Doha, Qatar Area Overview - Witt/Kieffer Qatar Area Overview.pdf · Tagalog, Urdu and Punjabi are...
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Doha, Qatar Area Overview
About Doha and Qatar
Qatar is a country buzzing with energy, rich in tradition and
bursting with development. It is a country until recently unknown to
many travelers. However, with
the extreme growth, development and modernization of its capital
Doha, Qatar has become more than just a place of transit. It has
turned itself into a modern state for its nationals, a thriving
economy for the expatriates an
exciting tourist destination and the home of the immensely
successful Al Jazeera Satellite News Network.
Located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar has a population of about 1.9 million, 70% of which live in the capital of
Doha. Its big expatriate community makes up a major part of the population.
Qatar is an independent, sovereign state, situated half
way down the west coast of The Gulf, and occupies a small
peninsula. Its only land border
is with Saudi Arabia and the rest of its territory is
surrounded by the Gulf. A strait of the Gulf separates
Qatar from the nearby island state of Bahrain. Qatar has
been ruled as an absolute
monarchy by Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. The country is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which
also includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
All in all, the country is divided into seven baladiyat (municipalities). Aside from Doha, other cities, such as
Mesaieed, Dukhan or Ras Laffan Industrial City, host production and trade facilities for the petrochemical industry. The latter
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offers many job opportunities and is thus one of the main destinations for expats in Qatar. Here, traditional life in Qatar coexists with a globalized economy and modern architecture. While Qatar’s
government invests in up-to-date technologies, it also encourages its people to maintain their cultural heritage.
Expats moving to Qatar will experience an independent and modern nation on
the Arabian Gulf, with beautiful beaches and a breathtaking desert landscape.
Arabian culture and religious tradition are still prevalent in everyday life, offering
most foreigners an interesting contrast to
their home country. There are several fine resorts and beaches strategically
placed along the 565 km (351 mile) coastline to choose from. You won't find
any difficulty in balancing the work-play
environment effectively. There is no shortage of entertainment: shopping,
restaurants, cinemas and bowling alleys. All of this, plus a generous blend of
café’s, nut shops and divine bakeries make Qatar an exciting country to relocate.
More Facts and Information
Population: The growth in population in Qatar
has been phenomenal. In the 1960’s the population was 70,000 and it is now currently
estimated to be over 1,500,000. This number is
predominantly made up of the expat community; of the 1,500,000 only around
350,000 are native Qataris. Approximately 50% of the population resides in Doha.
Language: Arabic is the official and main language, but English is widely spoken in every
part of the country. Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Tagalog, Urdu and Punjabi are the other most
widely spoken languages in Qatar.
The Political System: Expats from Western countries are sometimes surprised to encounter a political
system very different from what they may be familiar with. Qatar is an absolute monarchy. Its power currently lies with the Al Thani family and is passed on to a male heir after consulting all members of the
ruling family. The country’s legal system is based on codes of Islamic and civil law. However, when compared to other Arab countries, expats moving to Qatar will find that their new home is relatively
liberal. A good example is the sale of alcohol, which – although strictly forbidden by Shari’a law – has
been tolerated since 1995, albeit in limited quantities only.
Religion: Islam is the official religion of the country and Shari’a (Islamic) Law is the principal source of legislation and this is applied to family law, inheritance and some criminal acts. The Qatari’s are very
dedicated to upholding tradition and deeply religious and you will hear the call to prayers from every mosque five times a day. During this time many Muslims will stop whatever they are doing to go to the
mosque or kneel to prayer wherever they are.
The Terrain: The terrain in Qatar is generally flat and rocky and covered with sand flats and dunes. However there are a variety of geographical marvels such as exceptionally elevated limestone formations,
coastal salt plains, singing sand dunes. To the southeast lies the spectacular Khor al Adaid ‘The Inland
Sea, an area of rolling sand dunes surrounding an inlet of the Gulf. This is a popular day trip destination and many people camp overnight there too.
