Buying or renting a new apartment is one of the most exciting stages of life. It becomes even better if you’re moving with a family or loved one.
At this point, you’ve probably looked into the different types of properties and considered a duplex as your best option. This architectural innovation serves as the best choice for people with unique situations.
Duplexes are best for two families or individuals living under the same roof but not actually living in the same house. Two best friends or extended families wanting to live next door to each other are just a few scenarios for which this type of residential arrangement would work.
To prepare you for duplex living, this article summarises everything you need to know before buying one of the many duplexes for sale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Table of Contents
What is a Duplex?
As mentioned earlier, a duplex is made for two families or individuals. This means it entails two separate residential spaces.
Besides how it’s built, this type of residential space differs from single-family condominiums or flats because it is more cost-efficient. It is also considered a luxury upgrade because of the semi-private outdoor space you usually get with it.
You can also look at a duplex as a multi-family home with two units within the same building. They share a common wall, but the floor plan may not be exactly the same. They can be stacked together (each occupying at least one entire floor of the building) or built side by side.
A duplex can also be mistaken for twin homes. However, the two are quite different, with the former describing a property sharing a single lot and the latter acting as two half-sized houses adjoined by a wall but having their own respective lots.
Why Live in a Duplex Home?
Living in a duplex property is already considered a luxury. Add that to the following advantages of duplex living, and you’ll surely be more than happy to relocate soon:
1. Privacy
As with any residential space, those looking to live in a duplex are concerned about privacy. Compared to the more typical apartment structure, duplexes provide a more private living arrangement, especially if the person next door is someone you know well.
Besides, you only have one neighbour to adjust to in a duplex apartment. Even if it’s not a relative or your best friend, you’ll still have less to worry about privacy-wise.
2. Extra Income
If you own a duplex apartment, you can also use the other unit as a source of additional income.
Whether or not you live next door, there are still plenty of perks to enjoy, like being able to monitor the property you’re renting out. The extra cash you earn from the lease could also serve as payment for the apartment’s mortgage if you took out a loan for the property.
If you’re not keen on having a long-term tenant, you can always list your property as a vacation rental on platforms like Airbnb. This is an excellent idea, especially if your duplex is located in popular tourist destinations like Dubai Festival City.
3. Affordable
A duplex is considered a luxury home because of its advantages over flats and condos, but they are not expensive to own. In fact, most duplexes sell at very affordable prices, depending on the neighbourhood.
4. Accommodates Two Families
This one is quite obvious but is worth mentioning anyway.
A duplex is a perfect choice for siblings or close friends who want to live together but still want to retain their privacy.
Besides the proximity, the arrangement also makes it easier to share the property purchase cost.
Living in a Duplex: What to Consider
When you live in a duplex (or any property for that matter), you’ll want to consider several things before investing in the property:
1. Neighbours
Your neighbour has a significant role in your life after you move, whether you like it or not. This is why you must know who you’re moving next door to and try to have an amicable relationship with that person.
Ideally, moving to a duplex means you’ll be neighbours with someone you know, like a relative, colleague, or friend. This will make things easier since you already know each other’s quirks, lifestyle, and daily routines (at least, noise-wise).
Even if that’s not the case, make sure that you take the initiative to befriend your neighbour, regardless of who arrived first on the property.
2. Neighbourhood
Next, you must check whether the neighbourhood jives with your lifestyle.
Is it close to your workplace? Or perhaps it’s near the leisure places you frequent?
Whatever the case, it is a good idea to check what’s nearby and what’s not. Also, don’t forget to determine access routes, both for driving a private vehicle or using public transport.
Although they may seem insignificant, these things will affect your life in the duplex apartment significantly.
3. Amenities
It also pays to know how close your duplex is to the different amenities you require to live a comfortable life in the UAE. Check the place’s proximity to malls, supermarkets, and restaurants in Dubai.
If you visit the gym frequently, you should also look into fitness centres around the area. The same goes for pet parks for those who need to walk their dogs or playgrounds and daycare centres for families with little kids.
Bonus Tips for a Comfortable Life in a Duplex
Want to ease into the move and feel comfortable in your new home? Try the following tips:
1. Inspect the place well before moving in.
Before anything else, inspect the apartment thoroughly. No matter how excited you are to unpack and get on with your life in your new home, don’t rush into things without practising due diligence.
If you spot any issue, take pictures of it. The first day of your move is the best time to do this because it’s when your attention to detail is most keen, especially when it comes to any flaws, like water damage, chipping paint, moulds, or even outlets that don’t work.
2. Personalise your space.
If you’re buying a duplex for yourself, make sure you personalise the space to reflect your personality. This will help make the new place feel more like home, allowing you to adjust to life in Dubai faster and easier.
If allowed, paint the walls your preferred colour or hang wallpapers that you can live with for a long time. Don’t forget to display personal items, like picture frames, childhood trophies, gifts with sentimental value, and even art you made yourself.
Double the Fun
A duplex is an excellent choice for real estate investors looking for a profitable property or apartment seekers who want to live with their relatives. You can even double the fun if you buy a property in an A-list community and a city as popular as Dubai.
