There are a number of compounds which give you outside space. we have managed to turn ours into a lovely garden. Yes it requires work but I love to look out my window and see green.
Questions you should ask if using a real estate agent, are what is included with the rent, what is included at the property ie curtains, light fittings.
If you privately rent you will need deposits for Utilities, liquor licence & rent.
You need your residents permite for these, also if you can get an egate card with a multy exist permite.
The Hyatt residents are very nice and offer green spaces & a beach. They are quite expensive, around 27,000 riyal a month(3.65$ - 1 QAR) which is a lot but you have access to the Hyatt facilities. A year ago I would not have recommended but now there is a new shopping centre over the road & a lot more to do at the Pearl, its a good place to stay.
Nothing is very far away in Doha geographically but traffic can be a problem as its not a walking place (especially in the summer months) and public transport is not good enough yet.
Getting taxi's Karwa cabs(can be difficult as there are not enough, although more are being added.
I use a private company and have an account I settle monthly it works for me.
There are a couple of groups, American wemons group & Tuesday ladies group which are well established and can offer friendship & support, both can be found on the web.
tlgindoha.gmail.com I also found buying the Maharba book, Timeout, HQ & Abode magazines have been really helpful along with the Fanar islamic cultural centre, You dont have to be muselum to go to talks there. Alot that happens here is word of mouth so these along with the social groups are great.
I brought my own funiture and had items made here, i'm glad I did, it has made settling in easier to have my own stuff around me.
You can have a good life here the trick is to get involved in something straight away & September is a good time because all the groups start up again after the summer.
I am now in my 14th month and love it.
I only check QL a few times a week but if you need anything else answered please feel free to drop me a line via the site.