*** AUSSIES moving from BAHRAIN to QATAR ***

Thanks for the head up PCG, flano... I guess I bitter start stocking up on the Stein lagers hey, sex pucks fur the viry least?

Gotta ask, is the rumour true that the membership fee to the Rugby Club is a box of beer? Interesting rumour nevertheless ;o)

PCG, thanks for the heads up re the get-together... will definitely get in touch when we arrive... probably June or early July.. in shallah!

Cheers,

MegaDon (Meg & Don) from Sydney.. or is that Bahrain? Hmm...

oh geeez pcg!!!!! hahahaha

but you made me re-read my post just to make sure. i'll go with 5 beers next time.

Flan, I read that as 'haing a beer or sex with you'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I read it. Good on ya mate.

Bring grog but ozzie pork is crap compared to normal stuff.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

don, welcome to our sordid little world. no doubt our paths will cross so i'll look forward to having a beer or six with you.

and yes, it's always worth a try to smuggle pork and grog in. you're definitely not the first nor last. good luck!

We have a group, (that is away from QL) that meets every month. I am from Melbourne; from Italian decent (aren't we all!) married to a Brit!!!!

PM me, I will help your wife. I work from 6 till 2 but free most evenings.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

Many thanks to novita, Ton, Johny, Shaz and Shell for your valuable input; deeply appreciated.

It's interesting to read there are quite a few of us who HAD to make a move (from Bah) to Doha.

By the sound of things, rent is a killer! I guess the bottom line is that it's better than having no job.... and yes, I am going to miss our front garden too, Johny :o(

Thanks also to everyone re the wife groups; she hasn't registered on QL yet, but rest assured I'll get her to contact you all once we make our move.

Whilst I have your attention, is it relatively easy to drive from Bah to Doha? Does the custom check the car for grog and pork? I am thinking of loading our CRV with our belongings when we make the move.

Cheers,

Don

We are in the process of moving - wife and son remain in Bahrain whilst I look for a place (back to Bahrain at weekends).

You will have a shock with rentals and quality of accommodation. We have friends renting fantastic apartments in Juffair for BD 650 - but there is NOTHING like that in Doha for the price. We are living in a four bed compound villa in Bahrain - beautiful garden, facilities etc for BD1,300 - can find nothing comparible in Doha and been commuting/looking for 3 months now. We have resigned ourselves to having no front garden and a concrete square as our rear garden! Quality of finishings v poor too.

As for areas, I am looking at places near my work and school so not really relevant to you. Friends have recently moved to Beverly Hills Al Rayyan and they reckon its good. Large compound with lots of people, very large pool, cinema, shop, coffee shop etc so chance your wife could socialise there. You would have to commute a little but West Bay not too difficut to reach from there.

We also just moved here 2 months ago. In al saad area (close to Toy's r us) where we stay, 2FF is 10.5K or Semi furnish for 9.5K depending what you want to be included. However, no facilities thou. Well, they planned to set a gym ... but I guess is not happening anytime soon.

As for your wife, she can come to the newcomers coffee held I think every month or so, chek out this linck http://www.dohaexpatmumsandkids.com/NewArrivalsCoffee.html

Don, when you get here get a copy of Marhaba book ... loads of infos with things to do and various woman group that your wife can attend.

Gulf Times classifieds are available on line, here is the one for 7/5/09 http://www.gulf-times.com/mritems/streams/2009/5/7/2_289247_1_255.pdf

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"Every adult of sound mind, should be able to choose to do whatever they want, as long as they cause no harm to others".

HA HA HA HA........someone else in my shoes! Sorry to laugh at your misfortune, but paying 800BD in Bahrain, I cannot find anything here for 8000QR! Its funny, coz I know when you get here you will battle like I am.

All inclusive for 10 000QR, yes if you want a 1 bedroom apartment? I'm not making you scared, really, you will just be looking at A LOT of places when you get here. If ur company is paying accomodation, push it up as much as possible! Do u have kids, DonIsGood?.

Good luck and you WILL enjoy Doha, once you are settled.

I am house hunting at the moment, so like I said earlier, if I can help you - let me know!

Whatever you vividly imagine, Ardently desire, Sincerely believe and Enthusiastically act upon, Must inevitably come to pass.

Thanks Shelly Shazbat,

Of the 2 possible offers, one has already confirm that housing allowance is part of the package; not sure about the other offer yet. Hence we are freaking out on finding a place in Doha.

Ideally, anything under 10,000QR FF, all inclusive would be good; marvellous if under 8,500QR! After all, we are only paying 650BD (6500QR) for our pad in Bahrain.

Cheers,

Don

Take the job which provides accomodation as part of the contract if possible, but ask to see it first.

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"Every adult of sound mind, should be able to choose to do whatever they want, as long as they cause no harm to others".

Hi DonIsGood. Funny, hubby and I were in exactly the same position. Stayed in Bahrain for a year and due to credit crunch HAD to come here.

Doha is nice (tell ur wife) Very different and bigger than Bahrain. She will freak when she compares rentals! We have been here for 3 months now and I am batteling to find a compound for under 10 000QR (1000BD) I do not drive either yet, but will be soon. Catching taxis here is hard because they are always so busy.

West bay is a very nice area to stay. May I ask what you want to pay in rental? Will your co be paying?

Please PM me if you want my number or if I can help your wife in any way settle in.

Whatever you vividly imagine, Ardently desire, Sincerely believe and Enthusiastically act upon, Must inevitably come to pass.

Thanks Baldrisk2dogs for the info!

12k is probably a bit more than what we had in mind, but I guess it's Qatar after all....

QL? Conservatively speaking, I am guess "Qatari Ladies"?!?

Good to hear Doha Rugby club are open to new members, unlike clubs in Bahrain! So it will be moving soon? Really?

Now that you mentioned it, I can't say I can rate Bahrain Rugby club at all....... :oS

Cheers,

Don

PS I intend to drive from Bah to Doha when we make our move, so I guess I'll get to see the Rugby club on the way....

Thanks Snowyowl and Mandalay,

LOL re QL... yeah, I didn't think it's Queensland Ladies.. LOL! Guess what, one of my email is: isdon_isgood at..... LOL!

Yep, have just send the request to Aussie Group in Doha... ta! Funnily enough, we are not living in a compound in Bahrain (we are in a standalone villa), but thought we'd take advantage of the pool/tennis court if we move to a compound ;o) ... and an environment to meet new people too. But hey, give us a roof, 4 walls and we are happy. We are pretty down-to-earth and not fuzz with all the glitz and blinks (yike!)

Cheers,

Don

Link with Aussi Group in DOHA You will be OK

We are not in compound but we have 4 people from Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Derwin

QL is qatar living....and I had to laugh at your name.....brings back memories of those ads.....is don.....is good! LOL

smile lots laugh more

Oooh! If you are in the museum area, you could try my place. Al Emadi Suites is on Ras Abu Abood street. A 2 bed FF flat goes for 12k per month, all inc. They are new and pretty good (A bit like Elite in Bahrain). The area is as close to Adliya-like as you will get in Qatar. It's still only a 10 minute drive to West Bay too.

I'm sure the QL women will welcome your wife, so I'm not even going there!

Rugby club always welcoms new members. The clubhouse isn't quite Bahrain standard but we like it ;o)

It's down Salwa road (Road to Saudi!) right now and will move closer soon :o(