Climate: For the most part, Qatar has dry, arid
weather conditions. The coolest months in Qatar
are December, January and February. The high temperatures (touching 50°C or 122°F in July-
August) coupled with a 90% humidity restricts outdoor activities during summer, but there is
still plenty to do within many of Qatar’s well-fitted indoor facilities. The cooler months are
ideal for outdoor activities and to explore Qatar’s
many beaches, parks and dunes.
Clothing: Men and women should dress modestly as a courtesy to both Qataris and Muslims. It is not appropriate to show too much skin in other
public areas. Tops should cover the shoulders and upper arms, and skirts or shorts should fall to or below
the knee. Women are not obliged to cover their hair. Visitors should be thoughtful of their clothing particularly in the Holy Month of Ramadan. The extreme heat and high humidity of summertime means
light-weight fibers are advisable; covering up susceptible parts of your body whilst outside they will also prevent sunburn. Wintertime can be chilly, especially in the evenings, and there is also a chance of rain,
so coats and closed shoes will be useful.
Healthcare: Qatar has a lot to offer in terms of healthcare. It boasts not only one of the most advanced
neonatal care programs in the world but also some of the most advanced medical equipment. There are also many highly qualified specialists in Qatar from all around the world. Medical facilities are being
improved continually and by 2012 Qatar will have increased the number of hospital beds from 1,000 to 2,000 with the opening of several new clinics including Hamad medical city.
Currency: The monetary unit of Qatar is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 Dirhams. The exchange rate is linked to the US Dollar at the fixed rate of US$1 = QR3.65. Banks are generally open
from 07:00 to 13:00 Sunday to Thursday. Some banks are open on Friday and Saturday; like the HSBC’s Al Sadd branch at the City Centre and the QNB branches also at the City centre in Doha. ATM’s are
spread throughout Qatar and are easily available. All major credit cards are widely accepted. There are
no exchange controls in Qatar.
Qatari Driver’s Licenses: If you plan on driving in Qatar, you must get an international driving permit which is not allowed until after six months of residency. Once you are considered a permanent
residence, you need to apply directly for a Qatari license. Unfortunately, only nationals of the United Kingdom and a few other countries can avoid taking the practical and written tests for driving in Qatar.
The driving test includes an oral test concerning traffic regulations, reverse parking, straight parking, and
a road test. Your license will be issued immediately after you pass the test. The fee for taking a driving test is 30 QAR. You can find most of the license application forms online in English at the Ministry of
Interior’s Traffic Department, which avoids multiple trips to the actual office. A letter from your sponsor as well as a copy of your sponsor’s ID card is necessary in order to apply for a driver’s license. You will
also need to complete an eyesight exam. The initial driver’s license costs 250 QAR, and must be renewed every five years for the same amount. Driver’s licenses can be renewed online.
Air Transportation
Doha International Airport: The Airport is just 8 km (about 5 miles) from
the city center. Doha Airport is served by 31 international airlines, including
major national carriers such as United
Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways, KLM and Emirates, which all operate
regular scheduled flights from Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand,
among others.
Completed at a cost of almost US$100
million, Doha International Airport now boasts the world’s first terminal dedicated exclusively to the needs of Qatar Airways’ first and business
class passengers. The Premium Terminal is a luxurious and relaxing oasis of comfort for all Qatar Airways customers. It offers a ‘hassle-free’ experience from check-in to departure, with dedicated first and
business class lounges on the first floor featuring separate dining areas with hot and cold food available
throughout the day and night. Other facilities include a duty free shopping area, spa, sauna, massage treatments, children’s play area, conference and meeting rooms, business centre, free internet access,
prayer rooms and a medical centre. The airport has a large duty-free section where departing travelers may purchase alcohol.
Qatar Airways has a network of over 80 international destinations, including London, Manchester, Paris,
Frankfurt, Rome, Johannesburg, Cape Town and New York. Code share partners include Alitalia, British
Midland Airways (bmi), Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.
Flight Times to Worldwide Cities
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 46 minutes
Jerusalem, Israel 2 hours, 24 minutes Cairo, Egypt 2 hours, 39 minutes
New Delhi, India 3 hours, 20 minutes Athens, Greece 3 hours, 51 minutes
Moscow, Russia 4 hours, 35 minutes
Rome, Italy 5 hours, 10 minutes Prague, Czech Republic 5 hours, 26 minutes
Copenhagen, Denmark 5 hours, 57 minutes Berlin, Germany 5 hours, 40 minutes
Paris, France 6 hours, 25 minutes Beijing, China 7 hours, 58 minutes
Washington DC, U.S. 14 hours, 21 minutes
Area Attractions, Arts and Culture
Qatar has established itself as one of the region’s cultural capitals, hosting major international events.
Qatar is also home to the finest cultural landmarks, some even dating back to thousands of years demonstrating the nation’s rich history and culture. In addition, Qatar has a series of world-class
museums that house some of the world’s finest art collections.
Museum of Islamic Art: The stunning Museum of Islamic Art,
designed by I.M. Pei, famed for his modern wing of the Louvre in Paris, is an icon for art, culture and heritage, housing precious
works from more than 200 years of Islamic civilization.
Mathaf Museum: The Mathaf Museum of Modern Arab Art opened
in Education City in 2010 and hosts regular exhibitions of contemporary art with a permanent collection of regional art and
design.
Qatar National Museum: This is Qatar’s largest national museum
that portrays Qatar’s local history, effectively giving you glimpse into Qatar’s rich traditional past. It was built in 1907 as a residence
for Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al- Thani. In the 1970’s it was restored and used as a museum. Its restoration won the Agha Khan
Award for Renovation Excellence. It displays archaeological relics, a
military exhibition from the ruling family and a beautiful reconstruction of a traditional Bedouin tent. The Museum is situated
on the Corniche close to the perfume bottles round-about.
Katara Cultural Village: Katara Cultural Village is the focal point for arts and culture in Doha and has art galleries, an amphitheater for
opera, drama and concerts performance as well as restaurants and a
beach and water sports facilities.
Qatar National Theater: Inaugurated in 1982, located on the Corniche, this 490 seat theater hosts regularly concerts and plays
organized by the cultural stakeholders of Qatar.
Katara Drama Theatre: With a seating capacity of 430 people, the
Katara Drama Theatre is suitable to host events of all types, including film screenings and other events. With the main stage of the theatre
made to resemble traditional Arabian architecture, the ceiling creates
the feeling of an open-air theatre.
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra: Composed of 101 musicians from 30 countries, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly to
crowds of music lovers at Katara Cultural Village. The orchestra is instilling music culture locally and internationally, build bridges through the presentation of a unique
combination of Arabic and Western.
Live Music: Western or Asian performers provide live entertainment at Shehrazad, Paloma, Piano
Piano, Habanos Bar, Irish Bar and The Library Bar most evenings from around 8 pm. The
Intercontinental Hotel also holds open air beach concerts and gigs at weekends with international
stars and well known chart music acts. Note that
there are no live music performances during the Holy month of Ramadan in Qatar.
Jazz in Doha: With several bands ranging from
classical jazz, to blues, salsa band, or Brass
quartet, you can listen to them in several hotel bars (the Jazz Club at Oryx Rotana, Piano Piano in Movenpick, Habanos in Ritz-Carlton, Orion in Ramada) and during special events. The world-renowned
Jazz at Lincoln Center is now in Qatar too. You can watch as jazz musicians from the world-over recreate the ambience of the golden era while you sit in front and savor the music and the delectable food and
drinks at the restaurant. They play everyone from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald to all the classic silken-voiced jazz crooners.
Fort Zubarah: A trip to the ancient 18th century Fort Zubarah in the North of the country is a must for visitors wanting to explore Qatar’s historical landmarks.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum: Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani has built his own
museum at his farm in Al Sheehaniya located 20km west of Doha. This private museum comprises of
more than 15,000 pieces, collected during his worldwide travels. The museum has a varied collection of artifacts including fossils, manuscripts, textiles, weapons, ceramics, woodwork, contemporary art, pre-
and Islamic coins and foreign currency. There is also a section devoted to Qatari and Bedouin heritage, including fishing boats and traditional Qatari houses. The facility also has an attached farm housing more
than 1,000 Arabian onyx, gazelles, and peacocks.
Sports, Outdoor and Scenic Attractions
Spectator Sports: Sport has always played an important role in the
lives of Qatar’s residents and most of Qatar’s sporting venues are open to the public in an effort to encourage residents to adopt a
healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. Fast becoming one of the
world’s leading places to enjoy sports, Qatar has invested US$2.8 billion in infrastructure over the last several years to support athletic
competition. Qatar attracts the biggest sporting events in the world, not least the World Cup 2022, Asian (football) Cup and Asian Games,
to name but three. You will have the opportunity to watch some of
the world’s most exciting sports events in football, tennis, golf, sailing, power-boating, cycling, motor racing, and desert trekking and
many more.
Qatar Sports City - ASPIRE Zone: Qatar is home to the Qatar Sports City - ASPIRE Zone, a world-class complex for athletics,
entertainment, recreation and wellness, where even the English
football team has trained. ASPIRE houses international standard sport stadium, medical facilities, education services and sport academy,
mosque, sports club, retail areas and parklands. Located approximately 8km from Doha’s Central Business District, the complex was designed for the 2006 Asian Games. ASPIRE is also an academy for
sports excellence, to discover and develop sports talents, transforming athletes in world-renowned champions.
Horse and Camel Racing: Qatar has a well-deserved reputation in
horse and camel racing. Known globally for the high quality of its
stunning Arabian thoroughbreds, the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club carries on this long and distinguished tradition with a commitment to
the pure breeding of Arabian horses and the enjoyment and challenge of horse racing. Camel racing, historically known as the ‘sport of
sheikhs’, continues today in the small town of Al Shahaniya, where
Qatar’s main camel racetrack is located. Here, visitors are enticed with a rare opportunity to witness one of the more novel competitive events
in the region.
Participatory Sports: Qatar offers it all: from bowling to cycling, dune-bashing to sand skiing, football and rugby to falconry, swimming
to ice-skating, horse riding to jetski, motor sports to water sports,
snooker to boating on anything from sailboats to traditional dhows to luxury yachts. Then you can kayak, dive or water-ski in the beautifully
clear and clean blue waters off Qatar’s shores. Golfers can challenge their game on the championship courses at the Doha Golf Club or
the Mesaieed Golf Club. Those interested in racquet sports and
other forms of exercise can find what they seek at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex, which boasts 17 courts, a swimming pool and a gymnasium.
Beaches: The Qatar peninsula has beaches
galore with a 563 kilometre (350 miles) - long sandy coastline with numerous small islets, sand
bars and reefs. Enjoy relaxing, swimming, or
any water sports on Qatar’s sparkling shores with their exceptionally clear and clean blue
water.
Parks: Doha is home to many lush green areas
and parks that offer recreation and relaxation. From the perfectly manicured Corniche to the
88 hectare (217 acres) Aspire Park, visitors will find a spot to relax under in the shade of under
trees or by the water, walkways to enjoy or
jogging tracks to burn calories on.
Museum of Islamic Art Park: The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is one of Qatar’s most distinct
landmarks. As you pull into the museum’s parking lot, the adjoining piece of land covered in lushgreen date palms and grass will not fail to entice. The community-friendly park’s neatly lined
concrete walkways will lead you to a play area for children complete with a monkey bars, swings,slides and even trampolines on a sandpit. For those seeking a few contemplative hours away
from the traffic and noise of the city, follow the walkway towards the end of the park. You can
enjoy a stunning view of the Doha skyline reflected on the Arabian Sea while taking in the sights
and sounds of water or the dhows cruising by.
Aspire Park: The park at Aspire Zone
offers not just a space for long walks and
picnics. A large lake with ducks and geeseadd a further touch of nature that visitors
can enjoy with small-scale cafés, and avariety of trees adding to the aesthetic
appeal of the landscape. The park has a
family-only rule. Aspire Park can be a goodgetaway after a long day of shopping at
the neighboring Villaggio and Hyatt Plazamalls. It is also an excellent option for
runners since the park has a 1.6km jogging
track. Dahl Al Hamam Park: Dahl Al Hamam Family Park is located in Madinat Khalifa, Doha adjacent
to the intersection of Al Markhiya Street and Arab League Street. The park has an area of
93,297m2, and is well equipped. Dahl Al Hamam is a family only park. Facilities at the parkinclude sports activity areas for football, basketball and skateboarding, an open air theater, a
children play area which is shaded along with a small open playground, a restaurant and food
court.
Khor Al Adaid Natural Reserves: Also known as the Inland Sea, this breathtakingly beautiful area, surrounded by crescent-shaped sand dunes, is one of Qatar’s finest treasures and a prime tourism asset.
A shallow tidal lake with a narrow outlet to the sea, the many-lobed Khor Al Adaid lies between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and has shores in each country. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary and only
experienced drivers should attempt the journey. Alternatively, local tour operators organise day trips and
overnight camps, providing exhilarating drives along the dunes, with barbecues, entertainment and the opportunity to ride camels or sand ski.
Shopping and Dining
Qatar provides the perfect combination of culinary arts – a diverse collection of international cuisines and the chance to try some
exciting Arabic food. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, the Arab world displays the influence of all three regions in
the number and variety of dishes in its traditional cuisine. Qatar is home to an impressive range of dining experiences - from the finest
international cuisine to grabbing a quick bite on the run. Hotels offer
a broad range of culinary options including restaurants, lounges and cafes as well as most offering a Friday brunch. Many of these
establishments are listed here. Qatari and Middle Eastern Cuisine Plainly grilled or boiled fish from the rich seas around the peninsula
or tender lamb and camel meat from Bedouin flocks were traditional
favorites and are still popular today.
Qatar is a great place for indulging in unlimited ‘retail therapy’. With five levels and over 370 stores, City Center Doha is Doha’s largest
mall. The mall’s location in West Bay along with its proximity to the
Corniche and many commercial buildings in the area attract the
office crowd around the area to its food court and other restaurants. The mall offers almost
everything that people might require – laundry services, an express photo studio, a
grocery store in the form of Carrefour, an ice skating rink, banking services, currency
exchange services, a 14-screen cinema, kiosks
providing government services as well as global gymnasium chain Fitness First.
Villaggio is one of Qatar’s largest malls with over 220 stores including a large food court
with a variety of restaurants and cafés serving
different cuisines. The mall is themed to resemble the city of Venice, completed with a 150-metre long canal and a gondola boat ride. A 13-screen
IMAX cinema shows movies in 3D. Gondolania, a theme park for kids offers rides and games for children of all ages along with an ice rink and Qatar’s first 4D theatre. One of the next busiest malls after City
Center and Villaggio, Landmark Mall is built in the style of a Qatari castle. With many large international stores such as Marks & Spencer, BHS, Carrefour, Zara, H&M, and Virgin Megastore, the mall also has a
large food court, a three-screen cinema as well as CircusLand, a play area for kids, and hairdressers for
kids & men. There are also many other restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines ranging from global fast food chains to independent local restaurants. Maya La Chocolaterie, Wafi Gourmet (Lebanese
cuisine), Pizza Express and TGIFriday’s offer some of the dining options.
Qatar’s local markets, known as souqs, uphold their
world charm retaining the atmosphere and spirit of a bazaar of days gone by. At any time of day, Souq
Waqif is always bustling with people walking around the alleys window-shopping or enjoying their shisha
with friends and family at restaurants. It provides an excellent place for people to gather, shop for
traditional knick-knacks, spices or just enjoy a good
meal. It has a number of boutique hotels located around its premises that are part of the Souq Waqif
Boutique Hotels. There are also stables for horses and camels at the Souq. Restaurants specializing in
cuisines from different parts of the MENA region are
located all along the souq with international cuisines such as Malaysian, French, and Indian. Souq Waqif being an Ooredoo hotspot also allows visitors to log onto the web with free wireless internet. Live
performances and seasonal festivals with street artists and traditional folk troupes make it a one-of-a-kind cultural bazaar in Qatar.
Education
The Ministry of Education and the Supreme Education Council jointly control the education system. The Supreme Education Council, however, is currently more influential and is trying to create a world-class
education system in Qatar. It does this by giving the schools independence to exercise more control over their own affairs.
Expat children tend to attend private international schools in Qatar. Most of them
were established only recently and are located in Doha. Independent schools
welcome the children of expats as well. Currently, there are 137 independent schools
and kindergartens, which offer curricula in
Arabic and English.
Most schools have a waiting list so it’s best to contact the schools well in advance. Schools
accept students at any time of the year
depending on place availability. Requirements for an application to a school
are a passport copy, recent school report, 2 passport photos and an up-to-date immunization card.
Admittance into certain years may require the child to pass an entrance exam; this usually applies to applicants for Year 6 and above. Schools usually like to meet the family prior to admittance. As they may
have a waiting list, it is best to apply as soon as you know you are moving to Qatar. The schools follow
national curriculums from various countries (British, French or American, for example). The exams sat by the children are in accordance with the curriculum which the school follows – GCSEs and A-levels (or
equivalent exams for the various curriculums). The standard of teaching is high, with many extra-curricular activities and facilities available.
The American School of Doha (ASD): The American School of Doha (ASD) was originally founded and operated until 1997 as the American International School (AIS). The school was established in 1988
by Ambassador Joseph Ghougassian to serve the needs of the American community in Qatar. A villa housed the school consisting of only lower elementary classes and a small teaching staff recruited from
the local community. By school year 1989/90, AIS had moved to the Old Rayyan campus, which was a purpose built Arabic school owned by a member of the Qatari ruling family. The school enrollment is
close to 2000 students and close to capacity. The reputation of the school has continued to grow with the
acceptance of students in major colleges and universities, including Harvard, West Point, and Columbia. The student body has also grown in diversity with 79 countries represented in the student body.
Education City: Education City is an initiative of Qatar Foundation for
Education, Science and Community Development. Located on the
outskirts of Doha, Education City covers 14 square kilometers and houses educational facilities from school age to research level and
branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities.
Education City aims to be the center of educational excellence in the
region, instructing students in fields of critical importance to the Gulf Cooperation Council region. It is also conceived of as a forum where
universities share research and forge relationships with businesses and institutions in public and private sectors. Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned
was a driving force behind the foundation and construction of Education City.
Six American universities also have campuses in Qatar, offering different educational programs to Qataris and expats living in Qatar.
These (often co-ed) campuses are located in Education City proper and include Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University
at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar), and Northwestern University in Qatar.
Accommodation Types in Qatar
There are various kinds of accommodation in Qatar.
Compound living is highly sought after but there are long waiting
lists. A compound is multiple
homes that often have shared amenities such as a swimming
pool and tennis courts amongst others. This kind of
accommodation is popular in Qatar but also difficult to find as
many good compounds have
waiting lists.
Serviced apartments are also a popular choice for expats. Living in a serviced apartment is almost like living in a hotel in that it is completely furnished, someone will come daily to clean your home and
change the sheets and towels and it is all included in the rental price. Serviced apartments usually have
amenities such as a pool and gym for the resident’s use. The downside is that these apartments are much more expensive than regular apartments.
Living in an apartment is quite the norm in Qatar.
There are many to choose from ranging from studios to penthouse apartments. The buildings can
have amenities such as a swimming pool, gym,
tennis and squash courts. The newer ones often do. Some of the older apartment buildings do not offer
amenities and are hence often less expensive. Furthermore newer buildings will have central air
conditioning, the cost of which is often included in
the rent price. If it is not included it can be quite pricey, so always ask. Older apartments will have
single air conditioning units which are less expensive but quite noisy. Apartments are great for families,
couples and singles and are usually large enough.
Villa living is more often associated with compounds and gated communities. It is great for families as
most villas are spacious and come with a large garden. However, villa living can be lonely should you choose to live in a villa outside a compound as the neighbors will be a bit further away. Most independent
villas are owned by Qatari nationals and are rented directly from the landlord. Sharing villas is a popular concept among expatriates in Doha and is done often among single expatriates.
Doha Residential Areas
Al Sadd: This is quite a busy commercial area with plenty of shops, cafes, juice bars and local businesses. It is probably more suited to single people or couples with no kids. It has very limited parking
so traffic tends to often jam up especially on Al Mirqab Street. It is mainly apartment living here with a couple of older compounds and you would expect to pay roughly around 8000-9000QR per month for a
two bedroom apartment.
