A home is a home is a home. Choose wisely where you move to!
Whoever it was who first said ‘home, sweet home,’ should have meant every word of it. Truly, there’s nothing more satisfying than having a place to call home.
While it is largely impossible for expatriates to buy property or houses in Qatar, it does not mean you cannot find a dwelling to call ‘your own.’
If you feel you’ve lived in the same house for a long time and need a change, or if your landlord suddenly increased your rent manifold, or you’re finding it tough to manage travel times between home and office, then it’s time to start looking for a newhome.
There are several things to keep in mind when you start your search for a new house. First and foremost, know your budget and look for a house you can afford. There really is no point in living in a lavish villa on borrowed money. Such excesses will come back to haunt you sooner than later.
If your family and kids are with you, then it’s better to move in to a family residential area. It’ll be an added bonus to have friends, colleagues or family living nearby. That could take care of the ‘boredom issue,’ which many people face today.
Quite a number of parks are coming up all around Qatar. Living close to such facilities will automatically take care of children’s playtime.
Understand that Qatar is no longer just about Doha. The city has started growing outwards and now, you can get fantastic accommodations in nearby areas like Al Wakrah and Umm Salal. Though the time taken to travel to Doha may be slightly longer, these areas are less crowded and it adds to their appeal.
It is generally advisable to avoid residential areas near large shopping malls like Villaggio, City Centre and Landmark. The traffic here will be massive almost throughout the day. After a heavy day’s work, there is nothing more frustrating than having to wait at the back of serpentine queues on the roads.
At the end of the day, understand that a home is what you make it out to be. Make an effort to know your neighbours. Try to look away from your mobile phones once in a while and smile. It’ll make your living experience that much more pleasant.
And now, if you’re ready to search for your next home, head over to Qatar Living’s free classifieds section, which has hundreds of places to fit every budget. It’s searchable and as easy as saying 1-2-3.
So ready, steady, home!
There is a difference between home and house .. I believe elder used the correct term in the heading . A home is much more than a house - it is a personalised dwelling where you feel comfortable and affinity
I have never claimed nor will ever claim that I know everything. I am still ignorant and in the learning stages of life. However, I still stand by my statement I had made in my post. There is a difference between a house and a home and if someone has not grown up to understand the difference, there is nothing much I can do about it.
"A home is a home is a home" - He said it three times. So, according to accha he doesn't know what he's saying, because accha knows everything better.
What has happened to Elder ?
There is absolute difference in meaning between the words "house" and "home." Even a single-room house can be a home to many both here and in their own country.
I guess The Elder meant "a house" and not "a home" in his article.
Qatar can never be a "home". It's a hotel at best, and we're here as a guest. And the service in this hotel is lousy.