jam25mack

We're PMing the WC and I haven't heard anything about it in ages.

Momof3

Hi there do you have kids at the secondary level? Which British curriculum school do you think is the best in Doha for academics? Finances are not an issue as if we decide to move we have a fantastic package and any school is paid for.

Johnnyboy11

Doha College, here. Best to live nearby, so Abu Hamour or Al Wabb would be good choices for a compound.

Construction traffic in the area will be a nightmare for the next 4-years with major roads about to be upgraded to Expressway standard, including Mesaimeer Street, Al Bustan Street, Furousiya Street and Khufoos Street.

Momof3

Thanks so much for your reply. Okay so if housing allowance were not an issue would you still recommend those compounds in terms of well built and all the amenities that one could need to survive there!? We’re “seasoned” expats although this would be our first Middle East posting if we were to accept but definitely not the first non-western one. So we hope to negotiate what we can to live peacefully and make our money and leave when time is up. I am concerned about the pollution though. Do you think it’s similar to places like Malaysia and Indonesia?

Traffic in Jakarta was a nightmare often and often takes 1 hr to travel 10kms

co durham boy

Pollution isn't as bad as those highly populated cities that you mentioned. Doha is every small place but the traffic and driving is terrible.


You'll defiantly find it 'interesting' after spells in the Far East

ReesanDemha

Agree - Doha College (DC) has a good reputation, as does Doha British School (DBS) where our 4 kids go, with a good mix of nationalities and not too many arab kids. Teachers mostly from UK and speak decent English.

Yes major road works just about to start on Al Bustaan street so DC school run will be a nightmare - we live just opposite DC behind the Mercedes showroom and compounds are generally decent around there - and its easy to access either of the above schools from Al Waab.

Depending on the school years you want for your kids, there may be a waiting list, but its not as bad now as it was 4 years ago when we were looking.



Best of luck !

DXBtoDOH

Doha is nothing like Jakarta, which is both good and bad.

I had family who lived there for a few years so I have some idea of the expat lifestyle there and can compare it to Qatar.

Doha is much, much, much smaller than Jakarta. And it's far better organised. While there are traffic issues but it's not perpetual and outside rush hour it's perfectly fine. Even during rush hours depending on where you live/work it doesn't have to be that bad. I rarely face traffic issues but that's likely because of the routes I take. If you're living in the popular family compounds on the south side (Waab to use as an example) you'll probably face more traffic due to Salwan Road corridor.

You will find day to day living in Qatar to be easier than Jakarta. Everything is closer, it's more compact, there's no bribery. More western amenities in the malls. On the flip side people won't have multiple staff plus drivers although you can still get a maid if you want, but many people don't bother and just rely on cleaning services. And cost of living will also be much higher.

Pollution is different. It's still bad but it's a different kind of pollution. Qatar is a desert country so there's a very high quotient of sand in the air and that does cause problems for people with asthma. Sandstorms are frequent. You won't get the burning haze of Jakarta but you still get the combination of sand and the standard urban pollution and tonnes of construction dust. There are several rankings that place Qatar very high up for worst polluted air. Compared to the UK you will definitely notice the difference.

What might really get you down after time is the general dreariness of Qatar. It's a desert country and it's pretty ugly. Little personality. Minimal greenery and no lush vegetation or flowers as you find in Indonesia.

If money isn't an issue I'd go with a villa in West Bay Lagoons. The air quality is better as you're on the water. But it is a long drive to the schools, unfortunately.

I did suggest Beverly Hills compound Al Rayyan earlier in this thread. Al Fardan is a luxury holding company with a number of compounds that have good reputations. Can't say more about the locations.

littlejimmy

OMG. Beverly Hills, Al Rayyan! I stayed there for a bit in 2009 when I was working on the airport job. I couldn't remember the name of it, but that just jogged my memory. Quite a nice compound. Shame it was like the opposite end of town from the site.

Momof3

Thanks so much for the direct comparisons...that’s really helpful for me to picture things. I’ll look at all the compounds everyone has mentioned. We’re not sure where my husband’s job will be located so we do have a few variables to consider. In Jakarta the kids were on the bus 45 to an hour in regular traffic one way! Just to get 12kms...and during traffic upto 2 hrs. Can’t imagine Doha even with traffic being worse!
However now they walk to school in Scotland so either way it will be an adjustment I guess! Still early days but thanks to everyone for your comments. All very helpful!

Momof3

Hi ok thanks. We’ll be looking for yr 2, 6, 9. I don’t think waiting lists would be a big issue for our company luckily so it’s really a matter of choosing the right school for our kids. Do you have any insight about how these 2 schools or the American one deal with kids who need extra help? Our y6 child is high functioning with some learning difficulties and is currently on an IEP here. Then our y9 is gifted and 2 yrs ahead.

Johnnyboy11

Here's an article on air quality in Qatar.

Interestingly, the journalist and Doha News are no longer operating in Qatar...

I can vouch that today there is a Shamal wind and the air is full of fine, limestone (chalk) dust, horrible to breathe. You can just about see buildings across the Corniche through a milky haze, so I guess visibility is about 3-4km.

ReesanDemha

Yeh I noticed that yesterday - I'm sure it was never this bad - maybe due to work on rail network ?

ReesanDemha

Schools in general are not great here for kids with LD.
The kids will need to take a Cognitive Assessment Test and based on their scores, will be either offered a place or be placed on the waiting list - and you never really know what your position in the queue is.
Not sure about the American School of Doha.

Momof3

Hi thanks. She will be fine with those assessments. Her only difficulties are in one curriculur area and frankly she just needs one on one help with that portion. That’s all she needs and gets here so hopefully those aren’t issues. But without schools that don’t have the capacity to offer one on one or small group help with kids of similar difficulties then that’s where I’d draw the line. I suspect the top schools have some support so I’ll just enquire when the time comes. Thanks all for your replies.

feemackenzie

Morning all. We have a huge dilemma. My wife has secured a primary teaching job in Doha from August 2018 (2 year contract). I am undecided whether to move out with my 12 and 14 year old. I'm also a primary teacher.

I'm trying to understand what life I would have outwith of work/home. In Scotland I love running, walking and socialising with friends (cinema) especially. From all the posts Doha sounds to be a "gym based" / inside life for ex-pats. I also read comments/queries over the quality of schooling.

Is anyone able to provide another angle that might help persuade me one way or the other.

David