I am not the best qualified to answer that one. So ill just say what i would do knowing what I know now.

If i were 26 and single, I would stay in either the marina, or JBR. Its got all you need in walking distance, and lots of different people. I have no idea what SZR is like to live in so I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about it...

Sorry for not being much help, I know very little about other areas of dubai. Only been here 2 and a half months.