Should I bring these items?
We won't be moving until sometime this summer (great timing, eh?), so we have time to buy/sell things. With that in mind, should we bring the following over, leave them here, plan to purchase them there, or ______?
Children's plastic yard stuff: We have a Little Tykes (or Step 2?) plastic playhouse. Should we bring it, or will it melt like a candle in the Doha heat? We expect to have a small yard and will probably be living in the West Bay. . .Laguna Beach, I think.
Our bicycles: Is there anywhere to ride, or do families just ride in the compounds? Will there be anywhere for longer, more "aggressive" rides for my husband. . .or should he just forget about it and become a gym rat due to the weather?
Storage shed: Someone suggested that we bring a small storage shed because the homes don't have garages or much storage. (Lots of space, but no storage is what they are telling us)
Sewing machine: We have plenty of transformers, but I want to make sure that they work well on sewing machines. I tried using a transformer with our dog clippers and the results were NOT good. . .apparently the different cycles caused the clippers to move differently and made them LOUD. Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone else has used a sewing machine with a transformer successfully.
Plant pots: I have heaps and heaps of beautiful glazed ceramic plant pots. They're all clean and ready for customs (I've moved them internationally before), but I'm wondering if there is any point in bringing them. . .or is it just to H-O-T to have any plants outside.
Recycle bins: I've heard that Qatar is very much a throwaway society. . .is it possible to recycle?
Patio furniture -- wood or metal? We were told that the compounds issue the white plastic stuff. We will purchase our own and bring it over. . .but is it better to have wood or metal. . .or does it matter?
Anything else you would specifically recommend bringing (or not?).
Thanks,
Expat Sueño
I've seen them on the roads is all. Usually on the stretch from The Intercon towards the Ritz. Look in the Marhaba Magazine to see if any of the clubs advertise. Good Luck
and don't forget to bring a good can/bottle opener. In my stay here, I'm yet to find a good one.
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN
for your extremely helpful answers. Now we just need to figure out what to buy/sell/pitch before the big move. . .
...you were writing about this club organizing rides? Could you get me any contact details? I brought my racer and already tried it, but somebody who knows the street would be very helpful....
Many many thanks!
Deedee's answer is excellent. I just moved over here with a 20' container from Kuwait. Brought everything as I didn't want to start buying, replacing stuff when I got here. Now, my place in Doha looks just like my place in Kuwait, same same but different! I have time to work, exercise and do what is important to me.
My business is to move other people's personal belongings and from my experience many people regret not bringing enough stuff rather than the other way around. Some companies pay for people to leave it in storage and after a few years in storage many people end up throwing most of their storage away - after paying the storage charges of course!
Lastly, if you want to feel at home, bringing personal belongings will help in that mission...
Anybody know a cargo land transportation from saudi arabia to doha ?
Appreciate your help
I will try to answer your questions:
Children's playthings. Bring them all. They do have a TOYS R US here with little tikes stuff though, if you want to buy here. I do cover my stuff with a tarp in summer when I am gone. No warping ever and they have survived 4 summers so far. There will be room in your yard for them.
Bring your bikes. Kids ride them like crazy in the compounds. There is a club for longer rides as well. My husband and I wish we had brought ours.
Storage Shed: Yes, bring a Small one. No storage whatsoever outside for anything. Don't spend a lot of money. Another alternative: carpenters are fairly cheap here and you can have one built to fit unused/awkward space in your yard.
Sewing machine: if you use it, bring it. Mine has worked fine with a large transformer. Alternative: you can buy sewing machines here as well. I know several friends that now have a new machine because they left their's in storage thinking there would be no use for it over here.
I have tons of plants outside. About 1/2 of them survive the summer (moved into the shade). Your choice whether you think your pots will surive the shipping. Lots of choices here for those as well.
Recycling: not an option here unfortunately. No use for your bins.
Patio furniture: wood dries out and is easily ruined here, metal is definitely the way to go. Its also better as you can turn the hose on it and wash the sand off. You wouldn't want to do that with wood furniture. And EVERYTHING gets sandy--almost daily, especially if outside.
Also Bring: Gas barbeque, camping equipment (if you are even remotely into those things. You can buy both here, but BBQ's are extremely expensive and the camping equipment is limited.
Craft Items: if you are into a certain thing, bring your own supplies as they are hard or impossible to come by in Qatar.
Computer desk: True ones don't exist here, bring your own.
My sons tent / igloo / tunnel has survived the midish heat of 33 max since wegot here, but the supporting poles have warped...
I ain' t seen no-one a-ridin...
Space but no space, correct, carrefour (hypermarket) seels resonable teak and "nice" plastic g f, gas bbq's etc from US$500 up (for the bbq)
Plant pots - can buy em at Carrefour or in the flower market - large , glazed, clay pots....
recycle - nope.
If you're living life on the edge, you've got too much room.