From Turkey to Sharjah: How One Family Purchased Their Dream UAE Villa Off-Plan

Laila Ahmed and her family made the bold decision to purchase a home in the UAE while still completing their relocation from Turkey. In 2023, she and her husband began exploring housing options with specific criteria in mind, prioritizing privacy and an environment where they could truly put down roots.

Later that year, they discovered Sharjah Sustainable City and secured a four-bedroom villa off-plan within a week. Both Canadians with Egyptian heritage, Ms Ahmed, 37, and her husband, Karim, 42, who works in the digital technology sector, invested Dh2.19 million into the property and officially moved in by December 2024. Ms Ahmed, working as a freelance editor, shares the home with her daughter Jannah, seven, sons Adam, six, and Ibrahim, five, alongside their maid.

The family purchased a four-bedroom townhouse villa featuring five bathrooms in phase three of Sustainable City, complete with formal and informal living areas, a maid's room, a backyard, and dual parking spaces equipped with an EV charger for their Tesla. Rather than a standalone villa, they intentionally chose a mid-unit to foster a stronger sense of community and connection with neighbors.

Initially leaning toward renting, the couple quickly realized that purchasing made far more financial sense. After an exploratory trip and a trusted recommendation from a friend who inspected the show villa on their behalf, they made the fast decision to buy.

After moving to Sharjah, the family initially rented a place nearby to keep the children in their designated school district before transitioning into their permanent home. Having previously lived in Canada and spent three years in Turkey, they sought the community-oriented lifestyle and safety that Sharjah offered.

Since moving in, the family has heavily personalized the space. The backyard was completely redesigned with a deck area, grass, and a mini barbecue zone to accommodate their active lifestyle, while Ms Ahmed took on DIY painting and interior upgrades. The surrounding community features extensive amenities, including a gym, pool, parks, sports courts, and upcoming retail developments, making the neighborhood feel like a resort.

While they currently treat the property as their forever home and a solid investment, they remain open to future possibilities, though they prefer ownership over renting out property due to past experiences.