Housing options for expats in Qatar

Moving to a new country with a different environment and culture can be intimidating and a challenge to many. In addition to cost of living and adjusting to the new cultural environment, knowing where to stay in an unfamiliar place can be a real challenge.

This post will (hopefully) be a good place to start your journey in findng a nice home for you and your family. We will be sharing with you some information about the types of accommodation available as well as some residential locations you can consider before you make your move.

If you are fortunate enough to be hired by one of the "big" companies in Doha, chances are that accommodation would be arranged and provided for you. Companies like Qatar Petroleum, for instance, provides accommodation for its employees.

The bright side to having your accommodation arranged by your company, obviously, is that you won't have to worry about finding a home for yourself in a place you are unfamiliar with.

However, this also means that you would not be able to choose where you would like to live or the size of your home as they are normally decided by the company.

Types of accommodation

There are several types of accommodation for your choosing in Doha, compounds being one of them. A compound is multiple homes in an area that often have shared amenities such as a swimming pool, a gym or a tennis court. This type of accommodation is very popular in Qatar. However, finding one to your liking won't be a walk in the park as most compounds often have long waiting lists.

Another type of accommodation popular among expats are serviced apartments. A serviced apartment is fully furnished with the necessary furniture and equipments with someone to clean the apartment for you daily. It's quite similar to living in a hotel. Most serviced apartments come with amenities such as a gym and a swimming pool. This is a good option if you don't mind paying a higher price than regular apartments.

If you are looking for something within a lower budget range, regular apartments would be a good choice. There are plenty to choose from, ranging from studio apartments to penthouse apartments. Depending on your budget, you can choose apartments equipped with amenities or simply a basic apartment with sufficient living space.

Villas are good especially if you are looking for a a good space for your whole family. It is similar to compound living or housing in gated communities elsewhere. Villas a usually very spacious, and often equipped with a garden and sufficient room between other villas around you.

Doha residential areas

As an expat you would need some information about specific residential areas that you can consider. Here are some popular locations for expats looking for a home in Doha.

Al Waab

This is one of the most popular areas among several expats with families as it is close to the Villaggio Mall and Aspire Park. There are many schools and nurseries around the area, suitable for families with children.

The Al Waab City development is still under construction but once completed, it is said to be a city within a city and can accommodate up to 8000 people in over 2000 homes, ranging from luxury villas to contemporary apartments.

Al Sadd, Al Nasr, Bin Mahmoud and Bin Omran

Al Sadd is a busy commercial area that is probably more suited for the single people or young couples with no children. Definitely not short of things to do, the area is surrounded by a wide array of cafes, shops, malls and other local businesses. The only downside to living in this area is the busy traffic and limited parking spaces.

The type of accommodations here are mainly small to mid-sized apartments, but you may still be able to find some older compounds for a cheaper price range.

Al Nasr also has several housing options in the form of villas, flats and compounds. The rate of expats moving out in this area is low, so you might need a tip-off to stand a chance of securing an accommodation here.

Bin Mahmoud and Bin Omran are also areas closer to the center of Doha and very popular among expats. There are several options for villas and apartments for small and mid price ranges.

West Bay

The West Bay Lagoon is not short of variety when it comes to lifestyle options. Everything from luxury villas to high rise apartments, the West Bay is surrounded by five star hotels like the Grand Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, The Hilton and the Four Seasons, just to name a few.

City Centre Doha mall is just around the corner that has a Carrefour hypermarket, making it easier for grocery shopping and getting other necessities in your new home. If you have children, the Newton School is not too far away and there are quite a few nurseries and kindergartens around the area.

The Pearl

One of the most recognized places in Doha, The Pearl is strategically located amidst the bustling activities surrounding its tourist attractions. There are many high end shops with top brands as well as a wide selection of fine dining restaurants for residents to choose from.

Prices of residential units here are definitely slightly on the higher side and the lifestyle is more suitable for single people or couples.

Najma, Mansoura, Old Airport, Hilal and Thumama

You will mostly find flats in Najma and Mansoura, mostly at affordable prices. Expats move in and out of this area often, so it should be easier to find a place of your liking. But beware of the traffic and lack of parking spaces between the crowded flats.

If you are looking for a place that is within a lower price range, then these areas are much more suitable area for you. It is one of the older areas of Doha with very busy main roads. Although it is located near the old Doha Airport, the area is not under the flight path, so don't worry.

There are many standalone villas in Hilal and Al Thumama that are within the affordable range. A Lulu Hypermarket and The Mall nearby makes it more convenient for you to get your daily necessities like groceries.

For imported items, there is a Shoprite on Airport Road that you can visit. Newton Secondary School is closeby if you are looking for a school to send your children to. Though the residential homes in this area tend to be slightly older, you can find unfurnished villas for affordable prices.

Madinat Khalifa, Gharrafa and Al Rayyan

This area has been quite popular among expats with families. The Landmark Mall with a Carrefour as well as Lulu Hypermarket is conveniently close by. There are many shops where you can get cheap and useful items in the Khalifa Street nearby.

If you have children, there are quite a few schools in the area that you can choose from such as the Doha English Speaking School (DESS), Compass School, The Canadian School as well as kindergartens like the Starfish Lane.

Outside Doha

There are a lot of residential areas outside the capital city of Doha. There are a fair amount of expatriates residing in areas like Al Wakra, Mesaeed, Al Khor and Dukhan. Facilities in these areas are still developing, but houses can be comparatively cheaper. However, the disadvantage is that a major portion of your time will be spent travelling.

Search Qatar Living's classifieds to browse through some housing options in Qatar.

Did you find this information useful?