Bright_Darkness

Hi to all..


I have landed myself with a post in the Middle East (Qatar or UAE) the matter is still to be decided. However, I am have about three weeks to prepare for the big move.. should I be :scared: or about it?

I hear (also, read on this forum) that Qatar and UAE are different to what everyone thinks (please don't ask me to go into this... I don't believe what the media says ... but have nothing else to found my ideas). In any case, I am really excited about taking on a new job.

Can anyone shed some light on what is currently a good budget for a two/three bedroom flat in Doha (Qatar), I have a good idea about Dubai's rental market from what I read on a previous thread on this forum. I heard that there are nice complexes with communal gym, swimming pool...etc; how much for those?

would $4500 a month be good as salary?

I guess my biggest worry is how to deal with people from different culture? are they open/welcoming of expats? I am very sociable (so I hear ). Does this forum have meeting (say on Xmas or something) or is it strictly virtual? I read CasaNova's article about a fight behind a shopping Centre with interest ! (CasaNova: Too bad about the popcorn dude...) I don't think that what happened is a common.. please correct me if I am wrong !

Given the fact that I will be travelling soon, and advice on packing certain things to bring down with me, I don't want to have to go "Ops I should have got this and that before I got here!" I am talking about things that you can't get out there obviously.

Please put as much info as you can or wish. Anything would help. Please keep in mind that I'm more likely to be placed in Qatar rather than Dubai Qatar90% and Dubai9% Not Going 1%

Happy Easter to everyone

Mellie66

I hope Im not out of line by recommending another site, www.qatarliving.com as that might be of a bit more help to you cos its more focused on Qatar.

Good Luck

Bright_Darkness

Thanks for the help .. and hey That was your first Post too!!!! I'm honoured welcome onboard

W10

Honestly - These places are easy to live in but getting more expensive.

Integration is more difficult as Gulf Arabs tend to want to stick to their own (but it isn't impossible)

There are lots of unpleasant things about living out here (exploitation, horrible racism, unbearable heat) but overall it's a decent life if you are earning a good wage.

Doha is bloody boring though.

Mellie66

Hey! its getting better! lol, ok, so its not Dubai, but its not THAT bad

Malteser

Hi Bright_Darkness welcome to the site

First of all u dont have to be :scared: about moving to Qatar. We r not zombies believe me. Doha can be boring yess always depending on yr expectations. I know a lot of single ppl here who r having a whale of a time. If u r sociable and make the right friends then u wont have a prob. Besides u can always pop to Dubai if u need some really hard partying Doha is more of a family orientated place. Very safe. People incl locals r very friendly. Really its not that bad. Its also in a HUGE stage of construction at the mo (I still cant get over it). Theres road works and construction everywhere. Can be annoying but I guess u will get used to it. If u have been to Dubai dont try comparing cos it has nothing to do wt it. Doha is more laid back. Not as much ppl as Dubai, much less caotic and also less places to go to. Also a HUGE shortage of women hahaaa (not like Dubai).

As regards to yr salary. Umm hope that doesnt include the rent. Rents r sky high here. A nice two bedroomed apartment in a compound which will have a pool, gym, club house etc.(they all offer different facilities) whould def start from Qr7000. Not less. If ure single u can maybe share a villa with other guys. Def no female/male sharing here(huge trouble).

Dunno if I answered all yr questions. If not give me a shout and will try to help.

Malt xxxx

CasaNova

During Inter-GCC football tournaments, I got to make a lot of Qatari's friends Trust me they are very Nice and friendly people.


Yes W10 is right and also he is wrong! Qataris will most probably esily socialise with-in the people from the region than Outsiders... This is Due to like mindedness of the people.

Nothing has to do with rascism!


Same thing with British as well, browse thru this forum and you will see add from westerners seeking westerns friends and partners.



Lawerence and Sir wilfred made Great life long friends from here! Why Cant you?

Bright_Darkness

Football! Great stuff, It would be interesting to see what's football like down there!

Thanks for the help ... appreciated.

Bright_Darkness

Cheers for that Malt. I have few friends down in Dubai and I wouldn't mind nipping there every once 'n' a while.

***Any ideas on how long does it take to drive to Dubai from Doha (if that's possible)? looking at the map I would guess 6 hours? or an hour by plane? and what about tickets? are they pricey? ***

Malteser

I think its approx 6hrs. Dunno about plane ticket. Guess u can check online

Ure welcome. Anything else u wanna know, shout ok

W10

I didn't say that was down to racism. I said there was horrific racism in the Gulf - which is an indisputable fact.

Bright_Darkness

Well, you see the figures I got online were in the region of £250..That's enough to fly me from London to Doha/Dubai (DD). I would have thought it was going to be much cheaper to travel between DD. I am planning on frequent visits ... someone mentioned alarabia airlines. I couldn't check their fares online..any ideas on how to get hold of them..

Anyone else might know?

Cheers,

MJC

I think you mean Air Arabia http://www.airarabia.com/ Return from Sharjah to Doha $120

Bright_Darkness

I've tried the link and all I get is "The page cannot be displayed" error. But, I also found http://travel.theemiratesnetwork.com...air_arabia.php you fill in the details and send them an Email!!

In any case, now I know what's the fare I can plan things better.. Thanks for that.

R U living in Qatar? rumour has it Qatar is boring :|

ZooZ

Hi and Welcome over in Doha.. if you ever decided....

The place is very much family oriented, lots to do for kids but the shortage of females (as Malt pointed rightly) makes is a place challenging for singles. it all depends on making friends and socializing with them,.. you can be in for a great time... so far our agenda is so full that we only spend two nights a week in the house..

Qataris are very friendly and very genuine too.. but generally you end up socializing with expats because of the common interests. ..

Budget.. Fuel is cheap (10GBP to fill an SUV).. rent and water rates and alcohol are expensive.
Rent absolute min $2000 for a small flat. . i would budget 3000$ coz the prices keep on going up..
Car rental $600 pcm (you cannot rely on taxis)
a Pint or a bottle is typically $8
a meal in a top restaurant with wine is $60 per person
Food shopping... you should not spend more than $600 pcm if you are single..

Companies are finding it difficult to get ppl in Doha because of the fast expansion.. I suggest you might want to request double what they are offering you..


Hope this helps..
Once you get here we will be able to give you pointers on places to meet ppl...


ZooZ