Uprooting to Qatar
Hi all. Had a "duh" moment and being a first timer posted this as a reply to "please help". To cut it short, I ask your indulgence to post this again and waiting for your kind iputs.
Greetings. First of all, this is a wonderful website. It's such a blessing! I chanced on this site and have been hooked for the past week, it's like I know more of Qatar now than my husband who's been there for a week already. He's amazed at the the volume of info re cars, houses even grocery prices that I have culled from this site. Absolutely great job!
We're not there yet (my 2 boys 8 & 6 and me). In prep for our uprooting, please help me on the following:
1. We're supposed to have accommodations at Al Khor but waitlisted so my husband is given the choice to choose in Doha or be in a transient hotel while waiting for Al Khor. Any suggestions on areas near schools, bus stations, supermarkets, park (as in walkable distances, if that is existent there as I have issues with driving).
2. I read about the American school on long waitlist as well. So I emailed the Doha Montessori and British School and the same result-waitlist, try next year. Any suggestions? Not many schools have websites so am getting agitated about this "waitlist" situ. I don't want my kids to waste a year! Also, do the schools have their own bus services?
3. What is the average salary for a live in maid?
I will really appreciate any inputs you can share. Thank you and looking forward to embracing a new world in Qatar.
You might want to look at Doha College, Qatar Academy, also.
Is the cost of school included in the package? Fees are expensive.
Housing, I would chose Doha, Al Khor is 45 K from most of the things you will want to do, shopping, movies, etc.
If you have driving problems, you will be in trouble as taxis are hard to get, bus service is for men only, and nothing will be in walking distance.
Your housing may not have a maid's quarters, so living arrangements may be something to look at before hiring. Not to be upsetting, but why do you need or want a maid?
Are we having fun YET?
Hi all. Thanks for your inputs. Am writing the schools and my husband is calling directly. No promising leads yet but hopefully we'll hit bullseye before it's too late. Cheers.
Don't forget Compass International School.
www.cisdoha.org
As follows:
1. Schools are all scattered over Doha so unless u know which school ur kids will be going, nobody can tell u exactly. But, Al Sadd is probably centre of the city and everything is quite accessible from this place. U may consider to take an appt. here. Also, in another couple of months, no distance shall be walkable due to high ambient temperature/humidity and u will be going everywhere in ur car.
2. FOllowing are the schools u may want to try:
Park House English School, Doha English Speaking School, Cambridge School, Qatar International school, Qatar Academy, Al Jazeera Academy, International School of Choieffat , Gulf English School. This is all I can remember right now. These are NOT in the order of priority or preference.
3. Depends on Nationality. Indonesian - QR 600/month, Philipina QR 1000/month (I think they raised recently but to how much I am not sure. In any case it will not be more than 1200), Indian 500/600, Srilankan 500/600. You have to obtain a visa for the maid. Whole process for taking visa and bringing maid over to qatar takes about 3-5 weeks and costs around 6000-8000 qr (One time expenditure for air ticket, visa, agency charges etc)