My brother is off to live in Doha for work reasons. He is taking his wife and their 4 year old little girl, and have never lived anywhere but West Sussex before. They are both in their late 20's, and I wonder how they will get on. What is it like to live in Doha? Has anyone got any stories, experiences or most importantly, advice to give?

boring apparently, not much to do etc

Well I live in Doha & part of my work is to relocate people into Doha - often from the UK. Many of these first-timers.

It's true that it runs at a slower pace than Dubai - but I think this is only an issue for younger singles & then only a proportion of these who are focused on night life.

Most people relocate very successfully & your brother with a small child will probably not be too affected by the fact that there's only 3-4 decent late-nite night-clubs.

But like anywhere - it's what you make it. Plenty of opportunities to get out socially & as there's a big expat community shuldn't have too much trouble making friends. Children are a great source for meeting new people & sharing experiences.

The biggest issue happens for people that are not working for good employers - the issues around their employment tends to be a bigger drain on their ability to get the most out of the experience.

Hi creepy,

How sweet to check stuff out for your brother- aww!

I've never been out of the airport at Doha but the airport is bloody boring!

Hope someone gives you some slightly more helpful responce!

Whatever your brother does- make sure he (and his wife) visits the place first as its a massive culture shock living in this part of the world (and Im in Dubai). Its a big move to realise you don't like it here!

Best of luck to your bro and his wife- why didnt my brother do this for me???

Kittycat
x

I go often for work. It is boring but it has a few interesting things... like the Islamic Museum, the Souk, the Corniche and a few okish beaches. There are also plenty of sport events and Qatar Airways is a nice airline that will allow him to visit places in the region.
The main drawback for me is that often you need a signature from your sponsor everytime you need to leave the country.

Its a great place for families is an incredibly child friendly environment. Very safe, everything available - including British brands in both clothing and foodstuffs.

Eating out is affordable and though the climate here is unforgiving for most of the year, everywhere is air conditioned and really, not an issue once you acclimatise and accept that a/cs really do need to be on 24/7 from March/April through to November.

As a previous poster rightly observed, problems can be experienced - and significantly so - if the employer has issues with anything that they don't like about an employee. The labour laws don't really have any teeth and you're fine so long as you keep everyone happy, avoid having opinions on anything and keep smiling!

Seriously, its not so bad - just different. Be aware that there's almost a village type feel to the place -and choose your friends carefully.

I know nothing of Doha, but just wanted to say that I'm also from West Sussex!

[completely irrelevant fact number 234]

Whereabouts? You living overseas permanently?

I'll pm you with where, and the answer to the second question is an equally vague "yes and no" - we moved over intending it to be permanent, but circumstances dictated otherwise, so now we're a bit half-way house. Mr Kitty is here permanently, the kids and I to and fro, but will do so less from this Aug/Sept onwards.

Just back from a hectic week in Doha and have to say that the place is about as appealing as contracting Ebola.

Not a patch on Dubai, AD or Bh.

Delapidated old city. God forsaken holes like the QP and Ras Laffan quarters. Next to no real dessert (Predominately just rock). The reasonable dunes out past Messai-whatever are ruined by a hundred quad bike hiring places,

Would be a sad day before I considered living there but each to their own, suppose its better than the UK