Living in Al Ghuwair, Sharjah, comes with its own perks and challenges. The area is a sub-community of the Al Gharab district of Sharjah, possessing a bustling, city-centric atmosphere. The properties here are only low-rise and mid-rise buildings with shops on the ground floor.
The area is mainly preferred by bachelors and expatriates, with only a few small families residing there. This guide will explore more about the pros and cons of living in Al Ghuwair.
Living in Al Ghuwair – Community Overview
Al Ghuwair is one of Sharjah’s oldest neighbourhoods, located within the Al Gharb district. It is a lively area known for its bustling markets, especially near Sharjah’s popular Rolla area. The community mainly consists of expatriates and bachelors, though some small families also reside here.
The locality features low to mid-rise residential buildings, often with shops on the ground floor, offering affordable rental options. Al Ghuwair Market is among the city’s oldest attractions, attracting residents and tourists.
Its strategic location provides easy access to travel from Sharjah to Ajman and Dubai, as well as essential amenities like malls, schools, and hospitals nearby.
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Pros of Living in Al Ghuwair
The following are the advantages of living in Al Ghuwair, Sharjah.
1. Housing/Property Types
Al Ghuwair offers low-rise, mid-rise, and a few high-rise apartments. Most buildings have shops on the ground floor, including salons, small grocery stores, and cafés. There are also many other shops selling electronics, kitchen goods, and gadgets. In fact, the area has more shops than residential properties.
Alt text: Property options in Al Ghuwair
Al Ghuwair is one of the most affordable areas in Sharjah. It offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Studios have a small kitchen, one bedroom, and a bathroom, while One-bedroom apartments provide more space with a living room, balcony, and fitted kitchens.
Studios and one-bedroom flats are popular among single professionals and expatriates, while families prefer two-bedroom apartments.
2. Strategic Location
Al Ghuwair is strategically located next to Sharjah’s Rolla area, which offers a bustling commercial vibe. Residents have easy access to key landmarks and neighbouring emirates. The area is well-connected to major roads, facilitating smooth travel to both Ajman and Dubai.
Popular Nearby attractions include:
- Sharjah Art Museum – 3 minutes away
- King Faisal Mosque – 4 minutes away
- Al Ittihad Park – 4 mniutes away
- Blue Souk – 5 minutes away
- Al Buheirah Corniche – 9 minutes away
- Sharjah International Airport – 15 minutes away
3. Public Transportation
Al Ghuwair has a well-developed public transportation network, enhancing its connectivity within the city and to neighbouring emirates.
- The area is served by several bus routes in Sharjah, including the E306 and E307, which stop at the nearby Al Rolla Bus Stop.
- Other accessible bus stops include Sharjah Al Jubail Bus Stop and Old Gold Souk Bus Stop, both approximately a 7-minute drive away.
- These routes facilitate convenient travel to various parts of Sharjah, as well as to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- For those looking for quicker transit, taxis and private cars are readily available, offering faster alternatives for commuting.
Here’s a complete guide for the RTA services in Sharjah for a better understanding.
4. Educational Facilities
Al Ghuwair is surrounded by some reputable schools and nurseries in Sharjah. Despite being a highly commercial area, the community has many schools in and nearby, attracting small families to reside.
The following are the schools and nurseries located in Al Ghuwair:
- Emirates Private School – 3 minutes away
- Al Aman Nursery – 3 minutes away
- Khalid Bin Mohamed School – 4 minutes away
- Al Qasimia School – 4 minutes away
- Baby Land Nursery – 5 minutes away
- Lincoln University of Business & Management – 6 minutes away
5. Healthcare Facilities
Al Ghuwair residents have access to several reputable healthcare facilities in Sharjah, located in the community and the surrounding Rolla area. For instance:
- Premier Medical Centre – 1 minute away
- NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah – 2 minutes away
- Central Hospital Sharjah – 3 minutes away
- Burjeel Specialty Hospital – 4 minutes away
- Zulekha Hospital Sharjah – 5 minutes away
- Saudi German Hospital Sharjah – 6 minutes away
- Thumbay Hospital Daycare – 12 minutes away
- University Hospital Sharjah – 15 minutes away
6. Lifestyle and Essential Amenities
One of the most significant advantages of living in Al Ghuwair is its amenities and vibrant lifestyle. You can enjoy the following amenities and facilities here:
Shopping
Al Ghuwair is a great place for shopping, consisting of small markets, shopping stops, and malls. Many local markets have negotiable prices, making it easy to find affordable goods like electronics, fabrics, cosmetics and kitchen items. Visitors also enjoy the food courts and spacious parking available in malls.
