Bahrain: a cosmopolitan island kingdom
It is no secret that the Kingdom of Bahrain is considered one of the most diverse countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in terms of its population and ethnicity. As a matter of fact, the working and living expats constitute more than 50% of the kingdom’s population, while the kingdom’s natives, relatively speaking, make up the smaller percentage.
Naturally, and like most of the other countries in the region, this has caused the property rentals market in Bahrain to be one of its most robust industries. While many non-Bahraini citizens seek investing in the kingdom’s real estate through its freehold areas (i.e. areas where foreigners are allowed to buy and own properties), the house rentals sector remains to be the most active sector of the island kingdom’s real estate market as many expats prefer renting an apartment when they move there.
In this article, we will briefly go through the features of the three areas in Bahrain which we believe combine reasonable rental rates with good housing options:
1) Hidd Town:
Hidd town is a peninsula-shaped area that is known for its great location in the southwestern corner of Muharraq, northern the Kingdom of Bahrain. Hidd is connected to the mainland of the Kingdom of Bahrain, specifically the kingdom’s capital city Manama, via the Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Causeway.
The area is also known for housing Bahrain Industrial Zone, which is the currently biggest industrial area in the entire kingdom, in addition to multiple tourist attractions including Hidd Park and Prince Salman Park.
Hidd town’s home rental rates are known for being among the cheapest in the Kingdom of Bahrain. As a matter of fact, renting a two-bedroom apartment there can cost you an average of 300BD – 400BD per month; meanwhile, the average rental of a more spacious option like a three-bedroom apartment can reach up to 500BD.
2) Gudaiybya:
Gudaiybya is one of the oldest areas of Manama, Bahrain; the district is famous for
being one of the most cosmopolitan districts of the Kingdom of Bahrain. A significant percentage of the expats prefer to live there specially when they first arrive at Bahrain due to its affordable rental rates; it also includes several embassies as it is home to many foreign residents in Bahrain including Pakistani, Indian, and Filipino residents.
You can rent a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Gudaiybya for rates that range from 300BD to 350BD, while a three-bedroom flat might cost 550BD per month.
3) Isa Town:
With a house market that is mainly composed of newly-built villas, Isa is a perfect hub for the middle class in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is famous for its eponymous traditional market and for housing Bahrain National Stadium.
If you are looking for a small home only for yourself, renting one-bedroom flat in Isa Town can start for 200BD only. Needless to say, the rate is directly proportional with the area of the apartment; average rentals for two-bedroom units range from 250BD – 270BD while three-bedroom apartments range from 270 - 450BD.
These are three of the best budget-friendly areas for renting a flat in the Kingdom of Bahrain, but they are certainly not the only ones. Make sure you pick up the home with the specifications that fits your needs before taking your final decision.
