Al Muntazah area is pretty much in the heart of the city. It's not exactly a bad neighborhood but not where you'd probably be looking to get peace and quiet after a long day at work.

most western expats i know choose to live in residential compounds (which are ridiculously expensive) or otherwise on the outskirts of the city where traffic and construction work are at minimum.

of course that means that you'd probably have to get used to waking up at the break of dawn, and spending a bit extra on fuel if you own a car (i wake up at 5:30 everyday to make a 40-minute journey to westbay area where i work. i also drive a 1.4-Litre hatchback so i don't exactly have to give up an arm and a leg in exchange for gas money)