Tough decision - Qatar or not Qatar
Hi all, it's been very helpful reading through some of the recent posts. I'm really stuck in making a decision about coming to Qatar to accept an offer that's been made to me.
I'm sure my position is not unusual. I have an offer of what is a good salary but with no extra benefits (accommodation, school, or even shipping costs). I presently hold a good position that I would have to give up.
There isn't much point in beating about the bush. The offer is for a fairly senior government job, at 46000QR/month but I know that getting somewhere decent to live is going to set me back 15000-20000/month and then schooling for one school age child.
I've already got the offer upped from 32000/month but I'm really not sure if even at that level, it's such a good deal.
Any insights would be most appreciated. I know income is a relative thing but I'm presently on a similar wage. I work all over the place so maintain a family home back in New Zealand that I wouldn't want to have to sell (not until I was really settled in any case).
I've got all the usual doubts I guess. I have spent a month in Doha before so am somewhat familiar with it.
Any one got advice about buying a place there, I would hate to rent long term really, money down the drain and all.
Thanks and sorry to throw this question at strangers but who knows, we may be friends one day soon!
I come in line behind Gypsy...
Hire me too Diamond girl and let me swim in the light of your benevolence...
smile..it never hurts..
(exception rule: dont do it to ladies in the GCC- you might land up in jail)
Well, it's been a very frank discussion. I really appreciate the different viewpoints. Even the 'grumpy' ones are good to self-evaluate the reasons for a move. Thank you to all who gave constructive information.
DiamondGirl, will you hire me???
"You don't have to like me for who I am but we'll see what you're made of by what you make of me." Ani Difranco
Ksarat16, just read your post and compare it to Bernie's, and you will see why you struggle to make your ends meet and he is offered a senior government position.
The day you will start respecting other people (and writing SMS style "wud" "nuff" etc. in a discussion thread is a clear sign of disrespect to others and bad education)you might be in for changes in your career as well.
Qatar being tax-free is a story for those who believe in Santa Klaus. Everything is more expensive in Qatar, and housing costs (I pay QAR 9500 for a 2 bedroom apartment in a normal building with normal maintenance, which is extremely rare in Qatar) make the "tax free benefit" a joke. Add to it rampant inflation and you will get the picture.
So most of professionals stay here not because of the salary and benefits, but because of the professional satisfaction, and the rare chance to make an impact on the country in growth.
Of course I am not talking about poor souls who have to work in Qatar for measly wages just because they can't get job in their home countries.
For the 20% pay cut read 40%.
PS. Thanks for the photos. I didn't realise I looked that old :'(
It’s not only about the salary.. as someone said, the quality of life is different.. the standards are much lower.. everything takes ages to get it done… no quality in housing…all around gets broken and no one really knows how to repair it…high quality goods are extremely expensive ( and extremely hard to be found!).. cheap goods.. well… you don’t want to deal with them, trust me… services are bad whether it’s in the restaurants, in the banks, or taxi, or somewhere else… Driving is crazy…Not much to see and to do…
BUT… It is a great experience! If you like challenges, adventure in your life, if you are happy with overcoming obstacles… if you want to try a different life style… then Qatar is your place…I PERSONALLY LOVE QATAR, NO MATTER WHAT…lol…
now make your decision....
to Give you a straight answer The money they are offering more than likly wont be enough if you wish to bring your family here as well. taking in to consideration that you have to pay for your acomodation, childs schooling ( around 7000 - 8000 riyals per term depending on childs age and school) as well as youll be expected to more than likly pay for your water and electricity bills, phone ect and depending on what you are used to as far as fresh food is concerned (good quality fruit and vege and meat is quite expensive to give you and idea we are a family of 4 and it costs us around 3000 riyals a month for shopping) your best bet is to see if they would consider a package in the vicinity of 20000-30000riyals a month take home and provide accom and schooling for your child. As far as places for your child in school being a government department they should be able to find them a place but again depending on how old just bear in mind most schools run with the british cirriculum here and they start children in a formilized schooling at the age of 3-3.5y.o so depending on your childs ability he may be droped back a grade this does not always happen but most of the good schools here will require for him to have an assment for this purpose. On the matter of sending money home just be aware with the greenback sliding into decay and the Riyal tied to this sending money home to places like OZ and NZ is becoming increasinly hard ( we just sent 2000 riyals home by the time it got there with the exchange rate it cleared at only $589 AUD) hope this helps with your decision
cheers and good luck
However I still support the things I believe in, now, I have deciced to retire from QL forums.
To be honest even in school was acused of being a person wof independant mind who could voice her opinion, apart from being very outspoken (got me in a lot of hot water be sure) but even then people listened that was enough for me.
Actually I respect your opinion very much, as being fair and diplomatic - he is too expensive for Qatar and I find it a sin that he will be paid so much. Hamad Hospital has already had rebuffs for the for the pay of the General Manager and still things have not changed.
My sense of being fair has reached it's peak - I have to resign from Qatar Living as I feel under all aspects of protecting and supporting Qater and whatever goes on has reached it's limits, I feel extremly aggressive considering the labourers plight not to mention the bidding for the Asian Games. I am very sad.
Please don't take my opinion as digs it is not like that, and I am not bashing you know my opinion by now it is just that some things don't coordinate with others.
Girl...u have been thru indeed quite a bit too much a lot infact in ur life...well u r still here kicking life and kicking hard i wud say...
Good to have u here girl...
Lets catch up for a coffee sometime...
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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "
Considering and without bashing anyone - I waited in over three months for the government in Qatar to pay my pity salary. I had to pay my rent and my car - luckily enough I received money not from QL of course but from some pwople who knew my plight.
