Asian Games

Hi,

i am new here and i didn't get your comment " refer to QP" as i am gonna join QP and i will be relocating to qatar in october.

please advise,

regards

Try Mr Tamim in the first floor, when you go in on your left. He will be able to help you, just refer to QP properties. He will give you a hand.

Best of luck

I would not expect a huge amount of help in terms of induction and assistance with housing as it's pretty much non-existant. Much as AA would no doubt like to blame all this on western expats unfortunately the people responsible for a lot of these issues are local. DAGOC are trying to provide some apartments but demand is outstripping supply so you may end up being put up in a hotel for a couple of months.

You will definitely need a car but check with your HR contract as this close to Games they may provide you with one. Don't bother shipping a car out, you'll be able to lease one for less than 2,000 QR a month.

Despite the hassles, I would definitely still come as you will get to work with a huge variety of different nationalities and experience a completely different culture. Most people I know enjoy themselves, despite the odd moan here or there.

Well keep trying, if you want to know how to get in DAGOC 100% guaranteed. Just ask

Branston don't listen to this loser

My friend trust me 200% in this one, there is NO induction or any similar to the Asian Games (any program), only half an hour chat with a guy that you cannot undestand.

I live in a 1 beedroom apartment in the center of town, for QR3500, so there are cheaper places but you need to look well to find them

Some shopping malls have ad boards and many advertise flats villas and sharing accomodation for more afordable prices. Try Lulu hypermarket.

You just need to make sure your landord is trustworthy. Sometimes agencies are best, but are more expensive.

Beware of greedy private landloors and middlemen

I'm working for the Asian Games, or more specifically, I'm working for a company that's been contracted by DAGOC (Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee). As a contractor my experience is a bit different than yours would be if you were working for DAGOC directly. My company provided our housing, which is a huge plus, but on the other hand DAGOC would not act as our sponsor for us to get the all-important RP (Residency Permit). You need an RP/sponsor to do pretty much anything in Doha, i.e. rent an apartment, get a liquor license to buy alcohol, get a phone line/internet connection put into your house, get a driver's license, the list goes on and on. DAGOC should sponsor you for this, but be warned it's a very annoying process filled with red tape and will probably take several weeks to complete. You'll have to get your fingerprints done, for one thing, and you'll also have to go for a medical exam complete with x-rays and blood drawing.

The only thing that's really expensive in Doha is housing; other expenses like groceries are reasonable, and gas/petrol is very cheap. Your life will be much easier if you lease a car; taxis can be hard to come by when you really need one, and there are very few bus lines and they're not much use. Admittedly the public transportation is improving; there were no buses at all when I moved here 4 1/2 months ago, but it still has a LONG way to go. Leasing a 4 wheel drive will cost about QR 3250 per month.

I'm not sure how much support DAGOC gives to it's regular staff, but if nothing else there are scores of expats working at DAGOC who should be happy to help you out if they can.

Thanks for the advice. Any areas which should be avoided at all costs? And what's the Resident Permit all about?

Dear branstonpickle,

As I am working as a real estate agent I will be glad to help you, keep my details and contact me before you arrive.

Ayman

[email protected]

+974-555-2197

PS: Don't forget to ask for as bigger accomodation allowence as you can get.

Be very careful as things are EXPENSIVE in Qatar at the moment. Rent is though the roof (so to speak), public transportation is very spotty, Resident Permit process is a royal pain in the, little things like phones and Internet connections are time consuming process, driving is a life risking adventure everytime, other than that, Qatar is a great place to live.

Make sure that you get things worked out before taking the job as it is a challenge to find "good" housing at a fair price. Anything you would want to live in, is going to be QR 6,000 per month and up. Parts of town will take you an hour to get around or through, traffic is bad and getting worst.