Choosing an area to live in Doha and nearby

Who this is for

For new and current residents comparing where to live. It describes areas only by facts published by official bodies and developers. It does not rank areas, recommend one over another or give rent prices. Rents and availability change, so check listings and visit before you decide.

Before you start

• The addresses you will travel to most often, such as your workplace and your children's school.
• Whether you will rely on the metro and tram or on a car.
• The kind of home you need: a flat, a townhouse or a villa, furnished or unfurnished.
• Your budget, including the security deposit, which the law caps at two months' rent for a home.

Steps

1. Look at the metro and tram map

   The Doha Metro has three lines. The Red Line runs about 40 km from Al Wakra in the south to Lusail in the north and also serves the airport. The Green Line runs from Al Mansoura west to Al Riffa (Mall of Qatar). The Gold Line runs from Ras Bu Aboud west to Al Aziziyah. All three meet at Msheireb, and the Red Line links to the Lusail Tram at Legtaifiya and Lusail.

2. Central Doha: Msheireb, Al Sadd and West Bay

   Msheireb Downtown Doha, developed by Msheireb Properties, is a mixed-use district in the heart of the city with apartments and townhouses, fully or semi-furnished, plus a tram service and Msheireb metro station, where all three lines meet. Al Sadd has its own station on the Gold Line. West Bay is on the Red Line, with stations including West Bay, DECC and Corniche.

3. North: Lusail and The Pearl

   Lusail is a planned city developed by Qatari Diar, covering 38 square kilometres with 19 districts and four islands. It mixes homes, offices, schools, shops and parks, and the Lusail Tram links its districts to each other and to the metro. The Pearl Island, developed by United Development Company, is built on about four million square metres of reclaimed land. Its homes include studios, apartments, duplexes, townhouses, penthouses and villas.

4. South and west: Al Wakrah and Al Rayyan

   Al Wakrah is a separate municipality south of Doha. Its area starts around Ras Abu Fontas and the 7th Ring Road and runs south along the coast. The Red Line ends at Al Wakra station. Al Rayyan is also its own municipality and includes Aspire Zone and the universities of Qatar Foundation's Education City. The Green Line serves Education City.

5. Visit and compare

   Try the journey to work or school from the areas on your shortlist, by metro or by car, at the times you would normally travel. Note how far the nearest station or tram stop is from the building.

6. Check the specific home

   Before signing, get the building's zone, street and building numbers and confirm the lease will be registered with the Ministry of Municipality. A registered lease is also needed to connect electricity and water with Kahramaa.

Good to know

• Qatar has eight municipalities: Doha, Al Rayyan, Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al Thakhira, Al Wakrah, Al Daayen, Al Shamal and Al Sheehaniya. Each has its own municipal offices.
• Some Lusail Tram lines are still being completed, so check which stops are open now.
• Msheireb station is the largest on the network and the main place to change between metro lines.
• The Red Line connects to Hamad International Airport Terminal 1.
• Developers such as Msheireb Properties and United Development Company list homes for rent on their own websites; listings from agents and other landlords are also available.
• Metro and tram details come from Visit Qatar and Ministry of Transport announcements and can change; check Qatar Rail for current lines, stations and opening status.