Villa / Compound Selection
Hello QL! I'd greatly value some information and opinions on particular areas / compounds that suit expat families (we're from Brisbane, Australia, with 2 children aged 3 and 1) as I'm finding it hard to guage which areas are good. My husband will be working in West Bay. We'd like a 3 or 4 bedroom fully furnished villa - and would like opinions on the pros and cons of compound living. The real estate websites I've been able to find are not very detailed. Any and all help greatly appreciated! Thanks
Thanks Fatcat... I finally come to grips that high cost of housing comes with the territory. I will make sure I'll negotiate for a substantial housing allowance or good salary package with the company.
Exaramcon, I'm afraid it's per month.
If you can get into novita's first suggestion, Al Jazi, then take it immediately! It's one of the older compounds and in my opinion one of the best. It's also notoriously difficult to get a villa there!
samiko, I may be moving to Doha and not familiar with rental rates. Is 20,000 to 40,000 QR you mentioned based on per month or per year? Please tell me it's per year, otherwise I will be shocked.
if you work in west bay do check the following compound :
Al Jazi
Gulf Garden
Gulf Helicopter
Al Markhiya Complex
Al Markhiya Plaza
Riviera Garden
Every thing depend on who will pay the rent for the villa. Usualy the company that your husband will work for should provide the accomodation. So it depend of the deal he will have with the company about the accomodation. Well a suitable villa in a good location will cost about 20 000 to 40 000 QR. To get a proper information you are to be more specific about the above.
only green compounds tend to be older.
You can see that inside the houses, furniture may be damaged, bathroom and kitchen tyles are not ....so clean/new anymore.
In a new compound you may plant yourself some green/coloured stuff...
I think you should look for a compound which is green and not a concrete jungle.
There should be a shaded play area for the children. Tennis courts, gyms etc can be additional things that you could look for.
Make sure that the internal roads in the compound are safe enough for tricycles or cycles that your children may use
Swimming pool if present is good, but do look out for safety factors in the pools( I have known 2 children who died in swimming pools in Qatar in the last 3 years that I have been here- please do check if atleast there is a barricade between the pool and the housing area )
Look if there are shops nearby and they carry essential supplies for children like milk. Also look out for medical shops in the vicinity. Many compounds are far away from shopping areas and sometimes you have to drive around town to find what you need.
i think good neighbours are an essential part of compound living but of course you can't know this unless you start staying there.
That is all i think.
If I think of any thing else, will post later