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International City is Dubai's most affordable freehold community for foreign buyers. Studios from AED 280K at 7.9% gross yield — the highest in Dubai. Service charges AED 10.82/sqft. The trade-off is distance, older building stock, and a very specific tenant demographic. Pure income play only.
International City is a large-scale freehold residential development in east Dubai, built around themed country clusters (China, England, France, Persia, etc.) and offering some of the lowest entry prices of any freehold zone in the UAE. It is located approximately 25 to 30 kilometres from central Dubai near the Dragon Mart complex, accessible via the Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Based on DRE market tracking through Q1-Q2 2026, studios in International City trade at approximately AED 280,000 to AED 380,000, 1-bedroom apartments at AED 420,000 to AED 560,000. Annual rents run at AED 22,000 for studios and AED 33,000 for 1-bedrooms, giving gross yields of 7.9% across both types — the highest consistent gross yield of any Dubai freehold community in DRE's market database. Service charges average AED 10.82 per sqft annually, among Dubai's lowest.
The investment case for International City is straightforward: maximum income yield on minimum capital outlay. At AED 280,000 for a studio achieving 7.9% gross yield with AED 10.82/sqft service charges, net yield is approximately 6 to 6.5% — genuinely exceptional by any global standard. The trade-off is equally clear: International City is 30 minutes from central Dubai, building quality is basic, the community has limited lifestyle amenity, and the tenant base is almost entirely blue-collar workers — high-turnover tenants who move for employment. Vacancy during economic slowdowns can be meaningful. This is a pure income play for investors who prioritise cash yield above all else and are comfortable with a hands-on or professionally managed approach. Not suitable as a primary residence for professionals. District Real Estate can source available units across International City's clusters.
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