y rents not decreasing infact THOUSANDS of flats are free now also

I would like to add few points....

Why cant qatar government put a baseline for rents [like for 1 BHK max is 3000 QAR] according to the rooms and facilities ? Also have to make some laws to avoid morethan One thirdparty agents(persons) bet owner and the person whos taking the house for rent.......

Another point is that now many new buildings are constructed which lacks the security measures for saftey of buildings... coz price for materials are increased so tey doing wit less qality and less qauntity. So who cares about the people stying in tose buildings coz all want returns soon with less investments ?

Lack of skilled workers defently will affect the new buildings and other constructions....

Then Dubai..its RETRADING CENTER in the entire asian region now. U can rarely find a thing in Qatar which is not coming through Qatar. coz their ports are open and also laws. And tere rents are high but its more stable frm past...

I also want to point next main problem tat qatar will face is HEAVY TRAFFIC PROBLEMS...... Its time of planning..And its great time for Qatar authorities to plan now itself for METRO RAILS.....

Even U can see now UAE is moving in tat dirn coz of trfic problms... So hope its right time for Qatar to think in that direction now itself.....

I am not neglectng good things for leaving in Qatar.. but now ter are becoming more things BAD for once life in qatar.. And im sure many expacts are still staying here back in the expectation that things will be come under control soon. Also one more thing is tere, for many its difficult to get a good job now if tey go back to home country after spending many years of their gud time here in Qatar.. But for tose who coming newly tey can go back 2 home country........

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Come On lets hav fun !!!

sorry guys..ladies PM me if ur interested...Sorry if ur not..

I'm sorry I didn't realize that I had to be completely specific with my sentences. I assumed that people would be able to understand the meaning of my sentences and not take them out of context even though I gave an example of what I was referring to.

I will therefore explain the context of the 'rule' (which is not MY rule, it's in Global Economics 101 in University)

It is advisable that you do not compare countries, simply because they are similar because 'anything' can happen.

I provided a chart of different countries percentages, which are facts.

I never simply said "Qatar is like Dubai with inflation and Dubai is doing fine so Qatar must be doing fine."

Facts can say anything, it's up to you how you wish to interpret them.

So I did not 'break' my rule.

In relation to the thread of price comparisons, I'm comparing prices of apartments... I'm not talking about the economy in general (which is what you were doing), neither did I say "You pay 6000QR for an apartment in Qatar, and It's similar to the UK, so since the UK's housing prices are increasing, so will Qatars..."

I try my best to be as coherent as possible, but sometimes my thoughts and how I explain them aren't exactly matching :P

@qatarisun, if a person has QR3000, I also do not how they manage, but I can assume that their standard of living is different than my own. I can also assume that the person must have preferred it to his own country (if he/she is an expat)

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

sorry, just noticed waht you said in your post:

"You are saying though that people who have 3000QR (after bills, expenses (such as rent and food) ) are living in Poverty? 3000QR??"

I didn't say thise who have 3000 AFTER bills, rent, a such.. are poor. I said: people whose salary (WHOLE PACKAGE) is QR 3000.. and trust me there are thousands of them... and I relly cannot understand how they manage their budgets....

And i said: that's why they have to live 2-3-4 persons in one room, which in a western country considered as poverty...And of course nothing left over in the pocket of these people at the end of the month...

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/28569

here it is

Rule 1 never break your own rules

"Rule 1 is never compare countries no matter how alike they are"

Amnesia kindly do not break your own rules

you are the one comparing the prices of housing in different countries in one of your another threads

You have compared the prices of coke on your website and of many other things

The list is long and I cannot pinpoint each and every comparison

For those who think that prices will not decrease because another country had a different experience they obviously haven't read alot about how the economy and infrastructure works.

Rule 1 is never compare countries no matter how alike they are.

South Korea was similar to Japan, however Japan's economic bubble burst and they had a severe recession, whereas South Korea's economy boomed. From 200 dollars percapita to 20,000!

@alexa,

if you want my general opinion the following needs to be done (and it's being discussed)

1. Forcing rent to unused apartments

2. Eliminating the 10% increase loophole. (I can only think of enforcing a law that states that you cannot increase the SAME tenants rent by more than 10% regardless of whether the contract term has ended. There should be a rule for example that is "If the landlord has a replacement for the tenant, then he can change the rent to however much he likes, however the current tenant must be given 1-2 months notice or agree to the new contract. If the landlord leave it to less than 1 month to say "agree to the new contract or get out" then that would be illegal and the tenant has the right to remain in the property with an updated contract for 1 more year and with a maximum raise of 10%")

Perhaps if I organized the law I could submit it for judicial review.

