No package vs full expat package

tvpappy,

Just another small issue you might not be aware of: once you become a resident in Qatar, you are no longer free to leave the country until your employer issues you with an Exit permit (every and each time).

hopscotch,

That comparison would make sense if you only value money and/or consider Qatar is exactly like Canada.

In reality there many are other intangible issues to consider and the fact is that moving from Canada to Qatar, you are giving up a lot!

I still think 40-50000QR/month is definitely a better deal than 7000CAD TAXED you should still walk away with a heck of a lot more in your savings here than you would in Canada.

You should also be aware (in case it becomes an issue after you get here) that should you be offered a better job with a better package in Qatar - your first employer would have to give you a no objection certificate in order to take that other job.

If you resign you are subject to an automatic 2 year ban (you can't work in Qatar) if you do not have an NOC from the previous employer.

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

is to do a little reading on a previous post

http://www.qatarliving.com/answers/cost-of-living/how-much-should-i-expect-to-save-in-20000-pm

Regards!!

Western expats are given packages commensurate with the standard of living back home. So you can still negotiate a good package, something more than QR 50,000

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"We live life forward, but understand it backward"

Presuming you are Canadian...you can still negotiate a higher deal.

Housing and education are the main costs which will eat into your salary. Housing costs have been stated above.

You mentioned you have teenage daughters. The education standards are not very good compared to back home. So when they go back after your work term, they might have difficulty meeting the competitive levels of other students for a good university.

Medical expenses are quite high here also unless company gives you insurance coverage.

Best of luck.

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"We live life forward, but understand it backward"

I am Canadian, born and bred. All five of us are. I need to figure out the minimum that I can accept...still more research to be done.

Hopscotch, I hear you. I'm in the midst of compiling some research on the cost of living according to our lifestyle and it just keeps going up and up. The company hasn't said what they WOULD pay for yet, as we haven't had a formal discussion at this time. We're due for a talk this week.

Most of the 4 bdrm villas we have seen have been about 10 000Qr -13 000QR/month, but school pricing for an English school will probably be more than 6k. If you get a package for about 40 000Qr - 50 000QR, that should hopefully cover your education, housing.

But there are other costs too medical expenses, airline tickets, etc that are included in packages.

Where you from, Nic? I gather you've been in Qatar for quite some time. I'd love to hear your opinions. Maybe a PM would be best?

With a job and that salary in Canada, I would strongly recommend you to stay where you are but feel free not to take my advice. You will end up understanding it once you get here!

The villas we have been looking at online are 4 BR at about 14k to 18k. School would be about 6K for the girls. So that's 20K at least right there for housing and school. Perhaps I will ask for 50K?

It all depends on the salary they are offering you. If its a lot more than you are on now then you should be ok but if its only gonna be around the same then dont bother coming.

Housing and schooling are VERY high here. You will need at least a 3 bed villa or apartment for your family which will cost anything from 10,000 QR per month upwards depending on the area. School fees per child are around 25,000 QR per year upwards depending on the school.

I would say you would want at least double the 24,000 QR salary or you will not survive and your family will hate it.

Good luck :-)