Should I stay or should I go?

To cut the story short, if you have a decent job wherever you are or can find a job elsewhere go for it. Don't ask me why I am here cos that isn't the point.

Don't be scared of life (be a man), i recommend (not suggest) to move or you will never meet people in difference.

jade03, I will definitely move or not move.

Thanks, starburst.

wife will be fine there are plenty opportunities and also with good salaries, she will be local hire and will not get benefits but salary is depending on job and qualification. my wife she was well set. beach 8 months of the year, camping BBQ and outdoor is great. family will be leaving the sandpit for 1-2 months during summer and you have another 2 -3 months of heat rest is all great.\come over its loads of fun and a family place.

health care is better compare to the rest of GCC and just see the details full insurance system is still 2-3 years away.. currently all healthcare is so cheap, so no worry yet

I love the Gulf but then I don't have kids and any risk I took was mine alone. Please don't make a decision until you read in the press about the Huang family in Doha. Not to get you not to come, but to make sure you have a lot of different information.

Mandi

PS Darn this new length limit!

And don't get me started on the construction of both houses (exploding light bulbs, exposed wires - and I lived in West Bay Lagoon!) - and the safety of the malls. After 13 children along with four teachers and 2 fire fighters were killed in a fire in a day-care center I no longer could force myself to sit in the movie theater at City Center, knowing there were NO usable emergency exits and the food court (which was closed subsequently for four months) was a fire hazard.

Oh, dear, I'm afraid you've hit the nail on the head (I'm good at metaphors it seems.) But the fundamentals of child safety is often where we from the West get into trouble with the culture of the GCC. It is a daily occurrence to see children of six or seven riding down the highway at 120km/hr with their heads sticking out of the sunroof or other open windows. That is, if they are not driving the car while seated on the father's lap. Or, if the father can hold the child, a cigarette, a mobile and a coffee simultaneously.

I dont think I will be able to read the question or any of the answers,

tooooo looooong

I agree with jade. When you move to a new continent or a different country where the climate is different (i.e adjusting to cold weather/hot weather) with a different law and different national religion. You have to adjust cos it can never be like where you're coming from. Qatar is the richest country in the world they have good schools, jobs. Security, food, anything you want is in qatar. The only problem here is the heat but you'll get used to it. I'd advice you to move to Qatar.

I feel you look very nervous to move in. You say that you did read many of forums than what makes you sick with these questions again.

Move or don't move, be a man and take it positive.

Some things will be very much better from place like security and a new world to meet.

Thanks. That is certainly on my list. I will be trying to get as much specifics on every element of the package as I possibly can.

negotiate well before u move in

Thanks. I'm not sure where I am on the totem pole but I like the metaphor!

It's pretty hard to come to terms with the idea of going somewhere without the guaranteed ability to have your kids educated. I will investigate the gluten free diet at school. In the U.K. typically kids can bring in their own 'packed lunch' or have a meal provided by school. In theory school will provide a gluten free vegetarian meal but we provide a packed lunch. So I will investigate but would find it surprising if there's not a solution as it is a fundamental child safety issue.

And the reason you might not respect the local culture is that it could clash with your own values in some interesting and often unpredictable areas.

Mandi

If you are high enough up on the totem pole you can ask to see your accomodations before you come. Mid-level you can ask which compound or apartment building you will be in. That will tell you a lot. The school issue is very real. And while vegetarian won't be an issue, a celiac diet will be in schools. As a "local" hire your wife will be offered an extremely low salary. But she may enjoy the work anyway. Good luck and let us know!

Mandi

Thanks, wasaloadie for all your advice. Appreciated. Coeliac disease isn't really a health problem if you follow a strict life-long gluten free diet so that's not a worry - probably a once a year consultation and blood test.

Interesting story about the exit visa. Hope it gets resolved.

Not looking for any credit I'm glad to say, and of course if you're going to a different culture then why wouldn't you respect it?

Thanks again.

you need to have all debts cleared before you leave for good so if you leave early then this need to be paid off. The expat lifestyle can be really good and you will make many new friends out here.

Its a massive change of culture, they are trying to embrace some western ideas but Qatar next to Saudi is more traditional Islamic and you are advised to be careful and respectful of the religion.

I like the place despite the problems I'm having with my company and the visa rules here. I like the heat. It is one huge building site though, roads, buildings all being done, the skyline is full of cranes

Medical care- the state has just made it law that employers are to provide medical insurance. But as some of my colleagues have discovered, only up to limits, an operation cost 30,000QR (£5500) which he had to pay half! consultations cost each time so you child with medical problems could rack up the bills.

Driving over here is mad! the worst in the world according to a number of sites and I would agree. Don't buy a new car you lose 20% as soon as you drive it off the forecourt and it will continue to lose, mine is 9 months old and only worth about 73% of what I paid. Banks offer credit readily, loans credit cards and its easy to fall into the spend spend spend trap.

They will promise you the earth, Their idea of luxury living is not what you might imagine compared with what you are used to in Europe. Big Villas but basically kitted. Money isn't everything as I have learned. always keep you options open, if they want to mess you about they will do. I am trying to leave at the moment and my company will not give me an exit visa and they have no cause! your family can leave but you cannot without an exit visa.

It is a breeding ground for hawksbill turtles from April to Sept, outside this time you can take you car (4x4) onto the beach. 2Km long, get busy with locals Friday afternoon to Saturday morning. we have camped out on the beach overnight. Quite a lot to do, can get repetitive unless you explore the options. Sports, some compounds have gyms, hotels tend to do memberships but can be pricey, shop around and as expats already here.

The climate is the hardest thing for the youngsters to get used to. At the moment it is well into the 40's by day and 35-38 by night.

Hi, good questions. Firstly I don't have kids here, but have a lot of friends who do. Schooling can be an issue if you want the best, places are hotly contended for and not cheap.

Vegetarian /Gluten free no problem, loads of options supermarkets are well stocked and even have a gluten free section.

Beach - some good beaches if you're prepared to drive about 45 mins, we make Friday morning (quietest part of the week) our beach time, lovely beach at Fuwairit, nice sand, clean water about 75Km north of Doha. Worth the drive in my opinion.