Quality of life...

Thanks pwb78. The tax free aspect sure is an attraction, but if the cost of living is higher...

Thanks again to everyone who has replied. This has provided me with some insight. I guess at one time everyone here has been in the same boat that I find myself in. My wife and I will have to give this some further thought...

Happy holidays!

I don't really know a formula you can apply or if this info will be helpful to you but -- my husband's monthly salary is about equal or more than what he would make at home BEFORE taxes and then house and car are additional on top of salary. Maybe this helps some.

Thanks for the information! Regarding salary, is there a formula in-which I can estimate an approximate salary (for the basis of negotiation) i.e. Canada/U.S. market value X 1.5 (the Qatar factor)? It's not that I would ask more than was fair and equitable, but want to make an informed decision.

I work in a similar sector and would be happy to discuss issues with you. As Charlene has indicated, Qatar has a tax-free environment, but ensure that you get good tax advice before leaving Canada, so that you don't have any surprises (and Canadians sometimes get them!) Your package may include actual payment of, or an allowance for (but not actually always full payment), housing,a car, some utilities (top tip- don't get a house with its own pool because you have to fill and maintain it yourself- v expensive)school fees, return flights to your place of domicile and baggage allowance. Check on holiday entitlement- some sectors will not let you take holidays until you have been here 6 or 10 months (depending on the sector- health is currently 10). Holidays tend to be calendar days rather than working days (ie 50 days holiday includes weekends that you are away), but clarify with your proposed employer. Accommodation can be furnished or unfurnished- if unfurnished , check to see if NHA offers a furniture allowance- they may offer a home set-up allowance if you have furnished accommodation- a small contribution toward setting up a new home.Miost Canadians find the accommodation on the smallish side here, but you can stump up to something bigger if you want. You will not be able to buy a car (or get a ohone or a health card) until you get your resident's permit- check to see if you can get a loan car or if you need to factor car rental into your initial budget.

Kind regards

Going on my second year here with husband and 2 small kids. Very safe place and for us, life is much easier and slower here than in the US. Don't know how many more years I can stand it here but I wouldn't change anything about us having moved over. I do agree with Charlene that if you have kids - get the school fees covered. Very pricey here. I don't find my household bills much higher than at home and gas is cheap for sure. "Western" items at the groceries are pricey but overall things aren't bad. You should try calling the Qatar Embassy in Canada and asking for more information, specifically a Marhaba(Welcome)book that can give you a very basic idea about everyday things like schools, driver's license, etc. Best wishes.

Quality of life here in Doha can be good. You certaintly should at least consider this. Of course everything depends on salary. Remember it is all tax free in Qatar! The Canadian goverment is getting none of it! :)

I would make sure that I understood what accommodations that they are providing. Health care, school fees if you have any children. If they are providing a vehicle or not, and if not, is there an allowance for such.

I've been living over seas off and on for over 10 years now and wouldn't change any of my experiences! Learning new cultures is a great thing, keep in mind that it isn't for everyone. I know several ppl that hated living away from home. I think that it depends a lot on how open minded you are.

Most things do cost more here then they do in Canada, but nothing that most of us can't handle. Good luck to you!

Charlene