An Emaar development from 2003, built in the desert off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Gated villas, parks, golf, a polo club, and the particular quiet of being 25 minutes from anything. One of the earliest master-planned suburban communities in Dubai and the design template for the dozens that followed — Arabian Ranches 2 and 3 were built when the original filled.

Predominantly Western and Arab families with children who chose it for the schools, the gardens, the gates, and the feeling of being outside the city's noise. It is either 30–40 minutes from Downtown or it isn't, depending on whether you are describing it to a prospective resident or trying to reach it at 8am.