Bahrain is a small kingdom of Arab located in the Persian Gulf; 92 percent of the region is a desert. It’s an island country that consists of a small archipelago that is centered around Bahrain Island, positioned between the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia and the Qatar peninsula. Originally made up of 33 islands; currently, there are over 80 islands as a result of development projects and large land reclamation. It’s 780 km2 in size, and Islam is the official religion of the country, with 99.8 percent of Bahrain’s population being Muslim. Non-Nationals make up half of the country’s population as well as the robust financial services sector of Bahrain; it is a popular expat destination, with a lifestyle that’s tax-free. Also, Bahrain has lots of features that make it qualify as a great touristic as well as a great place for families to live. In the 2009 HSBC poll, Bahrain won the fifth place in the top countries to live in, having the fifth-best quality of life. The InterNations Expat Insider Survey 2016 ranked Bahrain as highest in the region. Here are the best places to live in Bahrain.

Amwaj Islands

Situated in the northeast of Bahrain, near Muharraq Island, Amwaj Islands is a group of human-made islands built to be a suburban gated community. It has a 10.5 km distance, north-east of the capital, Manama. The 4.31 km²-area Islands are belonging to the Muharraq Governorate linked to the Muharraq Island by just two causeways. Each causeway has a length of about 1km. The distance from the new island to Bahrain International Airport is 4.5 km.Amwaj Islands have a full sea view; they are very popular with expats because they can buy a home with 100 percent freehold land ownership of apartments and villas. From a perspective of engineering, Amwaj Islands introduced several new technologies to the area such as vacuum sewerage, Geo-tubes for the reclamation phase of the Amwaj Islands, and a Smart City (fiber optic) technology, etc. The Islands contain a hotel, commercial (high-rise), places for people to reside, and retail buildings. Also, there is a circular marina that’s 240 m in diameter with more than 140 berths.

Other facilities on the Islands include theme parks, a fuel station, a hospital, university, a school called ISC-Manama (International School of Choueifat), cafe precinct, and a lagoon side dining. An Ossis Property Developers are developing the project with an investment of $1.5 billion. The project of Amwaj Islands was developed through three main phases, which included facilities development, infrastructure development, and land reclamation. A two-bedroom apartment will cost you approximately 700BHD on this islands.

Bahrain Amwaj Villas for Rent

Saar

Saar or Sar is a suburban situated on the western-side of Bahrain, specifically in the Northern Governorate, 10 kilometers from the capital Manama. Also, it is near King Fahd causeway connecting between KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Bahrain. Saar is popular for its lofty neighborhoods similar to the relaxing, elegant, and calm Japanese district based in Saar. Currently, Saar is witnessing several new real estate projects that are aiming at exploiting the region’s advantages as well as develop for its urban reality, such as Yasmeenat Saar project that’s owned by the Naseej Real Estate Company.The project consists of 27 elegant villas and is resembling a qualitative leap in the region’s real estate. Saar is the location of a temple called Saar Temple. The temple was built at the time of the Dilmun era of the history of Bahrain. The Saar temple is considered to have played a major role in the summer solstice marking. The Kingdom’s northern governorate is blessed with a land that is fertile, which is contributing to the lush green environment of Saar. University College of Bahrain (UCB) has a campus situated in Saar.

Expatriates, ambassadors, and affluent families inhabit the region and are residing in either gated communities, compounds, or large villas. There is a lesser traffic movement in the Saar’s neighborhoods. The monthly cost of a four-bedroom villa in Saar will cost you between 1000 and 2000BHD.

Bahrain Saar Villas for Rent

Adliya

It’s a busy, multicultural area, Adliya is home to entertainment, culture, and commerce. It’s regarded to be one of the four centers of the nightlife of Manama. In the recent years, numerous old townhouses were turned into chic restaurants, cafes, and art galleries, making analysts terming the region as being bourgeois.Because of the trend that is developing, Adliya is popular for its restaurants, clubs, pubs, bars, art galleries, and clustered cafes, including popular venues, like Candle’s, Lilou’s, JJ’s, and BJ’s. Adliya attracts many residents and local tourists. Both apartments and villas are available for rent; the monthly cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Adliya is 500-700BHD.

Bahrain Adliya Apartments for Rent

Riffa

Formerly known as Ruffin in English, Riffa is among the fastest-growing towns, during the census of 2001, the recorded population was 79,550, but by the year 2008, it was 111,000. It’s the second-largest city in Bahrain. The city is divided into two regions: West Riffa and East Riffa. It’s mainly situated in the Central Governorate; smaller areas are in the Southern Governorate. It used to be the main settlement on the Bahrain, before being replaced with the port of Manama during the 19th century.East Riffa has lots of attractions like Riffa Fort. The city has shopping malls as well as two major shopping streets; Bukuwara Street Market and Riffa Bazaar. Riffa Views, which is a new development that was created by Arcapita, is a large commercial and residential center. The project includes supermarkets, commercial districts, an international school, artificial lakes, and is going to have access to the Royal Women’s University, which was recently opened.

