Arabian Ranches/Motor City/Layan, etc - cost vs quality of life

Hi again. Hope I'm not trying the expat community's patience too much...
I've just arrived and am trying to set up a home for my family's imminent arrival. While we had been given a good spreadsheet of costs etc, inevitably we haven't factored everything in and there are significant up front payments required which we hadn't accounted for. The kids need to have some fun/treats when they turn up to help settle them in and I want to indulge them a little to enjoy what Dubai has to offer, for which disposable income is crucial.
As such, I think our budget means my family needs to look at a per annum rent of around 90kAED - above that and it would need to be justifiably worth it.
We had been looking exclusively at Arabian Ranches and there are good 2 beds (plus maid/study) in Al Reem. However, I think I've done the classic expat thing and tried to get it all nailed ASAP, looked only at one option and haven't properly taken into account that there may be alternatives. What we want/need may not be what found simply by looking in this one very attractive option.
So, what do you, with experience, reckon?
We need a two-bed (by Dubai's definition) home as a maid's/study room would be perfectly adequate as a third when guests turn up or the two kids start tearing chunks out of each other and need to be separated. Doesn't have to be a house but we want a proper community where kids get to play out and socialise. As such, a communal pool and play area with basketball and tennis courts will be top of our requirements. They will be attending JESS AR and I'd like them to be able to 'hang-out' (I can do 'down with the kids' ;-)) with school friends in an ideal world but at least with kids of their age.
My boy will need child care after school as he is currently too young to join in organised activities.
My wife and I will be happy wherever the kids are happy, we'd just like (and I do mean 'like' as beggars can't be choosers) an area outside where we could entertain a few friends in our own private little area in a property around that budget - courtyard would do, it doesn't have to be a garden.
So, what do you reckon? Is Layan worth a look - very few people seem to be talking about it at the moment? Motor City seems more expensive that AR? Are school bus routes ok from these areas or would we have to have a second car to get mum and the kids to and from JESS? Am I too optimistic to hope for something less than 90kAED with all these requirements?
I'd be very interested indeed in your thoughts - thanks in anticipation. And no, I am not an ingrate and yes do appreciate how lucky we are.