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Original poster

Talk to me about Doha

20 replies

robino · 23/01/2012 13:06

I have just this morning had a phone call from DH asking how I'd feel about moving there. He's had a phone call from an old colleague sounding him out for a position over there; this obviously means that it's very speculative at the moment but knowing the industry and the old colleague suggests to me that this could be a very fast moving situation.

I am currently a SAHM. 3 DDs aged just 5, 3.5 and 1 next month. DH works away 3 nights a week usually. don't currently have much regular help from family as they live a whole hour away Wink but they can generally help in an emergency or if I ask in advance. Was hoping to start an MSc in September so that might have to go on the back burner.

Tell me anything so I at least have a starting point!

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Caught11 · 23/01/2012 19:36

didnt want to read and run.My DH currently works there,we still have a 17 year old DD in the UK that's why I'm here.We brought our family up in the ME and in my opinion it's a good quality of life for them when they are young.I have visited many times and it is a great place not as westernised as Dubai,but a nice country.Once our DD goes to uni I will join him there.Search the web for expatwoman they have a Qatar forum....if I was you i would be off like a shot!

Original poster
robino · 24/01/2012 10:13

Thanks caught. When you have a bit of time would you be able to tell me a bit more about what it is you like about the ME?

Apparently, DH's contact wants him there yesterday if we decide to give it a go so might need to make a speedy decision.

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Caught11 · 24/01/2012 16:35

okay some thoughts:
first you need to find out about the package( school fees,rents for housing,medical care,flights home etc)
The way we always did is DH went first got housing,furniture and schools set up...then we arrived about three months later.
Schools have waiting lists so you need to look into that,dont know to much about qatar schools as we have lived in Abu Dhabi,Oman and Brunei.
But costs is important,please look on the expatwoman web site, you can join and ask questions (which I'm sure you have many) especially as you have young children.
What I like about the ME,weather,less work more play with the family,and in my honest opinion its safer than the UK...but be aware driving is manic!!
I have made many true friends, who i still keep in contact ( being a mum makes this easier!)
Again find out what the company are offering first.
Best of luck

Original poster
robino · 24/01/2012 17:54

Thanks. I said to DH that I wasn't even thinking about it until we knew about the package; he looked aghast because the basic remuneration is good but he hadn't even considered schools, medical, flights. He can be a bit of a dreamer sometimes!

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Original poster
robino · 24/01/2012 18:00

And it would appear schools can be a bit tricky to get places at?

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EthelredOnAGoodDay · 24/01/2012 18:02

Hi robino, interested to hear people's thoughts in this as DH's work regularly dangle carrots in front of him re working in the ME. so far he has worked in Doha, Jeddah and Abu dhabi, mainly for s couple of weeks at a time, but he keeps being offered potentially amazing packages for us to go to Jeddah for two years. Usually they are not quite as amazing when we get to the bottom of the offer and Jeddah would mean living in a compound, so not sure what that would entail....
Hope you get plenty of answers anyway! Grin

EthelredOnAGoodDay · 24/01/2012 18:03

Should say, when I say amazing it is with a degree of scepticism!

Original poster
robino · 25/01/2012 13:24

Know what you mean Ethelred. The guy who called DH would appear to really want DH out there, that suggests to me we can't quite trust what he says until we see it in writing. Bloody construction industry ; it's not always what it seems!

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Original poster
robino · 26/01/2012 07:13

Bumping

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knittedbreast · 26/01/2012 08:16

robino, you can always come back. go and see, thats all you have to do. it dousnt have to be forever.

I am really jealous, my dp could earn 200k a year in the middle east but he just dousnt seem to want to go, or to make enough effort to do it.

TubbyDuffs · 26/01/2012 08:21

Robino I'm in the ME, not Doha, but make sure your package includes a fair whack for rent, check out how much rentals go for in Doha, as that is a huge amount to pay out. Schools aren't cheap, so make sure the package covers that, also at least one return flight for all family per year, and medical insurance.

If you do decide to make the move, make sure you get your child registered on the waiting lists as soon as possible for school, your eldest two would already be school age over here.

