Furnished apartments in Dubai Hills Estate, by the park and mall

Daily life in the apartment cluster runs between the park, the mall and your building. Mornings tend to mean a walk or a run in the park, or on the jogging tracks some towers have. Weekends mean picnics, barbecues and children on the play areas. With the mall close to the towers, getting there shouldn't need the car.

Your own tower fills in most of the gaps. Depending on the tower, you'll find a pool, in some cases infinity-edged, a gym, yoga areas, a sports court, and cafés or shops at ground level. Security runs round the clock. Buildings differ, so if sleeping well is high on your list, ask about the specific tower before you settle on one.

There is no Metro station. Residents drive, and the main routes out of the estate are Umm Suqeim Street and Al Khail Road. If your work is elsewhere in Dubai, you'll be using one of them every day. Factor that in before you commit.

Close to home, the tower cluster is close to Dubai Hills Mall and the park, so plenty can be done on foot. The community also has its own King's College Hospital, which matters to families and to anyone who wants medical care nearby. Golfers can use the course, though access is charged separately.

What we have in this cluster leans towards one-bedrooms, with some two-bedrooms, spread over several towers. Studios aren't part of our mix here right now, so if you want the smallest possible place, ask us and we'll tell you if one comes up.

Most people here alone or as a pair, in town for a project or waiting on a lease, will be comfortable in a one-bedroom. The separate bedroom makes a real difference over a long stay. Families, or colleagues sharing, should look at the two-bedrooms. They sit in different towers, so read each listing's details rather than assuming they're alike.

No car makes life harder. Without one you'll depend on taxis for anything beyond the mall and the park, and that wears thin over a month. The estate is also self-contained by design. Anyone who wants street life, beach days or a late night out will feel a long way from it.

So if you won't be driving, want the sea, or need to be close to a Metro line, look elsewhere. If you have a car, children, or simply want space and green outside the window, this is one of the more comfortable places in Dubai to spend a few months.