noodles3

Hello Folks

I've been reading a few posts on this board recently and my you are a feisty bunch! but I like that

I've the 'possibility' of moving across to Qatar and wanted those who currently live and/or work there to give me an opinion on what they think, after moving from the UK.

I appreciate that you must have seen this kind of post a million and 1 times, but I would really appreciate your input, as I am sure that you can remember what it's like when you were making the same decision: unsure:

I have some experience of the Middle East I lived in Saudi for 8 years when I was a Kid. My dad then moved to Kuwait and hence I've spent a lot of time there also.

In the first instance I'd come alone and then after a while (probably about 6 months), and if I like it, I'd bring my better half.

So, what's it like; is there much to do (squash/sailing/restaurants etc); schools? and so on..

I really appreciate your help.

Best regards
N

IndieG

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=qatar

and lots more here

http://britishexpats.com/forum/search.php?f=60

Alexa

Oh my, have you thought this through???!!!
Right, here it goes:

Housing : decent furnished compound villa, 3 bed minimum 20.000 QR per month, plus utilities, tv, 1500 QR approx.

Places in schools are hard to come by, all schools have waiting lists, make sure your employer pays for schooling.

There are no decent public beaches, so if you want to join a beach club , also waiting lists tho, cost about 7000 OR per year.

There restaurants in the 5 star hotels,not outstanding tho. Also rather expensive.

Shopping for food, for a family of three about 1200 QR per week.

There are some nightclubs in the hotels, meatmarkets tho.
There are also some clubs for Expats, don't know what they are like tho.

All in all , life is quite expensive here, and defo not exciting.

Again, make sure your employer pays for housing, best they supply with a house, so you don't have to deal with estate agents, landlords.
Same goes for schooling and transportation, cars don't last long in this climate, better to get a company car.
Hope that helps.

IndieG

worse than dubai

noodles3

Many thanks folks. Will check the links..

Great info. Thanks, but - Eeek! By my reckoning, this is over £4k per month

It's early days, but I think my accommodation will be included and I'd get a car + other 'bits'. Obviously will check!.

So, this will bring my monthly costs down, but still I am shocked by the expense. Why so expensive? I understand that Qatar housing market is going through a very expensive time at the moment and hence the housing cost, but the other costs?? Not that I doubt it for one minute, just trying to understand why, as in Kuwait it's was much the same as the UK.. well, possibly a little more but not a lot.

Once again, thanks for your help.

All the best
N

Alexa

We are wondering about that too......

noodles3

I guess I saw Qatar as still developing and hence things would be cheaper! Doh!

Can't you tell I haven't been to the Middle East for some time

Seriously though, if it's going to cost us £2k - 4k + to live each month, is it worth it? (I know this is very subjective).

Our reason to move is for a better life style. We both have reasonably good jobs here in the UK which get us by but I can't get the idea out of my head that it'll be better in the Middle East. Based on my experience, albeit some time ago.

I am finding that like most things the more I read the more questions I have

Once again thanks, I know what it's like when newbie's post on forums!

Anyway, missing the Apprentice, so gotta go..

All the best
N

Autonomy

out of curiosity - where in the UK are you coming from?

The reason I ask is that compared to where I grew up Dubai is similar to Mars and about as expensive as platinum. Or when I moved here from London about the same for rent at least and now Dubai is in many cases more expensive than London...

You mention 2 wages I think - you'll be fine on 2 I'd think... Better quality of life? We got one, would hope you get one too...

Anyway... I talk of my time in DXB, the great world's biggest mirage... so my first question is.... why Qatar? Doha or Bust Baby?

noodles3

Thanks Autonomy.

We are currently in sunny Lincolnshire.

'Why Qatar?'. It's where the job may be. Might sound daft, but my choice to come back to the Middle East would be Kuwait, as I've already spent so much time there and it's familiar.. Even though my dad was one of Saddams 'guests' during the Gulf War !

Thanks again
N

ExSim

Just back in Saudi after doing a 2-month stint in Doha.

Was there just before the Asian Games, and accommodation prices were terrible - the company we were contracting for supplied accommodation - a scruffy bed-sit for QR 4,500 a month I was told the high prices were due to all the people working on the Asian Games projects, but they don't seem to have comedown at all since. There's a lot of economic activity in Qatar, and this has caused a serious shortage of housing.

As posted above, the hotel clubs are meat-market (fine if it's meat you're looking for!) and it'll cost you around 4-5 quid a pint For a quiet evening, try the bar at the top of the Ramada (called "The Library"), though the prices are still as high.

"Garveys" has an atmosphere more like a rugby club (during "mixed" events - not like the rugger club just after the match!) and has cheaper and better selection of beer - music Thursday and Friday evenings, and a reasonable choice of meals at around a fiver (UK)

I'm probably going to be back there for another month or two next week. Might see you around

Mellie66

We got a 4 bedroomed, brand new villa, with a 5th bedroom downstairs (computer room now), 5 bathrooms & a maids block with seperate kitchen and bathroom for 15k a month in a nice part of town. Decent places for a good price are available, you just need to search search oh, and search.

check www.gulf-times.com classifieds for the names of agents. There are lots now. Good luck.

oh and Doha seems to be place I would least like to stay for a long period of time.......Id rather go back to Saudi.

IndieG

where's JD

Hi Mellie, long time! How have you been?

Blue Cat

JD is missing in action!!!

Mellie66

pining for somewhere that isnt in the midst of a cultural drought/social drought! lol (dont get me wrong, if you like bbqs and parties that finish at 10pm, you could be set for life lol)

off to Bahrain soon for a mammoth drinking session with some old Saudi friends, so that should keep me going for a while..then the UK for a wedding

how's you?

IndieG

Very well indeed......... enjoy your trips!