Possible move to Doha

[hansivas75]

Hi - exploring a possible move to Doha with the family (3 children - 10/8/4). Any advice welcome - schools, places to live, cost of living etc.
Thanks

This possibility is now more likely. Any advice on moving to Doha for a family of 5?

I've been here a year now with 2 children (2 and 4). I'd recommend living close to the school and/or work if you can as traffic can be heavy. There's lots of schools with various curriculums and fees. Applications have probably already started (maybe even closed?) for some schools so best to get in touch with any that you're interested in as soon as possible especially if you're wanting to get them all into the same school. We live in a compound which we like as children are safe and there's lots of other families here. I don't know what the average cost is for accommodation though as we were allocated ours by husbands company. Food shopping is much more expensive than the UK, we probably spend nearly 3 x as much per week and I have to go the supermarket rather than do an known Tesco shop which also means I spend more! Petrol is cheaper. My kids are happy here. They love being able to go to the pool so much and having lots of different kids around to play with.

Thank you dotdashdot.

We've applied to Doha College. Eldest is on the waiting list for Year 7. Still waiting to hear re the other two (year 5 & 1). What seems to be the other popular British curriculum schools? Ive heard of DESS and Sherborne but keen to have all 3 at same school although appreciate primary and secondary campuses are different.

I've met a few people who have recommended west bay lagoon as a place to live and also as you suggest areas near schools. Are there particular compounds to check out?

Thanks for info on living costs.

There's also RGS, park house, Doha British school, compass. I only really know about the one my son goes to. Sure there's others too but they're the ones I've heard of. I don't know anything about places to live I'm afraid, Facebook group is probably the best place to ask.

Following with interest! We are also considering a move there potentially and we have a 3 and 1 year old... @dotdashdot could I ask about how you are finding it? Did you move there from London? Are you enjoying it? Thank you so much - trying to figure out what’s best for us. Many thanks x

How is your research going @hansivas75 ? From my research so far it looks quite nice but hoping to find some Mums on here who live there to find out more about what it’s really like.

Hi @Momzillatron

Well our move is a definite now.

Moving from London too. I've been out a couple of times as husband is already doing a bit of work out there. Have to take my 5 year old for an assessment at Doha College at the start of May so will do a few school tours then and if have time look at some areas to live.

A lot of the online research I've found is quite old now so any new information would be much appreciated.

Hi there. I am living in Doha at the moment, happy to answer any questions, I remember very well being at your stage and wondering what the hell it was going to be like.
My dd was at Doha College, she finished last year and is now at Uni. It’s a very good school but pretty high pressure, though of course she was at the sixth form stage. I can’t really comment on primary I’m afraid. My ds is at Doha British School. Again, sixth form and I’m afraid I wouldn’t recommend it. They seem to have a very high turn over of staff and things seem very chaotic. Also they only offer IB and not a levels so it’s something to think about for the future.

As a pp said, you should try to live near the school if at all possible, I can’t emphasize enough how hard the school run can be. On the other hand your company may not give you much choice if they dictate the accommodation.

My kids struggled a fair bit, especially ds (17) and it’s not really geared up for teenagers but I always think it’s a great place for younger kids. There is loads for them to do, funfairs in the malls, brilliant play areas in the parks, the compounds are safe for playing out. Our compound is full of kids playing in the street.

Cost of living is high, the cost of booze (which was already astronomical) was doubled in January. The roads are hellish, there are roadworks everywhere, the culture shock is massive...but actually I love it here. I have a great life, the best friendship group I’ve ever had and we are saving tonnes of cash for when we have to go home.

Thanks @Struckbylightning

I have an 11 & 9 year old dd too. They are both on the waiting list for DC. Do you know if these tend to move fairly quickly? I haven't yet registered them for anywhere else as its all happening rather last minute but will do so now we know we are going. Can you shed any light on Sherborne?

Also do friendship groups/ socialising all centre around the compound you live on or through school friends or company colleagues? What would a typical weekend be?

Sorry so many questions!

That’s great @hansivas75 Congratulations! Hope all your planning is going well!

Would love to hear how your trip goes @hansivas75 ....is there availability at Doha College? Would my 3 year old be able to start in September do you think or do they not take children that young?

Thank you so much @struckbylightening and ditto to all @hansivans75 ‘s questions!

I’m so glad and interested to hear that you think it’s a great place for young kids, that you have great friends there and are managing to save a lot (our plan too hopefully)!

Do you have any idea how easy it would be if I wanted to find work there? My experience is mainly marketing/design...I could work freelance but am intrigued as to whether there would be many opportunities there.

