Moving to Doha Jan 2012 and need some advice
Hi All
We are moving to Doha in Jan and I need some help. I've managed to get the girls into Sherborne school which i understand is a good school from the comments I have seen on various websites. Then I started to look at the map and realised that it is miles out of the city. My hubby says that Doha is a lot smaller than Abu Dhabi where we currently live, but I am worried about the traffic to and from school. Where is the best place to look if we want to live in a compound with all the facilities and we want to be near the school. My husband will be working in 920 str, West Bay but he says he's not fussed about a longer drive.
I looked at the Beverly Hills Al Rayyan compound.. what's that like in terms of the living space? The facilities seem amazing and just what we want. What else is there that we can look at? When should we come over to secure a place for Jan?? How long should it take from Beverly hills to Sherborne?
I spoke to an estate agent who told me that it really is a renters market at the moment and we really should get a place quite easily. Our budget is QR18000- 20000 per month and we want the place unfurnished. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Driving is a major issue in Doha. Traffic jams are very frequent and driving behaviour is horrible, a three lane road becomes four lanes, driving on the hard shoulder is common, passing on the emergency lane is common as is tailgating, the numerous roundabouts are a pain. Make sure you live close to the school and work. Buy yourself a secondhand Prado or Landcruiser for your won safety.
you can check also al waab area. there is a lot of compound like beverly hills garden 1,2,3 . al waab garden 1, 2, 3. les roses garden 1, 2 . it will be better for your children and also your husbend . thank you.
Do you have an idea of how long it would take to get from Riviera to Sherborne?
Regards
Erica
Well I guess i am a bit concerned about that issue. I looked at the map and realised that its all a bit far out but then I thought if we live somewhere between town and Sherborne that it would be ok. I am used to aggressive drivers coming from UAE but what are you saying? Are there lots of accidents on that road? Is it dangerous? Those are different considerations to Arab machismo and inconsideration which I am used to.
In my opinion Sherborne school only problems is its location. While the school is very close to al wajba palace, it's inside an area known as "Bani Hajer". Although its a residential area , it's almost populated by a certain local tribe. I don't know how to put this, but people there drive very aggressively. Far more any other area in doha. What made it even worse, there is huge roadwork & construction of new annex for Qatar foundation. That's why it's very important that you find somewhere relatively close to the school, to ensure that you drop your children to the school's door The school will move to an new building , but that would take years as they are still in the design stage I don’t want to scare you off, but this is an issue to really consider about Sherborn
I work for a company here called Mirage International Property. You are welcome to get in touch with me and I would be pleased to assist you with these kinds of questions off-line or send you information directly. You can send me a private message here or email me debbie at mirageproperty.com Good luck either way! Doha is a great place to live!
Oh great that's good to know. Riviera sounds nice and I phoned them today and they have a few villas available.. but the price is a bit high. When they said QR 22000-24000 negotiable.. what do they mean? Can I negotiate 20% down or 5% down. Any ideas. I really don't want the company to spend much more than they are right now which is QR 19000 in Abu Dhabi. Every high price stresses the hubby out as he's got to cover it in his call out rates. Anyway, i am really excited to come to Doha although I will miss Abu Dhabi and we've had a truly fabulous time here.
If you were to live in Riviera it shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes to get to West Bay (unless the traffic is particularly bad).
Thanks guys, that's really useful. I am a bit worried about my husbands journey into the office. He is currently driving 40 min each way to and from work. If we stay somewhere like Riviera Gardens or Beverly Hills Al Rayyan how long would it take him to get to 920 st West Bay?
I advise you to come for a short visit 2-3 days before you take youe decision.
I think west bay is a better area to live in,and with your budget you can get a good place.
If you do not work,it is easy for you to reach any place in Doha,no need to think about time and traffic.
Do not worry,anyway,Doha is a very quiet and nice place for a family life.
a furnished 2BHK in Rayyan between QR10,000~QR12,000/-
with budget like yours, many options are available. There is a Rayyan Village in Mesila.
beverly hills is really good and close to sherbone. your kids wont have any problem. but it is will be a long drive for your husband to west bay considering the traffic..