Salary and Setup
To all QL,
First and foremost I want to thank the people of Qatar Living (QL) for the information you provide. It has been a tremendous help in my research on moving my family to there. Now that being said I have a package/offer and many questions. I am considering a position at HMC as an instuctor in the emergency medical services. The contract has still not been finialized, but I have some rough numbers. They will provide accomidation (villa), furniture allowance, 21,000QR per child for education, air tickets for family, transportation allowance, health insurance, and a salary of 16,000QR to 20,000QR. We are from the USA and live in Texas at the moment. Now let the questions begin.
1.Is this suffencient for a family of 4 with both children in school?
2. How much is international shipping for some of our home items and is this possible?
3. How much is buying a SUV say Nissian Aramada?
4. My wife is a certified personal trainer and also looking to work, is this possible and what are the steps? Should she already be looking, or is it easier when we get there?
5. We are thinking about out of pocketing a pre-trip there, is this a good investment?
I want to again thank you for the information that this site has provided. Everything from the grocery list. to the people I have already meet (Dentist) you are truly helping people in some life decsions.
Tex
Thanks for the reply. We will be looking into clubs as soon as my contract is done.
"life is short, live it"
I would like to add that their is a demand for personal trainers in the Qatari female community. It is just getting the first one that is the tough part.
Other options include teaching classes at housingm compounds or hotels/clubs. A percentage is deducted from the fees to the club/hotel from the takings of a class.
Not sure how is works in the clubhouses (compunds).
Joel,
I have not heard anyhting other than my contract should be ready monday. I am waiting. Give me a call after monday and I will let you know.
Tex
"life is short, live it"
Hey tex,
I keep checking your posts to see what info people have.
Have you received anything in writting ?
Have you spoken with anyone in EMS since we spoke ?
Joel
You could always visit me at my confession booth to discuss more about "personal trainers"..
"E Pluribus Unum"
IT IS THE MONTH OF APRIL FOR "US TAX PAYERS" BOYS AND GIRLS****
Thanks Deedee for this information. I will make sure that my employer is aware of the rates. I have a sensative question and I have heard that "western employees" are given preference when it comes to schools. Is this true? Is this becuase we are on contract and it is included. I read another post where the person went to the school with children and just waited until they had a spot open. I gues she was persistent enough. We are still going to come even if we have to home school. Again thanks for your reply.
Tex
"life is short, live it"
for 2008-2009 are as follows:
Pre K 24,772 for the year
Kindergarten 41,320/year
1-5 grades 41,320/year
6-8 grades 53,732/year
9-12 grades 53,732/year
Also There is an application fee of 500 QR per child and a capital fee
of 14,600 per child and a registration fee of 3,650QR per child.
Tex,
Im looking at HMC EMS dept too.
I have spoken with the director, (Penny) and a few of the Aussie Medics.
I work helo in Montana and they need more to help with their new helo program.
Salary they said is the same range but they will NOT pay for education.
What is the grade they offered you.
Schooling is very expensive and most places are full, as far as I have been able to tell. Have you had better luck ? I emailed 12 schools a month ago and only heard back from 3 and they were full. The other problem is trying to get accepted before you come. It just wont happen.
How can we come without knowing for sure you can get a spot.
Another problem, Temp housing for up to 6-12 months before a villa comes available. and if you do get into school then you may be moved to the other side of the city ?? Are you aware of this too ?
Where did you hear about EMS jobs at HMC ?
Lets talk
Joel
Anytime Tex
To all QL,
You have been extremly helpful in our adventure to move to Qatar. Please know that the information you provide truly does make a difference. Thank you very much for your time in anwsering my questions and I am sure that I will have more once the paper contract is extened.
Tex
Ok, we came from the states 6mo ago and the price of a 40ft container from Ohio delivered and unloaded in Doha was around $4000.
Schooling-Qatar Academy is probably the best for the money in my opinion. Lot of expat kids and teachers. American School of Doha is good too, but twice as much and the waiting list is usually months long. Have your employer get billed directly from the school if you can, have them pay in full not allowance and you don't get burned on tuition price hikes.
I think there are some gyms that would be interested in your wife as a personal trainer, try Aspire.
Rental prices here are insane not like UAE, and the prices are climbing each day. If you have kids you probably want a villa in a decent compound and those start at about 15000QR so whatever they pay, you pay the rest including rent increases.
Car prices are about the same but financing is different so you might have a car payment of about 2000QR for an SUV. Check the classifieds on QL as there are always good deals from expats in a rush to sell something on their way out.
hope this sort of helps!
I do agree, it's the best school for the money. Am School of Doha is also very good but tuition is extremely high and it usually has a waiting list for months at a time.