When my salary was finally paid the agreed transport costs were deducted from my salary (sponsor transfer),I had to restart my probation time, and I lost 6 days holidays. On top of that my car was damaged 4 times badly in the parking space (I have to pay for this) and also the car I received as a replacement while my car was being repaired was heavily damaged on the parking space.
This guy will probably get a golden parking space plus a car too much money for an unknown product in my opinion.
Canarybird, I was basing my response on the fact that Bernie said he was going into a senior government position as a western expatriate.
I have employees who earn more than that with less seniority. It's my benevolent nature I guess.
Two digs at me already today Canarybird :(
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Love is the answer...
Not everything is tax free, maximum amount not taxable is $82,500 anything over that amount IRS will take a minimum of 28% since it place us to a high income bracket.
Just like Diamondgirl said, the salary offer is really not that great if it includes everything. My current salary and the salary offer they gave you is pretty close but the difference is that I don't pay for anything else.. they even pay for my drinking water..
Did u say something about overqualified and not being employed...sounds like me...anything or anyone helping out for a quest for a job in this country...
O yessurely i accept...overpaid for sure...LOL...
How u doing today beautiful...
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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "
When you think that there are so many foreigners contributing to Qatar with salaries from QR 3000 no housing and not benefits and can't find aplace to rest their head, I think he will be grossly overpaid not underpaid.
Daimondgirl
What happened to you? Suddenly the capitalistic attitude, you surprise me it is too much money, considering you have Qataris with PHD's working in the government who don't even make half that amount and have studied in the UK/America. Not ot mention other nations who are overqualified and can't be employed. Something not right here!!!
Am I fighting a lost cause here in believing????
kazakistan is much more cheaper than here. maybe dangerous and yea it can be called survival but still. i say if u wont be able to save more than u r getting. dont come here.
Morning to u mate...i was gng thru some of the posts replied and i find one or two posts quite amusingly interesting...
For EX: 1 user...u shud take into consideration depending on the say that ppl give u comparatively to their own salaries cos there is a wide variety in the sector of QL...fair enuff...
2: Another user mentions it isnt a good salary if u wud have to take the school out...that again fair enuff...
But let me ask u question...
For Heavens sake buddy u r making 46K a month that turns out to almost US$ 13K a month amounting to almost USD $ 160K /annum...christ do u make that kind of money in the US...very few i wud say...and that too with the tax u drain a lot of that as well...but here u dont have that problem as well...Tax Free...so my take wud be take it...
And regd Development to this country...well with all fairness...i guess ppl are here to make money and in turn wash their hands in the flow of prosperity of this country...i wudnt accept an offer simply if its going to help the country...o pls spare me...i guess i have other options as well Money Talks people...Money Talks...
Money Beggets Money...
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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "
Do you think you can contribute to the growth of Qatar, or is it the money.
If it is the money well re-think, if you will benfit the growth of Qatar, then come.
You will gain life experience and a great deal more Qatar is growing and needs people who will help it grow.
I don't think your salary is that good if you deduct your housing and school fees every month (that is, if you can get a school place - huge problem of shortage of places in the better international schools). that would take you down to under 30 000 a month. If you think that is a reasonable salary for what you will be doing then yes. But I would check on the school websites first.
Regarding buying property, there are selected developments for expatriates to purchase. Try The Pearl website for example for apartment real estate. Not ready to inhabit yet but currently a great investment.
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Love is the answer...
I dont see any advantage for you to move.. you're already getting the same pay.. any other reasons on why u want to leave your current job?
lol ... Mistaken identity :D
Just thought I saw you at the bar there...
Orians or whatever its called...
Never mind...
No. Why?
Novita???
Were you at the ramada Fri???
yes ... QAR have been free falling for our home currency for the last 7 yrs. From 5 QR to the GBP now ove QR 7 to the GBP. 20 percents pay cut for us.
Think of it this way: if your expenses will be only in QAR or in USD, to which QAR is pegged, the offer is good. If you have bills to pay in any other currency (pounds, brazilian reals, australian dollars etc.), think twice, or ask them to fix your salary in your home currency.
Dollar is worth almost nothing nowdays, and offers that made sense a year ago, are utterly unreasonable now.
Also keep in mind that qatarliving.com is a very mixed "society" with salaries from 3000 QAR a month to the level higher than has been offered to you. So, if someone tells you that the salary is amazing, or is not good enough, ask yourself, how much this person makes beforehand.
The package offered to you is OK for a senior government job, I doubt you can force them to make it better, however take into consideration the free fall of dollar and skyrocketing inflation in Qatar.
The salary is amazing to survive here is a cakewalk.... 46k QR pm?
I'm pretty sure if you've survived in Kazakhstan, Doha will be be a great experience.
And the salary is pretty good even if you knock off the housing...
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If you can get housing and a guaranteed schooling spot with tuition paid for, then I would jump on it. Without those though, you wont save anything.
tra la la
I have the answer, we'll houseswap for a year!
Actually I don't work in NZ, my home is there but I'm all over the place. If I don't come to Qatar, I have 9 months in Cairo in front of me. Right now I'm in Kazakhstan.
Thanks for the speedy answers, I really appreciate it.
I agree with Novita. Rent and schooling are both costly and hard to find. We always seem to write, "you'll have loads of family time" but really there's just not that much to do and it's not very pretty to look at. If you're already making the same, then I'd stay. Oman - maybe. It's so funny you wrote this tonight because I've been looking at a NZ book all night trying to figure out how we can get down there! Anyway, best of luck.
Bernie ... if you make similar wage back in NZ, my advice DONT COME. You will have better quality life over there.
Thats only my opinion ... i am sure others will say differently :D