Just got into Qatar on Wed 16th Feb 2011. Looking to find some Brits to get advice from and help with finding the best place to live. My partner and kids will travel out to see me every 2 month so want to make the whole experience painless for them.
I have found for a single man in Doha that a serviced apartment is better. New towels and sheets 3-7 times a week. Throughly cleaned and presentable when the family arrive. You will be working long hours and maybe 6 days a week, the last thing you will want to do is washing, ironing and cleaning on a Friday (drinking at the rugby club day)
2 bed serviced apartment in 4 star facility with pool, gym etc etc is around 11,000-15,000 QRial per month
Everyone speaks English here so you and your fam will not have any problems wherever you live. Dont worry about them easing in, everyone here is friendly. Where you live does depend on where you work, not necessarily for travelling time but for safety, it is good if you can get to work and back everyday in one piece. The thing with living here is nothing is advertised very well so word of mouth is definately the only way to find out about things other than QL of course. Shops also always dont spring out at you, drive around at night when they are lit up and it is only then you can see what they sell. Best to hire a car and take yourself out and explore the souqs, the beaches, villagio, the parks, city centre, the pearl, west bay, the wholesale market, the corniche and go around the back of these areas as well, you wont really get lost. Take yourself off to the golf club, the rugby club (need a member to get you in ask at work), Garveys, good hotels and have a drink at the bar and strike up a conversation, there are so many single males here that you will not be short of conversation and be able to info gather. As for your other half, dont introduce here to the shopping here or you will be more skint than when you came. Welcome, its lovely here, don't worry about all the running around and waiting for RP's, medicals etc, its a pain but once its all out of the way thats it.
I want them to enjoy the experience and not be put off. I just want them to chill out by a pool for a week, then when i get back go out for a nice meal. During the day they wont do much away from the accomodation so facilities are important. Not easy i know
is the best starting point. The Pearl and West Bay, from what I can gather ( I'm still in Saudi awaiting final clearance to move to Doha ) are the most expensive parts of town, but if you can afford to live there, then in terms of lifestyle this may suit you best.
Again, you may want to consider if you want a 'compound' lifestyle or something much more within the 'community'. If you're family will be here for short spells, then I think they would enjoy the compound lifestyle, but is it really worth it, for the limited time they will be with you?
Again, consider if an apartment will be ok, or you definitely want a villa.
But, as you are already there, then I suspect you are starting to look around for accommodation. As a single guy, it might be better to go with furnished, saves you the hassle of having of furnish the whole house / apartment.
My allowance has been agreed and they are aware that my family will travel to see me. Just how big of an issue is the unmarried problem? I have no intentions of flaunting anything, just after quality time with my partner and kids.
I have lots of interests, but it is not easy finding anything online, have been told Facebook is good start if I knew where to start lol. Was looking for a regular hang out spot that I could go to folk use as a start maybe.
Err, you may want to consider that if you aren't married your company won't give you family status on your housing and although it won't be a big problem if your partner and kids come to visit with British passports you may still need to understand that it's illegal for unmarried couples to share accomodations here in Qatar. I'd suggest major discretion.
I'm working in Dukhan.To be honest driving ain't and issue just left a job with a 260 mile a day round trip to work (5 hrs driving a day. I am looking for good facilities to keep the family occupied while i'm at work, swimming pool, shops etc. Don't really need anything bigger than a 3 bed, could even cope with large 2 bed as the partner and kids will only be staying for a week every couple of month. Also it would be cool to catch up with people for some social gatherings while I'm alone.
al waab can take you 35 minutes in a morning to westbay. that is why I am moving to westbay. want that coffee and bagel and a 4 minute walk to the office
Popular areas for western expats are West Bay, Pearl, Al Sadd (to some extend, depends on exact location and Landlording company), as well as some well-known compounds with good facilities, such as Al Fardan Gardens, Beverly Hills compounds, Al Asmakh properties, and others...Depends on what type of property you want, how much you are willing to spend and where your office is..
Hi. well a few things straight away. there are a few uk users on this site who give good advice. You will find very quickly though that there are many many users who are totally ill prepared to give advice and will just give total rubbish. Maybe to build up so called q points or just to see their own name on the page.
Rearding where to live... this is totally dependent on your budget. Do you want luxury, save money or use yoru total allowance on an apartment.
Moreover where are you working. I am sure you will have realised the traffic is an issue here.
If you work in west bay, rent an apartment there.Yes it is more expensive but when your family come out they will have something to do and somewhere to eat if you are working.
The Pearl is nice but for example on the Friday, nothing really opens until 10am. Whereas if you lived in westbay, they could do the city centre or the W cafe or ...you get my drift.
