USD5,000/- salary package
I've been offered a post in Doha, Qatar with a salary of US5,000/- per month. Airfare is included to/fro once a year and shared accomodation will be provided. That's all. Now I'm from Malaysia and am still single. Is this sufficient for a reasonable lifestyle in Doha considering the high cost of living there. I've read thru alot of comments on the 'cost living issue' here and it sound quite scary as to the estimated cost of basic living expenses. I want to make enough to have a decent life style and also to save enough for rainy days. I've also to take care of my mum (about 72 years old but still very healthy) back home who I hope to bring her along to stay with me later on here.(there's nobody to take care of her except for my cousin that is if I leave her behind). Is that advisable?
Based on the above salary ackage, do u guys think I should negotiate for a separate car and car maintenance allowance, medical care for me and my elderly mum, dental and optical care allowance, cost of inflation factor, etc (fill me in if I miss anything important or is the package considered very good by expatriate standard in Doha.
Also advise what are the leisure activities that I can indulge in during my spare time considering that I'm still single. I love driving/travelling to new places. Any suggestion.
I'm also thinking of getting a car and based on what I have read so far in the internet, an SUV would be most appropriate. What make and model would u guys recomend??
Hope to get any feedback from u guys and u can get me to my e-mail address, ie [email protected]. Tks
By the way this is my first posting overseas, so I will need all the informations I can get before I make my decision.
accommodation is the real killer. if that's taken care of, and you get to use a project car, then QR9,000 is almost take home and it's tax free. current Msian taxation exempts foreign derived income that are remitted back to Malaysia so it's still tax free end-to-end.
you just have to pay for food and self-sustenance but IDD calls are super-mahal. I almost freaked out when i saw my hp charges! cook simple dishes for yourself and use the project's computer, internet and phone as much as possible, sure save one, hehehe.
and if the project auditor comes around and question the high cost/lower than budgeted profit margin, ask them to pay for everything using their per diem, muahahahar! padan muka.
another thing, RM is strengthening against QR (due to QR3.65 peg to USD) so your QR9,000 is NOT RM9,000 but more like RM8,400. you need to factor QR's depreciation against RM and also the inflation rate. See whether you can negotiate for a y-o-y pay rise based on inflationary rate?
BIG caveat:- i'm not in Doha yet. Noble-man is THE Malaysian MAN here. i just bagi my dua kupang. Nobleman, do counter if i tersalah cakap ;)
all the best & cheers bro.
Tan,
I suspect the offer came from either UEM or Gamuda.
Consider this :
1. Inflation rate in Qatar for First Quarter 2007 is at 15 %.
2. Since you'll be on Single status, I guess you'll be eating out most of the time. Costs of eating out is 3 X compared to KL.
3. I'm not sure if the Company will contribute to your EPF.....for people who work for local companies here, NO EPF.
4. QR 9000 per month is the salary of a fresh graduate here.
my name is Tan. I from Malaysia. I know nothing about QATAR. Recently, an second board public listed company offer me QR9000.00 for the position of Project Accountant in Qatar, three times of two ways ticket back to Malaysia and share accomodation with colleage.
After reading all your post. I found myself like an idiot. Compared with what u all getting, i am a cheap labour.
Give me the idea for my post, how much should i ask?
Best Regards
I rented a 2 BR fully furnished decent one in Mushharib Towers for QR 7500 last week.
I am in Bahrain and looking at an offer in Qatar, obviously wooried about house rents. I am with my family one child. I am looking at 2 bedroomed furnished accomodation in decent area. Any idea about rents? family Entertainmentoptions???
satria can you recommend some good neighbourhoods. Also is 7K unfrnished or furnished. Thanks
believe half ofd what you see and nothing of what you hear
Hi,
I am being offered 26,000 QR per month all inclusive with airfare to home country. Would'nt want to compromise on the neighbourhood and will go for 2 br apartment in a good multi-cultural neighbourhood. Married with no kids. Wife loves to spend :-(
Hows the offer?????
Cheers
Hi,
I am being offered 26,000 QR per month all inclusive. Would'nt want to compromise on the neighbourhood and will go for 2 br apartment in a good multi-cultural neighbourhood. Married with no kids. Wife loves to spend :-(
How the offer.
Cheers
Leo,
Heed Mr. Rosman's advise. Before signing a contract with your employer make sure you know everything is in black and white as the US$5K may be an all-in package..its not good but if its for you alone plus the accomodation, car benefit, other company perks come with it then its a very nice package!
Goodluck my friend.
Bottomline of all things, Pray to the Lord for guidance. God is good all the time.
Cheers!
FRIENDSTER ME: [email protected]
Leo,
The package means USD5,000 x 3.65 so that is QAR18,250 and its a tax free package my friend.
The issue on how comfortable or scary the cost of living here depends on the standard of living you apply for yourself. If you go for high-end villas or bachelor's flats with very luxurious amenities and take the high-end SUVs and eat in plush restos with a QAR500 per meal package it will surely drain your salary.
The package is good my friend. Manage your funds, set your budget to spartan levels and you will end up happy with fat savings amigo.
Believe me there no matter how big your salary is, if you are a big spender - nothing will go up my friend.
Since you are single, I am very selfish to advise you to stay home and settle for DVD movies. Nope i know how it is to be single. Enjoy the beaches or the Sand Dunes instead of spending so much money in 5star hotel bars. Go jogging every morning along Corniche Road. There are a bunch of friendly people there whom you can be-friend as they might be singles like you. For the car issue you can buy any car you want so long as it doesnt eat up more than 30% of your monthly salary. Preserve at least 10-20% savings each month my friend.
For apparel and food - Qatar is very very cheap although a bit expensive compared to the prices in Dubai but Qatar is doing well with its commerce as far as consumers are concerned.
Im one happy expat here with a reasonable package and I am able to save good money for my family back home.
In a nutshell, Its all in your hands my friend. Go for the job!!
You deserve it.
FRIENDSTER ME: [email protected]
I don't know the cost to live in Qatar since I'm not there, but with $5000 in my place is enough for you to make a living and buy one tiny house. I live in Bali, Indonesia.
Thanks
Juniadi
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http://businessandinvestment.blogspot.com - where I make $3588 even more... from home, alone.
http://www.webkios.info - the source of place needed to visit in bali, the culture, tips and many more...
But there is a problem. You can't bring your Mom to Doha if you are a single person. Make sure you ask the right questions from your company and until they can arrange a full time Visa for her, please enquire more.
Quiet lurker. Poor Contributer
how much do u make back home ???????
expect this is a holy land.....islamic country...safe and peaceful.....lifestyle.
car is cheap........
fodd is reasonable...
rent is killing u....but u can afford....
single man -----that is much easier.....
need more info ?
thats a long time...
time to negotiate...
Then again..you need to address what was your last pay check with respect to the pay here....
cheerios...
Thanks for your reply. Looks like I'll just be able to survive moderately only with that type of salary scale.
To be more specific, I've got about 16 years of experience in the relocation industry, ie moving of expats, office, factories and warehouse. So my job offer in Doha will be somewhat related to what I'm doing.
I've since then read alot more regarding salary packages in this forum and looks like my package is just but a pittance compared to the rest. I think I should go back to my prospective employer to further negotiate for other allowances. I think its only fair since I'll be uprooting from my home country.
Anyway will really appreciate it if there are other comments on my subject from other fellow expats.
reasonable salary...
Forumers have discussed many salary package at length. Based on my info, many said that company should clearly state housing allowance or accom-provided, the cost for living (exclude housing) can be around QR3k-4K. If you say that the salary is around USD5K for you alone, i guess it is alright. Check yr email for details explaination.