For the cosmopolitans, Dubai’s ‘new city centre’ is a desirable address, usually found in apartment buildings, neighbouring the world’s tallest tower and the biggest mall.

Downtown Burj Khalifa has quickly become the centre of ‘new Dubai’, situated about halfway between ‘old’ Dubai and the other extreme of SheikhZayed Road, Dubai Marina. It is the only master-planned development within the emirate, which likens a mini-city. In addition, The Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, as its centrepiece means that your address will be instantly recognised globally. But it isn’t only prestige, which attracts small families, executives and professionals to live in Downtown. The area offers, mainly apartments, for most pockets not just of the richer kind, which would be looking directly at living in the number one address, The Burj Khalifa itself.

If you desire to live or buy a property with a guaranteed rental income in Downtown you can choose from a multitude of apartment buildings. Some of the most popular ones include the high-rise Burj Residences or Views, built by the creator of Downtown itself, Emaar. These are spacious apartments offering an array of amenities worth checking out and come with an added advantage, a possible view of the Burj Khalifa itself an the infamous fountain displays below.

At the other end of the scale are the low-rise rather cute apartments built in a more authentic Arabic style, in the Old Town and Old Town Island districts. The buildings form part of a maze of buildings of different heights styled on the original Arabic village, complete with courtyards and narrow alleyways. Ground floor apartments have little gardens.

Although it is possible to walk from most buildings across to Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall, which happens to be the largest in the world, the Old Town Island apartments present the closest link.

Most of the apartment buildings would come with all the amenities expected, such as pools, gyms, some, such as The Lofts, even have community cinema rooms and the Burj Views for example indoor games rooms and children play areas. Little parks grace the space between towers. The Old Town ‘village’ apartments have communal pools strategically placed within. Convenience stores can be found at an accessible walking distance in all community clusters within the overall area.

Downtown offers a very cosmopolitan city lifestyle. In an area frequented by tourists, the area us abuzz with hotels and attractions, but more importantly for residents the area is still under development in parts, meaning additional facilities also address their needs. Not so long ago, the Pavilion Downtown Dubai for example was added functioning as a public gallery space it also has become a favourite among residents to hang out. The opera house is also in the planning. One can’t get more shopping in then when visiting the Dubai Mall, also housing a major medical centre and plenty of entertainment, whether is a visit to the aquarium, a round of ice-skating or having fun at Sega Republic or catching a movie at the cinema. The mall is of course also home to larger fitness club.

It is impossible to mention all the restaurants from award winning to the more simple eateries and cafés, either based around town, in Dubai Mall or on one of its terrace, or in picturesque Souk Al Bahar with view of the fountains and the numerous licensed hotels dotted around town, favourites among them The Address, Al Manzil and Qamardeen for residents to try out and pick their favourite haunt.

Old Town Burj Khalifa is well connected in terms of public transport. Taxis abound and the Dubai Mall metro station is connected with an amazing walkway from the mall to the station at Sheikh Zayed Road.

Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Equally close just across the road near Safa Park, 10 minutes drive from Old Town, this primary school, enjoys an excellent reputation offering an English National Curriculum for three – to – eleven years old.

Other options include, the Jumeirah Primary School & Emirates English Speaking School, just around the corner of JESS.

GEMS World School

Also part of GEMS education, founded on the IB philosophy the school offers curriculum from pre-kindergarten to ages of 18. This branch is about a 15-20 minute drive away in Al Barsha South on Al Khail Road.

The Indian School

A bit further off in Garhoud this school offers a campus for pre-primary education, but its senior school campus is close by in Zabeel.

Raffles Nurseries

Based in Old Town near Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa in the Qamardeen quarter, run by Raffles International.