My Own Home takes you inside a reader-owned property to ask how much they paid, why they decided to buy and what they have done with it since moving in
Ameenah Soliman, an Egyptian HR professional who grew up in the US, and her Malay-Egyptian husband, Mamdoh Bassim, moved to Sustainable City in Dubai with their two children, Musa, nine, and Maha, six, three years ago. They bought a three-bedroom corner plot for Dh2.7 million after the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s not the first property they have bought in the UAE, where she’s lived for 12 years. Mr Bassim grew up in Al Ain and previously owned an apartment in JBR. But Ms Soliman was determined to make it the last home they lived in here, as they’d fallen in love with this eco-conscious community, which aligns with their family values.
The National takes a look around.
Please tell us about your home.
We have a front garden, which is nice because our kitchen window looks out on to it. So when you come in, you come in from the front, where we have our trampoline and patio. Then there’s a small entrance and a huge living-dining room area, then a bathroom and a family room connected to the kitchen, where we spend about 90 per cent of our lives.
The whole bottom floor has floor-to-ceiling windows. Then on the second floor, you have three bedrooms. On the third floor, there’s a liveable roof. Last year, we retiled it, got furniture and installed a projector screen so at night we can watch films upstairs, which is my kids’ favourite activity.
How much did you buy the house for?
We got our place for Dh2.7 million. When we first came there was a house with a similar set-up two clusters away for Dh2.5 million. We had put an offer on, and we lost the offer to our now-friends. We didn't think we were going to find anything else, because a corner three-bedroom is very rare, there are only about eight in the community, and three of them were being sold. This house was Dh3 million originally, but we negotiated it down to Dh2.7 million. Now I think they're going for about Dh4.5 million.
At the time we weren’t sure if it was a good investment. Everything was crashing. It was a scary time.
Why did you decide to buy the property?
My family has the mentality that you buy where you live and my husband's very aligned on that. We felt that if we got into the rental cycle, it would be hard to break it, and prices were quite good at the time, so we just kind of took a leap of faith. We met a few people in the community and we liked it, so we thought worst-case scenario, if we hated it, we could always sell it.
Why did you choose this neighbourhood?
Our youngest child was about to enter school, so we didn't want to do two school runs with pickups and drop-offs. We wanted a community that has an on-site school. Then, when we came and we saw the villas and the community, there were a lot more pros than just the school.
We’re always thinking, can we recycle? Can we compost? We do try to minimise our footprint as much as we can, and I wanted my kids to do that as well. Because my husband and I work from home, we felt it would be really good if we lived somewhere where we had space and didn't need to drive.
Also, in The Sustainable City, the model is not just sustainable from an environmental perspective. When you buy here, there are no service charges, because it's also economically sustainable. We have a plaza full of restaurants and we have apartments that are for rent. The revenue that they generate from that is supposed to be used to pay for everything within the community.
What renovations have you done?
We renovated the garden and we've changed the flooring all over the house. On the main floor, we did these large porcelain tiles that look like marble. We extended the kitchen cabinet to the top and wrapped the doors in white.
We did the powder room and went for micro-cementing, which was new to me, and I thought it was going to be so much better for the environment because you're not breaking down the tiles, you're just sanding them down. I graduated with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, so I don't want to do anything that's going to be too bad for the environment.
But when I did the micro-cementing, I realised it’s really bad, because they have to sand it all down and take out all the gloss. I was worried about the guy doing it ingesting all these particles because he wasn’t wearing a mask. In theory, I love the end product, because it looks so sleek and so smooth, but I don’t know if it’s the best overall.
That's why I didn't renovate the bathrooms upstairs because it's just so much waste. When you see how much you're breaking and how much you're throwing, it’s like lorry loads. At the end of the day, where is this going and what was the main purpose behind it? You had a functional cabinet or a working sink.
I'm very happy with what I've done, but I am stopping and taking a look at more sustainable options. Now I'm only doing things that are broken.
What facilities do you have?
We have two pools – one is for more serious swimmers and the other is a family pool. My kids will take lessons, and they can go and concentrate, then come and meet us at the family pool and play with their friends.
The school is in the community and their friends are everywhere, so breaks are super easy because we know all our neighbours and they play together. I feel like community schools are so good for children when they're younger. My daughter will be riding her bike into school and she'll see her French teacher from grade one who just moved next door. There is this sense of community and it gives them a really strong feeling of ownership and belonging.
We get our haircuts and nails done in the community. We have our own butcher. We have a tonne of restaurants that we use, and a lot of the kids’ activities are within the community. The kids get piano and drum classes and they’ll go on their bikes. They have an insane amount of independence, which is really nice. We rarely have to leave.
How long do you plan to stay in this property?
I wouldn't leave unless I'm leaving the country. I'm sure as my children get older and become teenagers, they might not use all the facilities, but I've invested so much into the house, and it's the exact design that I want, and it's big enough for our family, and it's far enough from the noise and there’s less pollution.
As for the UAE, when my kids attend university, I want to live in the same country as them. They can dorm and go wherever they want, but if they go to the US, I don't want to be 14-and-a-half hours away. I want to be close enough for weekends and the holidays, so I’d move too.
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
THE DEALS
Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
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The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
if you go
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
1st Test July 26-30 in Galle
2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
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How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
