Living in The Valley

History

Emaar unveiled The Valley on 18 November 2019. It is a townhouse and villa community on the Dubai–Al Ain Road (E66), near its junction with the E77 and about five minutes from The Sevens Stadium. It was aimed at mid-income families.

The first cluster, Eden, went on sale in March 2020. Emaar first gave a Q4 2022 date; Property Finder records completion in mid-2023. Nara and Talia followed. In July 2024 Emaar announced Phase Two, covering more than 200 hectares with over 4,500 villas and townhouses, and has released many clusters since. At the end of March 2026 Emaar had 7,243 homes under development here, 98% of them sold.

What it’s like to live here

It is a suburb on the edge of the desert, a long way from the coast. Homes are three and four-bed townhouses and four and five-bed villas around parks. The plan includes a Town Centre, a man-made “Golden Beach”, a Sports Village and a children’s play area called Kids’ Dale.

For now most of it is a building site. Propsearch lists four completed parts (Eden, Nara, Talia and The Pavilion), 17 under construction and eight planned. The Pavilion has a Monoprix supermarket, Costa, a pharmacy, a Medcare clinic and a nursery. Villa service charges are low, at an estimated AED 3 to 4.5 per sq ft a year.

Buyer demand has been strong. Property Finder’s index showed it up 58.6% year on year in May 2026. But as more homes finish, rents are falling: Bayut’s rent index was down 10.9% in the year to July 2026, and villa asking prices slipped 2% in the six months to October. Dubai as a whole has cooled in 2026, with third-quarter sales values down 47% on a year earlier.

Who it suits

It suits families who want a new three or four-bed house with a garden for less than Arabian Ranches or Dubai Hills, and who are happy to drive everywhere. It also suits people working in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City or along the Al Ain road. It does not suit anyone who needs the Metro or wants to be near the beach and the city.

Getting around

You need a car. The Valley sits on the E66 with quick access to the E77 and Emirates Road. Emaar and Bayut put Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport about 25 minutes away. There is no Metro and public transport is limited. Expect heavier traffic towards the city at peak times.

Schools, healthcare and shopping

Maple Bear Nursery is in The Pavilion. Bayut puts GEMS FirstPoint School and Repton School about 20 minutes away. The Medcare clinic handles everyday care; the nearest hospital is Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai Silicon Oasis, about 14 km away. For a big shop there is Carrefour at DAMAC Hills 2, about 10 minutes away, and Dubai Outlet Mall on the Al Ain road.

Off-plan here now

All projects are by Emaar. “From” prices are those listed on Bayut in October 2026; handover dates are Bayut’s.

• Farm Gardens 2: villas from AED 7.26m, handover Q1 2028.
• Farm Grove: villas from AED 4.44m, handover Q4 2028.
• Avena: villas from AED 4.36m, handover Q2 2028.
• Vindera, Elea, Velora 2, Elva and Kaia: townhouses and villas from AED 2.72m to AED 3m.
• Avelia and Ovelle: handover Q4 2029.

Emaar’s usual plan is 80/20: 10% on booking, 70% during construction and 20% on handover. With 98% of homes under development already sold, most buyers now buy a resale of an off-plan contract. Bayut’s index puts newer clusters at about AED 1,120 to 1,480 per sq ft, while finished Eden is at AED 1,535 (September 2026). Watch rents as each phase completes, and the gap between launch prices and finished homes.

Things to check before you rent or buy

• Use the handover date in your sales contract. Eden finished about six months after Emaar’s first date.
• Drive the commute at 8am before you commit.
• Ask for the service charge budget and any community fees.
• Check the position of the home: next to a road or a building site, or facing a park.
• Compare with rents on finished homes in Eden, Nara and Talia. Rents have fallen as more homes complete.
• Check which schools, shops and the Town Centre will be open when you move in.