excerpts from Gulf Times 27 Dec 06, page 4...

"...a number of residences that housed Western expatriates in the last couple of years are lying vacant after the Games, most such houses had fetched at least QR 10,000 per month for its owners, now we are finding it difficult to get tenants for QR 8,000 for such units..."

"...some forums of businessmen have highlghted the necessity of bringing down both commercial and residential rents..."

cool huh!