Calling Home & Housing Plans
Hi all, I'm new to the site and moving to Qatar from the UK in Jan/Feb 07 with work. As I will be away from my family initially, I wanted to get an idea of infrastructure in relation to communicating home. I would intend on regular calls via Skype and wondered if anyone has had any experience (good or bad) in this area. Also, I'm told that I may require an agent to find an apartment to rent. Has anyone got any suggestions or experience in finding quality apartments to rent in Doha? I will be working all over the country but would like get a place in the capital. Thanks in advance.
It's nice to know that there are still some helpful people around and with the daunting prospect of the move, you have certainly encouraged me in regard to this. Thanks again.
I have to say that if you have a family, compounds are the way to go. There are smaller ones with a few amenities all the way up to ones with very nice clubhouses, pools, gyms, and even small grocery stores. It's not that easy to meet other families here and compounds give the wife and kids instant connections to other moms and kids. Compounds over near the Landmark Mall area are nice and there are several new, nice compounds near Sports City and the new Villagio Mall. Around Sports City is getting very nice with walking paths, playgrounds and even a lake. I can't really help you as far as cost but the amount you listed seems very adequate.
Oh and another thing. I use Skpe all the time. It works great!
Hi Nobster,
I'm afraid that I can't be much help as far as an agent goes. However, if your company is giving you that much money for your rent you certainly won't have a hard time finding a very nice place to live, as well as a desirable area.
You will probably be able to find some place to rent with that budget in the papers. As well as contacts numbers for agent.
I've only been in Qatar for 11 months so still learning a lot myself.
Good luck with the move and apartment hunting!
That's reasurring to know. I am guessing that, along with every other city in the world, there are more and less desirable areas of Doha to reside. Without starting a argument on the good & bad areas of Doha. Can anyone highlight any particular areas where there are good quality apartments with access to all amenities and a friendly, welcoming community/neighbourhood that I should shortlist for consideration, bearing in mind, I'm not too keen on compounds?
I would probably be looking to pay QR 15-18,000 per month and would appreciate some feedback on what type of apartment I could get for my money. Thanks again.
Skype works great here and I highly recommend it. As for finding a place, the selection will probably be much better once these Asian Games are over. You could check the newspaper sites' classified pages (www.gulf-times.com, or www.peninsulaqatar.com) but I think an agent would probably be able to help you sift through the really crappy flats/villas since you're not here yet. If your company will be paying for your home then your salary and the size of your family will factor in to what you can get. At least it did with my husband. Good luck.