I have friends in Doha and they are happy there.

frikonastick · 26/01/2012 08:28

i live in doha. and work in the construction industry. i like it here. others have said the right things, wait until you actually know numbers. schools are very difficult to get places at, the younger kids esp. the one i finally got my DD into is 40 thousand QR a year which is about 7 thousand uk pounds (i think) and she will only be 4. it goes up as they get older.

i will say that getting permits here does take a while, so your DHs connection wanting him asap is actually not hugely likely. everything takes time in doha! lol, its how can i put it, tied up in red tape more laid back than dubai...............

Original poster
robino · 26/01/2012 09:17

Thanks for the replies. We chatted last night and pretty much decided that if the numbers stack up then we'll give it a shot; it isn't forever and can be an adventure! I have given instructions to DH that he doesn't accept until I've looked at the numbers too!

Am aware of the school issues so shall start looking as soon as we accept, I'm not entirely averse to a bit of home ed if we need to wait for a while.

Frik - thanks for the heads up about the erm, laid back attitude. I have lived in Italy so shall put my italian red tape hat on in preparation! And fully expect it to be worse.

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Original poster
robino · 31/01/2012 21:38

Any information about the area around Airport Road? Still waiting to hear proper information (would appear DH's contact is already into the Doha way of being laid back..) but he has sent some information about the companies apartments which are there.

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JosMorgan · 04/02/2012 08:54

Morning robino, we have not long come back from living in Doha, Qatar for nearly 3 years with Vodafone. Any info you need I can help, we have a now 5 yr old and a 7 yr boys. I would say no to the airport road area. They will probably be offering you an apartment in that area, there are not many compounds in that area. What you want is a compound with a 4 bed villa, the compound should consist of at the very least a play park and a pool with some sort of cover. If you need to chat I am happy to talk on phone, or send me a pm with any questions. I would prefer to give you a rounded picture, the highs and the lows. I would recommend anyone to give it a go though. Cheers L

HillyWallaby · 07/02/2012 13:38

If he is going to be working on/near the new airport area then Al Waab is a good place to base yourselves and lots of nice, very family orientated compounds, reasonably priced. You definitely need to push for a villa. Lots of companies will provide accommodation but it's usually always a high-rise, which looks impressive but would be a nightmare with three young children. Compounds sound awful, but they are actually very nice - especially for children the age of yours. They can paly out and ride their bikes safely etc.

There are absolutely loads and loads of young British families here with children roughly the age of yours and it's a great time to come - while they are young enough to not struggle with the changes.

By far the hardest part will be finding decent school places. Its' a nightmare!

And the driving....oh god, the driving. Shock but even that seems normal after a while.

milchie · 26/02/2012 06:47

Hi Robino..After a ten day visit back in October, the kids and me have made the move to join dh in Doha. We have been here a week now, and so far so good! Everyone is really friendly and supportive, offering advice whenever you ask!!
We had no problem getting our girls in to ISL(International school of London), and the roads are easy to navigate from our villa to school, and much quieter out this way. Hopefuly we will have a start date this week, otherwise i may have to just turn up!
If you have any questions, i'll try my best to answer, if not i'll pop next door to ask my lovely neighbour!

Original poster
robino · 26/02/2012 07:03

Hi Milchie. That was good timing, just spotted this in active.

DH moved out on Thursday. We're joining him at the end of May. Am very glad to hear there's a lot of support. Particularly after last night when, typically, during my first solo weekend DD1 (who never throws up) has a stomach bug meaning that between her and DD3 I was up at least ten times last night!

No questions yet, DH just trying to get a feel for everything but started work yesterday so is a bit busy.

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milchie · 26/02/2012 19:00

Urggh..that sounds rough :-( Hope you and the children are bearing up..skype was a godsend when we were apart..dd had many bedtime stories via skype, and them chatting while i cooked dinner was always good!..
There are a few villas in our compound sitting empty at the moment, if you want the details of the agent i can pass them on to you.
Enjoy having the remote all to yourself and other special treats!

UmPixie · 28/02/2012 14:06

Hi Robino, we got to Doha 6 weeks ago (Dh has been here since Oct) all going good, School places are an issue but there's a great home ed group who are v supportive and so lots of opps to do stuff with them if you go down the home-ed route.
Our 2 DDs (4.5 and 2.5) are enjoying it, everyday swimming being a huge plus as far as they are concerned ;-)
Good luck!

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