Apartment complexes and villas are popular with expats and generally of high quality with impressive facilities (swimming pools, satellite TV, etc.) Apartments are usually rented unfurnished.

Rental prices can vary greatly from emirate to emirate (and also within emirates), the highest rental prices generally being found in Abu Dhabi. To give some idea of prices in Dubai the average rental cost of a villa in the exclusive Jumeirah area is around 3000 UKP per month. In the Emirates Lakes area (popular with expats) a little further out of Dubai prices are little cheaper, although properties are less luxurious. In the up and coming Mirdif area, on the edge of the desert, properties are more affordable although they do lie under the main airport flight path.

If you want to rent a villa, rather than an apartment, be aware that many contracts are for at least a year and it may be necessary to pay the entire year's rent in advance.

Added 03/02/06 by Meenakshi - The cost of living has significantly shot up in Dubai over the last year. The figures mentioned may not be very accurate, especially the property rentals.