The Lakes
Quiet, green and centrally connected
Community guide
The Lakes is a low-density, gated villa community within Emirates Living, known for its calm, leafy streets and shimmering lakes. Larger plots and a peaceful setting beside Emirates Hills make it a discreet choice for families who want space close to the city.
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Key facts
- Property types
- Family villas
- Typical price range
- AED 6M - 40M+
- Setting
- Gated, low-density, lakes
- Best for
- Quiet upscale family living
Character and lifestyle
The Lakes is one of the quieter and more exclusive villa enclaves within Emirates Living, defined by low density, leafy streets and the ornamental lakes that give the community its name. Sitting beside Emirates Hills, it attracts established families who value privacy, space and a settled, upscale atmosphere over the buzz of the coastal districts.
The mood is genuinely residential and unhurried. Wide, tree-lined roads, generous setbacks and a limited number of homes mean the streets rarely feel busy, while the community centre, pools and green corridors give residents everyday amenity without leaving the gates. It is a place designed around long-term living rather than quick turnover.
The homes and what your money gets
Homes in The Lakes are predominantly larger detached villas set on notably bigger plots than neighbouring Springs or Meadows. Layouts commonly run to three, four and five bedrooms, with private gardens, maids' rooms and space for pools, and several clusters have been comprehensively rebuilt or upgraded to a high specification.
Because plots are larger and supply is limited, values sit above the more accessible parts of Emirates Living. Expect pricing well into the millions of dirhams, rising sharply for renovated, lake facing or extended homes. Buyers here are paying for space, position and a lower-density setting rather than sheer volume of stock.
- •Larger detached villas on generous plots
- •Typically three to five bedroom layouts
- •Private gardens with room for pools
- •Extensive scope for renovation and extension
- •Lake-facing homes carry the strongest premiums
Location, connectivity and amenities
The Lakes enjoys the same strong connectivity as the wider Emirates Living masterplan, with quick access to Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road linking residents to Dubai Marina, Downtown and the business districts. Despite this, the internal roads stay calm, insulated from arterial traffic behind the community gates.
Amenities are shared across Emirates Living and its immediate neighbours. The Lakes Club, community pools and retail at The Meadows and Springs Souk cover daily needs, while highly regarded schools, medical facilities and the Montgomerie and Emirates golf courses lie within a short drive, underpinning its family appeal.
The buyer and investor case
The Lakes is freehold, so foreign buyers can own outright with title issued by the Dubai Land Department. The usual 4% DLD fee applies on purchase, and Dubai levies no annual property tax and no tax on rental income, which makes holding a larger family home here comparatively efficient over the long term.
For investors, the draw is scarcity and stability rather than high churn. Tenant demand comes from senior professionals and families seeking space beside Emirates Hills, and gross yields typically fall in the 6-9% band. Limited supply and a prestigious address help protect capital values, making it a defensive, quality-led holding.
- •Freehold ownership with DLD title for foreign buyers
- •One-off 4% DLD transfer fee, no annual property tax
- •No tax on rental income
- •Typical gross yields around 6-9%
- •Scarce supply supports long-term capital values
Good to know
The Lakes questions, answered
What makes The Lakes different from The Meadows?+
The Lakes is generally lower-density and more secluded than The Meadows, with larger plots and a quieter, leafier feel, while both sit within Emirates Living beside Emirates Hills.
How does The Lakes differ from The Springs?+
Both sit within Emirates Living, but The Lakes is lower density and more upscale, built around larger detached villas on bigger plots. The Springs is dominated by more affordable townhouses and is a common first purchase. The Lakes suits established families wanting space and privacy beside Emirates Hills, and prices sit correspondingly higher.
What sort of buyer does The Lakes suit?+
It suits long-term family occupiers and quality-focused investors rather than short-term traders. The calm, leafy streets, generous plots and proximity to Emirates Hills appeal to buyers prioritising space, privacy and prestige. Limited supply and reliable tenant demand mean values tend to be defensive, so it rewards patient owners over those chasing rapid turnover.