Moving to Doha - questions

mumoftwo
By mumoftwo

Hello all, we are a family of 4 moving to Doha next month. As you can imagine it has been a nightmare finding any school at short notice. We have a possibility of 2 in Gharrafa. We just need to know if anyone can recommend any compound villas in that area. Thanks.

By tower.heater• 29 Feb 2012 12:34
tower.heater

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By DohaBrit2011• 13 Sep 2011 10:09
DohaBrit2011

Unsure01....Under pressure! So it's a local school with Qatari children, or an international school?? Depends on the school, search on here for hopefully better information.I have a friend who teaches Qatari kids, and she lays down the law clearly with them and let's the parents know this is the way it goes in her class. She has no issues and loves the job. A lot of these kids get away with murder outside, but they're just a product of their upbringing so far. I'd recommend the move, Qatar is a great place and there's a brilliant community here. You won't (though people do!) be able to wear short skirts etc, but really, it's become a lot more flexible over recent years.Tax free earnings should top if off. Whether it's personally worth the risk, is what you need to decide. What's the worst that could happen?! Make the move and make the most of Qatar. 

By unsure01• 13 Sep 2011 08:49
unsure01

hello everyone....i live and work in the UK and have done all my life..im 43 and female...an apartment is included in my job offer as a teacher...are the kids badly behaved?  whats the dress code outside of workplaces...in school its pretty restricted and im already feelin suffocated...i would appreciate aswift response so much...many thanks 

By mirageproperty• 10 Sep 2011 16:05
mirageproperty

test my previous post doesn't seem to appear, just testing.

Craig at Mirage

By mirageproperty• 10 Sep 2011 16:01
mirageproperty

Hi, my names Craig from Mirage.

As long as you are at the 'D' Ring Rd end of Al Waab St, the journey to Al Gharrafa shouldn't be too bad as the 'D' Ring Rd or New Doha Expressway, as it's known, takes you direct in 10-15 mins even in heavy traffic. 

If you have a budget upto QR18k you will struggle to find much of great quality in that area, other than the AL Jazi compound you mentioned, as most compounds in that area havebeen completed over the last 2 years whilst the market has been depressed, so finishing ahs really suffered.

We work with Al Jazi and were told before Ramadan they were just waiting for electricity and water to be connected, this could take anything from 2 weeks to 2 months as they are totally relient on Kahramaa (state power company) providing a connection. we've had no further update so assume the same to be true. Having said that, it will be a great compound once it's up and running.

If you can't wait, then we have a great quality compound available on 'D' Ring/AL Waab St junction. It's recently completed, consists of 40 x 5 bed luxury villas, with a large clubhouse consisting of 200sqm Gym, TV room, multi function hall, Snooker/pool room. An outdoor childrens play area (with shade)and manned reception, also will have an onsite mini market once more villas are leased. The pool is beautifully landscaped, with separate jacuzzi, childrens pool, BBQ area and ample sunbeds and seating. We have so far leased just over a third of the villas, all to expat families with children of varying ages.

You can take a look on our website www.mirageproperty.com , property ref loc001145.

I've attached a link to the web page for your info:

http://www.mirageproperty.com/mirage/display_local.aspx?ref_id=LOC001145

If it's of interest feel free to 'PM' me and i'll get in touch direct with some further photos and google earth map showing location of property in relation to Gharrafe area.

I hope this info is of help and look forward to being of assistance.

Kind regards

Craig at Mirage 

By mumoftwo• 9 Sep 2011 10:04
mumoftwo

Back in the UK and mulling over all the information gathered. Big thanks to everyone for their comments.

The schools we are considering are CIS and ACS.

Both in Gharaffa and we would like to be near the school but we have seen only one villa that we like. It is on the new Al Jazi develoment but it appears they are not renting yet. Does anyone have any more information on when they will be ready? Dohabrit2011 said there was no water or electricity.

We are looking at Al Waab as well but are concerned about the distance and traffic. Can anyone advise us on what the traffic is like if I have to do the school run from al Waab to Gharaffa daily?

By Qatar Lady• 7 Sep 2011 20:45
Qatar Lady

Hi I sent a message to your inbox , give me a call I can help ! 66345831

By Xena• 7 Sep 2011 13:43
Xena

Which schools have you been looking at in Gharaffa? Th only one I am aware of is Gulf English School and I haven't heard ANY comments about it, so cannot say whether its a good or mediocre school.

By DohaBrit2011• 7 Sep 2011 12:39
DohaBrit2011

18k is a massive budget in Gharaffa. The new Al Jazi is going to be a great coumpound with amazing facilities, and the group has a good reputation for quality and maintenance. That said, not sure they have water and electricity yet?? If not, could be months.  

