Golf Professionals – Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Hills Estate
Emirates Hills – Luxury hub for golf professionals
For touring professionals and elite golf enthusiasts, Emirates Hills remains one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city.
Golf courses within 5 km
Emirates Golf Club with the Majlis and Faldo layouts
Montgomerie Golf Club
Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Hills Golf Club, with its modern championship golf course and proximity to Dubai Hills Mall
Typical housing options
3 bedroom villas from AED 280,000 to 350,000 per year
4 bedroom villas from AED 380,000 to 480,000 per year
5 bedroom villas from AED 550,000 to 750,000 per year
Resident profiles show a high concentration of golf professionals and senior executives. Commute times to primary training venues average 8 minutes, which is critical for athletes who spend 4 to 6 hours per day on or around the golf course.
Emirates Hills offers:
Large villas with modern amenities and premium amenities
Strong healthcare facilities and nearby medical facilities
Easy access to Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Mall
Nearby community parks, children's play areas, and family friendly communities
The area sits close to major highways such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and other arterial routes, providing convenient access across the city and towards Dubai International Airport.
Jumeirah Golf Estates – Golf cart lifestyle on Earth and Fire
Jumeirah Golf Estates is purpose designed for residents whose lives are built around the game. It is home to:
The Earth and Fire Course designed by Greg Norman
An extensive range of tennis courts, practice areas and gym facilities
A modern clubhouse with fully equipped gym, restaurants and lounges
Housing options typically include:
3 bedroom villas from AED 180,000 to 240,000 per year
4 bedroom villas from AED 260,000 to 340,000 per year
5 bedroom villas from AED 380,000 to 520,000 per year
A high proportion of residents are members of at least one international golf club or the on site club itself, and many commute internally by golf cart. For golf professionals, the ability to walk or drive a cart from a gated community directly to practice facilities reduces wasted time and improves daily recovery.
Dubai Sports City and the Els Club Golf Course
While Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Golf Estates sit at the luxury end of the market, Dubai Sports City offers an attractive alternative that combines the Els Club Golf with a broader multi sport environment.
The Els Club golf course, created by Els Golf Club and golf legend Ernie Els, is a tour standard layout that attracts both professionals and competitive amateurs. Surrounding areas such as Victory Heights, Sports Village, Elite Sports Residence and Canal Residence West offer a mix of villas, townhouses and modern apartments with underground parking, gym facilities, swimming pools and retail shops.
For players who want to be close to a championship golf course while still enjoying affordable apartments and family oriented living, Dubai Sports City can be an effective compromise between cost and daily performance.
Water Sports Athletes – JBR, Dubai Marina and Palm Facing Communities
JBR – Jumeirah Beach Residence
Jumeirah Beach Residence is a natural choice for athletes who train in or near the water. It offers:
Direct beach access and a 1.7 km promenade
Professional grade beach courts and sports courts
Proximity to beach clubs, water sports operators and open water swim lanes
Housing ranges from studio apartments around AED 65,000 per year to larger units at higher price points. Many towers offer rooftop swimming pool access, steam rooms, fully equipped gym facilities and luxury apartments with marina or sea views.
For water sports professionals, the true benefit of JBR is that training areas are literally at the doorstep. Morning swim sessions, beach runs, and team drills can all be completed before most of the city has started its working day.
Dubai Marina – Waterfront training and city life
Dubai Marina provides an ideal combination of waterfront training routes and urban city life. Athletes who base themselves here benefit from:
A 7 km promenade suitable for running and cycling
Quick access to beaches and water sports centers
Strong public transport links, including metro and tram
Fast connections to Downtown Dubai and Dubai Mall
The area attracts young professionals, coaches and support staff who want a lively environment with upscale apartments, premium amenities and essential services close by. For athletes who value nightlife and social options as part of their lifestyle, Dubai Marina balances performance with a dynamic urban atmosphere.
Football and Team Sports – Dubai Sports City and Motor City
Dubai Sports City – Purpose built team sports hub
For footballers and team sport athletes, Dubai Sports City and the wider sports city district are often the first areas to review when deciding where to live in Dubai.
Key sports facilities for team athletes include:
Eight full size pitches with a mix of grass and artificial surfaces
Professional infrastructure linked to the International Cricket Council and Dubai International Cricket Stadium
On site sports academies for football, rugby and other team sports
Multiple sports complexes and fitness facilities
Housing options:
Studio apartments from AED 35,000 to 45,000 per year
One bedroom units from AED 55,000 to 75,000 per year
Two bedroom units from AED 85,000 to 120,000 per year
Three bedroom villas from AED 150,000 to 200,000 per year
Dubai Sports City includes residential buildings such as Elite Sports Residence, Sports Village and Canal Residence West, as well as villa communities like Victory Heights. Facilities typically include swimming pools, gym facilities, community centres, children's play areas and convenient retail shops. For match days or events, Dubai Sports City offers easy movement between homes and sports venues, keeping commute times very low.
Nearby, Dubai Production City and city centre Me'aisem provide additional shopping, dining and essential services, along with more affordable apartments in a growing corridor.
Dubai Sports City also benefits from a strategic location near major highways such as Mohammed bin Zayed Road, providing easy access to Dubai International Airport, downtown Dubai and neighboring districts like Jumeirah Village Circle JVC.
Motor City – Affordable and family friendly
Just a short drive from Sports City, Motor City offers:
Community sports centers and sports complexes
Running tracks and cycling paths integrated into the master plan
Quick connection to football and rugby pitches in Sports City
Housing options in Motor City are generally more cost effective than in some other sports focused areas, with modern apartments, townhouses and villas available at mid market rates. Many projects include underground parking, swimming pools, fitness facilities and community parks.
