Is Ajman the new Dubai?
More and more people are looking to make the United Arab Emirates a permanent residence but are feeling priced out of the Dubai property market. What is the solution? A property in another Emirate. Dubai is centrally located within the UAE, and if property prices are causing you to look elsewhere for your dream home, why not look to the other Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.
Ajman property is a particularly good investment for potential buyers, offering the same liberties as Dubai but at a fraction of the price. The Ajman freehold property market was quick to follow on from Dubai, still the market leader by far, and Ras Al Khaimah, that has also established itself with many property projects. While Ajman has not yet seen the kind of growth in investment that Dubai has seen, this is good news for people that are seriously interested in buying in this small Emirate.
Ajman has the benefits of being right on the unspoilt coastline, with beautiful scenery and very easy access to Dubai just a 40-minute drive away on the Emirates Road. Ajman real estate is getting more attention from local property buyers that are familiar with the place as more and more Dubai residents are moving to Ajman for rented accommodation due to the high levels of inflation in rented accommodation in Dubai. The Commute is not too long, the properties available are affordable meaning buyers get a whole lot more for their money, and with quite a large number of projects currently taking shape in Ajman, it won’t be long before prices start to increase and this well-kept secret becomes really popular amongst freehold property buyers.
Some of the Ajman properties currently available include Savannah Heights, City Towers, Ajman Pearl, Ajman One, Emirates City, Ajman Up Town Villas, Escape Villas, Falcon Towers, Horizon Towers, Corniche Towers, Rashidiya Towers, Al Khor Towers and many more. Now that there are also villa projects underway in Ajman, there are plenty of options for families of all sizes and with the square footage of units being equivalent or better than in Dubai, buyers will definitely be able to afford living that is more spacious. All properties come with the same high quality finishing and a good choice of amenities that you would expect in Dubai. While the surrounding infrastructure needs some improvement, the whole Emirate of Ajman is quickly developing to be a rival destination over the surrounding Emirates.
mini dubai
Can become mini dubai not the next Dubai because of size, being a the smallest emirate i believe
Mini Dubai - Interview of crown prince - Ajman
Ajman hopes to be next mini Dubai
Rym Tina Ghazal
Last Updated: May 17. 2008 11:53PM UAE / May 17. 2008 7:53PM GMT
Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Crown Prince of Ajman, at his palace in Ajman. Randi Sokoloff / The National
For the rulers of Ajman, presiding over the smallest emirate presents an opportunity as much as a challenge.
It is a philosophy that underpins the daily business of government, with Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, starting each day discussing matters of state over a working breakfast with his sons, including Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Crown Prince of Ajman.
The arrangement, says Sheikh Ammar, is typical of life in Ajman. “It is cosy here, a real family affair. A place where everybody knows everyone else.”
When The National interviewed Sheikh Ammar he was joined by his brother Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, just 22 but already a part of a group of young and trusted advisors. “I am my brother’s jester,” Sheikh Rashid says, to laughter.
“He is also my bodyguard,” Sheikh Ammar jokes back.
When it comes to their ambitions for Ajman, a more serious note is struck. “Our uniqueness is in our small size and our proximity to the big cities and emirates,” Sheikh Ammar says.
“We want Ajman to become the getaway from the hectic working cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where someone would spend three days working – and three days relaxing in Ajman.”
The magnitude of the emirate’s ambition was revealed earlier this month with the announcement of a Dh220 billion (US$59.9 bn) investment along the coast that will create a new city called Al Zorah.
While the development will bring thousands of jobs, Sheikh Ammar says his first concern is to protect the natural beauty of the 16 kilometres of coastline, including fragile mangrove swamps and other wildlife.
“They are precious and should be carefully preserved and be part of the project’s vision,” he says. “The first condition we put on this development was for it to be environmentally friendly.”
The development involves 12 million square metres of coastal and reclaimed land that will extend the waterfront by 12km.