By mumoftwo• 6 Sep 2011 16:37
mumoftwo

We are here on an orientation trip to see schools and houses. so far we have found spaces at 2 schools in Al Garaffa. our budget is up to 18k but we are amazed at the poor quality of houses that are available. does anyone know of the new compound Al Jazi in al garaffa? we saw it today but no one has moved in yet.

By mumoftwo• 6 Sep 2011 16:37
mumoftwo

We are here on an orientation trip to see schools and houses. so far we have found spaces at 2 schools in Al Garaffa. our budget is up to 18k but we are amazed at the poor quality of houses that are available. does anyone know of the new compound Al Jazi in al garaffa? we saw it today but no one has moved in yet.

By mirageproperty• 6 Sep 2011 15:56
mirageproperty

Hi, my names Craig, I am MD of Mirage Properties, a weel established real estate company here in Qatar.

Sounds like you are receiving a mixed bag of comments, soem good info but if I was you, i would totally disregard the extremely biased and negative comments you are receiving from some people who are obviously not interested in offering assistance.

If you are already here in Qatar, you have probably realised by now that although there are many villa compounds to choose from, in the Gharrafa area, many are of poor quality. Saying that there are some good ones, already constructed and with existing tenants. If looking for something around QR9-10,000, then i'm afraid the quality generally is not going to be good. If you have a budget of say QR12,000 and upwards then you have a chance to secure yourself a nice villa.

If you'd like to take a look on our website www.mirageproperty.com it will give you an idea of what's out there. It's upto date with current availability and pricing. Once you've taken a look feel free to call us on +974 44 44 44 31 or 'PM' me and i'll come back to personally.

Be assured that we are a professional leasing agent and as such do not charge you a fee for our services, all our income comes from the landlord.

I look forward to us being of assistance and giving some useful advice

Kind regards

Craig at Mirage

 

 

By lhegs• 6 Sep 2011 10:43
lhegs

Go back to your country of origin if life in Doha is disaster coz u might be one of the disater.

By DohaBrit2011• 6 Sep 2011 10:35
DohaBrit2011

Need some more info mumoftwo....if you want recommendations you need to at least tell us a budget!

By s_isale• 6 Sep 2011 10:03
s_isale

are you moving or already moved?

By mumoftwo• 6 Sep 2011 09:51
mumoftwo

Thank you for your replies. We have had 2 days of househunting and have found nothing suitable. Someone suggested Al Waab. Would you recommend it and does anyone know of any villa compounds there with availability.

By Caballero de Spain• 5 Sep 2011 03:12
Caballero de Spain

Don't listen to the negative people here.  I have been to many countries all over the world, and this place is a gem compared to the majority of place here in the Middle East.  Meet the right people, and stay positive...  you'll like this place.

By anonymous• 5 Sep 2011 02:30
anonymous

DONT COME!  DISSASTER LIFE HERE!

By qatarisun• 4 Sep 2011 22:54
qatarisun

there are plenty of new villas in Gharaffa, new developments.. Just recently one of my friends has moved to one of such villas in compound. the villa looks simply beautiful, and price is amazing: QAR.11,000 for FF 3BR house.. furniture looks nice, there are some decorations on the walls and on the tables.. but.. swimming pool isn't ready yet (no one knows when it will be ready), all around is under construction, difficult to get to the compound.. and the key things, noone can guarantee that the quality is high... Heater is already leaking.. some problems with the pipe.. usual crappy job, when outside it looks nice, but try to dig a bit deeper and you will find a lot of crap.. but on teh other hand, everywhere same sh*t.. Even in the West Bay's towers some accidents happen..

By DohaBrit2011• 4 Sep 2011 20:44
DohaBrit2011

Hi Mumoftwo,Gharaffa has improved massively over the last couple of years, with loads of compounds being built in that time. It's become a really popular area due to the following reasons;The expansion of Qatar Foundation/Eduction City Gharaffa is ideally located a few minutes away and with the completion of the new part of the North/Shamal Road last year, there is now easy access to the airport and you're 20 mins from West Bay. Landmark Mall is there and there are 2 enourmous malls under construction. You get good sized villas for around 10-12,000QR per month.There are some good compounds, and a lot of bad ones. PM if you want any more specific advice, would be happy to help.At the same time, it depends on your budget and where you or your husband will be working.Hope that helps! 

By mumoftwo• 4 Sep 2011 19:05
mumoftwo

Can you tell me more about the area?

By Qatar Lady• 4 Sep 2011 18:57
Qatar Lady

LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ARRIVING I CAN HELP YOU , DON'T WORRY NO CHARGE .

By Qatar Lady• 4 Sep 2011 18:57
Qatar Lady

LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ARRIVING I CAN HELP YOU , DON'T WORRY NO CHARGE .

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