This question is open to many different opinions. What's important is whether you have a family or not AND the lifestyle you want to live.
The Pearl is great if you want the western-style ambiance, but the average 2-bedroom apartment will run about 13K and up. West Bay, approximately 5-10 miles from the Pearl, will be about the same, but you will be closer or in downtown (City Center).
If you have a family with kids, there are many good locations, but school would mostly like be a deciding factor where you want to live. As for the price, most suitable compounds will run about 12K an up, but keep in mind, 30% of that price is for the ammenities each compund has to offer. In some cases, a 4/3 bedroom villa that cost 12K-15K on a compound, you can find the same size villa for 10K-12K stand-alone villa that is not on compound. You can realistically find some under 10K, but it all depends on your lifestyle.
I wouldn't worry too much about this, because you will have 6 weeks (unofficially more than 6 weeks, if needed) to find a suitable place to live. There will be people in your new hire group in the same position looking for a place to live. My advice, consider your budget, social and family status, and get together with other pilots who will be looking for a place to stay to share in the cost of a taxi or rental car to have an idea where you want to live.
Good internet sites to start your search before you get here...
Qatar Real Estate, Buy Property in Doha, Qatar Properties for sale - propertyfinder.qa
Qatar Classifieds: Free Classified Ads in Qatar - Mubawab
REMEMBER!!!, you will not start receiving your housing allowance until you move out of the temporary housing and you submitted documentation to the company. Also, if the company processes your moving documentation after, for example Aug 15th, you will not receive your housing allowance when you receive your salary on Aug 30th, but it will be on your next pay check, Sept 31st. Try to submit your moving documentation to the company NO LATER THAN the 12th of the current month. Unfortunately it takes five people to do one job at QR.
