Moving from Canada to Doha

Pyrex style measuring cup, and bought it although I had previously bought the other kind with which I was just going to make do. Still haven't found the measuring spoons. I'll probably find them eventually -- most likely when I give up on ever finding them. My husband had found measuring scoops, but they aren't what I am wanting.

I have to say, I wasn't really impressed with the Lulu Hypermarket, and think I'll stick to the malls and Carrefour in the future. Although I did find regular Cheerios, so at least something positive came of the experience!

The cheapest dusting cloths I found are the men's undershirts at Carrefour! I use them as a "swiffer" cloth tied on the mop head.

Mandi

Check stores like Lulu, Dasmen and Safeer Market for kitchen items - including pyrex measuring cups and measuring spoons. Often they have what you want and they're not too expensive. J-cloths - look for Vileda brand cloths in Carrefour and those mentioned above. They have several different types but they also have a J-cloth type.

I also buy the equivalent of "swiffer" replacement cloths and use those for dusting (which you will do often) - they work really well. Carrefour has them.

Alarm clock, check the Casio watch kiosk in Hyatt Plaza. Lulu probably also has some in the electronics section (at least they do in the UAE).

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

A month? I think it was.

Mandi

We will be joining you in Doha at the end of October - just waiting for Visas. Your emails have been very helpful especially on what to bring/leave behind.

How much time did your employer give you to arrive in Doha after your visas were completed?

Hi Luda! I think that measuring spoons were the last item I found here in Doha (Carrefour.) I'm so glad you are enjoying it here.

Mandi

I did find measuring cups at Carrefour, just not the style that I want. I bought them anyway. I did find the style I want at another store, for over 100 Riyal, and I'm just not paying that much! LOL

We bought an alarm clock at the Virgin store at Landmark mall... spent a little more than we would have liked to, but hubby does have to get up for work.

I'm still on the hunt for measuring spoons... :) Fortunately, they're not really a necessity at the moment as I have no plans to bake anything. However, they would be nice to have so that I don't have to guess at amounts when cooking.

Someone also suggested to me that I check Lulu for the measuring spoons.

Canadian_Luda,

Good to hear that so far so good. Yes positive attitude is very essential. Did you try Carrefour at Villagio or City Centre for your alarm clock and measuring cup/spoon? Good luck.

I am heading to Windsor next month to spend two weeks with my family. :)

Cheers

Stage 1: Excitement..

to be continued.. :)

but hey that's very nice of your husband's employer to meet you with Al Maha services and to treat you guys to dinner.. :)

*********************

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

and I'm loving it here so far.

My husband's employer has taken great care of us from the moment we stepped off the plane. We were ushered into a room while the airport's meet and greet service took care of the immigration process and gathering our luggage. We were then transported to a hotel where we stayed for two nights, and were treated to wonderful meals payed for by the employer.

Our first morning here in Doha was when we were first shown our apartment, and I have nothing negative to say about it. It is roomy and spacious. With 2 1/2 baths and 3 bedrooms it is plenty big enough for the two of us.

The employer has also made transportation available to us on a daily basis so that we can go out and do some shopping at the malls if needed. We have taken advantage of this a few times, but have also used private drivers a few times. We have now found most of what we need for the apartment, and are working on buying a few things that fall into the category of "wants" rather than "need."

There are a few things that I have found difficult to find here or so outrageously pricey that I would recommend someone bring them with them when they move here:

- j-cloths -- can't find them anywhere and they would be very handy for cleaning

- pyrex measuring cups

- measuring spoons

- alarm clock

My other advice would be that you need to bring a positive attitude. You can be a Negative Nancy and if you look for all the negatives you will find them, but in concentrating on looking for the negatives you will miss out on so many positives, and you will get too caught up with emotions on things that really are just small and insignificant. It is far better to look for the positive things, and then it makes it easier to laugh off the little things when things don't work quite the same way as they would back in Canada.

My furnished apartment didn't come with kitchenware. Bring a bottle opener, you can't get them here (at least not good ones).

for some like us here. Sure we will all go back back home. No place like home.

Hello Canadian Luda... Welcome to Qatar. If your employer is paying for the relocation expenses and back home, it is nice to bring your nice houshold stuff although you can also find nice ones here.

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

Q.S,

Aggreed. Before even coming here I told myself that I have to sacrifice lots of things. I know how many years I will be here. I did not even bother to sell my house in Canada, in case if I change my mind. I miss Canada so much, specially I miss Canadian summer a lot. :)

Cheers

being 3 weeks here i also was exited... not anymore... after almost 3 years all i want is just to go HOME, leaving all the hell behind.. forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*********************

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Hello Canadian Beaver,

Thanks for the message. It's been 3 months I am in Doha. I am a software architect and working for Qatar's main Oil & Gas company. My family will join me around November - December time. I have three daughters.

Qatar is a very small country. Local people are good. Since, there is no tax, if you get a good opportunity, you will be able to save a good amount of money.

Please send me a personal message if you want to know something more. I will be happy to reply your email. :)

Cheers

you are hired by a reputable company.

Honour and ethics are at a minimum here and there is little, if any recourse.

Make sur ethat you keep enough money in an account outside of Qatar just in case things get sticky,because if trouble occurs, they will shut down your accounts....

Hi Luda

Have you actualy met your employer and / or seen the place where you will be living ?( apartment) I am actualy checking some oportunities over there and I am wondering how did you go about.

