Here was a "flight to quality". The changing profile of International City and the ever-prying eyes of labourers loitering around their building and other community facilities prompted Pavan, Radhika and five-year-old Krish to scour for an abode in a neighbourhood that offered ample play space for kids, a community vibe and low-rise living, interspersed with abundant open space. The freefall in rentals meant that Discovery Gardens fitted the bill perfectly, and ended their search for a spacious apartment that didn't cost the earth.
For Radhika Singh, a teacher at Delhi Private School in The Gardens, the move to Discovery Gardens also halved her commuting time.
"Now, I have the leisure time to sip a cup of tea in the morning, admiring the garden from my living room window and listen to the birds chirp. Community amenities such as tennis and basketball courts, jogging trails and the promise of swimming pools lured us into this neighbourhood," she admits. While swimming pools remain a promise unfulfilled, the family is content with the facilities currently available. "I was hoping to avail of the pool service and learn to swim, but to no avail. My husband and son, instead, make use of the pool at The Gardens. While my husband, Pavan [a media professional] goes jogging, I take a stroll daily. My son, Krish spends quality time at the children's play area every evening."
Endorsing Discovery Gardens as child-friendly, Radhika dismisses complaints about an influx of bachelors into the community and changing its profile, à la International City. "In the community I lived in earlier, you could only find labourers, both in supermarkets as well as engrossed in cricket in the play area. That's not the case in Discovery Gardens," she says, however, referring to stray instances of tenants overcrowding in cramped studios.
Issues plaguing residents
Reckless and speeding drivers are, however, a cause for concern to residents in a pedestrian-friendly community like Discovery Gardens. The non-activation of several traffic signals installed at arterial roads inside the community has frustrated many. "The main roundabout in Discovery Gardens is fraught with danger, with fatal accidents occurring daily. This situation needs to be monitored," suggests Radhika. Another issue that has raised the hackles of residents is the haphazard parking around the main mosque in the community on Fridays. "There must either be provision for adequate parking around the mosque or authorities must regulate parking on the main roads. Currently, visitors park their vehicles randomly and inconvenience other motorists," says Radhika.
Discovery Gardens' evolution into a full-fledged community has been on a piecemeal basis, with the neighbourhood initially lacking any smattering of shops. Today, the precinct boasts several supermarkets, medical centres, beauty salons, laundry services, hotel apartments and restaurants serving diverse cuisines. "There are three medical clinics catering to residents here — a Welcare Clinic inside Ibn Battuta Mall, Aster Medical Centre and Dr Ismail Polyclinic. The only disadvantage with Discovery Gardens is that retail is confined to one stretch; for instance, you cannot find a grocery store right below your building in all clusters. But, we were prepared for that. We frequent the Lulu Hypermarket in Al Barsha twice a month. For our weekly grocery requirements, we either shop at Geant Hypermarket in Ibn Battuta or the West Zone supermarket within Discovery Gardens. For shopping, I either head to Deira City Centre or Mall of the Emirates. We catch up on all the latest movies at the Grand Megaplex [21 screens] at Ibn Battuta," Radhika explains.
Lack of institutes for children
While mushrooming restaurants have generated complaints that the neighbourhood is becoming a tad too commercialised, working couples vouch for them. "Personally, I prefer the food at Saravana Bhojan Shala but the ambience at Curry & Noodle House is good. Among the beauty parlours, I prefer the Red Lounge Beauty Salon," says Radhika. However, she rues the shortage of daycare centres, cooks and domestic helps unlike middle-income precincts in Bur Dubai and Karama.
"I wish to enrol my son, Krish for music or dance classes. Such options are limited in Discovery Gardens although a Kairali Kalakendram outlet catering to Indian music and dance forms has recently opened up here. This might prompt us to move to Bur Dubai or Karama once Krish starts attending school." Private babysitters and tutors — much sought-after by working mothers — are, however, available here.
Driving down the Discovery Gardens stretch, one is often greeted by sights of families hanging their laundry outside windows, in full public view. Several owners have complained the authorities should impose a fine on such households as it lends a downmarket feel to the entire neighbourhood. "This is a huge let-down after being initially impressed by the landscape and architecture of buildings in different clusters. Owing to space constraints, families are, however, sometimes forced to hang their laundry outside," she says, adding that her only grouse against apartments in Discovery Gardens is the lack of a balcony and stray plumbing issues.
When Radhika and Pavan opted for a ground floor apartment to enjoy uninterrupted views of the lawn, they ignored the potential threat of insects and other creepy-crawlies.
When the standard of community upkeep and landscape maintenance declined, in came mosquitoes, roaches and other insects. "Owing to poor maintenance, we had to contend with mosquitoes for a brief spell. Garbage disposal was done daily earlier. That's not the case now. In between, landscape maintenance had also declined abysmally. The grass was never cut and looked unkempt. Now, maintenance has been spruced up again," says Radhika.
Discovery Gardens was also recently under the scanner for notorious traffic bottlenecks during peak hours. While intervention by authorities has eased traffic woes somewhat, residents still clamour for more exits leading to Shaikh Zayed Road and a separate road connecting the community to Emirates Road. It is served by two Metro stations — Ibn Battuta Mall station and Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station. "While Metro connectivity has helped residents commuting all the way to Bur Dubai and Karama, a small accident during peak hours can make the traffic go haywire on the main road," she adds. "The RTA feeder bus service is quite frequent. Hailing a cab is not that difficult either from Discovery Gardens." Free parking is available aplenty in the community, though uncovered.
Currently living in a one-bedroom apartment spanning 1,100 square feet in the Mogul cluster, the family is mulling upgrading into a two-bedroom apartment either in the Golden Sands area or The Greens.
"We pay Dh44,000 via four cheques for this unit. But, I have recently also heard of families renting a similar apartment for Dh38,000-Dh40,000 in Discovery Gardens."
