Cost of Living in Doha

[Gowaygoway]

Hi, I need some advice about the cost of living in Doha. DH has just been offered a job paying 35000 QTR per month. There's no offer re: accomodation, school fees etc so we need to pay everything out of the 35k. We have a 3year old DS and I'm due to have our DD in 10 days time.

The salary matches what he earns here but will be tax free obvs so we will be better off BUT, once DS goes to school we will need to cover school fees on top of general expenses. We have been Googling like mad trying to figure out how much things like accomodation (villa in a compound) car hire, utilities etc will cost us. If anyone can give me some rough guidance about costs, I'd be very grateful!

Thanks

Hi

If you do a search on here there have been a number of threads. Also try www.expatwoman.com. They are a fount of information. I live in Dubai and my understanding is prices are similar ie vv exp. Petrol is cheap, but elec, broadband, mobile, water is vv exp as is food. Sorry to be so vague but I didnt want you to go unanswered. Good luck, its a great life if you have enough money and upfront costs are exp, ie 2 cars, bits of furniture you dont have or forgot or couldnt fit in. Very sad they arent including anything but you must must must check about medical. Over here its about gbp50 for a trip to the gp and everything is a cost on top of that. Yes we can claim it back but it all takes time.

I think it will be hard if they aren't offering any help towards accommodation, schooling, flight, medical etc. Rent can be eye wateringly expensive. Schools also.

Agree with looking on expatwoman, lots of good advice there.

Thanks both, we know it's probably tight on whether it would be worth our while. DH has been assured by the agent that bi-annual pay rises will make it much more attractive but I just need to have an idea of what to expect. Big decision and a huge risk for us.

Thanks again,

StaIt's not enough. School will be (approx) 2-3k a month. You're looking at 15k for housing. Car hire about 2-3k a month. Add on another 2k for taxis (or you need two cars). I don't know many people who spend much less than 4k a month on groceries. Utilities plus tv, phone and internet will take up the best part of another 1k. One flight back home a year will average at 1k a month. Another 1k a month if you have a mn standard wine habit (cheapest bottle is QAR 40).

Sounds like quite a bit left over but not in Doha terms. Money goes like water here. You can live on that but not save. People of course live on a lot less but do not give up a secure job in the UK for that amount in Doha.

That's

Don't move out on promises of salary increases or bonuse.Make sure it is in the contract or it won't happen.

This is not the place to come to live on a restricted budget.

It is really expensive .

Don't go unless accommodation, health and dental, utilities and schools are part of the package. You won't make any money, as he'll have the work visa, and you're on mat leave, you'll be stuck, and you'll be on the low branches of the tree, without a maid even.

You'll be bidding against company men who have an all in package for everything, (100 plus k) rents are eye wateringly high, and schools, cars are stupendously expensive, so unless you want to go native (not sure you'll be allowed) you'll be so very very broke.

Just to add most British schools start at 3yrs here. If your eldest has turned three since September 1st you need to apply by or in January 2014 for assessment . If it was before you may find you will be joining a waitlist of 24 months or more.

Sorry it's taken me a while to come back to this thread. I had our DD on Monday 2 weeks early!

The agent has been hassling us for an answer and I'm glad I read this tbh. We were really considering going but from what you've said it sounds like they are trying to get my DH on the cheap. I did doubt that we could have a decent lifestyle and save on this salary. If we can't save any money then it's not worth the upheaval for us. DH's salary is good for the UK but sounds like it won't go far in Doha.

Thanks so much for the information....it has helped a lot.