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.
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.
Qatar, officially known as the State of Qatar or "Dawlat Qatar" is a country occupying a small desert peninsula, spanning 11,627 square kilometres that extends northward from the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is precisely located on the west coast of the Persian Gulf, sometimes referred to as the "Arabian Gulf". The state is an independent emirate with the current Head of State and Government being Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Qatar has a population of approximately 3,000,000 (est. 2020) of which around 10% are local Qataris and the remainder are expatriates. Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world and not only is it officially recorded as the world's "Safest Country" (for low crime), but Doha the capital is ranked the second "Safest City" out of the 431 cities worldwide measured.
Only 1% of Qatar's population is rural with 99% being urban and coastal with a modern daily life. The recent leaders have sought to increase Qatar's presence worldwide and provide greater "civil liberties" and one example of such is through the establishment of one of the freest press agencies in the region. Qataris pride themselves on being a tolerant and accepting nation towards others and their beliefs, despite being a conservative and religious nation themselves. They are a welcoming nation and supportive of their large expatriate population and it is easy to see why Qatar appeals to so many.