The Lakes property investment guide

Key numbers

Avg asking price*

AED 1,940/sqft

Price tier

Mid-market

Ownership

Freehold

Maturity

Established

Handover

Ready

Metro served

No

Commute to downtown

20 min

Projects tracked

7

New & off-plan projects

Amenities & access

Beach

15 min drive

Metro

12 min

Schools

Nearby

Also nearby

Lakes Club, parks

Infrastructure that moves values

• Al-Fardan Exchange Metro Station (Red Line, ex-Al Khail/Nakheel)operational · 2010

  Nearest Red Line station, beside Emirates Golf Club on Sheikh Zayed Road (~6 min drive from the community centre). Originally Nakheel, renamed Al Khail in 2020 and Al-Fardan Exchange in March 2025.

• Sobha Realty Metro Station (Red Line)operational · 2010

  Second nearby Red Line station (formerly DMCC), giving Emirates Living residents an alternative metro access point toward Dubai Marina and JLT.

• Dubai Tram (Al Sufouh - Dubai Marina)operational · 2014

  Tram network linking Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh with Red Line transfers, giving Emirates Living residents onward connectivity along the beachfront corridor.

• Dubai British School Emirates Hills expansionoperational · 2025

  Established British-curriculum school in neighbouring Emirates Hills/Springs that expanded onto the former Amity Early Learning Centre site from August 2025, adding capacity for Emirates Living families including The Lakes.

• The Lakes Cluboperational

  The community's ~30,000 sq ft social and wellness hub with gym, outdoor and children's pools, tennis and squash courts, and a spa - the central amenity for The Lakes.

• Reform Social & Grilloperational

  Popular licensed British neighbourhood restaurant with a lakeside garden setting, the heart of The Lakes' dining and social scene.

• Choithrams Supermarketoperational

  In-community supermarket covering residents' daily grocery needs without leaving The Lakes.

• Emirates International School Meadowsoperational

  KHDA 'Very Good'-rated IB school (EY1-Grade 12) in adjacent The Meadows, a primary schooling option for The Lakes families.

• Dubai International Academy / Regent International Schooloperational

  Leading international schools serving Emirates Living, alongside the American School of Dubai, all within a short drive of The Lakes.

• Medcare Medical Centre, Meadowsoperational

  Multi-specialty clinic in neighbouring Meadows Village handling everyday primary-care needs for Emirates Living residents.

• American Hospital Dubai / Saudi German / Al Zahraoperational

  Major hospitals within ~14 minutes' drive (American Hospital Dubai, plus Saudi German and Al Zahra) providing full secondary/tertiary care for the community.

• Emirates Golf Club & Address Montgomerie Golf Cluboperational

  Two championship golf courses flanking The Lakes; Emirates Golf Club (host of the Dubai Desert Classic) and the Address Montgomerie define the community's greenbelt setting.

• Mall of the Emiratesoperational

  Major super-regional mall (Ski Dubai, department stores, cinemas) about 13 minutes' drive from The Lakes.

• Dubai Marina Malloperational

  Waterfront retail and dining destination roughly 8 minutes' drive away, the closest large mall to The Lakes.

• Airport Express Line spur to Al-Fardan Exchange (Emirates Golf Club)announced

  RTA's planned ~55km Airport Express Line (DXB to Al Maktoum/DWC) includes a branch spur running from the new JVC station to the Al-Fardan Exchange (ex-Al Khail) Red Line station beside Emirates Golf Club, the metro stop serving The Lakes. As of June 2026 the project is in the consultancy/study tender phase, with a contractor meeting set for 21 July 2026 and bids due 20 September 2026; no opening date yet.

• Dubai Metro Gold Line (Line 4)announced

  RTA's announced ~$9bn Gold Line (Metro Line 4) starts at Al Ghubaiba and runs broadly parallel to the Red Line before turning inland via Business Bay; consultancy awarded to Aecom. Improves the wider Red Line corridor that serves Emirates Living. Still early-stage with no confirmed opening date as of June 2026.

• Dubai Internet City Loop / wider metro-network capacity upgradesannounced

  Part of Dubai's 35-project 2026 traffic-improvement programme covering Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and surrounding interchanges that carry The Lakes' commuters. These corridor upgrades are announced/in early stages and improve regional access from Emirates Living.

Frequently asked questions

How much does property cost in The Lakes?

Property in The Lakes averages AED 1,940 per sqft, based on recorded transactions across its sub-communities — a mid-market price tier for Dubai. Buying costs add roughly 7–10% on top, and net rental yield after service charges typically lands 2–3 percentage points below the gross figure.

Can foreigners buy property in The Lakes?

Yes — The Lakes is a freehold zone, so foreign buyers get full ownership with no residency requirement.

How far is The Lakes from downtown Dubai?

The Lakes is roughly 20 minutes from downtown by car. Upcoming infrastructure: Airport Express Line spur to Al-Fardan Exchange (Emirates Golf Club), Dubai Metro Gold Line (Line 4), Dubai Internet City Loop / wider metro-network capacity upgrades.

What new projects are selling in The Lakes?

Current launches include Lakes Villa by Emaar (from AED 5,500,000), The Lakes Zulal by Emaar, The Lakes Deema 4 by Emaar, The Lakes Deema 2 by Emaar, The Lakes - Deema 1 by Emaar, The Lakes Deema 3 by Emaar.

Compare with nearby areas