Properties advertised as unfurnished come with no furnishings. This differs from some other countries where unfurnished relates specifically to "furniture" only like beds, sofas, dining table etc. In Qatar when a property advert is listed as unfurnished this means that there are no appliances in the kitchen (only fitted kitchen cabinetry), or air conditioning units fixed and sometimes there are no fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms. It is important to consider this when searching for a home as these are costs that must be taken into consideration when budgeting for rental accommodation. Although the monthly rental on unfurnished properties often cheaper than properties with furnishings, once the cost of furniture is factored in, one can sometimes end up paying more overall per month. Of course, there are many things one must take into account like the duration of the tenancy, the condition of the furniture and the difference in the monthly/annual rental price.
Sometimes families prefer to buy their own furniture that meets their needs and suits their taste or when they move to Qatar, they may be moving permanently in which case they may decide to bring their furniture with them. Sometimes properties are advertised as unfurnished but for an increased monthly rental the landlord or real estate company is prepared to provide furniture. One thing to bear in mind is that if an unfurnished property is rented and furniture is bought, once the rental duration comes to an end the furniture will be an extra thing to take care of that one would not have to worry about otherwise, so this may not be the most ideal option for rentals of short or unknown duration.
A villa is a property/house that is usually set out over two or more floors. A standalone villa is defined as a villa that has boundary walls and stands on its own private land. It is not attached to any other building so it is detached, private and literally "stands alone". Standalone villas are not commonly found in Central Doha including most of the districts within the C-Ring Road as they mainly contain residential and office blocks. However, as you travel further out of Doha and beyond the C-Ring Road it become increasingly common to find standalone villas.
The amenities offered by standalone villas vary depending on the price, size and location. It is much more common to find a standalone villa with a private swimming pool in West Bay Lagoon than it is in Al Khor. Standalone villas are good for large families wanting their own private grounds or for companies looking to house their staff. It is quite common to see standalone villas advertised as suitable for bachelor accommodation. If you are specifically looking for a standalone villa, check the details advertised with the agent as sometimes compound villas are advertised as being standalone when they are in fact not standalone but instead the agent refers to the villa being detached from its neighbouring villa as such.
Al Thumama is a district (number 45) and is part of both the municipalities of Doha and Al Wakra. The district derives its name from a clumping desert bunchgrass called "thumam" which grows abundantly in the area. The area is one of Doha's newer districts and as a result has been well planned and laid out according to strict grid pattern. It is primarily a residential district and has experienced rapid development in recent years. The area has good road connections to Doha, through E Ring Road, F Ring Road and it is also close to Hamad International Airport. The area is served by 2 bus routes which operate every day of the week.
There are a number of local and international schools in the area making it an ideal neighbourhood for both local residents and expatriate families alike. The housing in the area consists mainly of single- family homes that sit independently on their on private land otherwise known as standalone villas. However, there are a number of residential compounds where there are villas and apartments for rent in Al Thumama, available with various shared compound facilities for the residents. The area is also home to magnificent Al Thumama Stadium, one of the 2022 FIFA World Cup venues and where one of the quarter-final matches is scheduled to take place.