Living on Al Reem Island

Reem is a place for apartment living. Most of the stock is mid-rise and high-rise towers with shared pools and gyms, and many have waterfront or park views. Cafes, supermarkets and clinics are mostly within walking distance of the larger clusters, which suits people without a car in the evening.

Because the island is compact and well served, it suits young professionals, couples and small families who want to be near work. Larger family properties are rarer.

The island is connected to downtown by bridges, and guides describe it as only minutes away. The same guides warn that rush hour on those bridges can be slow. That is the main trade-off.

We will not quote a single drive time. Try the drive at the hour you would travel, from the exact tower you are considering, because the distance between the far end of the island and the bridge matters.

Reem has many towers by many developers, and service charges differ from building to building. Ask for the last service charge invoice and the building's record of maintenance. Compare similar units across two or three towers before you decide.

If you plan to let the property, ask how many similar units are available to rent in the same building. A tower with many identical flats means more competition when a tenant leaves.

Reem suits buyers and tenants who want to be near the centre, who do not need a garden, and who accept some rush hour traffic. It also suits investors looking for a liquid market with many comparable units.

If you want more space or a quieter street, Al Raha and Al Shamkha are worth comparing. Ask us for Reem listings with their permit numbers.

Reem has many towers from many developers, and they are not alike. Look at the age of the building, the lifts, the parking ratio, the pool, and how the lobby is kept. A building with a well run management company is easier to live in than a newer one with none.

Ask to see the view from the exact floor. A view of a building site today may be a view of a finished tower in two years.

Reem has a large rental market, so tenants have choice. Buyers should check how many comparable units are for sale or rent in the building. For a tenant, ask which bills are included and whether the lease is registered on Tawtheeq. Our renting and buying guides cover both.

Pick a weekday morning and drive from the tower to your workplace. Do it again in the evening. Note the time on the bridges, the time to park, and the time to reach the lift. These three numbers tell you more than any guide, ours included. If you use taxis or ride hailing, check the same trip at the same hours.