If you can, come and have a look at the place first. It is quite a shock when you first get here, the enviroment is quite harsh and void of vegetation.There is also huge amounts of rubbish everywhere. The traffic is very heavy and dangerous. When I first arrived I was told "when you have an accident" not "if"". It is very hot in summer and most wives and children go home for the months of July and August, school holidays. The arab people i have come across have not been very nice and being a white woman I often get harassed by young arab boys, even though I wear long pants and long sleeved shirts and would be walking with my small children. We have had our children on waiting lists for 6months and still haven't been excepted into schools. There is a lot of road works going on and it is only going to get worse because Qatar has won the rights to host the world cup in 2022. It is quite hard to find decent western housing, the people here have very bad taste (I am an interior designer) but if you have a high housing allowance you may find something quite nice.
On the plus side I have met some wonderful expat people here, there are lots of groups for your wife to join.There are a number of nightclubs and resturants to go to although when you have children you don't seem to frequent these places as often. All the expats are in the same boat and are very helpful and understanding. There is a good selection of shops and the food is of a high quality. You may not get everything you need, but most things are here.
Personally we are here for the money, and the close proximity to Europe for travelling. I stay sane by working part time, being very involved with my kids and planning our next holidays.
You have to consider what is important in your life and what you are planning for. Should you sacrifice a few years of your life for a more comfortable retirement? My children miss their grandparents very much , it is a long trip for us to go home, when we do we really appreciate it and tell everyone how lucky they are to live in Australia. Would I do it again? Some days YES and alot of days NO!
If you can, come and have a look at the place first. It is quite a shock when you first get here, the enviroment is quite harsh and void of vegetation.There is also huge amounts of rubbish everywhere. The traffic is very heavy and dangerous. When I first arrived I was told "when you have an accident" not "if"". It is very hot in summer and most wives and children go home for the months of July and August, school holidays. The arab people i have come across have not been very nice and being a white woman I often get harassed by young arab boys, even though I wear long pants and long sleeved shirts and would be walking with my small children. We have had our children on waiting lists for 6months and still haven't been excepted into schools. There is a lot of road works going on and it is only going to get worse because Qatar has won the rights to host the world cup in 2022. It is quite hard to find decent western housing, the people here have very bad taste (I am an interior designer) but if you have a high housing allowance you may find something quite nice.
On the plus side I have met some wonderful expat people here, there are lots of groups for your wife to join.There are a number of nightclubs and resturants to go to although when you have children you don't seem to frequent these places as often. All the expats are in the same boat and are very helpful and understanding. There is a good selection of shops and the food is of a high quality. You may not get everything you need, but most things are here.
Personally we are here for the money, and the close proximity to Europe for travelling. I stay sane by working part time, being very involved with my kids and planning our next holidays.
You have to consider what is important in your life and what you are planning for. Should you sacrifice a few years of your life for a more comfortable retirement? My children miss their grandparents very much , it is a long trip for us to go home, when we do we really appreciate it and tell everyone how lucky they are to live in Australia. Would I do it again? Some days YES and alot of days NO!