Taz786

Hi,

From reading this thread, Qatar sounds similar to my experience living in Kuwait. I personally didn't mind the experience for the first 2 years but I was living by myself and had the same routine as most people mentioned. Which was home, work, gym, home.

I was content though and managed to save enough for a property deposit back home. I'm now living in Dubai and can't see myself moving to Kuwait/Qatar/KSA unless I was getting paid more than double my current salary.

martinbkk

That sounds about right. I've been to Kuwait also, though not for very long. I'll take Qatar over Kuwait anytime.

jam25mack

I lived in Q8 too and found it OK. Just a bit lonely as you can't nip out for a pint and talk to random folk.

Couldn't see myself moving back tho.....

Vajizz

I live in Qatar and find I am "content"... early 30s and as I grew older I realised I was quite introverted and didn't like to go out much.

Just like the previous posters my routine is home, work, gym, home. The advantages are living very near to work and so minimal commutes, good work-life balance and minimal stress (I rarely drive remember and Uber is affordable and quite reliable here).

Plus to the extent you isolate yourself in an expat bubble, it is not that conservative. I date (Qatar Airways stewardesses not sleeping over is great!), I can drink, I can party etc. if I want too... But most of the time I like to stay in, read, exercise and see a girl every once in a while so it works out well!

nonthaburi

Strangely enough, a guy I worked with in Saudi for a couple of years left for Qatar and lasted 3 months. He said he much preferred Saudi.

nonthaburi

I'm in Buraydah right now, I would love to be based in Riyadh.

scot47

Nonthaburi - keep on trucking man. Buraydah and Qassim are a reminder of how nice the rest of the world is !

Mrsc1963x

Hi MamaG
Just seen your post and was wondering how do you find Qatar .Weve also just had the opportunity to move to Qatar and was wondering if you could give me some information please.

nonthaburi

It's growing on me like a dodgy rash. Funnily enough the Saudis I've met here have been the best guys I've met in KSA.

There are some very nice floral displays around town at the moment.

I just got a payrise.

Just signed a new contract.

I live walking distance to the airport, which I've actually done before.

ReesanDemha

There was a big gap in the posts from when the blockade kicked in till now. Is the job situation with lay offs etc still as bad ? I've been in Q 4 years almost and its improved in many ways, but it does depend on what you want and what stage of life you are at. Education is also a big factor once you get to A levels and University as the choice for UK expats is pretty shite. So family needs to go back next year

DXBtoDOH

It's never acknowledged (same as in UAE) but things are in a recession. Rents falling sharply, loads of expats leaving, tendering minimal or very slow, outstanding invoices hammering the overhead.

Embargo has worsened an already declining situation so one can't blame it entirely on the embargo.

scrubbedexpat141

What’s the chatter around the World Cup related projects? All moving along swiftly?

We had a job pulled because it won’t be done by the time Expo happens, which was odd I thought for a resi tower in business bay....

Millhouse

clearly they want to sell it our ahead of the expo as they believe there is nothing post.

we have an investment we plan to sell late 2019.

DXBtoDOH

Not much that I'm aware of. Stuff is still going on but the only tendering I've seen recently are for minimal things like travel management and "research services to understand sports management" crap. On the whole people aren't talking much about the WC.

littlejimmy

Had it actually started? The job I'm on is in some delay (what's new) and they're wanting it done by the end of next year (can't see it).