Downtown, the Marina, the Palm Jumeirah… these are the most desired areas to live in Dubai, judging by the properties prices in these places anyway.

But what about the smaller neighbourhoods, the unsung heroes that get less attention but are arguably much nicer spots to rest your head?

In my opinion Al Barsha is the best place to live in Dubai, here are 15 reasons why…

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1. The best shawarma in Dubai

A brave call to start. Golden Tasty is a tiny hole-in-the-wall just beyond Sharaf DG metro and it serves up the some ah-mazzzzzinnng shawarma. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it…

2. It’s 15 minutes to everywhere

Nowhere else is 15 minutes to the Marina, 15 to JLT, 10 to the Palm, and 15 to Downtown

3. Authentic, affordable takeaways

If you’re into Pakistani food, Daily Express is LIFE. And it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either

4. Erm, you can SKI in Al Barsha

Definitely can’t do that anywhere else in Dubai

5. A stone’s throw from the Madinat

Cos’ no one actually lives in the Madinat, but Barsha is pretty darn close

6. It’s easy to pronounce

Which means it’s easy for taxis to find… WINNING!

7. The cities most adorable salon

Tried and tested Tips n’ Toes has a spot here, as does relative newbie Pout; the salon is two blocks from Sharaf Dg metro and it’s every girly girls dreammmmm

8. There’s a post office

Always handy…

9. Hipster sports bars and fuss-free watering holes

Aussie sports bar Brunswick and it’s new neighbour, underground Thai street eat pop-up Uncle Jheff, added a dose of cool to the area while hidden gem Red Hot Chili in Donatello Hotel is perfect for a no fuss pint

10. Barsha Pond Park

1.5km running track, a pond you can pedal a large swan around, Ripe market at the weekend…need we go on?

11. All of the fancy food

Besh in the Sheraton, MOE serves up some of the finest Turkish food in the city (go get your pide on) and the menu in Olea at the Kempinski is a foodies dream!

12. Little shops that can do everything for you

Trek to the mall and face the crowds? No thanks. Come to Barsha, get your phone repaired, sort your dry cleaning, pick up a mop head and look after all your stationery needs…all in the same shop!

13. A cinema with VIP seats for when pay day rolls around

Image source: Vox Cinema IG

14. A huge supermarket minus the huge queues

Image source: Walid Nehme

15. And Mall of the Emirates, Obvs…