My Dubai Rent: Artist loves life in community where foxes and deer roam the streets

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Heidi Walraven lives in a spacious four-bedroom villa in the lesser-known Dubai community of Garden View Villas.

Originally from the Netherlands, she and her husband Albert have been in the city for 32 years, with a two-year break during which they lived in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Their rental property is in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai and has also, at some point, been home to all four of their children.

Ms Walraven, 54, showed The National around.

Please tell us about the property

The house has four bedrooms, two balconies, a covered car parking area, a garden and a small pool.

The rental price here varies a bit - approximately between Dh160,000 and Dh280,000 - because there is a mix of renovated homes, new homes, townhouses and villas.

For now, I think what we pay is reasonable for the area.

How long have you lived in the community?

We moved here nine years ago after having lived in Bur Dubai, Jumeirah, Meadows and Arabian Ranches.

Heidi Walraven says foxes and deer are frequently seen in her community. Photo: Heidi Walraven

Two of our kids are living with us at the moment, but they all lived here at some stage.

And we have two cats - Mia and Frank - who call this their home. They just appeared one day, and never left.

Why did you choose this place?

Albert chose it. He loved the space and the fact that it was more affordable than our previous home.

For me, it is the views we get from our balcony. Plus, the fact that we live a little higher up in Jebel Ali; we look out over the Marina, JLT and JBR … it still makes you feel part of the city.

We also get wildlife — foxes and deer wander the streets here, which is awesome.

My profession is, I would like to say, artist. But that’s quite grand, so more like a designer, a maker, handyman/woman.

I have a little creative space in the living area, where I make art with postage stamps and paint signboards.