Living in International City
International City is a large residential district in Al Warsan, on the eastern side of Dubai. Nakheel began it in the early 2000s, and the original phase is laid out as ten clusters of low-rise buildings, each styled after a country or region: China, England, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Persia, Russia, Spain and the Emirates. Dragon Mart, the long trading mall known for Chinese goods, sits on its northern edge.
The community has kept growing. International City Phase 2 and Phase 3 add newer apartment buildings from a range of developers, the Central Business District mixes offices with flats, and Warsan Village on the south-western side has villas. Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Academic City are close by, and Dubai International Airport is a short drive away.
People live here mainly because of cost. Rents are among the lowest of any freehold area in Dubai, which attracts single professionals, sharers and families on modest incomes. The trade-offs are well known: older buildings with uneven upkeep, crowded parking, traffic at the exits during rush hour and, for now, no metro. The Blue Line, due to open in 2029, will deal with the last of those.
- 01
Low cost of entry
Studios and one-bedroom flats here are some of the cheapest freehold homes in Dubai to rent or buy, so demand from tenants stays steady.
- 02
Dragon Mart next door
Thousands of shops sell furniture, lighting, tools, textiles and household goods, alongside a large hypermarket, at prices that suit people furnishing a first home.
- 03
Blue Line due 2029
Three stations on the new Dubai Metro Blue Line are under construction in International City, including an interchange at International City 1.
- 04
Quick airport run
Dubai International Airport is roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car, which suits airline, airport and logistics staff.
Lifestyle and amenities
Most daily needs are met inside the clusters, where ground-floor units hold supermarkets, pharmacies, laundries, salons and clinics. Food is one of the better reasons to visit: there are inexpensive Chinese, South Asian, Filipino and Middle Eastern restaurants throughout, with the China cluster especially known for authentic Chinese cooking. Dragon Mart 1 and 2 cover everything from bedding to building supplies, and Mirdif City Centre is about 15 minutes away for a full mall.
Green space is limited to small parks and open areas between the clusters. For something different, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, where flamingos gather in the cooler months, is about 15 minutes away, and Global Village is a similar drive in season.
Getting around
There is no metro in International City yet. Buses from the International City bus station run to Centrepoint on the Red Line and to stations on the Green Line, and plenty of residents commute this way. By car, the community sits between interchanges on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), with Emirates Road (E611) and Al Awir Road also nearby. Expect queues at the exits at peak times. The Blue Line, due in 2029, will connect International City with Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and Centrepoint.
- Centrepoint metro station (Red Line)About 10 to 15 minutes by car
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)About 15 to 20 minutes by car
- Dubai Silicon OasisAbout 10 minutes by car
- Downtown DubaiAbout 20 to 25 minutes by car
- Dubai MarinaAbout 35 to 40 minutes by car
Schools and healthcare
Nurseries operate within the clusters, but there are few full schools inside International City, so most families drive to nearby districts. GEMS Wellington Academy in Dubai Silicon Oasis is one of the closer options, and Nad Al Sheba, home to GEMS Modern Academy and Repton School Dubai, is about 15 to 20 minutes away. Dubai International Academic City, with its university campuses, is next door. Clinics and medical centres are spread through the clusters, and Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai Silicon Oasis is about 10 to 15 minutes by car.
Property in International City
The original clusters are made up of low-rise apartment blocks with mostly studios and one-bedroom units, and very few have pools or gyms. The newer buildings in Phase 2 and Phase 3 tend to have more modern finishes and shared facilities, and offer more one- and two-bedroom layouts. Warsan Village adds a small supply of villas. Buyers are mainly investors who want rental income at a low entry price, while tenants are a mix of working singles, sharers and young families.
Before buying, check the building's maintenance record and service charges, how parking is allocated, and how close the unit is to a bus stop or one of the future Blue Line stations. New off-plan projects keep launching in Phase 2, Phase 3 and the wider Al Warsan area, so supply is rising, and well-kept buildings near the main exits tend to let fastest.
Best suited to
- Renters on a tight budget
- Single professionals and sharers
- Investors focused on rental income
- Airport and logistics staff
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in International City?
Yes. International City is a freehold area, so buyers of any nationality can own apartments outright and register them with the Dubai Land Department. The same applies to the newer phases and to Warsan Village.
Is there a metro station in International City?
Not yet. The Dubai Metro Blue Line, scheduled to open in 2029, will have three stations here, including an interchange at International City 1. Until then, residents rely on buses to Centrepoint and the Green Line, or on cars and taxis.
Is International City suitable for families?
It can work for families keeping costs down, particularly in the newer Phase 2 and Phase 3 buildings, which have better facilities. The original clusters are dense, parking is tight and there are few schools inside the community, so plan the school run before you sign a lease.
Does the choice of cluster matter?
The clusters have similar layouts and unit types, so the individual building matters more than the theme. Compare upkeep, parking and the distance to the bus station or main road. If you are buying for the long term, distance to the planned Blue Line stations is worth checking too.