For athletes with families, Motor City balances family oriented living with practical access to the main sports venues at Dubai Sports City and beyond.
Tennis Players – Dubai Sports City, Arabian Ranches and JVC
Tennis professionals and committed amateurs need frequent court time, structured coaching and convenient scheduling.
Dubai Sports City – High density court access
In Dubai Sports City, tennis players will find:
Multiple tennis courts across towers and communities
Access to dedicated coaching and club programs
Close proximity to gym facilities, recovery services and sports academies
Tennis professionals often choose towers that have their own sports courts, swimming pools, steam rooms and fully equipped gym spaces, which supports conditioning and recovery without wasting time in traffic.
Arabian Ranches – Community club environment
Further inland, Arabian Ranches and Arabian Ranches Golf Club offer a more residential feel with community based tennis programs. Courts are integrated into gated community spaces, where families can combine junior coaching, adult leagues and casual play.
Arabian Ranches is known for:
Wide roads and vast green spaces suitable for running and cross training
Multiple community centres linked to courts, pools and clubhouses
A strong sense of neighborhood identity and family oriented living
For players with children enrolled at nearby schools such as Victory Heights Primary School, or those competing regularly at Arabian Ranches Golf Club events, living close to both courts and classroom simplifies the weekly rhythm considerably.
Jumeirah Village Circle JVC – Central and developing
Jumeirah Village Circle JVC and the wider Jumeirah Village Circle area sit close to both Sports City and Dubai Marina. Athletes who choose these districts value:
A central location between multiple sports venues
A mix of modern apartments, mid rise residential buildings and small villa clusters
Access to community parks, children's play areas and local courts
Comparatively affordable apartments that appeal to coaches and young professionals
From JVC, players have easy access to Dubai Sports City, Motor City, and parts of Dubai Marina while remaining close to essential services and healthcare facilities.
Runners and Triathletes – Arabian Ranches, Dubai Marina and Dubai Hills Estate
Endurance athletes need safe routes, consistent surfaces and nearby swim access.
Arabian Ranches offers 45 km of cycling tracks and approximately 12 km of running trails, integrated into vast green spaces and quiet residential roads.
Dubai Marina provides a flat, well lit waterfront route with easy transitions to sea swims or pool sessions.
Dubai Hills Estate offers park loops, golf view paths and quick access to Dubai Hills Mall, along with internal sports courts and fitness facilities.
These areas connect quickly to major highways, which helps athletes who frequently travel to races, events, or specific coaching sessions around the city.
Additional Options for Multi Sport Athletes
Some athletes prefer to live near specific facilities beyond those already mentioned:
Communities near Trump International Golf Club and the Damac Hills area appeal to golfers who want an international golf club feel in a self contained setting.
Residence in the Dubai Sports City corridor provides proximity to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the International Cricket Council headquarter facilities, multiple sports academies, and well developed sports complexes.
For those who travel often, areas with direct routes to Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport via Mohammed bin Zayed Road and parallel major highways can reduce travel stress significantly.
Housing Types and Amenities to Consider
Across all of these districts, athletes can choose from a broad spectrum of housing types, including:
Studio apartments for single athletes or young professionals
One and two bedroom modern apartments in upscale apartments towers with rooftop swimming pool and steam rooms
Larger villas in family friendly communities with private gardens and shared community parks
Key amenities that consistently rank high among athletes are:
On site fitness facilities and gym facilities
Swimming pools and access to beach clubs or hotel pool memberships
Underground parking for equipment heavy sports
Sports courts including basketball and tennis
Easy reach of essential services, retail shops, schools and medical facilities
Athletes also value central location aspects such as quick access to public transport, business districts and shopping hubs like Dubai Mall and city centre Me'aisem, which make daily life smoother for both players and families.
Making Your Decision
When choosing a neighbourhood, athletes consistently recommend ranking priorities in this order:
Proximity to primary training facilities and world class sports facilities
Quality and availability of sport specific infrastructure, such as courts, tracks or sports complexes
Housing budget and the local real estate market
Family needs, including schools, safety, healthcare facilities and family oriented living
Community atmosphere and fit with your personal lifestyle
In practical terms, most professionals suggest living within 15 minutes of your main training venue. This guideline applies whether you are a golfer at the Els Club golf course, a footballer training at Dubai Sports City, or a watersports athlete frequenting Dubai Marina.
Expert Recommendations
Sports specific real estate advisers recommend:
Visiting candidate neighborhoods during your usual training times in order to assess traffic, noise levels and actual access to facilities
Speaking directly with other athletes and sports fans who already live in those communities
Considering a shorter initial lease of 6 to 12 months, especially if you are unfamiliar with Dubai and its different residential communities
For many athletes, areas like Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Sports City, Motor City, Dubai Marina, JVC and Arabian Ranches repeatedly appear at the top of shortlists when reviewing the best places to live in Dubai based on your sport.
Conclusion
Dubai offers a rare combination of world class sports facilities, modern infrastructure and diverse residential communities. From the fairways surrounding the Els Club golf and Arabian Ranches Golf Club, to the stadium lights of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, to the waterfront routes of Dubai Marina, the city is designed to support an active lifestyle at every performance level.
Choosing the right neighborhood is not simply a lifestyle decision. It influences training consistency, recovery quality and long term career sustainability. With careful research and honest assessment of your needs, Dubai makes it possible to align where you live with what you do, creating a long lasting and performance friendly base in one of the most dynamic sports cities in the world.
