The smallest size of apartment or flat is known as a studio and these are units that have one "living" space which would include a sitting area and sleeping area. The kitchen could be open plan or separate depending on the unit and it would have its own private bathroom and toilet facilities. Studios are ideal for single people or couples who don't want or need much space but prefer to have their own private facilities. Studios are considered an entry-level type of accommodation and they are the cheapest type of apartment. The alternative to a studio would be to rent a room in house/villa and have the use of shared facilities like the bathroom and kitchen and this is a cheaper option for those on a tight budget.
Flats are self-contained residential units occupying part of a larger building. They are usually set out on a single storey of a building and it is for this reason that in some regions (UK, India etc.) they are referred to as "flats". The term "flat" is used in the UK, India and places that use British English. In Europe, North America and places that use American English, the word apartment is preferred. Flats have their own front door, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. In some countries a 1-bedroom apartment may be advertised as a 1bhk or 1bhk flat. The term "bhk" or "BHK" refers to bedroom, hall and kitchen. This means that the unit would have 1 bedroom, a hall (lounge/sitting room) and kitchen. Flats can be found in residential blocks or towers and sometimes even as a part of a house or villa where a whole floor or a section of it, has been separated to have its own entrance etc.
Madinat Khalifa South is a district in the north west of the municipality of Doha. The district is situated between the adjacent city of Al Rayyan and downtown Doha. In the 1970s Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar at the time oversaw the development of the of the district and its neighbouring district of Madinat Khalifa North which were intended to be residential districts primarily for Qatari families.
One area in this district is called Gaza, in honour of the Gaza Strip in Palestine. Its historic architecture has been preserved; it is made up of narrow streets and houses in close proximity to each other. Residents enjoy easy access to four parks: Madinat Khalifa Park, Al Marroona Park, Al Huwaila park and Al Yousifiya Park.
The Doha expressway also known as Al Shamal Road (Q1) runs along the west edge of the district and five bus routes serve the area. The Traffic Department is headquartered in between Madinat Khalifa South and Madinat Khalifa North. Geographically, it is in Madinat Khalifa South, although the Ministry of Municipality and Environment lists its address as being in Madinat Khalifa North. The district has many medical facilities which serve the local and surrounding communities. There are 6 nurseries and local schools in the area. There are plenty of apartments in Madinat Khalifa South for rent suitable for bachelors, couples and smaller families. It is possible to find some villas for rent either in residential compounds or as standalone villas.