Cracking apartments around with swimming pool, gym and cafe and near the shops for those family trips. Hope thsi helps. PM me if I can do more
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I have found for a single man in Doha that a serviced apartment is better. New towels and sheets 3-7 times a week. Throughly cleaned and presentable when the family arrive. You will be working long hours and maybe 6 days a week, the last thing you will want to do is washing, ironing and cleaning on a Friday (drinking at the rugby club day)
2 bed serviced apartment in 4 star facility with pool, gym etc etc is around 11,000-15,000 QRial per month
Everyone speaks English here so you and your fam will not have any problems wherever you live. Dont worry about them easing in, everyone here is friendly. Where you live does depend on where you work, not necessarily for travelling time but for safety, it is good if you can get to work and back everyday in one piece. The thing with living here is nothing is advertised very well so word of mouth is definately the only way to find out about things other than QL of course. Shops also always dont spring out at you, drive around at night when they are lit up and it is only then you can see what they sell. Best to hire a car and take yourself out and explore the souqs, the beaches, villagio, the parks, city centre, the pearl, west bay, the wholesale market, the corniche and go around the back of these areas as well, you wont really get lost. Take yourself off to the golf club, the rugby club (need a member to get you in ask at work), Garveys, good hotels and have a drink at the bar and strike up a conversation, there are so many single males here that you will not be short of conversation and be able to info gather. As for your other half, dont introduce here to the shopping here or you will be more skint than when you came. Welcome, its lovely here, don't worry about all the running around and waiting for RP's, medicals etc, its a pain but once its all out of the way thats it.
It would also be good if there where other UK or English speaking families around the area as this will help ease things while they are here.
I want them to enjoy the experience and not be put off. I just want them to chill out by a pool for a week, then when i get back go out for a nice meal. During the day they wont do much away from the accomodation so facilities are important. Not easy i know
is the best starting point. The Pearl and West Bay, from what I can gather ( I'm still in Saudi awaiting final clearance to move to Doha ) are the most expensive parts of town, but if you can afford to live there, then in terms of lifestyle this may suit you best.
Again, you may want to consider if you want a 'compound' lifestyle or something much more within the 'community'. If you're family will be here for short spells, then I think they would enjoy the compound lifestyle, but is it really worth it, for the limited time they will be with you?
Again, consider if an apartment will be ok, or you definitely want a villa.
But, as you are already there, then I suspect you are starting to look around for accommodation. As a single guy, it might be better to go with furnished, saves you the hassle of having of furnish the whole house / apartment.
Best of luck.
My allowance has been agreed and they are aware that my family will travel to see me. Just how big of an issue is the unmarried problem? I have no intentions of flaunting anything, just after quality time with my partner and kids.
I have lots of interests, but it is not easy finding anything online, have been told Facebook is good start if I knew where to start lol. Was looking for a regular hang out spot that I could go to folk use as a start maybe.
Well get out your map and look at some of the compounds near Villagio....like Beverly Hills or some up Al Rayyan....ehhhh another Beverly Hills!
Near Villagio maybe good and your family will be walking distance from huge park and green areas and the shopping mall....
However as mandi says....the allowence you are given reflects your marital status.
Social groups...depends on your interests.
Err, you may want to consider that if you aren't married your company won't give you family status on your housing and although it won't be a big problem if your partner and kids come to visit with British passports you may still need to understand that it's illegal for unmarried couples to share accomodations here in Qatar. I'd suggest major discretion.
Mandi
I'm working in Dukhan.To be honest driving ain't and issue just left a job with a 260 mile a day round trip to work (5 hrs driving a day. I am looking for good facilities to keep the family occupied while i'm at work, swimming pool, shops etc. Don't really need anything bigger than a 3 bed, could even cope with large 2 bed as the partner and kids will only be staying for a week every couple of month. Also it would be cool to catch up with people for some social gatherings while I'm alone.
al waab can take you 35 minutes in a morning to westbay. that is why I am moving to westbay. want that coffee and bagel and a 4 minute walk to the office
welcome..
where are you going to be working..
What is the maximum travel time youre willing to endure.
what type of accomodation are you looking for (furnished, serviced, unfurnished)
what's your maximum budget ?
i am not a Brit, can I comment? :)
it depends on your budget, sir :)
Popular areas for western expats are West Bay, Pearl, Al Sadd (to some extend, depends on exact location and Landlording company), as well as some well-known compounds with good facilities, such as Al Fardan Gardens, Beverly Hills compounds, Al Asmakh properties, and others...Depends on what type of property you want, how much you are willing to spend and where your office is..
Hi. well a few things straight away. there are a few uk users on this site who give good advice. You will find very quickly though that there are many many users who are totally ill prepared to give advice and will just give total rubbish. Maybe to build up so called q points or just to see their own name on the page.
Rearding where to live... this is totally dependent on your budget. Do you want luxury, save money or use yoru total allowance on an apartment.
Moreover where are you working. I am sure you will have realised the traffic is an issue here.
If you work in west bay, rent an apartment there.Yes it is more expensive but when your family come out they will have something to do and somewhere to eat if you are working.
The Pearl is nice but for example on the Friday, nothing really opens until 10am. Whereas if you lived in westbay, they could do the city centre or the W cafe or ...you get my drift.
Cracking apartments around with swimming pool, gym and cafe and near the shops for those family trips. Hope thsi helps. PM me if I can do more