I'm working for the Asian Games, or more specifically, I'm working for a company that's been contracted by DAGOC (Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee). As a contractor my experience is a bit different than yours would be if you were working for DAGOC directly. My company provided our housing, which is a huge plus, but on the other hand DAGOC would not act as our sponsor for us to get the all-important RP (Residency Permit). You need an RP/sponsor to do pretty much anything in Doha, i.e. rent an apartment, get a liquor license to buy alcohol, get a phone line/internet connection put into your house, get a driver's license, the list goes on and on. DAGOC should sponsor you for this, but be warned it's a very annoying process filled with red tape and will probably take several weeks to complete. You'll have to get your fingerprints done, for one thing, and you'll also have to go for a medical exam complete with x-rays and blood drawing.
The only thing that's really expensive in Doha is housing; other expenses like groceries are reasonable, and gas/petrol is very cheap. Your life will be much easier if you lease a car; taxis can be hard to come by when you really need one, and there are very few bus lines and they're not much use. Admittedly the public transportation is improving; there were no buses at all when I moved here 4 1/2 months ago, but it still has a LONG way to go. Leasing a 4 wheel drive will cost about QR 3250 per month.
I'm not sure how much support DAGOC gives to it's regular staff, but if nothing else there are scores of expats working at DAGOC who should be happy to help you out if they can.
I'm working for the Asian Games, or more specifically, I'm working for a company that's been contracted by DAGOC (Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee). As a contractor my experience is a bit different than yours would be if you were working for DAGOC directly. My company provided our housing, which is a huge plus, but on the other hand DAGOC would not act as our sponsor for us to get the all-important RP (Residency Permit). You need an RP/sponsor to do pretty much anything in Doha, i.e. rent an apartment, get a liquor license to buy alcohol, get a phone line/internet connection put into your house, get a driver's license, the list goes on and on. DAGOC should sponsor you for this, but be warned it's a very annoying process filled with red tape and will probably take several weeks to complete. You'll have to get your fingerprints done, for one thing, and you'll also have to go for a medical exam complete with x-rays and blood drawing.
The only thing that's really expensive in Doha is housing; other expenses like groceries are reasonable, and gas/petrol is very cheap. Your life will be much easier if you lease a car; taxis can be hard to come by when you really need one, and there are very few bus lines and they're not much use. Admittedly the public transportation is improving; there were no buses at all when I moved here 4 1/2 months ago, but it still has a LONG way to go. Leasing a 4 wheel drive will cost about QR 3250 per month.
I'm not sure how much support DAGOC gives to it's regular staff, but if nothing else there are scores of expats working at DAGOC who should be happy to help you out if they can.