Doha Villas

Families in Qatar are traditionally very large and this is evident in their large houses or groups of houses. Villas are a popular choice for indigenous Dohan’s as well as expatriate families. Price and quality ranges dramatically in Doha, with some ocean front villas in the new The Pearl development being as much as US $12 million. But obviously for the majority of us there are plenty more affordable options.

Since 2004, foreigners can now purchase property in Doha but only in several new developments around the city - the largest three being The Pearl, West Bay Lagoon, and Lusail. Prices have soared and plunged over the last few years and it is an unpredictable investment, but purchasing a home in Doha has benefits such as tax-free living and automatic residency status for yourself and your immediate family upon purchase.

For most people it is a much more viable option to rent, especially as the majority of workers in Doha are there on a temporary basis. For those wishing to rent a villa in Doha, there are plenty of options and locations. Although foreigners can only purchase property in specific areas of Doha, you can rent anywhere you like.

Renting is not cheap, and for an unfurnished villa in a good area of Doha prices can easily reach up to US$6,000 per month, although you can get a decent 2/3 bedroom villa for between $3,600 - $4,500. For a furnished home prices are up to 25% more expensive, and short-term leases are also significantly more expensive than long term leases.

For an idea on pricing in specific areas of Doha, a 2 bedroom unfurnished villa in Al Wakra, outside of the city will cost you approximately US$1,500 per month; a five bedroom villa in Al Rayaan may cost you $3,800 per month; a luxury fully furnished five bedroom villa in Al Hilal would cost around $5,000 per month; and at the higher end of the scale, a luxury fully furnished apartment in West Bay Lagoon would set you back up to $7,000 per month.

Many of the villas in the lower price brackets are within compounds with several other similar villas. These usually have shared facilities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium and children’s activity areas, as well as their own personal courtyards and/or garden. Often large Muslim families will own several small villas in the same compound as they like to live close together.

Villas outside of compounds in Doha usually have private swimming pools that are fantastic in the scorching heat, particularly in the summer months. A large outdoor patio or garden is also quite common. Homes are generally well built with modern facilities and attractive facades. Nearly every villa has its own garage or at the very least, undercover carport to protect cars from the harsh Middle Eastern heat. Very few homes these days do not have air conditioning. Due to cheap labor costs in Doha, maintenance and cleaning services are also generally of a very high standard.

A lot of villas in Doha are built in a traditional majili style, which is suited to the traditions and customs of the Muslim religion. The homes have a large front entrance with seating where the males greet and entertain visitors. Muslim women are not allowed to be seen by visitors unless they are close relatives. The rest of the house is built to the rear or sides of the front entrance. A large courtyard at the front of the house with a fountain and plants is not uncommon. Villas are generally very open and bright.

If you decide you want to purchase a villa in Doha, you will be spoilt for choice whether you are after a beach front luxurious villa or a smaller more modest one. There is something for every price range. One of the most popular areas to purchase in at the moment, both for investment and to live in, is The Pearl. A billion dollar development situated on a man-made island off the coast of Doha complete with designer shopping malls, restaurants, and luxury hotels along with an unrivalled location on the Arabian Gulf, The Pearl has everything you could want in a home. Due for completion in 2011, although much is already inhabited, The Pearl will eventually house over 40,000 residents, a large proportion of whom are foreigners. The villas, as in all the new Dohan housing developments, are built to the highest international standards and no expense is spared when it comes to their design, construction or furnishings.

Lusail, and West Bay Lagoon are similar developments with a variety of luxury and more modest villas available for purchase to residents and foreigners. Many of these are bought by investors most of whom will rent them out once construction is completed, so the variety of villa accommodation in Doha is constantly on the increase.