Despite stiff competition within the UAE, from the bigger emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both Sharjah and Ajman remained strong contenders for affordable living in the country in 2019, according to real estate website Bayut. 

Transactions have also gone up in the Northern Emirates cities, it said, adding that, according to the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, 61,357 transactions were recorded in 2019, an increase of 13.4% on 2018. Bayut said that when it comes to the popular locations to live in Sharjah and Ajman, areas such as Al Majaz, Al Khan, Ajman Downtown and Al Nuaimiya have retained their appeal over the course of 2019 with both buyers and tenants, thanks to prices becoming more affordable compared to 2018. 

According to Bayut, Ajman has seen sustained interest from buyers and tenants with prices becoming more competitive last year. In the rental market, established districts such as Al Nuaimiya, Ajman Downtown and Al Rashidiya, which are closer to the centre of the city, have remained popular but prices across the board have decreased by an average of 8-10% and apartment prices price per square foot range from AED200-500 (£40-100 sq ft).