West Riffa is known to be mainly a suburban region. It’s inhabited mostly by the business investors, ministers, and the ruling family. The King of Bahrain, Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who is the Prime Minister, both live here. Riffa’s famous clock tower is positioned in the middle of West Riffa.

The National Stadium of Bahrain is located in the East Riffa, where important sports events, and football matches take place. Both East Riffa and West Riffa have their stadium and football club. The monthly rent of a four-bedroom villa in Riffa is about 1500BHD.

Bahrain Riffa Villas for Rent

Sanad

The town neighbors Jurdab, Riffa, and Isa Town. It’s a town in Bahrain that is resident to mainly the nationals of Bahrain. However, several expats are living in this town. Some of the restaurants found in Sanad include Yum Yum Tree, Papa Johns, KFC, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, and Hardee’s.Sanad is divided into four parts: Old Sanad, New Sanad, and Al Nasfah, and also the Estiqlal Highway, which is a major highway connecting the towns of Askar, Isa Town, and Riffa. Michael Jackson stayed in this town for a short period. In the 2007 summer, Jawad’s The Centre was opened, hosting the Jawad supermarket and shopping stores. GU (Gulf University) is based in Sanad. A three-bedroomed villa in this town will cost you between 800- 1400 BHD.

Bahrain Sanad Apartments for Rent

Juffair

It’s a bustling, suburban neighborhood of Manama. Juffair was initially a separate village resided by the Shia Muslims, though the suburban Manama expansion has absorbed it, and it also includes large portions of land that retrieved from the sea. It’s built on a huge land reclamation scheme extending the coastline of Bahrain by 2 km to the east. Juffair is the site of fast-paced building activity; it has new hotels and apartment buildings constructed every year. The majority of people living in this area is young, upwardly mobile Bahrainis or established foreigners.Also, it’s the site of the largest mosque in Bahrain, the Al Fateh Mosque enormous dome housing the brand new National Library. The offices of the CIO (Central Informatics Organization), Bahrain Tribune newspaper, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and BSE (Bahrain Society of Engineers) are all based in Juffair. Both the Modern Knowledge School and Bahrain School are based in Juffair. The United States Naval Support Center is situated at Juffair’s corner.

There’s a commercial road called Al Shabab Road in Juffair, housing many retail outlets and restaurants like Burger King, Abraj Grills, Starbucks, Hardee’s, Dairy Queen, Asian Zyng, Nando’s, Chili’s, and McDonald’s, and others. Near the Juffair’s entrance, there’s a building known as Murjan Shopping Center having a Tea Leaf coffee and Coffee Bean shop, Post Office, a restaurant, and a supermarket. The monthly cost of renting apartments varies greatly; a three-bedroom apartment could cost between 500 and 1000BHD each month.

Bahrain Juffair Apartments for Rent

Seef

The definition of the word ‘seef’ is a shore or coast in the lexicon of Gulf Arabic, same as ‘Sahel.’ Seef is situated at the center of Manama. It’s one of the newest developments in Bahrain. It mostly consists of skyscrapers and tower blocks; these areas are usually targeting people living in Bahrain, who are high earners. Some of the popular buildings in Seef include the two biggest shopping malls (Seef Mall and Bahrain city center mall), and Ritz Carlton hotel together with its compound.Also, there is Abraj Lulu (three residential towers opposite each other), and the Era Tower, which is the tallest building in the country, a residential building consisting 50 floors. Seef was as a result of an active land reclamation work that started in the 80s; it dramatically changed the coastline of Bahrain. Seef is surrounded on the three sides by the sea. It’s dominated by multiple shopping malls, hotels, luxury apartments, and office blocks. The rents in Seef along with Amwaj Islands are the highest in the whole country.

The towers of Abraj Lulu Bahrain used to be the most expensive buildings in the entire Bahrain. However, the impact of the protest, which occurred next to the towers, on the Pearl roundabout could be seen in the rental costs on the Abraj Lulu towers. A one-bedroomed flat cost between 450 and 550BD and a two-bedroomed flat will cost you between 600 and 800BD, depending on your choice of building.

Bahrain Seef Apartments for Rent

Isa Town

It’s a middle-class town in Bahrain, in the north-central part of the nation. The name Isa is referring to Bahrain’s ruler, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifah, who ruled from the year 1961 up to 1999. Isa Town comprises largely affluent villas that are newly constructed. It’s home to most of the Bahrain members who are educated, middle classes. There aren’t many expats living in this town. Isa Town is popularly known for its traditional marketplace.Majority of private schools found in Bahrain are situated in Isa Town such as the Pakistan School, St. Christopher’s School, Naseem International School, BBS (Bahrain Bayan School). Also, there’s the Sacred Heart School, Pakistan Urdu School, New Indian School, are all concentrated in concentrated that is also including UoB (University of Bahrain), which is the campus of Isa Town.

The town is also a hotspot for tourists for buying traditional artifacts, spices, and frankincense. Besides this, Isa Town is home to the broadcasting station of Bahrain TV and Radio, Ministry of Education, and Bahrain National Stadium. A two-bedroomed apartment will cost you 200BHD each month.