01
Al Majaz
Walks around Khalid Lagoon and shops: an urban option. Check parking, noise and walking access from the exact building.
Sharjah →
Family · Home · Everyday life
Your new life in Sharjah, step by step.
The right choice is about more than rent. Connect school, workplace and budget to find an area that suits your family.
Dimitri Gourier · Sources reviewed 12 October 2026 · Non-exhaustive selection.
01 · School
Confirm the place and campus.
02 · Journeys
Test a real morning and evening.
03 · Budget
Compare total annual cost.
Six areas to start exploring.
These starting points are not rankings and do not cover the entire emirate. The exact building location and your journeys matter most.
02
Al Khan
Explore the coastal area for beach outings. An Al Khan address guarantees neither a sea view nor private access: check the residence and contract.
03
Al Taawun
Consider this area when commuting to Dubai matters. Test actual access at work times: a short map distance does not prove a short commute.
04
Muwaileh
Start with the desired campus, then look for housing. The area name covers different surroundings: check pavements, construction, shops and the school run.
05
Aljada
A master-planned community with schools and shops. Arada reports Raffles World Academy Sharjah opened for 2026–2027. Separate operating services from planned facilities.
06
Al Abar
A starting point for French International Private School – SHJ, listed by SPEA. Confirm grades, campus and transport before signing a tenancy.
Choose the curriculum before the home.
SPEA is the reference authority for Sharjah private schools. Check grade, campus and availability, then add transport, uniform, meals and exams to the budget. SPEA ↗
French International Private School – SHJ
French curriculum · Al Abar. Request current grades and Sharjah campus fees. Dubai fees are not applied here.
View source ↗Budget for my child ↓Sharjah English School
British curriculum. Published 2026–2027 tuition: AED 28,420–72,765/year depending on grade. Select grade and fees in the calculator; review extras.
View source ↗Budget for my child ↓SABIS International School – Aljada
SABIS educational system. Request detailed fees, transport and admissions terms. Enter the confirmed quote in your budget.
View source ↗Budget for my child ↓Raffles World Academy · Sharjah
Reported open in August 2026 at Aljada. Verify currently operating grades and your child’s pathway; not every advertised programme level necessarily operates in the first year.
View source ↗Budget for my child ↓Your year in Sharjah
A budget tailored to your family.
Pre-filled amounts are a worked example for two adults and one child, not market averages or a quote. Replace them with your offers. SES tuition uses its 2026–2027 schedule; other schools require a quote.
Editable indicative exchange reference dated 9 October 2026. Deposits are separate from expenses; refunds are not guaranteed. Avoid counting charges already included elsewhere.
Each child’s school and costs
Age does not automatically determine admission. Confirm grade, place and campus. Zero costs may mean a missing quote, not free schooling.
Adjust school payment months
Illustrative 40 / 30 / 30% split shared by children. M1 is your first month after moving. Adjust to invoices; no automatic mid-year prorating. Extras are placed in M1 conservatively.
Annual expenses
194,600 AED (≈ 47,286 €)
First year incl. setup and deposits
223,600 AED (≈ 54,332 €)
M1 cash needed, including reserve
98,050 AED (≈ 23,825 €)
Included potentially refundable deposits
7,000 AED (≈ 1,701 €)
Reserve is added to initial cash, not expenses. First year assumes a full school year; adjust invoices to actual dates.
Your cash outflow over 12 months
M1
83,050 AED (≈ 20,180 €)
M2
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
M3
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
M4
22,050 AED (≈ 5,358 €)
M5
16,050 AED (≈ 3,900 €)
M6
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
M7
22,050 AED (≈ 5,358 €)
M8
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
M9
16,050 AED (≈ 3,900 €)
M10
22,050 AED (≈ 5,358 €)
M11
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
M12
7,050 AED (≈ 1,713 €)
The right order for your move.
1. Before departure
Confirm sponsor, residence process, each family member’s health cover and school place. Prepare passports and requested documents. Plan temporary accommodation during formalities.
Official process / source ↗2. Residency and Emirates ID
Follow the ICP process for your status, including medical screening and biometrics where required. Ask each provider which documents it accepts: do not assume a pending application is sufficient.
Official process / source ↗3. Sharjah tenancy and attestation
Check the landlord’s identity, inventory, payments and all charges. Law 5 of 2024 requires the landlord to certify the tenancy and pay fees within fifteen days. The municipal renewal service lists 4% of annual rent, minimum AED 500, plus possible service charges. Do not automatically charge this to the tenant; confirm your situation with the municipality.
Official process / source ↗4. Water, electricity and gas: SEWA
Use the Move In service and prepare requested documents. Confirm deposit, activation, gas and cooling for the actual property. Dubai DEWA deposits are not SEWA tariffs.
Official process / source ↗5. Licence, car and insurance
Check exchange eligibility with MOI, licence country and documents before driving as a resident. The portal offers foreign licence replacement; exchange is not automatic for everyone.
Official process / source ↗
Aqari · tenancy attestation ↗ · Municipal renewal fee schedule ↗
Everyday choices that affect your budget.
Living in Sharjah, working in Dubai
Test the door-to-door journey on a working day, morning and evening. Add fuel, parking, tolls and possible childcare. Transport can reduce rent savings. Check SRTA schedules rather than advertising journey times.
Visit service ↗Health and insurance
Request cover for each person, provider networks in Sharjah and Dubai, deductibles and exclusions. Employer cover does not prove the whole family is covered. Budget the amount you actually pay.
Visit service ↗Groceries and subscriptions
Compare your basket at nearby stores, then include imported products and deliveries. For Internet, check building coverage, post-promotion pricing, mobile data and cancellation. Request an annual total including tax.
Visit service ↗Renting or buying a car
For an uncertain move, compare flexible rental and mileage. When buying, obtain an independent inspection and history. Put a cash purchase under setup and running costs under transport, without double-counting. Resale value is not guaranteed.
Visit service ↗Family outings
Al Majaz Waterfront is a starting point for walks and outings. Check current opening times, access and prices. Occasional excursions should not hide recurring weekly expenses.
Visit service ↗Buying in Sharjah
Verify title, eligibility to acquire the unit, service charges and resale terms. Dubai or Abu Dhabi rules and fees do not automatically apply. Compare total cost and rental demand in the exact area.
Visit service ↗Choose Sharjah for the right reasons.
We can assess your housing search around your school, workplace and financial capacity. Confirm administrative requirements, insurance and admissions with the relevant providers.
Compare daily life before rent
Rent alone does not capture the cost of moving. Include journeys, school costs and arrival expenses, then compare your scenario with Dubai.