Thriving Dubai community has something for everyone

With two metro stations and two bus routes, JLT is easily accessible and well-connected.

Although a fairly new community, the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) has quickly gained popularity for its ideal location and multiple choices available from leisure and recreation to retail, hospitality, dining and outdoor activities.
Residents and even former residents of the community applaud the security, cleanliness and multiple options available for all age groups within the district to enjoy a good community life.
Long-time resident Shilpa Kothari, who moved to the JLT community 11 years ago, said: "Without doubt I can say that buying an apartment in JLT was the best decision. The list of plus points for this spick and span community is quite long I must say.
"I have not seen a more neater community than JLT. In terms of service, security and maintenance, everything is done in such an organised way that residents never even get to know when the workers come, clean and go. Another commendable aspect of this district is that almost all clusters have a supermarket, salon and are surrounded by restaurants. It is like a city inside a city, you don't need to go long distance to fend for yourself," she added. Construction of the community began in 2003 and currently it is spread over an area of 200 hectares.
Explaining the setup of the community, Feryal Ahmadi, executive director, corporate services, at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), said: "The JLT district is one of the eight districts within the wider DMCC Master Community and its business and residential community counts over 100,000 people who live and work across 68 towers, including Almas Tower - one of the tallest commercial towers in the region."
Lauding the cluster system in the community, Kothari said: "The idea of making clusters and not individual buildings is yet another well-planned strategy because we get to meet so many like-minded people living in our vicinity. I have a mums' group while my children have a big kids group. So all of us have a good circle of friends whom we can meet on a daily basis, go for walks around the lake or hang out for coffee at the cafes around. Be it any festival, all the community members gather together in community grounds and celebrate together."
Today, there are over 600 retail outlets in JLT, of which over 300 are food and beverage outlets. With two metro stations and two bus routes that do 78 daily round trips across 13 bus stops in the community, JLT is easily accessible and well-connected.
Fourteen-year-old Moksh said he loves JLT as the community has given a lot of entertainment options for kids such as parks with swings in almost every cluster.
On the downside, Moksh sighed saying: "I wish we had more petrol pumps in JLT as it is difficult to fight traffic or take a whole huge round of the whole JLT district and go to another community such as Meadows to get petrol filled."
Another thing that has kind of put off many residents is the recently introduced parking fee modifications. Voicing her concern, Pakistani expat Romaisah Harris, who has been a JLT resident since 2010, said: "Earlier, we had at least three-hour parking free for our guests but now it has become chargeable at Dh4 per hour, which is quite expensive and has discouraged people from moving to JLT. Many of us now avoid visiting our friends in neighbouring clusters as we are required to pay parking fee. I think it should be free for at least a couple of hours."
Offering her suggestion to make JLT a more lively community, Kothari said: "I feel JLT has scope of becoming more lively. For example, we can commercialise our lakes and start some boating, which can attract more tourists, in turn making this place more lively. Some fun and entertainment should be planned for our locality as evenings get a bit dull here."
Be it for family, bachelors or professionals - this place caters to all and sees people of different nationalities and backgrounds staying together peacefully.
1-68 towers
Construction of the JLT community began in 2003 and Saba 1 was the first tower to be completed in 2006. Now, the business and residential community here counts over 100,000 people who live and work across 68 towers. Almas Tower of JLT is the 10th tallest tower in the Middle East.
2-300 restaurants
There are over 300 popular restaurants in JLT and the most recent addition is Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria which opened in Cluster R only a few weeks ago. The Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, located in Cluster J, was the first hotel to be inaugurated in JLT.
3-Clean lakes
The three main lakes of the JLT district are continuously monitored for cleanliness with a dedicated team tasked with assessing the water quality at regular points throughout the year.
4-Accessibility
The cleanliness of the community, accessibility to Sheikh Zayed Road, a plethora of recreational activities and food options are the major attrations. Parking charge for residents as well as visitors is priced at Dh4 per hour.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai