Looking for apartments for rent in Qatar is a major preoccupation once you have decided to relocate. That is because you are to encounter a new real estate market, new real estate standards, new currency and according to living costs and you have to learn about the best rental places for foreigners.
In this article, we focus to give you the main criteria you should consider while choosing an apartment for rent in Qatar.
Look for apartments for rent in Qatar in expat-friendly neighborhood
This is the easiest step while looking for apartments for rent in Qatar as foreigners are a vast population of this country. As an ex-pat, you are welcomed in Qatar and you are even allowed to buy a property in freehold areas, these being the most friendlier areas for expats.
In Qatar, the residential area inhabited mostly by foreigners is Lusail City, The Pearl, and West Bay ( including the West Lagoon), the last two being situated in Doha.
Apartments for rent in Qatar in family-friendly residencies
If you are single, you may choose any studio apartment for rent in Qatar, regardless of the area. They are spacious and very well endowed. As a fact, many of the studios within our offer are refined and reach the luxury level.
If you are to move with your family, you should look for an apartment to comfort your family’s needs:
- Spacious
- An appropriate number of rooms
- Nursery or gymnasium in the neighborhood
- Playground within the residential area
- Green areas
- Shopping areas in proximity
Even if it seems quite a lot to request from an apartment and the area around it, actually it is not. Most of the residential areas are provided with facilities for children such as indoor or outdoor playgrounds. As Doha and Lusail are expanding cities, nurseries and gymnasiums are easy to reach from most of the expat areas.
Qatar is a new real estate market. What type of amenities to expect from your flat for rent
Qatar really is a new real estate market and the buildings were mainly developed bearing in plan the taste and comfort a foreigner would look for. Hence, most of the buildings are developed at international construction standards. Even architectural styles are mixed, the Arabian ornamental interchanging with standard, western buildings.
As your comfort is important, you should look for you apartment for rent in Qatar to minimum have:
- Car parking (most of the residential apartments have secured car parking)
Air Conditioning
Fire alarm System
Fire fighting system
Also, you may look for the residential area to be provided with a pool, gym, garden, reception, porter, or other special amenities that add up to your comfort. Of course, this luxury comes at an adequate price.
When you are looking for apartments for rent in Qatar do also analyze the living costs
You are to live in a new country and when you are to choose the apartment, our advice is to analyze your income versus the rental price of the flat and living costs in Qatar. The cheapest apartments for rent are in some areas of Doha or Lusail.
To simplify:
- A studio apartment for rent in the outskirts of Doha starts from 5500 QAR
A meal for two in medium restaurant costs around 180 QAR
A small bottle of water (33 cl) costs around 1 QAR
1 kg of beef costs above 25 QAR
Extra, you have electrical energy and facility costs, some of them are detailed in one of our articles about properties for sale.
Analyze whether is more appropriate to rent or to look for properties for sale in Qatar
When moving to Qatar the period of stay is an important criterion to choose between renting or buying a property in Qatar.
As we have previously explained, if you are to live in Qatar for more than 5 years, it is more appropriate to consider looking for properties for sale in Qatar, than renting flats.
In case you consider moving to Qatar and you are looking for your future home to be, we are here to help you!
What Should You Know When You Rent An Apartment In Doha
In Doha are working over millions of expats and the number is growing. Actually, due to this peculiarity – that the number of foreigners is larger than locals –, the real estate companies in Qatar have the main public and clientele formed out from rather from people moving into Qatar and less from the Qatari population.
This is one of the reasons why people look to rent an apartment in Doha, rather than buy a house. We are to explain what to look for or the type of properties to choose depending on your family status. We also, speak about the best properties for rent where to live as an expat.
Apartments for rent in Doha- Qatar – Living in Style
Living in Doha seems and is such an exquisite experience. Qatar is one of the richest states in the Arabian world and also, one of the safest countries to live in. Besides, the salary level is one of the highest within the Islamic world, and conditions of lifestyle overcome even those in Europe or even in the US.
Living in Doha seems and is such an exquisite experience. Qatar is one of the richest states in the Arabian world and also, one of the safest countries to live in. Besides, the salary level is one of the highest within the Islamic world, and conditions of lifestyle overcome even those in Europe or even in the US.
The apartments for rent in Doha keep up these premises of well-being and luxury, for both locals and expats. News residential areas are built to welcome foreigners. The urban style is designed as an amalgamation of traditional – Arabian and ultra-modern architecture.
Two Different Rental Worlds in Doha: Luxury Apartments for Rent Vs Rooms for Rent
There are two different segments of flat rentals in Doha. On one end is luxury real estate, endowed with state of art amenities, apartments, and houses that are incredibly refined and stunningly furnished. On the other end, the real estate market provides rooms for rent, planned for either bachelor or family living.
If the first category may be considered as apartments for rent for middle and top managers, most of them are expats that are to live and work in Doha for the long term, on the opposite, the rooms for rent are meant also for foreigners working in Qatar on various tourism, commercial or similar entry-level jobs.
Obviously, the comfort difference reflects in the price. If a magnificent 4 bedroom apartment is for rent in Doha, West Bay reaches a price of 22000 QAR/ month. A family for rent in Doha costs 1500-4000 QAR a month.
Studio Apartment for Rent in Doha – An Option for Batchelors
The studio apartments for rent in Doha are some of the most required properties and the main tenants are single or bachelors working in large companies in Qatar. That is the specificity of studio apartments rentals in Doha is especially size, finishing, and amenities. These studios are large, with surfaces over 75 sq.m, unlike flats around many areas on the globe. That is mainly due to the Qatari appeal for luxury and excellence in providing a comfortable living. Design reunites purposes, daily activities, and sleeping, without affecting coziness.
Most of the studios for rent are situated in freeholds of Doha – like West Bay. The Majestic the Pearl, and its incredible neighborhoods, such as Porto Arabia and Viva Bahryia. The residential building and entire neighborhood are planned to ensure all the possible comfort such as pools, gyms, nurseries, shopping areas, etc.
3 to 5 Bedroom Apartment in Doha in family-friendly residencies
If you are to live in Qatar as a family. There is a large palette of 3 to 5 bedroom apartments for rent in Doha insuring large surfaces for living. A sufficient number of bathrooms, or even a maid room.
The residencies are provided with gymnasiums or nurseries to respond to the tenant’s need to have in proximity to educational edifices for children.
Furnished or unfurnished apartments for rent in Doha?
When you make the decision whether to choose a furnished or an unfurnished apartment for rent in Doha. First of all, you should analyze the period you are planning to stay in Qatar.
In case you are in Qatar for 1-3 years or you have uncertainty about your staying period. A fully furnished apartment is to be your rental option. Unfurnished apartments are rented when the tenant is staying longer or has preferences regarding furniture style.
When you plan to live longer than 5 years you should start analyzing the opportunity in buying a house in Qatar. We detailed the aspects in our previous article.
Best areas where you should rent a flat in Doha if you are an expat
As we previously said, Doha is a safe environment and very friendly with foreigners. There is an impressive large neighborhood of freehold residencies. That welcome ex-pat community, the main areas being situating in West Bay, The Pear, or Lusail City.
Read Also: Finding a Property for Rent in Qatar