Moving to Qatar
By fairyprincess •
We are moving from Australia to Qatar in the next month or so. I will be working, but not my husband at the start. We have 2 children, a boy 11 and a girl 10. I need advice on what to bring, schools (i know about big waiting lists etc), settling in, clubs to join, help in settling my kids into life there and anything else I need to know.
wow! thats great the more the merrier, what will you be doing? line of work that is it's great that you have the schooling issue sorted thats half that hassle as for housing, well good luck! as we're in the same boat company housing for us is a 2bedroom apartmnet or we take the option of housing allowance which we have opted for as we need at least 3brms if you find any sites which would help please pass them on as i havn't had any luck in bthat dept yet.
Hi Fairyprincess and Az
Here is another new Aussie family (from Melbourne) coming to Qatar in late August. We will need to get together.
Just joined the forum but I have been reading it for a couple of months and have learnt heaps.
We have schooling all organized at Doha College, now housing is our next big issue.
Looking forward to getting there after months of preparation.
I guess in Oz its about afternoon for u...
Well first up welcome to Doha, Qatar...
Secondly,
This place isnt all that bad...i was jus telling AZ...its just that life is a bit more closed on in this part of the world...they havent still opened up as far as the entertainment and social sector are concerned...thats the only like problem here...
Thirdly, finding urself a decent accomodation is at this point of time another big headache...dont get too shocked when u come to the knowabouts of the Rents in Qatar...its quite higher than that in Aus as well...
Fourthly, life in Qatar for ur children wudnt be that tough if it were not going to be for the heat that they have to adjust into...schools here are as good as compared to anything in the region...there are a lot many schools that provide, the British Stream, the US Stream and the Indian Stream of Education...as mentioned to u by AZ Newton School is one such school...there is a lot of growing population unlike before (due to the Asian Games recently Concluded) for which reason there is a waiting list at the schools...(i dont have any kids so i dont know)...but yes from what i hear there is a bit of a wait list...depends on what type of education u r looking for...
Fifth, what to bring...bring in ur kids and ur clothin...everything else is practically available here...and on the type of accomodation u r getting into if its a Fully Furnished one then that wud cover all the other necessary items...
Settling in is quite simple and plain here...if u can adjust to the heat and the weather...(which is the most imp factor)...at this point of time atleast...
Clubs to join...u meant Health Clubs ( hopefully)...there are some really good clubs...like the one at The Sheraton, Doha Club, and some of these also have Corporate Discounts so check with ur Company if they have anything of that sort to avail u some good and fancy discounts...
So try to keep these things in mind...and try to take things step by step...and u shud be in safe hands...
If u need any help...let me know...and let us know ...here at QL...we can take care of u...
So come on down...experience what u have never seen before...QATAR...
Welcome Aboard...
Cheeers...
Hi fairyprincess,
I'm exactly in your situation, we'll be moving around late August we're just waiting on visas at the moment, I've previously asked all these questions, you can check out the answers, as i have 3kids of school age i managed to get applications from Newton International School they will sit for an entrance exam when we arrive, I'll be working for Qatar Airways, what will you be doin? where abouts in Oz are you from.
You can private message me i'll be happy to pass on what i know so far.
welcome to Doha .... most your of question been discussed many times before. Use the search function on the left hand side to look for similar topic with yours.
when you arrive here ... make sure you buy Marhaba book (QR 20). It is a kind of bible for newbie arriving in Qatar. The book will have most information what normally newbie ask.