Cost of Renting in Doha

Which Location you prefer?

Me and my husband have been offered a job @doha, qatar. I am bit curious about this place, its cost of living, we are offered a package of 6k riyals/per month(each). The apartment will be provided by the company, which is 1 bed room apartment for 3-4k riyals. Do you think this is sufficient for the survival?? Also how good can be apartment in 3-4k?? We have a very high standard of living here in india, do you think we will be able to maintain the same there in qatar?

Bazimoza88 Beach dreaming

Hello Shay 

Yep I too came from Gold Coast 5 days ago to Doha and I thought I'll be chasing my tail (well if I find one...) anyway I am a single lady (but just for one month hubby got in mind to join in...) so I am house hunting and I just visited my first flat today.  I was pleasantly surprised though it is not near WestBay where I work - 10 mn drive.  But is is good rent 6500qr for 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms/large kitch/and lounge and parking for 3 cars,  in a small villa and private.  The hic is I have to furnish it.  I hoped to find a FF but never mind the rent is good.  Considering that I nearly fainted when I read in the papers (adds) the rentals!!! Boy it is steep.. very pricy & the Gold Coast sounds good right now!  I will grab it as I dont have much time to wander around to find a flat or villa.  The worst or best? is I am Compound Manager in a very posh place but I refuse to live in there since everyone comes and knock on your door = no peace and privacy.   

If I were you I would try to ask for an increase  (if possible) a higher housing allowance believe me it helps.  

1 - Get a map of Doha, Carrefour have good ones and circle the zone where you work and decide how far you can/wantto live

2.  Grab the papers (please dont gasp at costs!!!) ad start dialling... 

3.  Find a driver with good local knowledge (your Coy might help) unless you are game to challenge the driving nuts that roam the roads...  I sit there and contemplate my car asking myself shall I or not?? drive... that is... and I end up calling our driver!  and he is very helpful!

4.  Try to bargain down the rent (yes it is possible..) but fix yourself a   budget limit.. never know you might be tempted to pay more than you can afford or wish to

5.  When you check the lease ensure who is paying for the maintenance in case something goes wrong and how long for the landlord to fix things

6.  Request a 2 weeks probationary time to check if everything in the flat is in working order if not possible during your initial inspection test everything )toilet flushing, shower, aircon, flyscreen etc...)

7. Insurance? Also a 6 months lease first to see if you like the place 

7.  Have cheques ready to pay in advance (posdated) funny system.. So you need to have a bank account opened and an ID card (but this is another story ask your boss..)

7. Happy moving!

Depends from which part of Australia you're from but I can definately say from experience that renting is cheaper than in Brisbane or Gold Coast :p

___________________________

Click here for Qatar info

thank you very much. i think did right this time. can you check it and let me know.. thanks

thank you very much i have just started..New here

torontoguy ... you post in a thread that nearly 2 yrs old. I suggest you make a new thread then people can start replying to your question.

you can use this link :

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/add/forum

Hello every one, How are you doing? I have an offer from Doha Qatar and I am considering it very seriously. They are offering me QR7000 for house rent. What you guys think about it. Is it enough money to have furnished two bed room apartment?  Furnished apartment is a good idea or not? Can any one provide me the name of good area in Doha for living?I will appreciate any help in this regard... I am living in Toronto. Thanks

Dan.

Thank you. That would work if there is anything available.

I believe that the cost of Riveria is something like 10,000 QR per month. Most any place is going to 10,000 QR and up.

I am moving next week to Doha. I have only visited one compound and it was Riveria East near Landmark. I really liked it and would like to live in a similar one near Education City. Does anyone know of any available in that area and what would the costs be? I have a young daughter in QA.

Is it still possible to get a studio flat for QAR3500 these days? (My housing allowance is very modest so any extra rent will have to come out of my salary). I don't mind living in the slummy part of town if there is such a place!

Hi Shay,

I am from Melbourne, i love Melbourne, i was living in Hawthorn. What about yourself?