“We are transforming virgin lands into a beautiful getaway,” Sheikh Ammar explains. Al Zorah is a joint venture between the Ajman Government and a Dubai-based affiliate of the Lebanese company Solidere, which rebuilt much of Beirut’s Central District after the civil war. Sheikh Ammar says the current crisis in Lebanon will not affect the project.
It will include villas and apartments as well as offices, shops, schools, several five-star holiday resorts, a championship golf course and five public marinas.
The masterplan also includes an equestrian centre.
In his 15 years as Crown Prince, Sheikh Ammar has built a reputation as a man with a good eye for horses, breeding several champions, and does not miss the opportunity to describe one of his favourites. “Lubnah, a beautiful grey female horse, is our pride here and is one of the top horses that competes in local and international horse shows,” he says.
The total investment in Ajman real estate has exceeded Dh400bn, Sheikh Ammar says, with half of Al Zorah’s residential property already sold.
“The largest investment in this emirate is coming from nationals from the other emirates,” he says. “We are grateful for their great support for Ajman.”
Advertisements for Al Zorah feature the popular Arab actor Omar Sharif, who was flown to meet the royal family, and “brings credibility to the project”, says Sheikh Ammar.
While the emirate is focusing on tourism and revamping its image, large sums are also being spent on improving infrastructure. Last year the Government assigned Dh500 million to improving transport links, including Dh45m for roads and intersections, Dh85m for two new bridges and Dh14m to maintain existing roads.
Equally important in exposing Ajman to international markets is a new Dh12bn international airport, scheduled to open in 2011.
“There is heavy traffic at the current airports and when you look, you find all flights booked, so this new airport will help alleviate some of the stress and give those living in the UAE more options,” says Sheikh Ammar.
In terms of industry, Ajman ranks third in the nation, and the Government wants to expand further, but with an emphasis on more environmentally friendly factories. “We understand the great health risks of factories, and so we are looking into higher technology factories like computer and related products.” Expansion, though, cannot take place without adequate energy supplies, something Sheikh Ammar admits has been a serious problem, with growing pressure on the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA).
“We have contacted several private companies to help us tackle this energy problem,” he says. “People have to expect the price of energy to go up because FEWA just can’t provide us with the energy that we need.” Sheikh Ammar cannot specify how much more consumers will have to pay, but admits he is aware of rising prices and says “life is getting more expensive”.
But he remains confident that standards of living will be maintained by the Federal Government, saying: “Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed will not allow a single Emirati to struggle and suffer.”
In an attempt to combat the energy crisis in the northern emirates, the Federal National Council recently gave the green light for private companies to provide power generators and produce desalinated water under the supervision of FEWA and in line with national environmental standards.
“It is a serious problem, and we are doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” says Sheikh Ammar.
Other difficulties include worsening traffic congestion, a problem felt by neighbouring Sharjah and Dubai. “We are starting to feel it, that is why we are putting a lot of emphasis on public transport,” he says.
Ajman plans to launch a public bus service later this year that will run from the industrial areas to downtown.
Sheikh Ammar points out that Ajman has always reacted quickly to change, noting that the emirate was one of the first of the northern emirates to follow Dubai in introducing freehold property, in 2002.
“In time, we hope to become a mini Dubai. We can’t say we will become Dubai – we have to be realistic,” he says with a laugh.
STOP
This is a forum for investors and not for selling of anything else. What is wrong with you? You dont even have any interest in this forums.
Another Dubai
Yes, Dubai without the buildings!
so funny
IN YOUR DREAMS ONLY.
Never will people trust investments in uae again.
no trust ajman any more
never trust to invest in uae again, i lost all my money in lake view, it was a big mistake i did...i advise people not investing in ajman at all, better to invest in spain or italy...because there are law and rules in europe...not like uae or middle east, i did invest in north iraq (kurdistan region) which is going well and never had problems, the flats i bought there will be completed in feberuary 2010 and is much cheaper than uae.
Ajman has lost its credibility
If I hear or think the name Ajman I associate it automatically with lies, robbery, and injustice. Of the approximately 980 towers that were planned and sold as off-plan property is per-day no tower completed and it looks like most projects will never be realized. People who have invested in these projects will not be refunded. How can anyone trust these Ajman authorities in the future when they have not done a damn thing to help people who have been robbed.
