Doha - to go or not to go

[Alisonis]

Hi there, am wondering if anyone can help. My husband works in construction and has been offered a job in Doha and we are wondering wether to relocate there with our one year old son. Hubby has already been to check it out and Ive been researching like crazy - its a bit scary for me thinking Id be giving up my career but having loved being on maternity leave for the last year Im thinking I may not miss work that much!
Basically I would be interested to hear from anyone living there or who has lived there and I have some specific questions:
What do nurseries cost and are they good?
What should we budget for food at home costs?
Are the supermarkets not that different to UK in terms of what you can buy?
What channels can you get on tv
Would we definitely need a second car - ie one for me and bubs.
What are the best areas for accommodation - hubby would be based on site near west bay/pearl but Ive heard that area is v expensive. We would ideally like a compound villa, doesnt have to be massive as theres only the 3 of us.
Is there enough to do for me not to be bored? Im not a shy retiring type so would want to make friends.
Id be really grateful for responses. Thanks in advance.

Have you seen this site:
www.dohamums.com/

Thanks hector yes and I've now emailed a couple of nurseries to find out costs.
I'd still be interested to hear what anyone living in Doha has to say as regards the other questions.

Try expatwoman.com as well.

Answering your questions briefly:

1. Depends on your definition of 'good'. I'm happy with my children's nursery, other people seem happy. The 'good' nurseries tend to have long waiting lists but there are plenty of newer ones (disclaimer, there is a current directive that from September all nurseries can only have children on the ground floor, if this is implemented it may cause hell with nursery places). Costs are between QAR 2000 and QAR 3000 a month (roughly, some cheaper).

1. Can't answer that - what do you like to eat, smoked salmon or lentils? Our shopping bill is around QAR 1,000 a month. Some people manage to spend QAR 300, some spend closer to QAR 2,000.

1. Different. You can get most (ish) things you get in the UK (although maybe not the brand) but you'll pay through the nose for imported western products.

1. Depends on what tv you pay for. You can't get sky, standard bbc or itv.

1. You don't 'need' a separate car but I'd recommend it if you can afford it. The issue is that you will need transport and with car seats, taxis can get annoying. That said people do it an manage.

1. Try gharaffa area. A lot depends on your husband's housing allowance.

1. Plenty to do if you are outgoing and prepared to look for it. We're not talking 'London' level plenty to do but have a look at the Doha mums site for a (small) number of the playgroups etc. There's a lot more on that doesn't get listed publicly. What do you like to do?

Bedubabe, thanks so much for your answers. My son is just settling into his UK nursery at the moment and I feel a bit guilty taking him out and uprooting him but it helps to know that the nurseries out there are "good" and affordable. Would you recommend any in particular? Are Apple Tree any good?
Re eating yes a bit of both so again helps to know a rough budget. Food, hmm maybe a raid on waitrose when we come back at christmas might be called for. (Are you allowed to bring food items in your suitcase?, although obviously not alcohol or meat)
Housing allowance, we are budgeting up to 15000 a month but would prefer 10-12. My husband went to Doha last weekend to check it out, and I have a map so will have a look.
As for what I like to do, well my life at present revolves mainly around my son so would be good to meet other mums with kids around the same age, I like to read so maybe a book club, socialise, drink wine, exercise. I normally find that its the people that make a place good, I know I will miss my friends so would be good to make others, especially as I wont be working for a while.
Will look up expatwoman and dohamums, thanks

I have friends with children in Appletree who are happy with it but you might find there's a long wait list. However, location wise it's the wrong side of town to the Pearl (they may have more than one branch). Doha mums has a nursery guide on their website (nurseries have to pay to be on it but it's a reasonably complete list).

If you've got up to 15k you'll be fine on accomodation although it will rule out some of the more prestigious compounds. The key is just to keep looking. Try 'futuregate' (www.futuregate.info) - they might be able to help you out.

I'm not sure if there is a bookclub (there's always mumblings about setting one up) but lots of playgroups and coffee mornings. The bigger compounds will have gyms and there are groups of both cyclists and runners who seem to continue year round.

The thing people seem to find hard is the people they leave behind. If you, for example, have a very close family back home it can be difficult as it takes time to replicate.

Oh and remember: Doha is a construction site in the middle of a desert and you do need to alter your expectations accordingly. Someone I know was interviewing in Hong Kong and asked the question 'what do you think Doha is like, is it a big city like Hong Kong' - he didn't hire anyone who said 'yes, just like Hong Kong' because he knew from experience they'd get here and say ummm where is it :)