Yes you are right I have one kid and currently live in a house. I would never consider an appartment in USA because of the wood construction which creates very bad sound insulation, you can hear clearly when your neighbour flushes his toillet, however in Qatar I think everything is concrete just like Dubai. I think if you get an appartment in a compound that have pools, a small park, probably that would narrow the differences. Is such appartment exists and would $3500/ month enough to cover the rent?