Dubai:After a crackdown on illegal room partitions across Dubai, many residents have found themselves without a place to stay. Some are now moving to Sharjah and other nearby emirates, where rents are lower, but commutes are longer and daily life has become much harder.Shared partitioned flats were never ideal for many, but they were practical considering finances. The rooms were often just big enough for a bed and a fan, yet close to work, public transport, and a community to support them. That has now been replaced by long commutes, shared washrooms, and the challenge of starting over.
‘I save on rent, but I am more tired now’
Mohammed Irfan, who works at a restaurant in JLT, was paying Dh1,400 per month for a partitioned room in Al Rigga. After authorities raided the building a week ago, he moved to Sharjah’s Abu Shagara area, where he now pays Dh700 for a space accommodating three in a room.“I do save money, but I now travel for over 90 minutes each way just to reach my workplace in JLT,” he said. “Earlier, I could walk to the metro in 3 minutes. Now, I take a bus, then the metro, and sometimes still need a taxi from the station.Despite the inconvenience, Irfan said he had no choice. “Everything was easy in Dubai. The grocery, pharmacy, and metro were all downstairs. Now, as I am not familiar with the area, it feels complicated.”He now wakes up early due to the extra commute time. “By the time I get to work at 10:30 am, I have already spent over an hour on the road
