Cost of Living in Qatar

Thank you very much Orangkedah for your reply your advise is very much appreciated.

chloe marie, am really sorry to say even USD1,000 per month may not be enough. It would be worthwhile for you to go through some of the threads in QL (and there are some brilliant advice given by some wonderful people) where you can gauge the cost of living in Qatar.

What if they gave a salary package of one $1000 a month do you think is it enough?

My suggestion? It's better to be with your family in the Philippines than to work in Qatar under this salary package.

Hello, I am a Filipina and I have a job offer in Doha Qatar, the company offered me 500 USD a month, free accommodations and transportation. I will be handling ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER in Doha.Being away with my family specially with my kids is the salary they offered me is enough? I am a married person with 2 siblings. Thank you for your immediate reply on this matter.

You have used my thread for all your queries and giving sweets to Sarat is not good. What about me??

I have a job offer and salary is 3600QR. Company will provide housing and there will also be food/transpo allowance. I am not a big spender and is single, will the salry be enough for me to live decently in Doha?

thanks!

Hey Kasarat (!) I am bringing a small box of badam katri for you...can't take more, I already have a baggage problem! Now that I am bringing it on request, you might as well take the trouble of accessing it! How does one find you? My email is [email protected] is, if email addresses are allowed on this forum.

Hey I seem to be taking full advantage of this forum and a bit more!

Does anybody know about the Musheirib and Al Mansoura areas? Good places? Shops and stuff? Or is it the other end of nowhere?

And I still can't believe that I might get the 6:30 am shift!!!! 6:30....!!!!

Nahin saahab, thanks for the gesture of the mithai...but thats alright...I was jus kidding...but then if you do insist(haha...which I really do feel you should insist)...then a little of the Baadam Barfi should be enough to settle for...and regarding Gujju stuff...kya fark padtha hain...what kind of food it is... I know the stuff when I was in Australia...a whole bunch of Gujju crowd was there...so I know the Dhoklhass and etc etc...O well, then you are travelling on Diwali...atleast fire some crackers on Thursday night buddy...kuch tho khayal karo for Diwali...

And regarding Tele-Serials...very surprising to believe even your wife doesn't like that inspite of she being from the Viraani Parivaar (since they're too from Gujju-land)...LOL...

Alright then buddy you take care and have a safe trip...

Cheers...

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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

BTW there is another query...I get my first pay on Dec 7th.

How long does it take to open a bank a/c in Doha? And how much money do you think I should carry with me for the first month? My employers don't seem to be willing to give an estimate. Okay as my wife will join me only at the end of the month, I'll have a meal outside everyday. And I suppose I'll have to get a mobile connection. I need to buy some basic cleaning stuff (bucket and mop etc.)...Any other expenses I need to expect?

You see, I am getting back to work after a year's break, during which I was a carefree student...so now every rupee/riyal matters!!!

Ksarat...thanks a whole bunch.

Looks like I should be able to save a tidy bit....hope your financial forecast comes true.

Nahee-yaar, neither of us can stand those teleserials. Even on those exhausted evenings when we are too tired to change the channel (or break the TV), and stare dumbly at the endless drama, we call it our DNA...Daily Nonsense Allowance!

We'd love to have people dropping in for dinner...if Gujju stuff is okay with you...my wife happens to be Gujarati. We can also manage the idli-dosa variety, aloo/methi/gobi paratha et al...!

So if you'd like to be paid in kind for the advice (haha)do let me know! We are going to be living among Western expatriates and naturally will want to see some familiar faces too!

No Diwali for me. I got the offer more than a month ago, can't keep them waiting any longer. I am travelling on Friday, the day after tomorrow! Now seriously, is there any particular variety of mithai you want? Just ask ASAP! I remember asking complete strangers to bring things like pav bhaji masala, while in the UK!

How are you I have arrived in Doha on 4th Nov. If you want some sweets I have some Andhra sweets with me........

Spend Vs Save

Well dude, good to see you that you have learnt a few things already from this site...in regards to taking the Housing and Transport rather than the Allowances...

Now, coming to your other questions...for an Indian couple to live a decent life in Qatar would cost you as much as about lets say QR 2000/- month and your grocerries will cost you about QR 1000/- (which includes inviting your fellow indian friends giving you advice home occassionally for dinner...Kidding buddy)...an occasional phone call could cost you 2 about 500/- a month max(preferably there is Skype-Internet calling...which is quite decent and very economical)...and your TV about lets say QR300/- month (for your Indian Channels...I qm sure your wife can't live without the 'K' Serials of Star Plus...kidding again there buddy)

In the above listout, I'm quite sure I might have exaggarated on the Monthly spending of(QR2000/-) it won't cost you that much but then just again...don't know you people...

