Expat Insights: Umm Al Quwain vs. Ajman – Where to Live?
Are you an expat looking to make a move to the UAE? Let us introduce you to Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. While Umm Al Quwain is endowed with tranquil coastline and mangrove forest, Ajman is bustling business hub with a touch of its historic days. Both can offer you unique attractions, cultural experiences, and economic opportunities that might make them a perfect option for your new home in the UAE.
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In this article, Pacific Prime provides a comprehensive comparison between Umm Al Quwain and Ajman, highlighting the best places to visit, things to do, and the overall life in each city. We’ll cover everything from historical landmarks to the local cuisine, amenities, and infrastructure.
Umm Al Quwain and Ajman: Location and Lifestyle for Expats
Umm Al Quwain is where you can find quiet coastline, rich mangrove forest, and a generous offering of outdoor activities, while Ajman, though smaller, is a bustling business hub with a touch of history. Which one to choose will depend on what caters better to your taste and lifestyle.
Situated on the west coast of the UAE, Umm Al Quwain is about 50 kilometers north of Dubai. It is the second smallest emirate in the UAE and the least populated, which means what awaits you here is a shimmering coastline, rich mangrove forest, as well as various islands on its eastern coast.
Travelers come to Umm Al Quwain to observe flamingos taking flight against the backdrop of mangrove forest, look out for Arabian gazelles, falcons, and turtles on Al Seniah island, and enjoy outdoor activities, from stargazing on the beaches to kayaking.
In contrast, Ajman is more bustling, with a faster pace of life and a vibrant cultural scene. It is situated around an hour’s drive from Dubai. Ajman may be the smallest emirate in the UAE, but Ajman City is the fifth largest city in the UAE following Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain.
Ajman can offer visitors the right balance between the amenities of city life as well as a touch of history. This is where you can take a look back in time to the history of the emirate from as far back as 3,000 BC while the city’s marina and shopping malls can keep you entertained.
All in all, if you’re looking for a quieter lifestyle amidst nature, Umm Al Quwain is an excellent choice. In contrast, Ajman has a more urban feel, with a lively nightlife and cultural scene. Both cities offer unique experiences and cater to different lifestyles.
Exploring Umm Al Quwain as an Expat
If you’re considering Umm Al Quwain as a potential place to live, you’ll be glad to know that the city offers ample choices of natural attractions and outdoor activities which we’ll list below:
Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain
One of Umm Al Quwain’s most popular attractions is the Dreamland Aqua Park. This vast water park offers a range of thrilling rides, including the Aqua Drop, Black Hole, and Mighty GoROUND. If you prefer a more serene experience, you can relax in the park’s lazy river or sunbathe on its beaches.
Umm Al Quwain Fort
Another must-visit attraction is the Umm Al Quwain Fort or Al Ali Fort, which dates back to the 18th century. The fort was the seat of government of the emirate until 1969. Nowadays, it houses the Umm Al Quwain National Museum with artifacts from the Ed Dur archeological site.
Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Forest
Umm Al Quwain mangrove forest offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in serene nature, whether by observing numerous floras and faunas in its precinct, camping, and stargazing on its sandy beaches, or kayaking over its tranquil waves.
Overall, Umm Al Quwain offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage that make it an attractive destination for expats. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, Umm Al Quwain has plenty to offer.
Exploring Ajman as an Expat
As you explore the UAE, you’ll find that Ajman is a hidden gem with a rich history and diverse culture. This coastal city is situated on the outskirts of the bustling metropolis of Dubai and offers a more laid-back lifestyle with nature reserves and pristine beaches.
Ajman Museum
If you are a fan of history, check out the Ajman Museum. Housed in an 18th-century fort, this museum offers you a glimpse into the historic day of the Emirate, with artifacts dating as far back as 3000 BC and a devoted section to the history of the pearl trade, a major economic activity of the region.
Mowaihat Archeological Site in Ajman
Mowaihat Archeological Site was discovered by accident in 1986. The excavation of the site revealed a collection of ceramic vessels, tombs, jewelry, and human remains from the Umm Al Nar period, making it one of the most famous archaeological sites in the UAE.
Overall, if you are looking for the right balance between culture, history, and city amenities, Ajman can offer a unique and worthwhile place to explore.
Amenities and Infrastructure in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
Both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman boast ample amenities for enjoyable daily life, including the Mall of Umm Al Quwain or City Center Ajman. When weighing the decision to relocate, the availability and quality of amenities and infrastructure in a city are critical components to consider. In this section, we’ll examine the amenities and infrastructure in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman.
Healthcare in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
In terms of healthcare, both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman offer a range of options, including public and private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers.
