Salary Project Mgr, Doha cost vs Riyadh
Hi, I am a Snr Project Manager from Australia & have been in Riyadh for 6 months and my wife & 2.5 years old son joined me a month ago and seems pretty content here.
I am on 37500 riyals salary/month + compound accomodation + car + phone. My current package does not include school allowance and only economy fare to home country which cant be cashed in.
Also from what I saw, no job security.
I have been offered a position in a government department in Qatar with the following package:
- 44,000 riyals/month inclusive accomodation & car & phone
- 30,000 riyals/year for up to 3 kids
- business class fare to home country (new Zealand) – which can be cashed in.
- no bonus at the moment, but they are engaging a firm to structure this.
- 40,000 furniture allowance depreciated over 3 years (so I dont have to pay back if I stay for 3 years
- 80,000 interest free loan for a car.
I am currently in an ok compound, but not in Kingdom or Arizona (which I heard the top compound in Riyadh). So I guess I am not looking for luxury accommodation. We can live off 5000 riyals here in Riyadh per month for groceries, going out, cleaner (not including clothes & other shopping – that depends on my wife mood), so we can save a lot here.
The job in Qatar is more secure, and by the time I include schools & accommodation, it works out about the same. However, I heard mix things about Doha about cost of living. Can someone enlighten me about these questions:
- I am preparing 10,000 riyals per month for accommodation, a 2 br villa maybe.
- For other living cost, some people said it is 3 times more expensive than Riyadh which scares me. Is this true? Just a minor comparison, 30 eggs here is only 13 riyals. 2ltr milk 7 riyals.
- Will I be able to save as much in Doha (as I mentioned, we dont live luxuriously).
Anyone here ever lived in Riyadh and tell me the difference on cost of living.
Job security situation is same in Qatar as Saudi. So dont be fooled by that factor. Or should I say, dont factor the perceived job security too much in your decision.
Your saving potential is a lot higher in Saudi, whichever way you look at it.
Definitely go to Qatar....Like some said, quality of life and freedom are way better. Does the company's name starts with letter Q?
You'll just have more options to spend money here, like on drinking. If accommodation isn't provided you'll find decent places at affordable prices given an oversupply exists.
Grab the offer!
Welcome to QATAR!!! Grab to offer.
You said it's the government department?
If that's the case you should be able to get subsidized accommodation in posh localities. What is your housing allowance?
P.S. Except housing thing. Qatar any day over Saudi.
Sorry since ur son is still not going to school you can take off the schooling cost.Phew...
Accomodation:10-15K for Villa
6-8.5K for Apartment
Food: Qatar is Expensive compared to Saudi but not much.About 5K since you have kids as well.
Car:Depends on the model and its a one time buy.As u know fuel is cheap So vl cost you maximum of 1.5K
Bills:About 1K
Here is the main cost, since u are an Australian you obviously want to put your kids in British or American Schools.For each kid it will cost easily bet'n 34K-45K depending on vch year they are in.
I bet now you can calculate yourself the total cost.
Good Luck.
as per your current salary that is more than the package qatar is offering for you. 44,000 - 10,000 for accomodation = 34,000 only
you can live royally with that salary package....as you saramagh said food is almost the same (e.g 15 eggs watania poultry costs 10qr ...and almarai milk 2 lts costs 10qr...) so i believe not much difference in food but only the accommodation is bit expensive but if you can chip out another 5000 qr you can get a good luxurious villa........and any time qatar country is better than saudi and life here is much better and people are really nice.................
I lived in riyadh for 10 years.
You get a better life here in Qatar than Riyadh.. Think that is more important
Food is pretty much the same , its just the rent that is almost double or triple .
Schools are more expensive here but thats covered.
10,000 Riyals u will get a 2 bedroom apartment fully furnished , or semi furnished villa with 3 bedroosm or so , its a little drive , food there is not much difference.