Al Wabb: This is probably one of the most popular areas with families as it is close to Villaggio Mall and
Aspire Park and has some schools and nurseries close by. There are lots of compounds in this area and some standalone villas also. The new Al Wabb City development is still under construction but it is
planned to be a city within a city and will have shops, restaurants, parks and accommodations when
completed. Most compound villas in the Al Wabb area are roughly between 14,000 – 18,000QR per month for a 3 or 4 bedroom villa on a compound with facilities.
Madinat Khalifa: This is becoming a popular area with families. It is close to Landmark Mall with a
Carrefour and also the new Lulu Hypermarket. It also has lots of cheap useful shops close by on Khalifa Street. There are a lot of schools in the area such as Compass School, Doha English Speaking School
(DESS), The Canadian School and International school of London plus kindergartens such as Starfish
Lane. There is a mix of standalone villas and compounds including Riviera Gardens which is a very popular and sought after compound. You would expect to pay roughly around 12,000QR unfurnished per
month for a three bedroom villa.
Abu Hamour/Mamoura/Ain Khalid: This is a popular residential area due to the number of new
compounds and stand alone villas being built and it is slightly cheaper than other parts of town. It is close to several schools such as Park House English School, Al Jazeera Academy, Doha British School and also
Doha College. There are also lots of Nurseries/Kindergartens in the area. It is very close to Fish and Vegetable markets as well as the Plant Souqs. Safari Mall is close by as well as a newly opened Carrefour
on Mesaimeer Road. Compound living is the main option here and you can get a 4 bedroom villa unfurnished from 10,000QR per month.
The Pearl: This is one of the most talked about areas of Doha. It covers 985 acres of
reclaimed land to the north of the Corniche. The developers are hoping this will become the
Riviera of the Middle East. Residents have top
brand shops on hand as well as a selection of restaurants including Gordon Ramsay’s Maze.
Residential prices are a little higher here and it is definitely a place for couples and single
people. Apartments can be found from
12,000QR upwards and a three bedroom townhouse has been advertised from
25,000QR per month. There are plans for primary and secondary schools to be built but at the moment the closest is in West Bay such as Newton
School.
West Bay: West Bay Lagoon has a variety of lifestyle options from high rise apartments to luxurious
waterside villas. Traffic at the moment is quite light but they are expecting it to get busier once the Pearl opens fully. City Centre Doha is close by with a Carrefour hypermarket inside as well as a new Carrefour
Market in Lagoon Plaza underneath the Zig Zag Towers. A lot of the five star hotels are in this area also such as the Ritz Carlton, The Grand Hyatt, W Hotel, Hilton, Four Seasons to name a few. Newton School
is close by as well as quite a few nurseries and kindergartens. A fully furnished apartment in the Zig Zag towers will be around 9000QR per month for a 2 bedroom and a standalone villa on the lagoon can set
you back up to 25,000QR per month.
Economy
Expats often find work in the petrochemical
industries, as well as the gas and petroleum sector. After all, revenues from oil and gas
account for more than 50% of its GDP and
make it the country with the highest per capita income in the world. The government
is trying to invest in non-energy sectors too. However, with its vast oil reserves, it can
continue its usage and export for decades to come at its current speed, creating and
maintaining work opportunities for expats
moving to Qatar.
Oil and gas will certainly remain the focus of Qatar’s economy for years to come however Qatar has had the foresight to look beyond
its reserves to a more diversified future. They have recognised the
importance of education and are currently developing Education City. The Emir’s second wife, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint
Nasser Al-Missned has been integral in developing education within Qatar, she is chair of the Qatar Foundation and a board member of
Qatar’s Supreme Education Council. Qatar has also founded the Qatar Science and Technology Park in order to attract technology based
companies from within and outside Qatar.
Since 2000, the tourism sector has grown significantly, supported by
the Tourism Authority. Many expats have found an occupation which allows them to enjoy the country’s beautiful beaches, subtropical
climate, and desert landscape. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will trigger
additional developments in the tourism industry, giving expats and Qatari nationals further employment opportunities.