Many thanks Umm Summaya. I guess that's that then. perhaps I'm better off looking for places in Doha as I've got kids (3) of school going age. Are there expats living in predominantly Qatari areas? We're living in a predominantly local (Emiratis) area in Dubai and I must say we do enjoy it especially during Ramadan. My husband and my boys get to meet the locals at the local mosque and they are made to feel welcome despite the language barrier.