Imagine! You could say that 'amnesia' changed the law! :p

3. There needs to be a public campaign for an organiziation that helps enforce people's rights. (this would scare landlords and also show tenants they have somewhere to go to)

4. Companies need to be encouraged to build OUTSIDE of Doha.

Anyway, those are just a few ideas I have.

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

whoever thinks that rents are going to decrease is living in a fool's paradise. we can see the example of dubai.

sorry I didn't get that from your post, but if that's what you meant

Then I'm behid you 100% :)

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

How can you say that we cannot compare Qatar to Japan or European countries because they are not dominated by expats? It doesn't make sense.

Cost of living is cost of living. Simple as that.

Qatar isn't what it is today for those three reasons. If you ask me, it's because

1) Natural resources and technology developed to filter those resources (yes even Japan uses QATARI technology)

2) Qatar's goal for become a central transit point for Asia

3) The increase in businesses (especially influence of Qatari businesses)

4) The synergy created between expats and locals

The list is endless.

@Cyman, my father owns two small buildings, he has 10 apartments in each building that are one bedroom apartments. He rents them for 3500QR.

However, it is unjust to say "if I'm wrong, search for an apartment for me". Please search for your own apartment. I would gladly help you as a friend on the forum, but I will NOT search for you just because you want me to prove a point.

People on the forums will always tell you that my information is reliable, fair and (hopefully) kind.

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

don't you think, it is time to update those prices in your website. It seems inflation in Qatar runs faster than your ability to update. If I am wrong, please find me a flat for QR 3000 p/month. Thanks.

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

I understand what you are saying my friend.

However comparing the current situation (-rent) compared to other countries, Qatar is cheap.

With 10GBP the average British person could, buy 1 coke in the day, have one 'local' meal. and two drinks in the pub.

With 10GBP the average Qatar persono could, buy 6 cokes in the day, have one 'local' meal that serves 2 or 3. and have 6 pounds left over :P

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

I didn't really say, that inflation is increasing by 90% or so. I am not a statistic or financing specialist. But you really could notice lately, that prices are going up and up too fast, much faster than our salaries are. I am not talking only about the rent. I got your point, that government is working on it, and we just have to be patient, and that’s fine.

I agree, Qatar was one of the cheapest countries maybe just couple of years ago.. and I understand that growing prices are the result of booming economy..and I understand that the rent is high because businesses are developing first, and the infrastructure such as housing and services is usually always behind... I understand all that .. and I LOVE QATAR the way it is..lol...

the only thing I say: you cannot call Qatar really cheap country anymore...

Is that good or bad? I don’t know, it’s just a fact.

Qatarisun, sorry but you are saying that inflation in stores is increasing by 90% a day. That is surely an exaggeration.

I compared prices in a simple table on iloveqatar.net I compared US, UK, China, and Japan with the latest figures.

You are saying though that people who have 3000QR (after bills, expenses (such as rent and food) ) are living in Poverty? 3000QR??

That's more than most people have in ANY country AFTER bills and expeneses.

Inflation is increasing at a rate of 6.8% lets compare with some other countries.

2006-2007

Qatar = 6.8%

Japan = 5% (Japan recovered)

US = 2.97%

China = 9.7%!!

Korea = 3%

India = 4.7%

Good link for Qatar inflation.

http://www.ameinfo.com/73177.html

It is natural for Qatar to have inflation, this is because of the economic and population boom..

Now let's look at salary increases as well

Qatar = 11.1%

Japan = 2.4%

US = 1.9%

China = 3%

Korea = 5%

India = 4.6%

So yes there is inflation, but there is also salary increases to cope with that.

If a coke went from QR 1 to 5 QR but my boss gave me 10 QR to buy the coke, I'd be happy :P

The only issue in Qatar is with rent, and I'm confident that the issue will be solved.

Qatar has worked so hard to get a great image and to try and become one of the best developing nations there is, you can be sure they will never Jeopardize all the hard work that has gone into it.

@moonbeam

I'm half Qatari and I'm half British. I've lived in the UK for over 5 years and have travelled to many countries to experience different living standards and styles. So my opinions aren't based on simply a patriotic level. It's my honest to goodness experience.

I agree with alot of what you say, however you CANNOT argue some of your points.

You are saying that imported food is expensive. That's the case with ALL countries.

I love Pocari sweat for example. (It's a Japanese drink). In Qatar it costs QR 2. In England it costs QR 10!!! an in Japan it costs QR 1.

So specially imported food is naturally high and cannot be included in cost of living.