To be honest its not very hard for a single women to rent a place. I have met plenty of people working on the Asian Games, and you should be ok with accomodation. There are many single girls working for the Asian games so you will get help with the company you will be working for.

Do you have a yahoo or hotmail address? I will forward on any ads for accomodation that may be of use to you.

By the way, are you into your footy? if so dont tell that you support west coast :)

Cheers,

AusM

Check Classifieds at www.gulf-times.com for up-to-date housing rentals and rental agents.

Here's some example rental agency websites for some pics, etc. These sites were helpful to me before moving here.

http://www.zukhrof.com/

http://www.homes2rent.biz/Serviced%20Apartments.htm

http://www.mirageproperty.com/

Here's some more guides with general Qatar info for you:

http://hr.web.cmu.edu/forms/benefits/qatar/practicalguide.pdf

http://www.qp.com.qa/qp.nsf/web/living?OpenDocument

P.S. with regard to Al-Asmakh: opinions always vary, but my luck with them has been quite sour. Long story...

[img_assist|fid=3690|thumb=1|alt=my window view]

It is a new (ish) building and it has security. It is clean but there is a nasty smell every now and then! It is pretty small, but I live here with my family, it would be ideal for a single person.

The sofas were very old -I could tell they got them second hand so I got a brand new one (sofa-bed) . The rest of the furniture is ok.

The neighbourhood is not very nice at all. But the heart of Doha is very "popular".

The rental agent is very good. YOu can approach them directly if I leave my flat vacant, but I believe they will increase the price of the flat because they wanted to make us pay more when we renewed the contract for the second year. At the end, the price stayed the same.

When somehting has broken down, maintenance came within 24 hours.

The rental process is quick. You need to pay in advance with post-dated cheques for the whole year. You also need a letter from your sponsor and that's about it. Takes a day only.

I'll post a pic of the lovely view I get from my window. Not nice at all, but hey, this is Doha!

Hey Butterfly

Thanks very much - that is really helpful - I appreciate it!!

What is the standard of apartment like - clean, neat, how old??? How are the rental agents? Is it an easy process?

Love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks Shay

Hi Shay,

I live in a 1 bed furnished apartment in Al Muntaza area, which is pretty much the center of Doha! I pay 3500, but that's very cheap compared to the price going for apartments these days. I would think that for 1 bed the asking price nowadays is around 5000.

Where I live taxis can be easily found. There are plenty here, that couldn't be said for the rest of the city, where taxis are just imposible to stop.

I got my apartment thru an agent called Al-Asmakh, they are very good. This is the number if you want to call them: 4360265

Ohterwise, I'm sure Safwany, a member of this site, can help you.

Good luck,

Butterfly

Hi AusM

I hope to be working for the 2006 Doha Asian Games, had the interview - all looks good - just waiting for confirmation, they want me to start in April if I am successful.

I am from Perth - but currently living in Melbourne working at the Commonwealth Games. - what about you?

I really need a 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment in the city i think as I dont want to drive!

I am not aware of what benefits are available at the moment as still waiting to hear from HR re: the position. Which should be confirmed within a week.

I heard it was very hard for a single women to rent an apartment - compared to a guy and girl renting together - do you know anything about this?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks Shay

Hi Frank, have you started looking for positions here? you will certainly enjoy it here. It is a very relaxed place.

Hi Shay, I am from Aus as well, which state are you from? i moved to Qatar 6 weeks ago and am enjoying it. The place is booming and a really good time to be here.

Who will you be working for? usually a company will give you either a living allowance or accomodation. If they give you an allowance, make sure it is around 7000 riyals per month.

Let me know if you need any help.

AusM

hello people l m from Ghana an IT specialist

and l will like to come to Qatar to just begin life there

becuase the place has been my dream country that l like to visit

A fully furnished Apartment( 2 Bedroom) somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,000QR per month.

Hi Shay,

Would you please go to this link and there you will find some questions that might help and my contact details;

http://www.qatarliving.com/qatar-forum/forums/are-you-looking-for-accomodation-or-any-help-to-settle-down-in-qatar

Ayman