Alexa

Hah...just shows you what Qatar can do to the weak
AsI am not from the UK, the only obvious difference I can point out is the weather...be prepared for 50 C + in summer....other than that...mucky beaches, perv little people,perv other not so little people, shopping centers with identical overpriced shops,boring hotels and boring and overpriced beach clubs...etc.
But, if you want to indulge in a little love fest concerning Qatar, I recommend www.expatwomanqatar.com.And if you want to go all out in that regard, try www.iloveqatar.com
XXXXX

JJJ75

Lady Lou

I can understand where you are coming from, I suppose I am worried about falling into the trap of becoming lonely, miserable and bored - I should think it would be quite easy to do.

I just really want to make the most of it, I am not one of these people who praise everything and gush for the sake of it. However in for a penny in for a pound and I just have to try to see it as a positive experience and do what I can, not only so that I don't become despondant, but I don't want to put a strain on my marriage, as my husbands job is quite demanding and I don't want him to come home to a sour puss at the end of every day.

Thanks for your help and links to other websites - chin up and all that

JJJ75

Alexa

Oh my...I think you got me all wrong.....I am far from sour etc.....even though Qatar is a dump, I am actually quite happy......takes a bit of adjusting though, if you are used to a civilized place.....but I find it always better to know what one is up against, I did not have that knowledge when I arrived here,therefor I do tell people the truth about the place as I see it.
XXXXX

shakh your bootie

In retrospect, Kuwait was a dump when I lived there from 74 to 85 but we were actually very happy there - people made their own fun (the expats set up theatres, music venues, sports associations, home breweries.....). It's not about place, it's about people....

JJJ75

Lady Lou

didn't think you were a sour puss, just knowing my own nature, it would be quite easy thing for me to do, given all that you have said.

I will try to make the most of it, however I do think the best thing for me is to get a job

JJJ75

Alexa

Sure. Hey, let me know when you are over here.
Btw, where are you going to live?

Alexa

Syb, and there you have it....people, that is exactly what is the problem over here.
I have lived in not so nice places before, but the people were great, I am actually planning on returning to a not so nice place......where people are great....

JJJ75

Thanks SYB and Lady Lou

Not sure where I am going to live, will be Doha, probably a villa, but hubbies company are taking their sweet time over it. Poor thing he is on camp atm

What will probably help is if hubby gets TV/internet/car sorted before I get there

little miss rower

Hi there JJJ75
I am new to this posting stuff too.... but I thought it was about time I got on board and boosted the Qatar ratings a bit as there are not many of us out there and most of the threads are usually UAE/Dubai orientated. I suppose that is where all the action is! I have been out here with my hubby for 6.5 years now (we were only coming for 2) He is about to start his third job and we are going to be moving again for the 11th time, so I feel we have been around a little.
The only advice i can give you is just give it your best shot... it can be frustrating as hell here, everything is Inshallah and all is done on arabic time, so dont expect things to happen quickly (its taken years to except that) The driving is ludicrous but you learn that one quickly and it just irritates me now! If you are out here without kids then yes get some sort of work... as it fills the day and gives life some meaning! you might want to enjoy the initial freedom though! Not sure on recruitment hours some are straight shift but its not unusal to be split shift so you get a long lunch break. Locally hired jobs are on the whole not great for pay and I dont know many women out here who are lucky enough to continue their career paths and get good pay with it... I am one who has had to adapt to what is here (being an ex-product developer for M&S foods is not much help here! )
Admin jobs are around and teaching English is the big one if you have the certificates or are willing to get them.
Social life is great here if you get a good network of friends and there are lots of things to do if you look. Just depends what you are into.
I dont think I will waffle on anymore, but I can chat another time if you need to know stuff. I have been here throughout most of my thirties and with and without a child.
Hope this Helps..... I think you will enjoy it as its a new experience and look on the bright side petrol is soooo cheap!!

JJJ75

Thanks LMR

Someone today has pointed me in a good direction in terms of jobs, and I don't know if you read a previous comment from me - apologies, I seem to have started a long thread, but I had a phone interview yesterday.

Problem that I have are the hours, I am a little concerned that they seem to be exceedingly long - if my husbands hours are anything to go by.I am worried about rushing into something too soon after I get there as I will have a lot of aclimatising to do let alone take on a new job in an industry that I am not familiar with.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply though - what do you do socially wise? Do people go round to other people's houses a lot?

Bonny Boy

I can only tell it like I found it.... I was in Qatar for several years in the late 90's and had a great time. You need to get out and join the expat clubs and societies. eg Scuba-diving, hashing, rugby, keep fit classes etc.

In the winter months camping and hiking in the desert, trips down to the inland sea, the deserted villages in the north of the country, some great snorkelling sites on the west coast. Then the parties at each others villas, meeting with fiends to eat at restaurants.

Maybe the internet and satellite TV is killing off the need for expats to get out and socialise?

If you are an outdoors type Qatar is fine. However, if you like 'shopping', 'gourmet' food, 'nightlife', Qatar may not be that good for you I guess.

I do get fed up with the general running down of Qatar I see on these threads. ...but, each to their own.

Tootsie Frickensprinkles

Um, have you been back to Qatar in the last decade?

Bonny Boy

Yes, went camping down at the inland sea about two years back. Great week end!!

I think as a visitor it is not so easy, because you need time to get into activities and such like - there was not the 'on a plate' entertainment as found in some countries. But if you are resident, well as I say, 10 years back there was plenty to do. If you are not the sporty type, there was the Doha Players - not just acting, but helping with costumes, props etc etc. There was a really good spirit amongst the expats I knew living there at that time.

For me Qatar was a good time and ranks above Bahrain, Dubai IMHO - Too 'big city' for my taste. My worry is that Qatar has now become too developed!!

I appreciate it is not for everyone, but then that does not make Qatar an automatically bad place. I made, keep in touch with and visit many good friends I made during my time there.

Alexa

If you "get fed up with the running down of Qatar" as you said, then why do you read the post???
People are posting their opinions, nothing wrong with that.
I have given the person having questions about Qatar different links, so she can read about what other people think about Qatar.
I personally don't like the place...you do...so what?

Bonny Boy

I am not looking for an argument. I have clearly stated in my posts that other people have different opinions.

However, were I reading these posts without any knowledge of Qatar, I would have a very negative impression of the place.

I had a good time there, and am just stating that fact, with an indication of the activities I enjoyed. If you like similar activities, you will probably also like Qatar. If not, then it is probably not the place for you. Just trying to give some balance. There has always been a Gulf expat thing about 'boring' Qatar which I never understood.