For 3 1/2 years I lived right by the airport on D ring road. It was close to loads of shopping. There are quite a few compounds with westerners and all the amenities. No big apartments, however. I now live in West Bay as my husband commutes to Ras Laffan (45 minutes North of Doha). When I go from West Bay to Airport area to visit friends it takes about an hour during heavy traffic. something to consider