Well can't answer all of your questions but some. OK, a compound is simply an area set aside with housing. In Saudi as an example it would have a wall surrounding it and would be inhabited primarily by westerners. I can only assume something similar here for Qatar, I have not yet arrived myself. A flat is what we refer to as an apartment, it is a British word.
Regarding wheterh $9K is sufficent, well not sure and depends on you. Also, is that a 9K salary plus an allowance or that is it? If based on 9K consider the following. 2 bedroom apartment about $2700/month. Add for electricity, water, gas, internet, phone etc and I am just guessing here but say $200/month. Next transportation at about $540/month + fuel and let us then round that to say $600/month. Groceries and again guessing say $300/month. Cell phones perhaps, maybe another $100/month. Also, travel back to the states at about $3000/ea for you and your hubby so $6000/year. OK, where are we at then. That comes out to $4400/month. Also, you will still have to pay Uncle Sam taxes so I am guessing maybe taking home 2/3's of that 9K or 6K/month less 4.4K = $1,600/month to do with as you please, maybe not too bad.
I hope some others will chime in here, many of my numbers are assumptions.
Well can't answer all of your questions but some. OK, a compound is simply an area set aside with housing. In Saudi as an example it would have a wall surrounding it and would be inhabited primarily by westerners. I can only assume something similar here for Qatar, I have not yet arrived myself. A flat is what we refer to as an apartment, it is a British word.
Regarding wheterh $9K is sufficent, well not sure and depends on you. Also, is that a 9K salary plus an allowance or that is it? If based on 9K consider the following. 2 bedroom apartment about $2700/month. Add for electricity, water, gas, internet, phone etc and I am just guessing here but say $200/month. Next transportation at about $540/month + fuel and let us then round that to say $600/month. Groceries and again guessing say $300/month. Cell phones perhaps, maybe another $100/month. Also, travel back to the states at about $3000/ea for you and your hubby so $6000/year. OK, where are we at then. That comes out to $4400/month. Also, you will still have to pay Uncle Sam taxes so I am guessing maybe taking home 2/3's of that 9K or 6K/month less 4.4K = $1,600/month to do with as you please, maybe not too bad.
I hope some others will chime in here, many of my numbers are assumptions.