Thanks in advance! Xxx

Sorry another question!! I think my daughter would potentially be a year too young to start Doha College etc...does anyone know which are good/recommended nurseries/feeder nurseries for the good schools? Thank you so much!

As far as I’m aware there isn’t much trouble getting into any of these schools. They claim to be highly sought-after but actually there has been a massive drop in the number of expats here and people have less cash so demand has fallen rapidly. There is no real media here so this is all based on word of mouth, but this is what everyone is saying.

I never hear much about Sherbourne, only that it is not as good as it’s reputation and standards have fallen there quite badly. But again this is just word of mouth and people do love a good moan!

As for finding work I think it’s quite hard. Jobs are dished out along ethnic lines ( one of the culture shock things I mentioned) ie all the taxi drivers are Indian or Bangladeshi, the maids are Kenyan, the shop workers are Filipino etc. They also have quotas for how many of each nationality they can employ. Not speaking Arabic is a big drawback and a lot of it is also all about who you know. Still worth looking on LinkedIn though, I should think. But I would say give yourself a good amount of time to settle in first.

I’m afraid I don’t know much (anything!) about the nurseries, only that there seem to be millions, they are expensive and you would need to choose carefully. There do seem to be a disproportionate number of feral kids here. Certain cultures don’t seem to believe in discipline and oh boy does it show I don’t think they do feeder nurseries as such as all settings are private. You just pay what you can afford and go for what you like. I’m pretty sure Doha College has a nursery attached.

Sorry I missed your question about socialising. Ours is a company compound so my dh is pretty keen NOT to socialise too close to home! We know a few of the neighbours, have had a couple of BBQ’s but mostly I had to find my own friends. I got lucky actually. I joined a Facebook group called Qatar Expat Women and went to a few of their meet-ups. It’s a bit of an odd group so I don’t go any more, but through them I met some lovely women and we have our own groups and we meet a couple of times a week. We created a group called Tuesday Active Group. Feel free to look us up on Facebook if you like.

Occasionally some of us (the non-Muslims) go to a hotel for a boozy night too. On the weekend I tend to do family stuff- the beach, a Park, Souq Waqif for a meal, wander around a mall. I think people with smaller kids have a more hectic social life tbh. It’s getting trickier now as the weather is heating up. Soon it gets to hot to go out so you need to find indoorsy things. Also it’s Ramadan soon, and that’s a whole other kettle of fish!

Oh and I forgot, I totally recommend getting on the Facebook page Where when and how in Doha. It’s sometimes useful, sometimes horrifying and endlessly entertaining.

@struckbylightening These are excellent tips - thank you! From the (outdated) older threads I had read on this it made it sound as though the schools had hugely long waiting lists and were very difficult to get into, so if that is not that case, that’s great!

Interesting that you say a lot of expats have left recently-has it been really noticeable? I’ll definitely check out the Facebook page you mentioned-thank you!

If she's already 3 she could start early years 1 in August so wouldn't need to go to nursery. Also worth checking if the company your husband has an interview with have links with any schools.

I don't think they really have feeder nurseries although I guess a lot people go to school/nursery near where they live if possible. My eldest's school is 20 minutes for the nursery I've put my youngest in to though so not always the case. I can't wait until they are both in the same school and I don't have to do so much driving each day but They are both happy where they are for now

Yes it was the same when I was researching coming out here. Horror stories of having to home school for 18 months before a place is available but I’ve literally never met anyone this happened to and we got both ours into the school of choice no bother. We’ve been here 3 years. And in fact Doha College have just gone ‘non selective’.

I think it’s noticeable in that we seem to have farewell dos so frequently, though on the other hand maybe that is just Expat life in general. But there have been massive cuts to some industries and the blockade has had a huge impact, especially on the hotel trade and construction.

Thanks for all the info - it really is a great help.

Hansivas75 did you move how are you finding it ?

@HZAH1984 - moving end of August.

Still trying to find school place for youngest (going into Year 1)

Now trying to work out best place to live with 3 children at potentially different school. Bit of a nightmare.

If anyone could recommend compounds/areas I would be grateful. Husband working at Sidra Medical, one child at DC Al Waab and one at DC West Bay campus (3rd unknown currently).

Thanks

oh wow your children got places in DC I havent even started to apply my god I am stressing! My husband will be working for PHCC but they havent disclosed exact locations in Doha! i have three daughters so need places in Y2 and nursery the youngest is only 1.

Compass are opening a new school in August, primary and secondary on one campus. Not sure if there's spaces and I don't know much about it but might be an option if you want all the kids in one place. Wouldn't be too far from sidra either.