Is it worth moving to Doha?

Hi Dylan,

With that kind of offer, forget about coming here. FYI, more and more Malaysians are leaving this country. Life back home is much better in all aspects.

Thank guys,

I didn't know it cost so much to live in Doha. Probably need to re-negotiate with the employer. Just for your info, medical is covered including children. But that is still not enough for a decent living...and savings!

Thanks again.

Your company is taking the P@iSS.

Housing allowance is faaaaaarrrrrrr tooooo low. With a wife and three kids you will need minimum 16,000 to get a decent Villa, 13,000 for a three bed flat.

Don't bother unless you are supplied with a villa and 100% school fees and free medical.

doha cat is on the money in his post about leaving Doha, Middle Eastern companies seem to have no idea about the real world cost of anything.

Please everyone use the search functions on the site on all my posts about coming to Qatar I recommend a MINIMUM package of 45-55K if you are from the "Western World"

Minimum 15-20K Wages and Minimum housing allowance of 15K

The rest is just to make up for coming here, and the loss of any normalcy in your life.

Please everyone think VERY carefully about moving here, I was lucky to be offered a decent package so it was worth it for me and I have no complaints but please negotiate a better package.

It is worth coming here for good money but it isnt worth it if you are under paid and not saving what would be the point.

You are not going to experience or immerse yourself into another culture or any of the other romanticised things that people think about when they move to another country. You will live in a compound, be served by Indians and Filipinos and shop at carrefour.

You only come here for the money !! so make sure you get enough !!!!!.

I agree with both statements above. 7,500 is not enough for housing allowance. You should ideally be between 10,000 and 17,000, depending upon what kind of accomodation you are looking for and it's location and proximity to work, schools etc.

It took my husband 3 months to find a decent villa at a 'decent' price.

Housing fees are not enough, 10-12K QR is minimum for any place decent. Your 25% education cost will be high for 3 children, a car will cost you 2K QR per month.

So from the 18K QR salary, you will spend 4K QR per month on extra housing cost, plus electric, water, phone, internet, mobile, etc. You will spend 1K QR per month on extra car cost and depending on the school fees, which are going up, another 500QR per month.

Food costs are not cheap, clothes are not cheap, so you will not be getting ahead at these numbers.

Housing allowance is very low.

I agree with Doha Cat, with 3 children you also need to look closely at the rising cost of education, do the research first by contacting 2/3 schools for current fee scales.

Hi Dylan

have a look at my posting in response to "why are so many people leaving Qatar".

Please think about this carefully. With a wife and two children, a housing allowance of 7500 QAR is NOT enough. You cannot get anything decent for less than 10000 - 12000 QAR.

Your base salary and transportation allowance appear competitve so you just need to negotiate on your housing allowance.

Doha is a nice place and I've heard a great place to bring up and educate your children.

Good Luck!