Thinking of relocating to Qatar from Uk....
My husband is thinking of taking a job in Qatar. I really don't know much about the place and would like some advice from other Expats. I have 4 children aged between 9yrs and 1yr and I am concerned about what life would be like for them in this country. Do they have good schools over there? Where in Qatar is nice to live? (My husbands job would be in Doha) Are the local people friendly to westeners? Is it a safe place to live? Are there many Expats ther? Are there many things for expats to do for entertainment? Are there cinemas, playparks, bowling alleys, similar things to what is here in the UK? Are there residential compounds? I'm not sure whether it would be better for me and the kids to stay in the UK. I have to say that I am very nervous about the idea of moving there but the job my husband would be getting is really well paid and includes accomodation, schooling, medical, vacation flights and transport costs.
Please any advice would be welcome particularly from other people from the UK.
INSISTENT DUMB ASSES...AND DUMB BOSSES...THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.
i take it to be more than a thought, perhaps a crisis bite in the butt :P
get in!
I agree with teepatter specially #2.:
"MAKE SURE YOU CAN TAKE THE ":HEAT" OF VERYTHING YOU FINDOUT LIKE BARBARIC DRIVING, CONSTANT GUTTURAL YELLING(ARGUEMENTS)*EVER CHANGING LAWS*NEVER HEARED LAWS* LACK OF "GMRC"(INFECTIOUS)*OGLING*LESSER VALUE OF LIFE,SECURITY,EDUCATION,SAFETY*RACISM(YOU ARE WHITE THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR YOU HERE.."
They drive like they have humby or war tanks. if you drive small cars they will smash you.. they only know how to step on gas.. no brakes! They see no road.. they show no mercy..
Good thing for you coz your white.. most people here respects white people.. else, they'll treat you as animals.. they'll shout at you.. they'll spank you.. but im not telling that all of them are like this.. im telling that "most" of them..
good luck!
me and you,
Dont forget to calculate the country population and the size of the country when you do the 'comparing' :)
Novita77, I didn't say "no crime" I was just pointing out the fact that its safer here than in the UK.
me and you,
low crime doesnt mean no crime. Our house got robbed last february in Doha. And believe me you dont want to be in our shoes dealing with authority.
I've been here for more than 7 years now, it's a nice country, less places for entertainment though, night life is almost null, for children it's OK, very safe, good schools(international), little less concerning health issues (hospitals).
worth trying and living in.
Big shopping malls (if you find a parking) with almost all the famous signet brands.
good restaurants from all over the world.
well, it's good.
Yalla!
Qatar is a great place.. Good weather, easyt going and a chance to save..
Forget your worries and come on over..
I dOnt have to read all your querries to say these lady..
0. JOBS HERE OKAY.
1. READ THE MANUAL ON THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO QATAR(pronounced as KHATARR" and don't beleive everything it says.
2. MAKE SURE YOU CAN TAKE THE ":HEAT" OF VERYTHING YOU FINDOUT LIKE BARBARIC DRIVING, CONSTANT GUTTURAL YELLING(ARGUEMENTS)*EVER CHANGING LAWS*NEVER HEARED LAWS* LACK OF "GMRC"(INFECTIOUS)*OGLING*LESSER VALUE OF LIFE,SECURITY,EDUCATION,SAFETY*RACISM(YOU ARE WHITE THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR YOU HERE smile!)* jeeezz you name it! i can do this all day! BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD STUFF TOO! like....err....there are..believe me.
3. AND READ ON WITH OTHER EXPATS' COMMENTS AND YOU DECIDE...BUT YOU ARE COMING ANYWAY EREN'T YOU GUYS..JOBS! that's another good stuff(for some)..goodluck..
unfortunately, it has become more common for handbags to be lifted in supermarkets :( However, in nearly every other respect it is much safer than most Western countries. The only big exception is the driving. There are too many cars for the road infrastructure and too many really bad drivers who a) speed b) don't signal c) don't look before changing lanes d) have no lane discipline whatsoever e) are just plain stupid IMHO.
Get a largish car or good 4x4 with lots of airbags and use the seatbelts. You'll be OK but for the first few months you'll be very nervous. I usually recommend that you go out on Friday mornings at first to get a lay of the land with very little traffic to intimidate you.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
I'd watch that handbag if I was you, it's not that safe!
***********
"There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out". - Richard Dawkins
Hi sandyallan, I too am from the UK and only been here for 4 months. It is hard to get used too but it does get easier after a month or two.
There is everything here that you have mentioned. I would advise you do get a compound villa (if possible) as I am in stand alone villa and its not brilliant for the kids.
The schools are very good here but make sure you get your children on the waiting list asap as it is very long.
Its a very safe place to live. I have often seen women leave their handbags on shopping trollys, walk off to get the things they need and come back... to a handbag that has not been touched! You can leave your car running outside a shop without fear of it being nicked!!
Loacal peeps can be okay but just remember to cover your shoulders and knees. Thats the thing I found quite hard when arriving here, always remembering to cover my shoulders but now it seems the thing to do to avoid staring and as it is a muslim country thats the way you must dress.
If you need any more advice please pm me, I will be more than happy to help you. This place is quite big place when you dont have your family around you :-)