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.
A villa is a property/house that is usually set out over two or more floors. In Qatar you can find two kinds of villas: either standalone villas or compound villas. A standalone villa is defined as a villa that has boundary walls and stands on its own private land as a detached and separate entity. A compound villa is defined as a villa that is located within a residential compound or "neighbourhood/society". Compounds vary in size and can be anything from a handful of villas to hundreds in the much larger compounds. Both have their benefits and drawbacks for example, standalone villas offer more privacy for their occupants and compound villas usually benefit from many more amenities, security and maintenance. There is a wide variety of villas available in Qatar with varying amenities and suitable for most budgets.
Abu Hamour is a district in the Al Rayyan municipality. "Abu" is Arabic for father and "Hamour" is a specific type of fish common to the surrounding waters of Qatar and caught by the resident fishermen. The area is referred to by some as "Wholesale Market District" due to the wholesale markets for fresh fruit and vegetables, livestock and plants that are located nearby. However, this is misleading as Abu Hamour is named zone in Al Rayyan and part of Zone 56 of Qatar, whereas the actual "Wholesale Market" district is separate and forms Zone 58 of Qatar and although located as an enclave in Al Rayyan it is administered by the municipality of Doha. Some of the wholesale markets nearby have since been moved to Umm Salal Ali (since April 2017) and the municipal officials have plans to convert the wholesale market into a large commercial complex benefitting the surrounding area.
Abu Hamour is a vibrant and lively area to live in and ideal for families. The rental home options in Abu Hamour are mainly villas and apartments in compounds which are great as they offer on-site facilities and can be found furnished too, which make them ideal for facilitating a quick hassle-free move. There is no shortage of things to do in Abu Hamour. There are four large shopping malls namely the Abu Hamour Mall, Safari Mall, Doha Mall and Dar Salaam Mall located in the district. There is something for everyone to enjoy as each one is buzzing with a selection of boutique retailers, large chains, artisan cafes, food courts, supermarkets, fine dining restaurants and cinemas.