Possibly moving to Doha
May 14th 2007, 7:54 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Location: South Africa
Posts: 2
Possibly moving to Doha
Good Morning All,
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
May 14th 2007, 9:13 am
#2
Excess Baggage
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,479
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
Good Morning All,
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
May 14th 2007, 9:24 am
#4
Excess Baggage
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,479
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
In all seriousness, it depends on you. Sporty types should remember that you can't do any outdoor sport for a good 5-6 months of the year, so the rest of the time you'll be in Aussie Legends or the Rugby Club getting pissed. 
There are loads of expats - an older bunch than in Dubai, I think. Loads of villas in compounds as well, but they are in short supply (apparently).
I've only been here as a visitor, really, and my mind is poisoned by being stuck in a crap hotel for nigh-on 4 weeks. Other people who live there might give you a more balanced view. Some love it, some hate it. Same as anywhere, really.
Good luck with your decision.
There are loads of expats - an older bunch than in Dubai, I think. Loads of villas in compounds as well, but they are in short supply (apparently).
I've only been here as a visitor, really, and my mind is poisoned by being stuck in a crap hotel for nigh-on 4 weeks. Other people who live there might give you a more balanced view. Some love it, some hate it. Same as anywhere, really.
Good luck with your decision.
May 14th 2007, 9:57 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 2,675
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
Good Morning All,
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
My husband is fly to Doha this week for an interview. There are so many questions one would like to ask. So many folk have told us how expensive housing is there. What areas, type of accommodation should we look for????
The big question is how are "western" woman expected to dress? We are Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Of course all our friends are teasing me saying i'll have to wear the "full clothing"!!!!!
We are both big sporting people, my husband cycles, runs and canoes (done a few Dusi canoe marathons).
Are there many Expats living in Doha ? i.e. many South Africans or Zimbabweans.
Any suggestions or help from ANYBODY about moving to Doha would be great.
Thanks.
make sure you have a hughe housing allowance, at least 20 k QR, if you want a furnished villa on a compound.
For food you would spend approx. 1000 QR a week, for a family of three.
As LJ said, it is VERY hot from April to October, so outdoor sports are pretty much out.
There are quite a few South Africans here, I think they have some club going.
Other than that, it's not a great place to be, but you can make it bearable.
May 14th 2007, 10:01 am
#6
Excess Baggage
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,479
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
Hi,
make sure you have a hughe housing allowance, at least 20 k QR, if you want a furnished villa on a compound.
For food you would spend approx. 1000 QR a week, for a family of three.
As LJ said, it is VERY hot from April to October, so outdoor sports are pretty much out.
There are quite a few South Africans here, I think they have some club going.
Other than that, it's not a great place to be, but you can make it bearable.
make sure you have a hughe housing allowance, at least 20 k QR, if you want a furnished villa on a compound.
For food you would spend approx. 1000 QR a week, for a family of three.
As LJ said, it is VERY hot from April to October, so outdoor sports are pretty much out.
There are quite a few South Africans here, I think they have some club going.
Other than that, it's not a great place to be, but you can make it bearable.
May 14th 2007, 12:23 pm
#8
semarang
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: sand dune
Posts: 7,763
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
hi lossie ...
just seen your post. We been here for 6 yrs now ... so far so good. My son born here ... and he goes to DESS.
if you are a sporty person ... do not expect to do much during the summer time. You can go to indoor gym ... but thats it. Nothing else. Ppl take the kids swimming around 3pm onwards when the sun not scorching hot....
Housing allowance like someone mention ... you should ask at least 20.000 QR if you want to live in a villa in a compound with pool.
Plenty of expats here ... majority is brits ... american ... danish ... canadian ... french ... whatever nationality... And also mix of asian nationalities.
Not sure wether you have kid/s in school ages ... but very hard to get into good school ... So make sure you get that sorted before you commit to move here.
Anything else you want to ask pls feels free to shout
just seen your post. We been here for 6 yrs now ... so far so good. My son born here ... and he goes to DESS.
if you are a sporty person ... do not expect to do much during the summer time. You can go to indoor gym ... but thats it. Nothing else. Ppl take the kids swimming around 3pm onwards when the sun not scorching hot....
Housing allowance like someone mention ... you should ask at least 20.000 QR if you want to live in a villa in a compound with pool.
Plenty of expats here ... majority is brits ... american ... danish ... canadian ... french ... whatever nationality... And also mix of asian nationalities.
Not sure wether you have kid/s in school ages ... but very hard to get into good school ... So make sure you get that sorted before you commit to move here.
Anything else you want to ask pls feels free to shout
May 15th 2007, 7:36 am
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Location: South Africa
Posts: 2
Re: Possibly moving to Doha
Thanks to you all for your comments and suggestions. Like most of you have said what you put in is what you get out of it.
At least my hubby has a few questions to take with him on Thursday.
Sunday we will know where our future lies.....
Have a great Day where ever you may be.....
Lossie
At least my hubby has a few questions to take with him on Thursday.
Sunday we will know where our future lies.....
Have a great Day where ever you may be.....
Lossie