Expatriate Forums in Qatar

James Hawksworth · Guest Home Country: countryx

for cost of living and salary levels.

I am considering a job offer and am interested to know what the current rental levels are for a 2 bedroom apartment/villa.

I am also interested to know the cost of transport, food, eating out etc.

Any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

James

Guest · Home Country: countryx

Somre FAQ that i found in the web, should be helpful for you

(The contributor is affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and has lived in Doha for a year.)

Travel time to this city from Europe or the US: Approximately fourteen hours from the East coast; seven hours to Europe, another seven to Doha. With layovers and airport security it takes about twenty-four hours to arrive at post.

Average daily commute: It depends on where you live; never more than twenty-five minutes. Doha is a small city, but the traffic rivals that in much bigger cities. Roundabouts can get quite blocked up if there is no police presence directing peak traffic hours, especially from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. when everything shuts down for "lunch".

Pollution index (good, moderate, unhealthy, or very unhealthy): Moderate. There are lots of big SUVs on the road, and lots of blowing sand during "shamals" that irritate the sinuses; but overall not too bad.

Security concerns? Qatar is a police state, and there is a strong police presence. Petty crime is virtually nonexistent. I feel safer here than I did in the U.S. Terrorism is, of course, in the back of your mind at all times, but the Qatari government is vigilant in protecting its borders and residents. RSO is fantastic at post, and security is tight on compounds and at the Embassy. Common sense and the normal precautions should be used, but on the whole it's a very safe post!

Is housing predominantly apartments or houses with yards? Houses with yards. Houses vary in size, but most have at least three bedrooms; some yards are smaller than others. All are on compounds with all the amenities—pools, tennis, gyms, maid's quarters, etc.—again some nicer than others. There are a few townhouses and apartments for singles, but most people are in houses.

International schools used by community: American School of Doha, Doha English Speaking School, Qatar Academy, and Qatar International School—too many to list (see websites for more info). My kids go to ASD, and I couldn't be happier. It's a wonderful facility with a very caring and supportive staff. The curriculum seems more than adequate, and they have terrific after school activities and sports opportunities, as well. I also hear wonderful things about DESS, too. Education is a priority to Qataris; therefore the quality and selection of schools is staggering. There are numerous international schools as well, Indian, French, Pilipino, Pakistani, Iranian, etc. Several prominent American Universities have also opened campuses at "Education City", Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and Virginia Commonwealth, to name a few. Whatever you are looking for you will find in Doha!

Preschool available? Quality? Again, the options are limitless. There are many British-run nurseries and playschools to choose from, as well as preschool programs at the elementary schools. Tots’ Corner and Tinkerbell's have great word of mouth, as do Mulberry Bush and Sunbeam. A good Montessori school is available too.

Daycare available? Quality? Most families have live-in nannies/housemaids, but there are a few creches to pick from. I’m not sure of the quality.

Good post for families/singles/couples? Wonderful for families! Qataris place high importance on children, and this is reflected throughout the city. Play places and indoor amusements are everywhere. Child-friendly environments abound! There are tons of activities: sports, arts, cooking classes, dance classes, scouts, etc. This truly is a family-friendly post. Married couples and singles also seem to do well here. I would imagine that the dating scene is virtually nonexistent, due to the Muslim culture, but I know singles who haven't been complaining yet!

Interesting/fun things to do in the area: Shop! Doha has the seventh-largest mall in the world. It has everything, including two ice rinks, two bowling alleys, an indoor "amusement park", etc. There are tons of terrific souqs, where handicrafts, carpets, and jewelry can be purchased at dirt-cheap prices. Dhow trips to Palm Tree Island are fun and inexpensive. You can picnic on the beautiful Corniche or just take a stroll. Visit the beach at Sealine resort, or take a ride to the inland sea and conquer the dunes. There are plenty of cinemas, art exhibits, and occasional concerts, plus lots of sporting events to attend. The professional tennis players come in February and March for the Exxon/Mobil Open and the Total Open. There is also horse racing, boat racing, soccer, golf, etc. The Summer Wonders Festival, held each July, is very entertaining, especially for the kids.

What is there to do after-hours? There are a few hotel bars attended by expats, parties at the Marine House, movies; lots of options.

Fast food available and price of a Big Mac Meal (or similar)? Fifteen riyals (about $4). Everything's here: KFC, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Arby's, Dairy Queen, etc. And it's everywhere! There are three Burger Kings in City Centre alone!

Decent restaurants available? The full range, from local fast food to five star hotel cuisines. I've gained ten pounds! Eating in Doha is amazing. There's Chili's, Applebee's, Bennigan's, Fuddrucker's,etc. Porcini's at the Ritz has amazing Italian. You could probably eat out every night and still not try them all. Don't be afraid to try the local Arabic fast foods; they are cheap, delicious, and addictive!

Food and groceries? There are several large grocery stores to choose from: Mega Mart (which offers lots of U.S. products), Family Food Center, Carrefour (like a Walmart Supercenter), Lulu Center, etc.; also lots of smaller stores. And don't forget to check out the wholesale vegetable, fish, and livestock markets for a wide selection of fresh products. Be prepared to get lots of attention, and be prepared to bargain! Lots of American stuff is here, but pricier. In the summer, broccoli costs as much as the beef! We have lots of great produce, but the beef is mostly Aussie, which is different but quite good.

