Inside a Family's Dh200,000 Mediterranean-Style Villa in Layan

My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader’s home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don’t like. Events company owner Catherine McEvoy lives in a four-bedroom villa in the Dubai suburbs within easy distance of her office and her daughters’ school.

She and her husband Ian, 51, who runs a beverage consultancy, moved to the UAE 14 years ago before relocating to Dubai in 2014, and continue to rent because of the flexibility it offers. They now lease for Dh200,000 ($54,4540) a year in Layan, a Mediterranean-themed residential gated community in Dubailand, having moved everything including the mature trees from their previous garden.

Ms McEvoy, 43, also shares their home with daughters Orla, aged 14, and Ayda, 10, plus nanny Misiel, who has been with the family for 12 years, and their four pets.

The property features four bedrooms, a maids' room, and four bathrooms. It includes an open living room and dining room, an upstairs living area opening on to a balcony, and an open, double garage. The outdoor space is particularly important to the family because of their rescue dogs, Lucy and Mabel, and two rescue kitties, Sprocket and Smudge.

After moving to Abu Dhabi in 2012 to live in an Etihad Towers apartment, the family relocated to Dubai in 2014. They spent 10 years in their previous rented villa before moving two years ago into an almost identical property in Layan. Having previously lived in Al Waha, they moved to Layan when the former villa was sold and they reached the top of the waiting list.

The location is ideal as it sits a three-minute bike ride away from Fairgreen International School, where their children attend. Furthermore, Ms McEvoy runs an events company with an office nearby, and Dubai’s improving infrastructure allows them to navigate the city quickly.

Renting directly through Dubai Properties rather than a private landlord provides a sense of security without the uncertainty of the property being sold. Additionally, the new AC units have lowered DEWA bills, and all maintenance is included.

A strong advocate for sustainable shopping, Ms McEvoy has furnished the home primarily with items used over the past 14 years or found second-hand. When moving to Layan, they even brought their entire established garden, including five large trees grown over a decade.

Community amenities include a padel court, small football pitch, a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym, a Choithrams supermarket, and a beauty spa. Spinneys and Sustainable City are also located nearby.

While they previously considered buying property in Dubai six years ago, they ultimately decided to continue renting and invest in a property in the South of France instead. They plan to stay in their Layan villa until they eventually leave Dubai, valuing the comfort, space, and community it provides.