Ajman boasts Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman, with over 220 beds, with centers of excellence in gastroenterology, trauma and orthopedics, feto-maternal, and diabetes.
Meanwhile, Umm Al Quwain Hospital offers a range of medical services as well as Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital.
Additionally, both cities feature several private hospitals and clinics in both cities, providing residents with ample options for healthcare.
Education in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
For families with children, the availability and quality of education can be a deciding factor in selecting a city to reside in. Both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman have a range of educational institutions, including public and private schools and universities.
Transportation in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
Getting around Umm Al Quwain and Ajman is relatively easy, with taxi and rental car services readily available. Public buses operate between the two cities and other Emirates. In addition, both cities have well-maintained roads, making travel by car convenient for residents.
Other Amenities in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
Both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman have a range of other amenities, including shopping malls, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Umm Al Quwain has the Mall of Umm Al Quwain, which houses a range of international and local brands alongside a generous offering of dining and entertainment experiences, while Ajman has the City Center Ajman, the largest mall in the emirate with ample choices of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
The Economy of Umm Al Quwain and Ajman
Both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman have seen significant growth in industries and investments in their infrastructure. Both feature their own port facilities and free zones in which foreign investors can maintain full ownership of their business.
Umm Al Quwain is a major exporter of seafood to Europe and the Middle East. The emirate is also a major supplier of poultry and dairy products to the local market. Umm Al Quwain has also announced the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy 2031 to guide its effort to become the capital of the blue economy.
Meanwhile, Ajman has embarked on expanding its port and free zone facilities to better service its rapidly growing economy and ensure its attractiveness to investors. The city also offers competitive land prices as well as lower fixed asset and operational costs for business owners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Umm Al Quwain worth visiting?
If you are a nature-lover, you might want to give Umm Al Quwain a consideration. The emirate is known for its peaceful coastline, green mangrove forest, and ample opportunities for wildlife spotting, perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
What is special about Umm Al Quwain?
Umm Al Quwain is the second smallest emirate in the UAE and the least populated, which means it still has a generous offering of natural attractions for visitors from sandy white beaches to mangrove forests.
Is alcohol legal in Umm Al Quwain?
Visitors can drink alcohol in authorized premises in Umm Al Quwain. However, public alcohol consumption is illegal throughout the UAE.
What is Ajman known for?
Ajman is known for offering a more affordable and laid-back lifestyle compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Ajman city, the fifth largest city of the UAE, can offer you both city lifestyle as well as a relaxing day by the beach and a glimpse into the historic day of the emirate.
Is Ajman, UAE a good place to live?
Ajman can be a good place to live in the UAE if you are looking for a more affordable place to live compared to major cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Ajman is renowned for its beautiful beaches and peaceful pace of life while still having easy access to Dubai.
Is it expensive to live in Ajman?
Life in Ajman is relatively cheaper compared to major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Conclusion
Both Umm Al Quwain and Ajman offer attractive destinations for expats looking to relocate to the UAE. Umm Al Quwain is primarily known for its offer of tranquil nature and vision for the blue economy, while Ajman is a bustling business hub that can offer city amenities alongside a historic touch.
If a hidden gem is what you’re looking for, you might also want to consider Fujairah, the only Emirate located completely on the eastern coast of the country with the UAE’s first protected mountain. Check out our article Fujairah vs. Ajman: An Expat’s Dilemma to learn more about this hidden gem.
Or if international city life, with all its glamorous amenities and flight connections, is what you’re looking for; afraid not. We got your back. Check out our article Living as an Expat: Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai to learn more about what draws global expats to these gems of the UAE.
One key point expat should remember before relocating to the UAE is that the UAE offers free health services only to Emirati citizens. Foreigners are required to have private health insurance that will cover them during their stay in the UAE.
You can learn more about what will happen if you don’t have medical insurance in the UAE in this article.
If you’re looking to relocate to the UAE, don’t hesitate to reach out to our health insurance expert at Pacific Prime. With over 20 years of experience in insurance brokerage, we can assist you in comparing prices and finding insurance packages that suit your needs and budgets.
Contact us now for FREE no-obligation quotes and plan comparison.
Coming to Pacific Prime, she is ready to utilize her experience for the new pursuit. With a strong passion for storytelling and writing, she hopes her words could help bring people closer to the best international health insurance plan that works for them. After all, as a writer, there is no greater honor than when one’s words can add clarity to the world of the readers.
Apart from writing, she is an avid planespotter. On the weekends, you can expect to find her loitering around the airport, gawking at all the aircrafts taking off and landing. When the weather does not permit planespotting, you can find her huddling on her cozy couch, watching ballet and figure skating as well.
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