Are there any currency, exchange rate, or debit/credit card considerations that a newcomer should know about? Credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted. The exchange rate is fixed by the Qatari government@3.65qrs=$1us.

Are there any considerations regarding what type of automobile to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain or lack of parts and service? Recently, the Qataris applied a ban on importing vehicles older than five years. Most people seem to have SUVs, although they are not needed unless you plan to go to the inland sea a lot! Roads are well cared for here. There is a Ford, GM, and Chrysler dealership in town, but they do not always have American standard parts, so plan ahead. Land Cruisers, Lexus, and Toyota trucks seem to be very popular here, as well as Mercedes and BMWs. Again, these vehicles may not be built to American standards, so bring parts with you. So far, routine maintenance on our vehicles has been very inexpensive.

What is the best way to make phone calls back to the U.S. if one does not have access to an Embassy switchboard? Calls to U.S. cost about fifty to seventy-five cents a minute, depending on time of call.

Do you recommend getting a prepaid cell phone locally? The Embassy provides cell phones for employees; spouse can get GSM service through Q-tel or prepaid "hala" cards; all reasonably priced.

Items you would ship if you could do it again: Triscuits! Also certain varieties of Campbell's soup and more women's clothes (larger sizes are hard to find).

Availability and cost of domestic help: The going rate for Westerners for a live-in full time housekeeper is 1000-1500qrs depending on your needs. We pay the equivalent of US$400. You must sponsor your live-in and provide housing and a return ticket to their home country upon termination. Gardeners are usually provided by the compounds. Drivers are available, but I'm not sure of the cost.

Realistic language needs: None. Most people speak English, but it would be much appreciated if you took the time to learn some pleasantries in Arabic. Actually, most of the population is made up of third-country nationals, but Arabic is known to most of them.

English-language newspaper(s) available? The Gulf Times, The Pennisula, and the International Herald-Tribune.

English-language cable/satellite TV available? Cost? Q-tel has lots of options at lots of different prices.

Internet access cost and quality: Dial-up is slow but fairly reliable. DSL is available at around $80 a month, and is much faster, I'm told.

Size of Expat community? Very large. Lots of British, Australians, and French; but as previously stated, the country is mostly third-country nationals: Pilipino, Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan, to name a few.

Wages and job opportunities for Expats on the local economy? The opportunities are there in management, teaching, engineering, and other professional pursuits. Most service and industry jobs are held by third-country nationals.

Entertaining/social life? It is what you make of it. There are lots of opportunities to socialize and meet very interesting people. Embassy folks are required to attend occasional functions, depending on position, but that's the same everywhere.

English-language religious services attended by expatriates? Lots of options. There is a Catholic Mass held in several different languages each week in several locations.

Dress code at work and in public? Normal business wear; casual Thursdays. In public, dress conservatively. This is a Muslim country, and proper respect for the culture should be shown: no shorts or mini skirts, no bare shoulders or midriffs, etc. It's not as strict here as Saudi Arabia, but Qatari women wear abayas. To dress provocatively would be disrespectful and would draw unwanted attention to yourself.

Health concerns (healthy, risky) and quality of medical care available? Great medical facilities. A few Embassy spouses just had babies here and had great experiences. Lots of specialists are available, and I've heard good things about the cleanliness too. The U.S. Embassy has a terrific nurse and gets regular quarterly RMO visits. I've been very pleased.

Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)? We haven't needed one yet, but I know there are some terrific animal rescues and shelters in town, so there must be great vets too.

Morale among Expats? Very good, I think. We have a terrific staff at post that seems to work well together, and everyone seems to be happy with the environment.

You can leave behind your: winter coats. Although your housemaid may wear hers, you'll not need yours. Also, your preconceived ideas about the Middle East!

But don't forget your: swim suits, athletic gear, beach gear, etc.

Weather patterns? Hot! Humid and Hot! They say it gets cold in the winter, but I never really noticed it going below 60 degrees.

Can you save money? Yes, if you try. Baby products are amazingly cheap, and entertainment costs are low.

What can you spend it on? Dining out, shopping, weekend trips to Dubai. Qatar Airways flies to just about everywhere, so travel is easy.

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? Absolutely, even with the terrorism threat. I feel safe here, and the people are warm and friendly. It's been a terrific first post for us, and we would love to stay longer!

Recommended Internet links for further research: Newspapers-- www.gulf-times.com, schools--www.asdqatar.org, www.dess.org, www.qis.org, www.dohacollege.com, www.qataracademy.edu.qa, sports--www.dohaasiangames.org, general--www.planetqatar.com, www.qatarairways.com, www.diwan.gov.qa.

Any other comments: Doha is still considered a Hard-to-Fill post, but anyone who comes here will question the logic in that. This is a wonderful place to have your family. The homes are gorgeous, the schools are great, the cost of living is quite reasonable, and the people are so nice. I feel lucky to be here, and I am quite happy. It is an exciting time for Doha. The city is rapidly preparing for the 2006 Asian Games, resulting in lots of construction and improvements. A new airport is expected by 2010, the Pearl of the Gulf (a new exclusive residential and business development) is breaking ground, and many new hotels and tourist attractions are being planned. Qatar is very proud of its accomplishments and hopes to attract millions more in tourists in the next decade.