Any additional info will be apreciated

Greetings from Tim Hortons for all Canadians

Cheers

Welcome, I hope you enjoy your time here :-)

Hi Roots

We're from BC and checking some oportunities to move to Doha in the near future. I believe you just got there but could you please share some of your experiences ?

I am a mechanical engineer and planning to move with my wife and 2 kids. (Do you have your family with you? whats your professional background if you dont mind)

Any info will be appreciated

Cheers

Edison

Our furnished apartment will not be equipped with linen, pots, pans, etc. Those are things that we will be responsible for purchasing on our own after arrival. However, I don't think it would be worth it to ship dishes or pots and pans. I have no emotional attachment to the ones I have. :)

I agree with Iron. the trend is fairly in opposite direction unless u have very good oppartunity.Ppl are migrating from middle east to canada now a days since candaian govt has speed up the process of immigration. anyways u must have thought thru so best of luck. there are lot of canadians here.

Leave your heavy winter clothes behind.

Light sweaters are handy in the "winter" here.

Pack patience.

If there are certain over the counter meds you need, bring them. There are great drug stores here, but you may not find your particular brand.

We came here with 25 Kgs laggaues and 7 Kgs hand carry.

Same things we will goback.

So easy. Just buy necessary items and here. Give away just before you are going to leave. That is all.

Bring nothing to Doha.As a canadian I find everything is available ,no different from Canada.However,The current trend is moving the opposit direction.There is nothing in the world better than A PICTURE OF CANADA and listening to 98.1 Lovers and other strangers.

QS, my furnished apartment did NOT have kitchenware :o(

What to leave behind? Nylon! Just bring natural fibres as you'll sweat puddles otherwise!

Hello Canadian_Luda ,

I just moved a month back from Windsor. I have sent you a personal message with lots of information. Please check your inbox.

Cheers

yeah, clothes for sure! Push into your luggage everything you can..

*********************

“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

tough time to move. I moved in August as well. but atleast you can comfort yourself in knowing you're hitting the worst weather by that time and its only positive from then on.

Quick addition: I do suggest you actually move with stuff... especially if you and your partner are doing this together. clothing is expensive here and if it's just 'your own stuff' that you want around the house, pack a few boxes of clothes you want, pics, music or books or whatever. everything retail and consumable is expensive.

As for a moving company.... I've used Crown Relocations on all of my last 3 moves between countries and they are top notch in every place.

Visa stuff... let the employer take are of that. I can recommend that you have at minimum 2 certified and originals of all legal documents (birth certs, marriage certs, etc.)... it is easier if you need them later on than having to wait to obtain them. Plus, if you can even get one of each certified by the Qatar consulate in Canada before you go (you can just send money and the certificate and its done and couriered back within like 7-10 days), youre' a big step ahead and won't need to do it here if you find you need it for any reason.

dont bring thick sweaters!!!! I thought that even though I'd acclimate to the Gulf winters.... I still didn't find myself needing the 'nanook of the north' jackets and sweaters. A light jacket and a couple layerable sweaters will take care of you both.

Dont bring drugs with you (i.e. anything with Codiene, etc.) .... even cold medication... atleast on the plane. I stocked up on Nyquil in a big supply before I left and put it in my container....Do some checking on the type of drugs you can bring with you in the country. Any prescription stuff - make sure you have a certified doctors note with you... I made that mistake once and it took me 4 hours to get through customs.

Brin

1. Furnished apartments are equipped with all kitchen stuff, such as dishes, pans and pots, glasses, etc. Bed have beddings on them.. no need to bring any home stuff, unless it's some dear to your heart items..

2. Expect "upside down" life. Just forget everything you knew and whatever you got used to.. be ready to learn and accept...

And yeah, if you drive, better take couple of lessons with the drivers from F1, it will help you driving here, trust me!

*********************

“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Hi,Canadian Luda

Moving to Qatar in mid-August is a no no.But if you have no choice...Why do I say that??Because the weather is awful.But once you get to Oct-Nov. you will enjoy it.

Regarding the shipment,there is no point in doing that since the company will provide you with a fully furnished appartment/villa.You will find everything here(house-holds,china,etc)at a reasonable price.

Visa-it depends on how fast the company you will be working for is.

What to expect when you arrive??hhhmm...difficult question.A lot of dust,heat and a lot of humidity :)

I don't know how much you know about Qatar.But if you have any questions just let me know.

Cheers

Totally agree with "SMOKE"

- by boat :p (someone answer this for her)

- What to expect in regards to the process of getting the visa? HUH dont you already have a visa to come to Qatar? If you already do, then you will have to go for medical examination after the first month, do your finger printing. If they find you have Aids or any such sicknesses you'll be put on the next flight back to Canada.

- What to bring? What to leave behind? Bring whatever you feel is necessary for the first few days after you arrive here in Qatar. Pots and pans if you are going to cook. Furnished aprts here means you'll have a cooker, may be washing machine fridge, beds etc. not sure you have to find that out. Leave behind unwanted clothes, shoes, electronics (voltage different here)

- What to expect when we arrive? HOT HOTTER HOTTEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

- Are there any types of items we should stock up on prior to moving and ship with us? Hmm if you think u cant live without certain tin food products then carry that along, however the Canadian folks here might have a better clue on what is and what is not available here. Mega mart and mostly all the big mall supermarkets have all you need :)

Good Fortune always comes knocking at your door...when you are sh*tting in the toilet!! :)

_[]~SMoKE~[]_