Villa vs. Townhouse in Dubai: Unraveling the Key Differences in Price, Location, Privacy, and More

Villas, semi-detached townhouses, garden villas, and building plots overtake apartments in popularity. Expats and UAE locals move to their properties for more privacy, silence, and unity with nature.

The increased activity of major developers in Dubai has positively affected the number of quality villas and townhouses for sale at affordable prices and in good areas, expanding the already wide choice for investors, growing families, buyers, and renters looking for private home ownership.

The choice between a townhouse and a villa depends on several personal circumstances, including a budget, preferred lifestyle, purpose of the purchase, privacy, living costs, parking, and available amenities for residents.

What makes a villa?

What is a villa? Villas tend to be concentrated in rural areas with low building density and population and, more often than not, have better designs and more luxurious interiors. In addition, this is a separate private house for a single family, usually built on a large plot with landscaped gardens, communal amenities, indoor parking, and the best views.

The villa is believed to require the same care as the other houses in the townhouse. Usually, villas are built by people from the upper class because of their privacy and rich amenities. The villa is also rented out to several families for holidays.

In most villas here, not much attention is paid to the terraced part, as it is inspired by ancient Roman architecture. Villas usually do not have a terrace. It focuses more on connecting with breathtaking landscape views, a private swimming pool, and a garden. 

What is a townhouse?

Townhouses are adjacent to other residents in the same building but with a separate exit and a private terrace. They are usually located in compact, low-cost residential communities with their own but limited set of common facilities on the territory and their own set of standalone units in built-up areas of the complex.

The design of the townhouse is more like a modern house, emphasizing the terrace part. This is not the type of house usually built by upper-class people. It can accommodate many families and is also built in the city or nearby cities. The townhouse owner is responsible for the maintenance of all outdoor units, such as the siding, roof, and lawn. It can also be built in a complex where they can use the facilities.

What should you pay special attention to when choosing a townhouse or villa?

In order not to make a mistake in such a way in your choice, you should take into account the following factors:

• The combination of opportunities for work, living, and leisure in one place or proximity
• Good transport network
• Ease of access to schools, entertainment, and social infrastructure
• Travel time (to and from work or downtown), congestion, access to public transport

The choice between a townhouse and a villa depends on several personal considerations and circumstances, including a budget, preferred lifestyle, purpose of purchase, shared amenities, privacy, parking, and community amenities for residents.

What are the main differences between a villa and a townhouse in Dubai?

Many have appreciated the benefits of spacious houses and no longer want to be in a stuffy metropolis. However, not everyone understands the difference between villa and townhouse and what suits them for a comfortable stay.

Price and location

Townhouses are usually more affordable than villas. Three-bedroom townhouses and villas in The Lakes range from 3.3 million to 3.7 million dirhams, while slightly smaller townhouses and villas in the same area can be purchased for around 2.2 million to 2.7 million dirhams.

In terms of community location, depending on preference, the choice of community can vary between premium communities like The Lakes or Arabian Ranches, developing areas with affordable housing like Al Furjan, as well as communities located on the very periphery, in the so-called outer ring of Dubai, with gated communities like Mira and Mudon on Al Qudra Road.

Amenities

Families with children or just large families, especially those with pets, usually prefer a house with a spacious yard close to parks, swimming pools, schools, medical facilities, etc., and more amenities. Of course, a villa will meet such requirements more often, and best of all.

Young couples without children who lead an active lifestyle often want to live near health clubs, spas, fitness centers, gyms, restaurants, and cafes. For them, the presence of, for example, a golf course and some cultural facilities nearby may also be important factors. Townhouses are more suitable for such buyers and those who like to travel a lot or, conversely, come to Dubai only for leisure or work for a short period.

Singles, on the other hand, are more likely to choose apartments than houses, and usually in prime and strategically located areas such crowded places as Dubai Marina, where there is a beach and opportunities for cycling, volleyball, kayaking, and other active sports. Shopping centers, fashionable restaurants nearby, and easy access to public transport are also a very important factor in their choice.

Privacy

Being an independent property by nature, villas offer more privacy than townhouses. These independent properties can be an important deciding factor for those who like privacy and luxury lifestyle amenities.

For most residents of the villa and townhouse, the view from the window is one of the main selection criteria. And, of course, everyone prefers a view of the water, a canal, a pool, a park, or landscaped gardens to a neighboring construction site, the wall of a neighboring house, or a backyard. 

In compact communities of townhouses, the view will most often be on the street from the same houses, but a common wall and shared walls with neighbors can become a source of noise, depriving a single family of the desired peace in a private house. In this sense, villas are preferable to townhouses, as they offer much more space and privacy, with larger private areas, especially in your garden or yard.

Parking

Townhouse parking is generally very limited in size, and there is no extra parking space for guests, while villas can generally provide additional off-street parking.

Living costs

The cost of maintaining a townhouse is usually less than the cost of maintaining a large villa: Since the living area in both townhouses and villas is usually smaller, insurance fees, fees, and maintenance are more affordable. The cost of repairing, finishing, decorating, and furnishing a small difference between townhouse and villa will also be significantly less than a large villa in UAE.

Conclusion

In addition to slight differences in price and design, a few townhouses and other real estate types have other differences. Townhouses suit those who do not mind daily communication with neighbors and want to save money. That is the main difference why investors can buy a townhouse at a lower price than a city apartment in the center and enjoy relative silence.

A villa is more suitable for those categories of property types of people who want to keep their personal lives a secret and are used to silence. Here, no one will disturb the owners. You can easily enjoy outdoor recreation and not worry that someone will be annoying. Before you buy townhouse in Dubai, think carefully about what you are ready to put up with and which of the listed aspects cannot be tolerated. Then the choice of suitable housing will not be such a serious problem.

Slava Shidlovskiy

Senior Property Consultant

As a dedicated Real Estate Broker, I often provide guidance and assist sellers/b… More

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