Insurance can be expensive, but not just for expats, it's for nationals too. Some companies will pay for insurnace included within your monthly salary however, if not, my best suggestion is to go with an international insurance company and buy it online directly from the US websites. (You can save 70% that way ;) )

As for rent, as I've said, I'm confident that everything will level off. Qatar is in it's booming stage. Everything is developing so fast as everyone has said. Inflation is natural to all countries in this stage and it's not permanent :P

As for internet fees. It's not a Qatar thing either....

In the UK I pay 40 Pounds for retricted 1MB connect, that's around QR60 right? AND I have to be tied to BT (British Telecom) for 1 year!

It's QR40 for 2mb in Qatar...

There was a thread on a website called Neowin.net where people were comparing internet prices around the world.

Qatar was number 17 in terms of cheapness.

I really wish we could have the cheap internet of South Korea (QR 5 for a 15mb connection) but give Qatar the chance it deserves.

As more people are encouraged to visit, the country will thrive, competition will arrive, and prices will drop dramatically ^_^

I'm sorry for my long answer but I try to give people an answer which looks at all angles. I'm not biased and to be honest at a point I was a bit ashamed of being Qatari (when it was a dessert wasteland) but now I think people were so used to such a great life, that change is causing panic.

(It is natural for a country to take care of it's people don't forget)

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

good posts qatatrisun an moonbeam..this is what i constantly hear about Q..how very expensive to live...I dont know of any other country that charges so much for accomdation for ur basic apartment...Even in Australia when Sydney held the olympic games rental sky rocketed but not to the degree Q did with the Asian games..A lot of people are going back to their countries because if u are just making ends meet, you might as well do it in your own country, unless ofcourse there are other reasons why you are living there..

I like your post above. I do not thouroughly agree with some points, but at least you look at things from a more 'rounded' perspective.

The thing is, you are a national of Qatar, right? You have rights that you can fight for, and I am pleased to see that you have mentioned that you will actively enforce positive changes in your country using your law degree. But the fact that you are Qatari, separates you from the majority on this site which are expat, and share none of your confidence and hope that things will change to benefit the expat community.

Qatar assists it's citizens in ways that expats will never be assisted.

I've actually said this to you before, I disagree that Qatar is cheap. I have lived in the ME for 30 years, and I have seen an incredible increase in the cost of living. The only reason that it is still chosen as a place to work, is because the salaries (usually) are higher than in home countries (which is particularly true for my country). But cost of living is not only calculated by how much a person spends for food. It is calculated by other factors too.

Standard of living versus cost of living is probably very easily misunderstood. And due to ethical/moral/ politically correct reasons one cannot even detail certain things for fear that the majority on QL will jump down their throats.

I can only speak for myself a european expat.

Interest payments on my monthly car payments are well above what a qatari would pay.....because I'm an expat

Cost of food is more expensive because I choose to buy some products that are imported for the simple reason that I prefer to eat the kind of things I am used too.

Health Care is more expensive because I pay for health insurance because expat hospitals charge an arm and a leg.

Rental, not all expats have accomodation paid by a company. As soon as a landlord sees that you are an expat he'll skyrocket the prices because he knows that if a company wants to hire you, they have to make sure you can pay the rents.

I pay twice as much for internet here as I would at home for the same type of service, and it's slower. :(

Amnesia, it's not a question of complaining. I still make it at the end of the month. But please don't say it's cheap. It's not cheap for 99.9% of expats here. It's like if you go to the US to study,

you pay as a foreign national (out of state resident) an enormous amount more for your tuition fees then a us citizen, in state would.

So you see my point? You cannot compare the cost of living between different nationalities. They all have different indicators of importance within their own sub-groups.

"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage." ~Sri Aurobindo

It’s very good to know that the government is working on the issue of absolutely abnormal, artificially created, unrealistic prices for Rent, which are absolutely disproportional to most of salaries in Qatar. Thank you for informing us on that.

But it’s also the fact that cost of living in Qatar is growing dramatically day to day! I am not sure which "other countries" you are talking about when comparing them to Qatar, and I am not sure how fresh your information is. But the fact is: the inflation in Qatar is extremely high, and the worst thing that the inflation keeps growing. Today you spend for some certain set of items in the grocery store QR100, and next week you come to the same store and you buy the same set of items but you pay QR170-180 … I think, in western country this would be considered as a beginning of economy crisis. Am I right?

And I think it IS one of the most imprtant reasons why skilled workers leave qatar.

