2 of the best expat schools (Doha College & American School) are in Al Waab, it's right next to Salwa Road, the Wholesale Markets, Ramada Hotel and is basically easily accesible from most places. It's normally preferred by families with children in one of those schools or the nurseries that are in the area as well.
I personally live down in Wakrah which is about 30 minutes from Al Waab because rents are lower, it's 2 minutes to the beach and it's a fairly relaxed and quiet area to live in.
Not all villas are on compounds - I'm in a stand-alone as it offers tons more outside space for my dogs and kids. Stand-alones tend to be slightly cheaper as well but don't offer the clubhouse/communial pool/guard aspect. If you want to spend more then you can get a villa with a private pool.
In all honesty, the traffic is not great around Al Waab area during peak traffic hours due to all the school kids being dropped off/picked up but it's got better with all the new traffic lights and adding 5 minutes onto your travelling time to work in the morning isn't a huge price to pay for being in a good location.
No where is "far" in Qatar. On a really bad day it'll take me 40 minutes from Wakrah to Villaggio - on a good day it's 25 minutes. Compared to distances that are travelled in the UK to go to certain shopping centres, it's a piece of cake living in Qatar!
2 of the best expat schools (Doha College & American School) are in Al Waab, it's right next to Salwa Road, the Wholesale Markets, Ramada Hotel and is basically easily accesible from most places. It's normally preferred by families with children in one of those schools or the nurseries that are in the area as well.
I personally live down in Wakrah which is about 30 minutes from Al Waab because rents are lower, it's 2 minutes to the beach and it's a fairly relaxed and quiet area to live in.
Not all villas are on compounds - I'm in a stand-alone as it offers tons more outside space for my dogs and kids. Stand-alones tend to be slightly cheaper as well but don't offer the clubhouse/communial pool/guard aspect. If you want to spend more then you can get a villa with a private pool.
In all honesty, the traffic is not great around Al Waab area during peak traffic hours due to all the school kids being dropped off/picked up but it's got better with all the new traffic lights and adding 5 minutes onto your travelling time to work in the morning isn't a huge price to pay for being in a good location.
No where is "far" in Qatar. On a really bad day it'll take me 40 minutes from Wakrah to Villaggio - on a good day it's 25 minutes. Compared to distances that are travelled in the UK to go to certain shopping centres, it's a piece of cake living in Qatar!