Better to invest in Turkey because property prices are very low compared to the UAE. Turkey will become EU member in the future and property prices will also rise.
very true
its big mistake to go to desert in ajman
we all in the same hole
but don't panik what happend is happend thats not the end of the world
now look forward
do some thing don't allow them to get away with it
protect your wrights
if we gather our forces and raise our voices they will listen to us
ya rightly said
we need to get togethere and join forces.
we need to get things done from them by pressurising them.don't leave them to get away with our money.
we need to keep checking the progress and then only pay.
zp296
what do you suggest we do ?
we need practicals things plz
any medai to contact them to get ducomentry film about ajman??
medai is very important tools nowdays in this world
can we all try ?
is Ajman like Dubai
Yes Indeed
Alkohol is Free
Dubai has a new rival within
Dubai has a new rival within the United Arab Emirates, hoping to attract British visitors away from all the flashy tower-block hotels and razzmatazz attractions to its quieter beaches and more laid-back atmosphere. While Dubai has made headlines with its multimillion-pound projects such as palm tree-shaped islands on reclaimed land, the world's tallest building (the Burj Dubai, still under construction) and indoor ski slopes, exam 70-536 tourist officials in Ajman believe holidaymakers will appreciate the less chaotic feel of the smallest of the seven United Arab Emirates.
Ajman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do not think that Ajman is a rival to Dubai in any sector. Ajman authorities would have very much liked people to believe that AJman is a better destination for holidaymakers, but reality is totally different. Whatever positive thing a tourist can get in Ajman , he or she can get it better in Dubai and that includes low price. Yet, most of what a tourist can get in Dubai he or she cannot get in Ajman.
Ajman has a big problem of mending its devastated image at the moment, to begin with. Unfortunately, what they are doing, in general, at the moment is quite the opposite!
AJMAN
I will never advised anyone to invest in UAE never mind AJMAN it is already doomed.Nobody seems to care about investor right.I know that because I have the experience of it already.Keep well away.YOU ARE WARNED!!!!!!!!
Ajman
I totally agree with Abdool, the rulers of Ajman do not care about the investors rights all they want is their money. R-Holding which is owned by Govt. of Ajman are the biggest cheaters I have ever come across.
My advise, Don't even dream about investing in Ajman. If you have already invested, do not pay any more, the more you will pay, the more you will lose. EC in Ajman is just Sand and desert.....
Warning: Goverment TOUTS may be in ACTION
Heat is building up by Investors.
Lour more investors into so called Dreamland
Shamfull marketing tactics while existing investors looted out in daylight robbery!
Cat's dream of Meatball !!
So what is next Wonderland????????
As rightly mentined, ajman
As rightly mentined, ajman is like Cat's dream of Meatball !!
Emirates city is Ajman is nothing more than sand and rubble unless the rulers of ajman who are also the owners of Rholdings decide tobe honest with investors and delivery what they have been paid for by investors ase per contract.
It is a banana state - where changing rules is like changing your cloths everyday.
shobha
Can you please sell your stuff somewhere else...
Agree with you Bhomesdubai
Bhomesdubai, who ever you are, if you are honest and would like to help the poor investors who have lost their life savings in Ajman - Emirates City, it might help if you post in your blogsite, the suffering of the investors and the cheating done by the rulers of Ajman so that the world should know the correct picture of the rulers of ajman.
IS AJMAN another DUBAI
YES it is of course it is called DOOM-BAI.......
IS AJMAN ANOTHER DOOM BAI
Alexebenson
We are all frustrated with the Emirates City project.If they refund our money we will leave them in peace to rest in their GRAVE YARD !!!!!!!!!
I will like to read your comments too.how do you feel.
Ajman
I assume that EC in ajamn will never be a place for humans to live and most of the poor investors life savings are gone with it. Inshallah Allah will punish those in this world and after to those who have caused this suffering...