Some q's before we decide to move! Pls help!
Hi all,
We are thinking about moving to Qatar and would love if anyone can help us with the following questions on our list! :) apologies in advance for our ignorance.
1. We have a dog and have heard that you're not really supposed to walk them around in Qatar. Is this true? How are dogs received in Qatar? Do the expat villas allow dogs?
2. What's it like there for women - is it safe to walk around alone? And what do you have to wear in public?
3. What do people do on the weekends? Are there good restaurants, bars? What do people do in their leisure time? Do people go to the beach?
4. How do people get around - do we hire a car or buy one?
5. What's the shopping like? ;)
6. I've heard it's hard to get visitation visas - is this true?
7. I work in property marketing - what's the property market like there now? Is the bubble about to burst or is it still going strong?
8. What is it like having a baby in Qatar? Are there good doctors/hospitals.
9. Is it easy to buy fresh meat, fruit and veggies?
10. Do people go out for breakfast? If so, where?
11. Are there gyms and sports facilities? Has anyone heard of or belong to a judo club?
I know this is a lot, but I would really appreciate any help!
Thanks,
Lise
10. Riks Kuntry Kitchen and Sandwich Seller both do brekkie.
Ramada have a good Friday breakfast.
You can wear normal clothes anywhere nowadays but you may be stared at.
Buy a car, hiring is expensive.
I have my 4 kids here, 1 c-section at the Women's hospital as there was no other choice in those days. Their knowledge is excellent but the bedside manner is lacking somewhat. If you dont need too much fussing over you will be fine. If you can afford a private clinic/hospital like Doha Clinic or Al Ahli I would go for that.
Visitors visas are not really a problem, depending on the nationality of your guests. Many countries can buy here on arrival for QR 100 for 2 weeks.
You have several questions and who wouldn't? If you go to the top of this page (in small print) you will see:
Home>Forums>Life in Qatar>Preperations and Set-up
Click on Life in Qatar and you will be able to read about some of your concerns.
Also, on the same page, on the right hand corner, type in key words and you will be able to read posts on forums discussing your concerns.
Good luck and safe travels
PS. If you search Qatar Living you'll find more detailed answers to most of those questions.
1. Plenty of people have dogs. You just walk them where there aren't lots of people around. You need to check with landlord if dogs are accepted because many compounds/apartments don't allow them.
2. Safe, but obviously exercise all the usual precautions you would take in any city. You will get stared at whatever you wear.
3. Bars in hotels. Wide variety of average restaurants. Lots of outdoor activities. Shopping.
4. Best to buy if here for long term.
5. It's the national pastime.
6. Shouldn't be a problem.
7. Over-hyped and over-priced. Wouldn't surprise me if it burst.
8. Yes.
9. Yes, but you have to pick and choose cos there's some rubbish stuff too.
10. I've heard that some places do breakfast, golf club for example. Coffee shops will all do breakfast.
11. Yes.