Living in Qatar

I would like to give a different, perhaps more positive perspective. I am an American that moved out here with my family (husband + 2 kids) 2 years ago to work for an American company. Like many American companies, benefits were not great (no housing allowing, no school allowance, etc.). Salary was a bit higher than yours to start, but not by a huge margin. While I think that 10K a month may be a bit low for accommodation for a family with kids, I disagree with gene_lv's statement that "A modest 2 bedroom where expats from the US can live could be at least QR 15K." I am guessing that in gene's view, US expats can only live in places like The Pearl or West Bay. However, if you are willing to venture out into the rest of Doha (which is really not so scary), you can find quite a nice accommodation for much less than that. For my first year, I leased a 5 bedroom villa with a 2-car carport in a secured compound for 12000 per month. The compound had adequate clubhouse facilities including a pool, and a very responsive, friendly maintenance staff. It was in Al Gharafa, which is close to many schools, and which, particularly if you are working in West Bay or points north (Lusail, etc.), gives you a not terrible commute time. Although my 2 immediate next door neighbors were Qatari (if that bothers you, I never had a problem), the neighborhood was quite diverse, with families from England, France, Russia, Nigeria, Lebanon, etc. My kids (ages 8 and 9) were able to make fast friends there, and would play outside (or inside neighbor's homes) nearly every day (something they couldn't do back in the States). With regard to schools, it's also a matter of how much you need/want to keep your kids isolated from non-Western nationalities. My kids study at the Gulf English School, where they are taught according to the National Curriculum of England by mostly English teachers, and where the tuition is about half of what it is in some of the pricier American (ASD, ACS) and international schools (Compass, etc.). While the majority of students there are either Qatari or other Arab expats, there are some other Western kids, and my kids have never been short on birthday party invitations from both their local and expat schoolmates. I am not sure how your salary offer compares to the market in the US, but if this seems like a good opportunity to you, then go for it. It is easy for expats to fall into the trap of living (and indeed, expecting) an extravagant life here that they wouldn't demand back home. If you want to come here and have a nanny and 2 luxury cars, as well as living in a high-end community surrounded by only Westerners, then, yes, the salary on offer is probably too low. If instead, you are coming here to work, are willing to drive the kind of car you might drive back home, and don't feel especially compelled to have a servant doing your grocery shopping for you, then give it a shot. This place is not for everyone, but it is an adventure that will broaden your kids' point of view on the world, and which will give you valuable international experience that many Americans don't have. Just my 2 cents...

Venky2hema,

Thanks for the helpful feedback. It is a MNC and they have ongoing projects in Qatar. We do not plan to visit US anytime soon, as I really would not be that much concerned about return annual tickets As we plan to roam about in the Asia/Middle East region (as we have had enough of tourism in USA). I am just concerned about making the ends meet…

I would suggest to consider only if Accom+Transport+Air tickets annually+Medical+Utilities+schooling kind of benefits paid apart from basic which for 13yrs experience will be atleast 25-35k.Please look only in to mnc's or state owned reputed companies

Agree with Mary - 10k won't be enough for a decent apt/villa. School fees and getting into a decent one will be tough. Get them to cover school fees. And you should have annual flights included.

45k is doable though - you can survive and live well (modestly).

You're not going to get an acceptable villa or apartment for 10,000QAR. You will have real difficulties finding a school place for your children in a school you will find acceptable, and those schools are very expensive. You are being lowballed ridiculously. You should be getting school fees, annual tickets home for the entire family and health/medical insurance and an accommodation allowance. Qatar is very expensive and prices are only going up.

Dear , Counting your experience offered package ia not so great at the moment . But think about your wife also secures a job here after reaching here

I am not convinced they didnt offer you yearly return ticket,thats a general practise here . Can you double check with them.During peak time (say dec,jan )return ticket to US for 4 people gonna get heavy on your pocket .

With the total package offered, you won't save anything. A modest 2 bedroom where expats from the US can live could be at least QR 15K. Add the education of your children and other things, what could be left with you?

Demand at least 60K... It is also nice if you travel alone and weigh things out, your family can follow later. Meanwhile, you can take this opportunity to explore because in Qatar, if you have not done your finger print our in the process of getting, you can explore other opportunity.

Nairaneesh thanks for the feedback. I have accounted for the expenses you mentioned and the only incentive for me is the Tax Free Income (upto US$100,000 for US Citizens) and the venture ot gain international experience and exposure. I would definitely look out for a ~ 10,000 QAR Rental Villa or Apartment. THe Company only provides the first ticket for me & the family and they have ~ QAR 4,000 as extra luggage allowance. There is no yearly ticket included. I have 13 Years of US Experience in Structural Engineering with a MS from US and Professional Engineer License. I plan to come first and then the wife and kids will follow in 4-5 months as I sort out the schooling and renting. In your general opinion is this even worth a shot. Greatly appreciate your feedback....

In addition to above, Please also consider truck like 4x4s which you probably never heard of before are driven unfortunately madly here, IF possible come yourself first and see if you let your children / wife go on these roads happily every day especially in peak school / office hours and if this all worth it! Unfortunately there are around 20 deaths per month mainly in or surrounding Doha and over 60% are foreign expats.

http://qataraccidents.org/2011/02/09/deaths-and-violations-by-the-number/

Also unfortunately you can not leave the country with out permission of your employer. In any unfortunate scenario where you may need to fly abroad urgently in an emergency, it will be up to the discretion of your employer to let you go or not. To what i have heard, exit permits will take at least 1-2 days which you must have with you to leave the country from any route.

I hope this gives you more idea about living as an expat here.

Dear

You need to consider the following

1.Rent

2.children schooling

3.other monthly cost

Rent is gonna be main part of ur cost u will get decent 2-3 bedroom apartment (fully furnished) for a cost of 7-15K depends on where u stay

Children schooling can cost u 30k-50k per year

Stationery,food and other monthly cost may be between3-5k

Apart from this u need to also plan to buy a car as public transport is not so great

Also remember as per Qatari law ur also entitled to one month salary (basic) for each work year once you leave Qatar ( end of contract)

What about yearly return ticket? It's not clear from your description

Does ur company provide initial luggage move ?