Well, to give you a ballpark figure (I don't have the exact amount because my husband's company paid for us to ship our things over) the quotes I got for shipping our things were in the area of 14-16,000. That was for a half container. We did in the end need a full container. I don't regret bringing our things with us though. It's helped us get settled in quickly and made the transition easier on my kids (13 and 11 year olds).
We ended up not being in a compound. Our housing allowance is 13,000 and my husband's company had a villa that someone was moving out of that we got into. It's HUGE and I really like it, but I don't know that we could have gotten anything for the same amount. Housing here is ridiculously expensive. I wouldn't count on getting into a compound for 14k. I may be wrong, but it seems like most compounds are going to cost you between 16-22k per month.
My husband left for Qatar in early January, while the kids and I stayed behind to wrap up things. Plus I figured it would be easier to mooch off friends (we borrowed tables and chairs, air beds and linens, etc.). Our shipment left port on Feb. 2 and was delivered to our house on Apr. 1. So figure two months, including time for it to clear customs. We arrived here on Mar. 26 and spent a miserable week in a tiny apartment waiting for both the house and our things.
I'm still in the process of trying to set up the house. There have been some minor irritations, as I said above, but nothing major. I can't find anywhere that sells digital alarm clocks. I know there out there, but where to go for them?! I also can't find dish towels that aren't sold without an apron and pot holder. Again, I'm sure they are out there somewhere. Other things? Finding out that there are no electrical outlets in bathrooms. Finding out that there are very few outlets in general anywhere. My kitchen countertop only has one plug available. I had to get a power strip to be able to use my microwave and toaster oven at the same time. Umm, beds are different sizes here than the US so if you are bringing your mattresses, bring enough sheets to get you by. DVD's will not play on dvd players here, but videos will (if it's a multi-system machine). Video game systems (should your kids be into that yet) are different, so if you bring them along, games purchased here won't work.
Most importantly, bring a sense of humor and flexibility. I've been loving it so far, for the most part, but the little things overwhelm me at times. For instance, right now there is some work being done on the house (at the company expense). This is the third day they've been here and I'm stuck here at home with two bored kids. The funny thing is that at break time, they don't all just take a break. They actually lay down anywhere and take a nap! Right there at your house! It cracks me up.
Really, I'm totally willing to offer you any help that I can. Like I said, I'm new to this all myself, but I'll answer any questions the best I can.
Well, to give you a ballpark figure (I don't have the exact amount because my husband's company paid for us to ship our things over) the quotes I got for shipping our things were in the area of 14-16,000. That was for a half container. We did in the end need a full container. I don't regret bringing our things with us though. It's helped us get settled in quickly and made the transition easier on my kids (13 and 11 year olds).
We ended up not being in a compound. Our housing allowance is 13,000 and my husband's company had a villa that someone was moving out of that we got into. It's HUGE and I really like it, but I don't know that we could have gotten anything for the same amount. Housing here is ridiculously expensive. I wouldn't count on getting into a compound for 14k. I may be wrong, but it seems like most compounds are going to cost you between 16-22k per month.
My husband left for Qatar in early January, while the kids and I stayed behind to wrap up things. Plus I figured it would be easier to mooch off friends (we borrowed tables and chairs, air beds and linens, etc.). Our shipment left port on Feb. 2 and was delivered to our house on Apr. 1. So figure two months, including time for it to clear customs. We arrived here on Mar. 26 and spent a miserable week in a tiny apartment waiting for both the house and our things.
I'm still in the process of trying to set up the house. There have been some minor irritations, as I said above, but nothing major. I can't find anywhere that sells digital alarm clocks. I know there out there, but where to go for them?! I also can't find dish towels that aren't sold without an apron and pot holder. Again, I'm sure they are out there somewhere. Other things? Finding out that there are no electrical outlets in bathrooms. Finding out that there are very few outlets in general anywhere. My kitchen countertop only has one plug available. I had to get a power strip to be able to use my microwave and toaster oven at the same time. Umm, beds are different sizes here than the US so if you are bringing your mattresses, bring enough sheets to get you by. DVD's will not play on dvd players here, but videos will (if it's a multi-system machine). Video game systems (should your kids be into that yet) are different, so if you bring them along, games purchased here won't work.
Most importantly, bring a sense of humor and flexibility. I've been loving it so far, for the most part, but the little things overwhelm me at times. For instance, right now there is some work being done on the house (at the company expense). This is the third day they've been here and I'm stuck here at home with two bored kids. The funny thing is that at break time, they don't all just take a break. They actually lay down anywhere and take a nap! Right there at your house! It cracks me up.
Really, I'm totally willing to offer you any help that I can. Like I said, I'm new to this all myself, but I'll answer any questions the best I can.