away, further enhances its appeal.

Clough has personalized her home with items that hold personal significance, including speakers and DJ equipment, a wedding photo of her parents, a picture of Elvis and Muhammad Ali, and a Japanese shower curtain from a trip to Tokyo. The building offers amenities such as a pool and gym, though Clough prefers walking for exercise. Nearby, she has access to live music venues like Lock Stock and Barrel, Rock Bottom, and CQ French Brasserie, and her workplace, The Laughter Factory, is just across the street at the Grand Millennium.

Despite acknowledging the traffic in the area, Clough, who works nights, finds it manageable. She highlights the excellent connectivity, with access to locations like Jumeirah Golf Estates, Arabian Ranches, and Studio One Hotel within a 15-minute drive during off-peak hours, making the area feel central.

Clough intends to stay in her current apartment long-term, drawing inspiration from her 96-year-old mentor who still runs his comedy club in London’s West End. Having previously bought property in the UK, which she found challenging due to high service charges, she now prefers renting in Dubai for its stability, freedom, and convenience, avoiding the responsibilities of property maintenance.