My son is also Muslim and has Islamic studies twice a week and Arabic three days a week. The non-muslim children have Arabic everyday instead.
Thank you for the quick reply.
Yes we hear this is the best school in Doha. Do you agree?
regards
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
I am from the States and my 9 yr old goes to Qatar Academy. The fees are high but American School of Doha is about twice as much and the waiting list is insane. He likes Qatar Academy and there are western kids there as well and most of the staff is expats from what I have seen. Try to get the tuition billed directly to your employer and they pay all that way any increases don't affect you.
PH ... my son goes to Doha English Speaking School
novita which school does your son attend?
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
tex ... i would say asked for school fees to be paid fully not allowance. Recently school fees price hike not only 10 percents, more than that now. Next year my son fees goes up QR 8700 a term .... !!!
Qrs21,000/- per child for education. I am assuming this is an annual allowance? I currently pay Qrs.13,500 three times a year for my child's education. Do verify on this. Additionally, if you intend to put your kids through the American system, I hear the fees are very high.
The basic salary is fine provided that you do not have to fork out school fees, housing and car payments. You will live comfortably in this case. What is the car allowance?
Not sure on the cost of buying a Nissan SUV, maybe someone else can help. However, as a guideline, you could be looking at monthly bank installments of around Qrs.2,300/- for an SUV. You will need two cars, do keep this in mind. If your car allowance covers one car, then you could fork out for a smaller car for your wife as she will have to dash around left, right and centre to school, activities etc......
My husband and I are muslims and have looked extensively at our options. But have no real experience to help you with as we are not yet in Qatar.
Dess is the best british schools however they only go up to grade 6!
Alexa has mentioned that she loves the American School. And after looking at their website I have to agree.
Qatar academy seems like the best for people who would like to attend school with Qataris and learn Islam and Arabic (somewhat).
My daughter is 4 years old so if you take the job then it will be nice to know she has a potential friend when we arrive in Doha.
P.S. I think other people are better qualified then myself to give you guidance about Qatar schools!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Princess Habibah,
Thanks again, do you have any school age children. We are currently researching this process for my two daughters who are 3 and 7. I am finding lots of resources on this website. Any help you can provide will be great.
Tex
Tex you are very welcome,
My husband enjoyed working for an ambulance trust(UK) and has even joined emergency paramedic calls during a new scheme in Leeds. Since then, he has trained paramedics and nurses to take on greater roles usually required for doctors. (equal to a physician assistant in many cases). Where they could prescribe and diagnose patients without having to see a GP or attend A & E in many cases.
From what I know, Qatar is in its infancy and I would wager that alot of opportunities await you in extending and developing future services for the Country. That may be an incentive from an experience and resume point of view!
I don't currenly live in Qatar. My husband will be moving out there in August with our 2 children while I have a spa with my name on it for 1 1/2 months.:)
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
princess habibah,
Thank you for your comments. I would be an instructor for the paramedics and EMT's at HMC. Also sounds like I would have to supplement the operations section and help respond to calls. About the trainer, is it hard for a western women to get a job at one of the fitness centers? If so should she be looking now or wait until we get there?
Thanks Again,
Tex
I'm not quite sure what you mean by emergency medical services. So I cannot compare to my husbands package as someone who has an A &E background among other things.
If you mean paramedics then the salary sounds appropriate. I guess you just have to compare it to your salary in Tex. From what I hear lecturers of medical students receive about 32k QR + a month basic pay and the added bonus of a villa and stuff.
Oh and I would be very interested in a personal trainer some time after August or september!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
I'm not quite sure what you mean by emergency medical services. So I cannot compare to my husbands package as someone who has an A &E background among other things.
If you mean paramedics then the salary sounds appropriate. I guess you just have to compare it to your salary in Tex. From what I hear lecturers of medical students receive about 32k QR + a month basic pay and the added bonus of a villa and stuff.
Oh and I would be very interested in a personal trainer some time after August or september!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
I'm not quite sure what you mean by emergency medical services. So I cannot compare to my husbands package as someone who has an A &E background among other things.
If you mean paramedics then the salary sounds appropriate. I guess you just have to compare it to your salary in Tex. From what I hear lecturers of medical students receive about 32k QR + a month basic pay and the added bonus of a villa and stuff.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
I am just wondering if anybody wants to comment on the package above. Also question #4 would be a big help too!
Tex
"life is short, live it"
Thanks dweller. I will be looking forward to the work week for a change!
Tex
I can't help with yur questions but this will keep it on the front page.
Friday/Saturday is often a "slack" day (weekend) so many will be otherwise engaged but hopefully will respond when they can