Overall, you could keep your personal monthly expenses to about QR 3000/- and you could see what the future has in store for you in terms of Money Management...

And regarding meeting other people 'socially'...there are quite a few events that happen in Qatar, a few Indian Clubs, and a few gatherings that happen within your Office Circle...so that's how you should take your approach of catching up with Indians here or as such anyone for that matter...

There is fantastic Indian food available...loads of them...

I've based my calculation only on your income...so if your wife gets a job as you have mentioned above...then you are in for a Lottery ...LOL...! ! !

So there you go buddy...thats your answer...anything else let me know (only a little)...

Cheers...and Welcome to Qatar...and hey chief...Happy Diwali...finish Diwali and then come here...so you get to play with Fireworks and while coming get some nice Indian Sweet Delicacies...bhai...

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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

Hi all. I am arriving at Doha in a few days. This is the package I have been offered.

Salary: Qrs11,000/- p.m.

Accommodation: Provided by the company / Allowance of Qrs3000/p.m.

Transportation: Provided by the company (sharing) or allowance of

Qrs500/p.m.

Ticket: 2 return tickets per year (Home port, No encashment)

Medical Services: Provided by the company

Club Facility: Provided by the company

Contract Length: Six months or one year

Annual Leave: 2.5 days per month

Sick Leave: .5 day sick leave/month

I have decided to take the accomodation and the transportation because the alternative allowances doesn't seem to be much, from the views expressed in online discussion fora.

My wife will be joining later this month and she has been offered exactly the same package; she'll be getting a housing allowance.

People tell me it is not a bad package but I am not sure. Now, as there seem to be a lot of Indians in this forum, I'd like to know - about how much does it cost for a couple with no dependents to lead a normal, simple life? Okay, I'll make it clearer...maybe an outing a week (this can also be the weekly shopping), good vegetarian food, the occasional phone call home, TV channels...that's it. I'd appreciate some views as it would help us plan how much money we can send home to India...and how quickly we can pay our loans etc!!!

The other thing is, what about the availability of Indian food? Is it true that there are loads of Indians in Doha or is that a gross exaggeration? Are there places where we can meet other Indians 'socially'? I have lived abroad before this but this is my first time in the Gulf!

Insights would be welcome...Kiran

Qatarisun is giving sound advice :)

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Hi Venkatesh

could you help me in finding residential areas facing sea face and what would be housing rent per month?? i am looking for 2 BHK apartment ,,,,

Hi,

I am about to shift to Qatar (If my Work Visa is approved) in October. Package that I have agreed to is as below:

- Basic Salary: QR 10,000

- Housing Allowance: QR 6,250

- Transportation: QR 600

- AVIVA Health Insurance provided for me and family

- Schooling is also covered additionally

I have a wife and a 6 month old daughter who would be shifting once i get settled. I would be looking for a 1-Bed Flat in a decent location, so that all the main areas are reachable. Can anyone guide me, that with this package how much would I able to save ? Keeping in mind that I would be getting a decent car on loan as well.

i think it's not too bad, specially for the certain nationality.. even afer your own calculation (3000+1500+1500) he will still have around 4000 availabve.. I think sending to India US $1000 every month doesn't sound too bad, buddy...

Is this all inclusive? if so its not good. For a decent apartment you need to pay minimum 6500 if you share a flat with another family still you need to pay around 3000, for transportation 1500 minimum, and other expense 1500 if you are living alone. Your wife can get a job easily, no much opportunities in IT but might get as computer instructor or some admin job.

Its not wise to accept an offer without housing due to the current housing problem.

as single, you can rent something for QR 3000-3500, then your car will take around 2000 a month, then other expenses (grocery, phone, etc.) about 2500. After all you are still ok, if you are not a big spender in general...

The company will pay me 14000 QR once I am in Doha for my initial setup. I don't have any children now and my wife will come only after 8-9 months. So how much will be enough for me to live in Doha. I really don't want to live a difficult life. I am ready to share the room also. My expenses will inculde Alcohal an Cigarettes also. So please let me know how much I can save now

With the housing rents up in Doha , you would be lucky to get a 2BHK apartment unfurnished for 5000- 5500 QAR a month plus you may end up buying unwanted furniture for QAR 10,000 . Electricity and water per month Add QAR 150-200 approxminately per month . Grocery per month =QAR 1500 per month .Education fees per child per month =QAR 500 per month .

So not much you can save on 10k sal a month . But if you get house from the company , you can save a lot .

Good day & hope you are well. Check your PM