We moved to Sobha Hartland before we knew anything about the area. We chose it entirely based on where we wanted to send the boys to school.
Here's everything we wish we'd known – from the traffic patterns to the coffee shops to the construction timeline.
Why Sobha?
Sobha as a developer has been trading since 1970. Founded in Oman, they've completed over 450 projects internationally.
When you're renting or buying in Dubai, build quality matters. Certain developers are trusted – Sobha is one of them.
"One thing we're always mindful of is we hear about the build quality concerns. Sobha has an attention to detail for quality – that gave us trust and confidence."
Schools in Sobha Hartland
Heartland International School
This is where our boys went. British curriculum.
Why we chose it:
- We toured three schools: Heartland, Jebel Ali, Repton Al Barsha
- Did a full Google Sheets comparison
- Brought the boys to the tours (their buy-in mattered)
- Heartland was the clear winner for all of us
"We did a voting system. The boys came with us because we wanted them excited. This one was a clear favourite for all of us."
North London Collegiate
Directly opposite Heartland International. IB curriculum (International Baccalaureate).
We didn't tour it because we were specifically looking for British curriculum, but if you want IB – it's literally across the road.
Why British Curriculum?
At the time, we thought there was a possibility we might move back to the UK. British curriculum meant easier transition if needed.
(Though now? 100% set on Dubai long-term.)
School Run Traffic
7:40am: Traffic building up
8:00am: Standstill
Outside of school hours? Completely clear. When we get taxis through the area, we've never been stuck.
Drop-Off Window
Heartland has a 30-minute window (7:20am – 7:50am) for drop-off. Different from UK schools.
School Bus Option
If you're not within walking distance, school buses do "milk runs" collecting kids from different estates.
Our view: They're expensive. And honestly – moving to a new country, not doing the school run yourself, putting kids on a bus day one? That made us uncomfortable.
"I don't think I'd have felt comfortable sending them on a bus initially."
Buildings in Sobha Hartland
Waves Grande (Where We Lived)
- 35 floors
- City views
- Walking distance to Heartland (750m, one road to cross)
- Two coffee shops at the base
- Great amenities
One Park Avenue
We nearly moved here instead.
- Really nice building
- Great amenities
- Burj views from some units
- Shops underneath
Sobha Hartland Greens
Lower-rise buildings (7-8 floors). Much bigger apartments.
"We looked at one three-bedroom – it was absolutely huge. Massive. Could not believe it."
Trade-off: More space, but greenery views instead of city skyline.
Sobha Creek Vista Reserve
Right opposite Heartland International School.
Wilton Terraces
Pool in the middle. We looked at it during research.
Distance to Downtown
Sobha Hartland feels like a closed community, but you're close to everything.
Dubai Mall: 19 AED taxi (~£5), 7-8 minutes. Completely clear run.
Shops & Amenities
Every main building has shops at the base:
- Pharmacies (one under every building)
- Hair salons (men and women)
- Pet shops
- Domino's (yes, we nearly ordered on moving day)
- Mini supermarkets
Supermarkets
All the local shops are "Express" style – like Tesco Express or small Co-ops. Convenient but pricier.
Spinneys is the Waitrose equivalent.
Tip: For value, do a big shop at a hypermarket and get it delivered. Use the Express shops for forgotten items only.
Coffee Shops at Waves Grande
Two options at the base of our building:
- Caffeine Dose – Does caramel syrup, loyalty card (buy 6 get 1 free)
- Another shop – Great iced lattes, vanilla bean options
Breakfast was good too – avocado and egg bagels.
Construction Status
Important to know: Sobha Hartland is still being built.
When we were there, there was significant construction:
- Several buildings going up
- The Lagoon (not built yet)
- Waves Opulence in progress
- Azizi project nearby
The Lagoon
You'll see listings advertising "lagoon view" – the lagoon wasn't finished when we lived there. Estimated completion was 2025, but that may have shifted.
"From a lagoon side there's construction going on. But it's going to be stunning when it's finished."
Is It Noisy?
We asked brokers to go out on balconies during video calls. Some lagoon-facing units were noisier than others.
It's liveable – not constant – but factor it in.
Temperature Check
7:53am: Already 32°C.
We moved in summer. Everyone said we were mental. But school timing meant we didn't have a choice.
"It's going to be a very sweaty 8 weeks."
Why Community Matters
Amenities weren't just about what's in the building. We wanted places where:
- The boys could make friends
- We could make friends
- There's social life outside the family
"We're moving to another country. We don't know anyone. In order to stay here and be really happy, you've got to make friends."
Apps That Helped Us
Bayut: Property search (where we found our apartment)
The Entertainer: Discount app. Got us a meal at Dubai Mall – mixed grill, shawarma, salad, drinks – with Burj Khalifa fountain view for £36.
Buying Off-Plan
If you're considering buying off-plan in Sobha Hartland (or anywhere), there are laws governing:
- Developer deadlines
- Milestone payments
- Deposit requirements
Do your research on RERA regulations before committing.
Our Honest Assessment
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Walking distance to great schools | Construction ongoing |
| Trusted developer (Sobha) | School run traffic intense |
| Close to Downtown (7-8 min) | Lagoon not finished |
| Good amenities at building bases | Express shops pricier |
| Feels like community | Still developing area |
| Variety of building types | Some balconies face construction |
Why We Eventually Moved to Villanova
We loved Sobha Hartland. But after a year, we wanted:
- More space (villa vs apartment)
- Garden for the boys
- Quieter community feel
Read about why we left Sobha Hartland for Villanova.
Related Content
- Villanova Neighbourhood Guide
- First Day at Hartland School
- Take the Neighbourhood Quiz
- Work with Sara
Sobha Hartland was a great first home in Dubai. For the right family – walking distance to schools, close to Downtown, trusted developer – it's still an excellent choice. 🏙️