My advice would be to look outside of Dubai (to the north) as there are plenty of decent apartments available if you are prepared to look.
The downside is the 40 minute drive to my work pickup point,
Just recently I flew with a guy who lives in the Northern Emirates. He mentioned he does his standbys in his car under a bridge on the Emirates Bypass Road, it's the only way he can be sure of getting to work on time if he's called.
He also mentioned worrying about getting a blowout, fog on the road for morning departures or just being a part of someones crash.
Rents are cheap though.