Recommended Areas to Live.
Hi!
I will be moving from Scotland to Qatar in the near future and upon arrival will be required to select accommodation (2 bedroom furnished apartment). I will be based in Doha and the company I’m working for is located in Al Salata Al Jadeeda (If that makes sense). I 'm not exactly sure of the selection available and would appreciate advice on the following:-
1./ Can you advise the desirable areas/districts to live in doha? Giving consideration to traffic to / from central Doha.
2./ Areas/districts to avoid?
Apologies if this has been covered on many occasions. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks everyone for the valued advice!
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I AM MALE 31 LIVE IN DOHA QATAR
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Thanks Novita
Hi Scotland, first of all welcome in Doha, which I think is going to be a big move in your life, however, in accordance to your company location, and the housing allowance, you can have a 2 bedroom flat in a good location in Doha, and maybe less than the 10.000 QR.
Al-Saad, Mansura, Bin Mahmud and Muntazah are my recommended locations where you can find what you want, in the center of the city, and with decent neighbors around you.
Good idea, fesechi!
Mandi
If I were you I would get an apartment at ezdan towers (they are downton) for the first month and take your time to get to know the city and look around to what suits you best. For 10000Qr you can get a studio apartment in ezdan which could do for a month or two (assuming you dont have children coming along straight away!)
Scot (forgive my informality), compounds are just fine and tend to have a lot of good amenities but you will not find any locals living there. 10,000 is a bit on the low side, but I believe there are some compounds for that as well as two bedroom flats. There is no real central location in Qatar, some of us live up near West Bay which has shopping, dining, etc., others live near the Villagio Mall which is convenient. But these two areas are 30 minutes apart even with good traffic! You will find generally that there is a wide range of offerings in any of the areas with the possible exceptions of parts of West Bay and the corniche. The newer outskirts of town are also less expensive for the most part as continued construction is not always an attractive view. But my husband calls Qatar the world's largest construction site. Do be careful of shoddy building workmanship although it does seem ubiqitous. Thank God we have a responsive landlord.
Mandi
scotland there is classified on this board ... try to have a look on 'for rent' and see what you can get.
one of the QLers who now in Dubai, used to live next door to our house. He rent 2 bedroom flat and cost him QR 10.000, i think it would be slightly more now. If you stuck when you arrive in Doha, do drop me a line i will give you my girlfriend contact number who work as a house agent.
Hi Novita,
My contract is signed and sealed for my move to Doha. I'm not too bothered about living in a compound should there be good facilities, good location to local amenities, even mix of men/women/expats/locals etc. I'm just not sure of the areas that this budget will allow me to live.
Thanks,
Scotland
scotland, 10.000 QR per month will get you 2 or 3 bedroom flat.
Try ask for QR 15.000, that will get you a villa not in the compound.
Hi Mandi,
Thanks for the info. I would prefer an area which has a more even ratio for the benefit of my wife as you mentioned. I have been advised that the allowance / cost that the company will pay will be approx £1800 / 10000QR per month. What area would this budget allow for??
Thanks,
Scotland
Hi, Scotland and welcome! Fortunatley there aren't any "bad" areas of Doha, that is in terms of crime. There are older neighborhoods and areas in which men outnumber women by about 100 to 1 and your wife may not be terribly comfortable there. Many expats live in compounds which are walled condominium communities with clubhouses, pools, etc. But these tend to have three to four bedrooms and lots of kids. You will probably have to consult a realtor. If you are looking for a two-bedroom I wonder if West Bay in one of the larger serviced apartment buildings would suit you.
Mandi