If your salary is QR 10,000 and you have to pay for 1-br apartment (more or less acceptable for living in) about QR 6,500, and then your car takes another couple of thousands a month… For these people it's hard to keep up... And what about thousands of those, whose salaries are only QR 3000 – 5000 ??? I can not understand how they manage their budgets… They have to live 2-3-4 persons in one ROOM (not even in one flat!)... it calls poverty, man…

The only thing is cheap here (so far!!) is petrol. But it’s also not permanent, and tends to grow up…

Mobile usage is very expensive, specially when you make international calls. Why from Canada to anywhere in Europe you pay 10-15 CENTS per minute, and why from Qatar to Canada you pay almost $1? Is Qatar on the moon?

Why the flight from Toronto to Los Angeles (which is 7 hours flight) with Air Canada is about $400, and the flight from Doha to Dubai (which is about 1 hour flight) with Qatar Airways is about the same (may be just a little less)? Is Qatar Airway provides with unforgettable and unbelievable service?..

I could continue…

My question is "when will threads start being moderated?"

I'll answer each question you asked one by one.

"y rents not decreasing infact THOUSANDS of flats are free now also in doha ?"

That was covered in ANOTHER thread. Rent is STABILIZING, the government is working on ensuring that rent decreases.

The government is even planning a new PENALTY for empty flats. If a flat is empty for a certain amount of time, the owner has to pay a form of tax. This should encourage rent.

"Y government not taking serous actions to make the rents down ?"

See my answer above.

"Y the cost of living is going high ?"

Are you sure of that? Look at my site to see price comparisons. The cost of living is CHEAP. Cheaper that 90% of the countries out there.

"Y many skilled workers going back to their country ?"

Do you think there is one answer? I'll make a tiny list for you

1. They found a better job.

2. They want to go back home

3. Their goal was to work for a short period and learn about a new culture.

4. They had an argument with their boss.

5. They were greedy and wanted the company to pay for every little thing.

6. They decided they didn't like Qatar.

7. It was too hot

8. It was too cold

9. They thought that Qatar was Disney Land

Is it enough? There are many reasons and each person's reason is different.

Also, there are MORE people coming INTO Qatar to work then there are those that leave.

Believe it or not, not everyone wants to have more competition, so they'll say or do anything to stop someone from stealing their job ;)

"Y is there no one thinking seriously about this all ?"

The question is, When did you learn the ability to read people's minds? I'd sure love to know :)

__________________________

I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

coming to the point.. on rents

Most of the real estate building belongs to few companies, so they are not ready to giv it 4 less rent even if its kept empty..coz tey know someone will come...

And another point is the demolishment of many apartments with out planning. In the sense tey shud hv planned the alternative housing to them... so tey all on sudden moved to new places giving more rent.

There is a trent in the market tat Qatar is the fast growing ecnomy and now coz Dubai is almost saturated, so next all developments will be here... so many real estate invested here without proper study... But wer is trading done in Qatar..wen compared to dubai.. Dubai is a re-exporting center..The port is open tere for import and export.

Doha asian games also helped to increase rents and expences..

QAR is still compared aganist US Dollar.

The increase in rent initially was helpfull for qataries to get more income through rents...But final result is the increase in all living costs here, it will get affected all....

more facts all welcome.................

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Come On lets hav fun !!!

sorry guys..ladies PM me if ur interested...Sorry if ur not..

rayyz and colt.....

Y can be small or capital..but its doest make a change on wat i want to say...

its all a way of communications...so it can hv many styles...If u take internet communication..lots of shortcuts tere... Even in mails its advisible to use small letter(dont use capita and bold letters), or else its like ur scolding the other person. Be carefull next time wen u write a mail to ur boss or someone higher than ur rank..

but here we need to communicate.....only tose newbabes in internet wil hv a probs with short words..lol

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Come On lets hav fun !!!

sorry guys..ladies PM me if ur interested...Sorry if ur not..

I still cant believe the amount of rent we will be paying in Q for a three bedroom apartment. In Australia i can rent a mansion with that amount...

I dont know how some locals/or people on low incomes survive their...

LOL. U dun noe dat i like to type wid same styl. but i avoid cos my frenzz cant und'stnd it.

Gosh that was really difficult for me to type! LOL. Why can't people just stick to normal language rather than the shortcuts? Spoil their spellings, grammar and vocabulary :(

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1400 QL Points!!!

Yay! Way to go Ray!

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www.e4u.name.qa

Y are you using Y sometimes in the upper case and sometimes in the lower case... Y?

And also Y are you using Y instead of Why?

Everyone is thnking about this, but we can do nothig only government can do something. Its not a democratic country where people can strike for their rights and needs. Take it or leave it..