Any advice about moving from Dubai to Doha?
We are a family with 3 kids and planning to move next summer.
My husband is already working over there an commuting back at weekends. We are waiting to see how the job/probation goes and what happens with school places. We are optimistic about DESS as British and the younger kids are due to start KG1/nursery in September, so we afre hoping we will have a good chance to get in.
We are hoping to bring the maid with us (any advise welcome)
possibly the 4x4 (again any advise and idea of cost/hassle appreciated)
We have been in Dubai nearly 10 years and currently live in our own 5 bed villa with maids with a nice size garden and pool. I am not sure would be able to get quite the same in Doha, but think living in a compound might be more fun/social. What are the good/family friendly compounds (4-5 beds) that would be near to DESS? What sort of cost?
Are there many activities for the kids? Swimming lessons, ballet, football, gym, drama?
Any other suggestions/advise to help make a decision appreciated
hi,
We also recently moved from dubai to doha... my family and myself dint find this place upto dubai standards in terms of social life, entertainment and most of all activities for children. Rents are always touching the sky and even ur daily needs are expensive compared to UAE. This is my genuine opinion.
All the best
My family shares the same issues as yours and i have plenty of Managers here with different nationalities like US, Canada, India, UK, Germany assembled because of the heavy blow of recession from Dubai. But we do a regular fortnightly visits to Dubai.
I share my friends experience as he has brought his Car from Dubai as below
BRINGING CAR FROM DUBAI TO DOHA-QATAR:
• With Dubai number plate (for 1 year)
• With export number plate
The process is simple. Go to
AUTOMOBILE & TOURING CLUB OF THE UAE
Phone: +9714 296 11 10
Fax: +9714 296 11 12
POBOX: 5078, DUBAI, UAE
www.atcuae.ae
Their location in Dubai: from Al Mulla Plaza signal go towards Mamzar Park, pass first signal, turn right after signal, the building is on your left (take u-turn to reach the premises)
Working Hours: 9 to 3 Saturday to Thursday (Friday closed)
• Go in person
• With your passport
• Fill up the form (add your name as driver or name of the transport company)
• Pay AED 380
• Attach copy of your passport + driving license + car registration
• Car installments should be over (no payment pending to bank)
• Car should be on your name
I brought my car with Dubai number plate with registration valid for 1 year / to avoid visa for Saudi Arabia, which I can obtain only from their Dubai Consulate, I made arrangement with land transport company who transported my car by road on long carrier which carries 6 cars / normal charges are AED600 per car but I paid AED3800 as the business is low and only my car was transported on entire carrier / additional AED300 + 300 were paid at both borders / AED100 was insurance at Qatar border valid for 14 days / AED100 tip to the driver / my car was picked up by transport company from my house and was delivered in 2 days to Doha-Qatar
All in all it costed me AED4600 + AED380 = AED4980 (one way)
Go and take 1 year insurance from the same company who issued 14 days insurance on the border if you have Dubai number plate / for export number plate you can go to any insurance company / 5 year old car will not get comprehensive insurance / 5 year old car is not allowed to bring in Doha-Qatar with export number plate /
I intend return journey after 1 year by road to Dubai and back / 600KM one way / after obtaining Saudi visa from their Doha consulate
With export number plate you will have to attach proof of 5% duty paid in Dubai, to be obtain from car dealer / Al Futtaim Motors in Dubai could not find that document as my car was 5 year old / I did not have to pay 5% duty as I brought car with Dubai number plate / those who intend to bring in with export number plate be careful otherwise you will end up paying 5% duty
Hi,
It all depends on how much is your income? and how much you save,as a expat you will never get a green card or citizen ship here in Qatar or any GCC ,So think,calculate,plan,save,its your game,it will be difficult for you to adjust here in Qatar, if you are coming from Dubai,you will not get that standard of life here,very limited sources of entertainment,very few shopping malls,limited school,limited hotels and restaurants,house rents very high.
some ideas for you from UAE returned friend ,
happy living
bye
Mrswillow, I just sent you a private message.
The only thing I can comment on is the car. It can be no older than 5 years (but I stand to be corrected on that point).
Most expats live in compounds, some are more luxurious than others. I suspect if your villa was in one of the "better" parts of Dubai you will find the rents here cheaper but the selection much smaller, especially if you're looking for a standalone villa or a place with a private vs a communal pool.
The cost of living is higher here in terms of basic food stuffs. If you partake of the grape or malt beverage, you will find the prices slightly higher here and there is only one retail outlet.
Hope that helps.