- Souq Al Ghuwair
- Al Ghuwair Market
- Rolla Mall – 2 minutes away
- Sharjah Central Souk – 4 minutes away
- Mega Mall – 6 minutes away
- Oasis Mall – 7 minutes away
- City Centre Sharjah – 9 minutes away
Restaurants and Cafes
There is an array of affordable restaurants and cafes in Al Ghuwair. Since the population is primarily ex-pats, you will find many Indian and Pakistani restaurants in this Sharjah community. For instance:
- Jaipur Restaurant
- Al Majlis Restaurant
- King’s Palace Restaurant
- Delhi Nihari Restaurant
- Red Olive Restaurant
- Avees Restaurant
- Muhammad Faisal Restaurants and Sweets LLC
Supermarkets
There are also several supermarkets in the community that offer residents quick and easy access to buying everyday goods.
- Bahar AL Alwan Super Market
- Rukn Al Mashoor Supermarket – 2 minutes away
- Shams Al Qassimiah Supermarket – 3 minutes away
- White Hands Supermarket – 5 minutes away
- Talal Supermarket – 6 minutes away
- Shatee Al Buhairah Supermarket – 6 minutes away
Places of Worship
Al Ghuwair has different places for worship, including mosques, churches, gurudwaras, and temples.
Mosques
Many mosques are located in Al Ghuwair, which makes it easy for Muslim residents to pray. Some of them include:
- Othman Ibn Affan Mosque – 3 minutes away
- Khan Saheb Mosque – 4 minutes away
- Al Noor Mosque – 6 minutes away
Churches
Christian residents can visit churches within a 10-minute drive from Al Ghuwair. Some nearby churches are:
- Church of the Living God – 6 minutes away
- St. Michael’s Catholic Church – 6 minutes away
- Russian Orthodox Church – 7 minutes away
Hindu Temples
No Hindu temples are in Al Ghuwair, but residents can reach temples in Dubai within a 30-minute drive, including:
- Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir – 22 minutes away
- Shiva Temple – 24 minutes away
- Shree Krishna Haveli – 25 minutes away
7. Leisure Activities
Al Ghuwair offers a variety of leisure activities and is close to several notable attractions, including the best museums in Sharjah.
Parks and Recreation:
- Rolla Square Park: Rolla Square Park provides green spaces and walking paths, making it a popular spot for relaxation and family outings.
Museums and Cultural Sites Nearby:
- Sharjah Art Museum: Approximately a 3-minute drive from Al Ghuwair, this museum showcases a diverse collection of contemporary and traditional Middle Eastern artworks.
- Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation: This museum is about a 3-minute drive from Al Ghuwair and displays extensive exhibits on Islamic art, culture, and history.
- Sharjah Heritage Museum: This museum is also about 6 minutes away by car and displays the region’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.
- Sharjah Calligraphy Museum: Approximately 6 minutes away by car, this museum is dedicated to the art of Arabic calligraphy and displays historical manuscripts and contemporary works.
Other Attractions:
- Al Noor Island: About a 6-minute drive from Al Ghuwair, Al Noor Island offers landscaped gardens, art installations, and a butterfly house, providing a serene escape from the city.
- Al Majaz Waterfront: Approximately 8 minutes away by car, the Al Majaz waterfront destination features a musical fountain, dining options, and recreational facilities.
8. Nearby Communities
Al Ghuwair is close to several popular residential communities in Sharjah. For instance:
- Al Musalla: 3 minutes drive
- Al Manakh: 4 minutes drive
- Al Nabba: 4 minutes drive
- Al Marija: 5 minutes drive
- Al Khan: 8 minutes drive
Cons of Living in Al Ghuwair
Al Ghuwair, while offering various amenities, has some drawbacks:
Limited Parking Space and Traffic Congestion
Residents often find it challenging to secure parking due to the area’s high density and limited parking facilities. The area’s popularity and central location lead to frequent traffic jams, making commuting time-consuming.
Air and Noise Pollution
The bustling markets and heavy traffic contribute to increased noise and air pollution, affecting the overall living environment.
Predominance of Rental Properties
Al Ghuwair has a higher number of rental properties, which may result in a transient community feel and fewer long-term neighbourly connections.
FAQs
Shajrah’s Al Ghuwair area is a sub-community of the Al Gharab district, next to the most popular area of the emirates—Rolla. It is an apartment-only community with ex-pats and bachelors as the main residents. The area offers a wide range of amenities, such as schools, hospitals, and attractions.
Yes, Al Ghuwair is a freehold area. However, most residential and commercial units here are available for rent.
With all these major pros and minor cons, living in Al Ghuwair offers a pleasant, city-centric experience. Meanwhile, when deciding where to live, you should carefully weigh the cost of living in Sharjah to make a wise and well-informed decision.
