Compound vs Apartment...and other stuff
Hi all,
My husband has just accepted a job offer in Doha and we'll be joining you in around May time. We've been given a couple of accommodation options and was wondering if you could give me your thoughts - good or bad, just looking for honesty!
We could either be given a three bed three bath apartment in the West Bay area or a 3 bed villa in Al Waab - all I know is that the compound is between Al Waab Street and Salwaa Road, somewhere near to Doha College... I haven't even been to Qatar yet so don't know what either area is like. My husband came out recently but trying to get information out of him is...well, difficult!
What's best for families? We have 2 toddlers, ages nearly 3 and 21 months so I'll be looking for a good school soon too (I understand that can be a bit tricky!).
Any advice that might help us will be much appreciated, this is our first international move and there's so much to think about!
Thanks in advance.
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I think that the copound is better for kids as most compounds have a play ground fro kid and a gym also it might have a swimming pool. put with a 21 months old kid you will need to add things like stair gates etc for the saftey of your kids, also cleaning is harder in a villa than a flat. anyway, there is a good british nursery in al waab area and a near by english school also, so this can be an added advantage.
if you need to ask anyfurther questions please don'e hesitate to ask.
Aparna Ahmad
Aparna Ahmad:
Hi i would be relcoating to Doha shortly mid march. i have a couple of questions if you can help me. Please i understand you are aware of DOha well keeping in mind the advice you have give so far?
1. I need to know what is the rent for a two bedroom villa or apartment.
2. How far is Dubai College area from the Airport
3. Also are there any Day care centre for kid since my son is almost 3 years old
4. and of course how can i sponsor a maid
I look forward to your reply
Aparna
Aparna Ahmad:
Hi i would be relcoating to Doha shortly mid march. i have a couple of questions if you can help me. Please i understand you are aware of DOha well keeping in mind the advice you have give so far?
1. I need to know what is the rent for a two bedroom villa or apartment.
2. How far is Dubai College area from the Airport
3. Also are there any Day care centre for kid since my son is almost 3 years old
4. and of course how can i sponsor a maid
I look forward to your reply
Aparna
Aparna Ahmad:
Hi i would be relcoating to Doha shortly mid march. i have a couple of questions if you can help me. Please i understand you are aware of DOha well keeping in mind the advice you have give so far?
1. I need to know what is the rent for a two bedroom villa or apartment.
2. How far is Dubai College area from the Airport
3. Also are there any Day care centre for kid since my son is almost 3 years old
4. and of course how can i sponsor a maid
I look forward to your reply
Aparna
for all your comments! Without actually having been to Qatar it's really hard to make such a huge decision. I'm hoping to fly out next month for a look around - and hopefully to put the idea of the apartment out of my husband's head!!
Thanks again for all your help, no doubt I'll be popping back with more questions very soon!
I think you and the family will be much happier in a compound and that area is very nice and centrally located. Your kids will have a place to roam around outside when the weather is nice and you will meet loads more moms in a compound. Doha College is near the Hyatt Plaza Mall, the new Villagio Mall with a Carrefour, and the Aspire Sports Area where they are building a huge new park. Also check out www.expatwoman.com on the Qatar chat board for loads of info from other moms. Best wishes!
It may be best you opt for the compound life. Especially as you have little ones. Compound life enables you and the kids to openely socialize. Most compounds around town have a common club house and a dedicated play area. It definalty gives you a head start in settling in. Your toddlers can run around outdoors without too much worry.
As for the area... both sound nice. Alwaab may be more practicle since you've got some really good schools in that area, and if you want to work, some several day-care centers are also in the vicinity.
Drop me a line if you want... I guess I know Doha too well.
I've been wondering:
What kind of facilities to apartments generally have? Are some of the apartment blocks within the compounds?
So the apartment blocks have access to gym and swimnming pool facilities? Are they generally f/f or u/f?
If a person's employer leases the apartment directly, what about utility bills? Are they included in the rent? Or are these paid separately? I appreciate that the answers may be different for different apartment blocks, but I was wondering if there is anything like a 'general rule'?
Thank you.
There is no doubt that West Bay is a very nice area but an apartment, no matter how big, might be difficult with 2 young kids! Would it be ground floor, will it then have a garden/yard, what are the facilities like?
Personally I would go for the villa, there are some really nice compounds near Doha College with great facilities and you will be more likely to come across families like yourself on a compound than in an apartment block.