Maybe moving doha, from United States
Hello, My wife and I along with our two year old daughter are possibly moving to doha, from the United States. My main concern is how safe a city is it to live in for Americans. Because I know we are not the most popular nation at the moment, this is my main concern for my wife and I. We dont want to put ourselves let alone our daughter in any danger. And if there are any Americans over there who could give me some advice, that would be great. Thanks!
I had similar thoughts. I'm a Canadian, ex-military. I checked with some friends in Military Intelligence (I know all of the jokes) before I came. According to them, Qatar is the safest, most stable country in the Gulf and in fact in the entire Middle East. The only warning I got was about traffic.
I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my post. All of your responses were great. I will show them all to wife. It will make our decision a little easier. We are scheduled to visit in the next few weeks. I cant wait for our trip now. Once again thankyou all very much.
Well put Kelly
I feel that Qatar is safer for any nationality to live than USA ad any other European country.
If anything wrong happens to anybody here. This is definately NOT because of nationality or color or religion.
Good luck.
If you are afraid of your own shadow or are worried that people in foreign lands don't like Dubya and Cheney, don't come to work here. If you have some spunk and adventure to your souls come and enjoy like the rest of us.
No one hates Americans here only the president and as 72% of the American public hate him too you will be fine.
We are much more tolerant out here
No problems. Americans aren't hated as a people. Don't worry about the safety aspect. Richard123 put it quite well.
Doesn't surprise me though. State Department's website gives the impression that everywhere in the world is unsafe for Americans. As an American you are probably at greater risk of losing your life in the good ole US of A than here. Unfortunately the perception has become a reality.
My parents came here to visit me and all of their friends thought they were crazy to take such a risk. They had a good time mixed with locals that I introduced them to and were amazed by the hospitilatiy they received. Of course, no one in Connecticut believed them when they got back.
Even the British Foreign Office website warns that Qatar could be dangerous for British people. I think the real danger is for Bush and Blair and their cronies. For the rest of us, its fine.
Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. Tagore, Bengali Poet
Sorry to hijack, but I've got a little story. I was on my way back from Bahrain one weekend and I ended up behind a bunch of American GI's in the line up for customs. One of course was your typically big loud friendly guy and we got to chatting to pass the HOUR LONG WAIT!!!(sorry that was for the Doha airport). Anyway it came out that they were going to have to spend their R&R in Doha on the army base because their commander told them that Doha wasn't safe for Americans. Myself and about 10 other people around us in line burst into tears laughing at the thought of Doha being dangerous for Americans. Needless to say, the guys decided to book into the Four Seasons for the weekend instead.
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I don't think you risk putting your family in danger by coming here apart from the danger of the lunatics on the road and as far as I am aware, even they don't target Americans.
There are a lot of Americans here. Some are cool and others are boorish and obnoxious but I have heard of none that have had a hard time by virtue of their nationality.
If this is your only major concern, I would forget about it. You will find this country welcoming and hospitable as well as frustrating and bureaucratic.
Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. Tagore, Bengali Poet