Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a man-made waterway cut into a 3.5km stretch of shoreline, lined on both banks by high-rise towers. Emaar built it, and it has grown into one of the densest residential districts in the city, with the Marina Walk promenade running the length of the water at its centre.

Almost everything here is an apartment, from studios to penthouses, and the population leans towards expatriate professionals, airline crew and couples rather than large families. The tram and two metro stations connect it, JBR and the beach are walkable, and the restaurants and gyms are at the door. The trade is price and density: rents sit at the top end, the towers are close together so a view can disappear when the next one goes up, and residents care a great deal about which buildings run their lifts, parking and service charges well.