Potential Offer - Need Advice

Good advice. Much appreciated.

When I moved from Dubai to Doha i sold all my household thing in Dubai. I did the study and decided to sell my furniture since the cost of bringing goods were very high. You will find good furniture in the market in a reasonable price.

What i have done, I have taken a furnished flat for a temp. period of 3 - 6 months then i will decide to look for another suitable appt/ villa for my family for long term basis.

Regarding QP offer i suggest you must contact HR dept of QP for the Allowances and benifits QP is offering you as per your grade entitlement. I will advise you not to ask such confidential HR related questions in the forum since there are several QP staff are members of QL. (no offense pls.)

Housing is bit expensive here... rent varies for a same type of villa according to locality. Average rent for 4 bedroom villa is from 18k - 25k .. regarding schooling pls. check with QP HR again if the school reg. fee/ uniform/ school/ books are covered OR only the tution fees ?

In short if your monthly Perk is QR 35K - 40K then you will enjoy your family life here (This assumption is as per your living standard)

When you say a house close to QP, will you be working in Ras Laffan Industrial City (about 45 min North of Doha) or in QP offices in Doha proper. Either way, if your wife is stay-at-home, you will want to consider the benefits of living in Doha. Also, if you are planning on sending your children to American School or the new Canadian School, both of these are in Doha as well. While living in the city will mean higher rent and a longer commute for you to work (if you are working in RLIC), I think the benefits for your family would far outweigh the disadvantages. I would rather have me driving 1.5 hrs daily on the desert highways than my children.

Re. wives not being allowed driving permits ... unless this has changed, your Canadian driver's license is directly transferable to a Qatari license. All you need to do is pass a simple eye exam once you have your resident's permit, then pay the transfer fee for your Qatari license. My understanding was that the changes proposed (not sure if they've been adopted or not) were for new female drivers or female drivers from countries whose licenses are not directly transferable (i.e. India, South Africa, Philipines, etc.).

As for keeping your house in Canada. If that is the ONLY tie you have to Canada, it does not necessarily mean you will be considered a resident. You can rent it at arm's length (i.e. to someone not in your family) and have an agent recover a portion (25% I believe) for Revenue Canada. However, you must break as many ties as possible (i.e. child care benefits, health care, etc.).

And remember that even though rent may be cheaper outside the city, you will end up paying for it in time and effort; and will not be able to get away with having just one vehicle, which will be an added cost in itself. Drivers here are fairly cheap, so that is always and easy option for getting around in the city. If you can find housing in a compound, this is ideal; while it may cost a little more, you will have the advantage of a pool, gym, etc. at no extra cost (i.e. you won't have to pay membership fees to private clubs, etc. though this may be included through your company). You can find some houses in compounds that would meet your requirements on the Northern outskirts of the city for about 15,000 QAR/month.

PM me if you would like more info outside this public forum.

One more quick question, which may not be for this forum category, maybe someone can point me out to which category. I'm wondering whether to hang onto my house in Canada if I move to Doha. If I do, I'll be considered a "resident" of Canada for tax purposes.

Pros:

Will keep getting approximately $300CDN per month in government child tax benefits (for 2 children).

Will be able to get rental income from house, along with potential appreciation in house price.

Cons:

Will have to pay CDN tax on my Qatari income.

Anyone have any advice? Any Canadians (or Americans) out there who had to make the same decision???

......... 12,000 QR. Although I understand they are going to raise it soon. Probably not by that much though. Better off getting QP to provide you accommodation.

As for houswives not driving that is a rumour.

at least QR 18,000 for such villa.. other than that your salary of QR 19,000-QR22,000 (i didn't get which one is correct) should be enough, since school is paid by company.

Does anyone know, by any chance, what type of housing allowance one can expect in a grade 14, 15 or 16 level with QP? No need for an exact figure, I'm just looking for some help with an estimate. I dont even have an offer yet, so they have not told me exactly what the housing allowance offered will be. However, I may negotiate a bit based on what I hear on this forum. Thanks.

Nowadays you only get an appartment for 10k. If there is any 4 bed villa for 10k available, please let me know. I will take it immidiately. Minimum you need 18k for a villa of your requirements.

Thanks. I'm just a little nervous about the housing thing, since I hear that costs are skyrocketing, and that 10K doesnt buy much anymore. But I suppose that's relative. I just dont want to be in a situation where I may be saving lots, but cramped, stuffy and low-end living.

Talha, please tell me that housewives not being allowed drivers licenses is just a silly rumour I heard somewhere!

firt of all i think that u shud not look for house near qatar petroleum since its totally out of the city.

u shud have 10k house allownce 4 the villa u r looking for

22k + separate house allownce wud be gr8