I know what its like when you're trying to figure out what Qatar is like before moving out - there is a lot of confusing or conflicting information as a different rule often applies depending on your country of origin or the company you receive an offer from, as well as your years of experience/position within a company.
Generally speaking, coming from UK all employers will provide either decent fully furnished accomodation, or an allowance to cover same. Many employers also provide a car/travel allowance depending on the position, and medical insurance for you and your family, your move out here including house contents if required etc. Also, if you were to find your own accommodation, many properties cover one or a combination of water, electricity, basic tv or Air Conditioning in the rent.
Initially, a small basic rental car costs QR 1,800-QR 2,200 per month, or QR 2,200 - QR 2,800 for a mid range sedan. You can find purchase costs in these pages, cars are relatively cheap to buy - but be aware that for used cars (without warranty) maintenance and service costs are high here at around QR4,000 - QR10,000 per annum depending of course on car, age, condition, how often you have to change tyres/brakes etc. Petrol is so ridiculously cheap as to not be a factor. Generally, the most economical cars (servicing and resale) include certain models of toyota/honda/nissan/kia etc. I would recommend thoroughly checking all the 'industry review' websites before buying a car, and find out typical service / running costs from the relevant dealership. The insurance options here are not as at home and you can only get fully comp on new cars.
A nice 3 bedroom apartment costs between QR11,000 to QR16,000 depending on which end of the market you go for. You can get many 3 beds cheaper, but you might not want to live in them. A 3/4 bed villa in a compound, or on its own can cost between QR45,000 to QR30,000 - again depending on many different factors. Most apartments or villa complexes have free gyms, pools, BBQ etc - often new, good quality and not oversubscribed. Complexes also oftern have tennis, table tennis, etc..
TV/Internet/Landline bundles cost around QR250 per month combined, but you will want to upgrade tv package to approx QR450 per month.
Food can vary hugely, there is every type and cost range available. Possibly more economical than back home, more choice and if you buy your own food it can save if you can cook local produce rather than only imported. One other point is that depending on where you settle, all incidental costs can vary too depending on local businesses, e.g. shops, restaurants, dry cleaning, etc.
Water and Electricity is good value - approx QR300 combined per month for a 2 bed, (excluding air conditioning which is covered) in my experience..
Flights home can be expensive if you travel often.
QR16,000 seems more than a little on the light side for a family, especially if you need 2 cars, medical, schooling, emergency travel home, etc.. but as mentioned earlier it also depends on position, experience etc..
I would probably try and research any similar job types here to compare. I'm sure you will find plenty of varying views based on peoples individual experiences, but hopefully this is of some use for you.
Meanwhile good luck and hope you find your answers...
Hi there,
I know what its like when you're trying to figure out what Qatar is like before moving out - there is a lot of confusing or conflicting information as a different rule often applies depending on your country of origin or the company you receive an offer from, as well as your years of experience/position within a company.
Generally speaking, coming from UK all employers will provide either decent fully furnished accomodation, or an allowance to cover same. Many employers also provide a car/travel allowance depending on the position, and medical insurance for you and your family, your move out here including house contents if required etc. Also, if you were to find your own accommodation, many properties cover one or a combination of water, electricity, basic tv or Air Conditioning in the rent.
Initially, a small basic rental car costs QR 1,800-QR 2,200 per month, or QR 2,200 - QR 2,800 for a mid range sedan. You can find purchase costs in these pages, cars are relatively cheap to buy - but be aware that for used cars (without warranty) maintenance and service costs are high here at around QR4,000 - QR10,000 per annum depending of course on car, age, condition, how often you have to change tyres/brakes etc. Petrol is so ridiculously cheap as to not be a factor. Generally, the most economical cars (servicing and resale) include certain models of toyota/honda/nissan/kia etc. I would recommend thoroughly checking all the 'industry review' websites before buying a car, and find out typical service / running costs from the relevant dealership. The insurance options here are not as at home and you can only get fully comp on new cars.
A nice 3 bedroom apartment costs between QR11,000 to QR16,000 depending on which end of the market you go for. You can get many 3 beds cheaper, but you might not want to live in them. A 3/4 bed villa in a compound, or on its own can cost between QR45,000 to QR30,000 - again depending on many different factors. Most apartments or villa complexes have free gyms, pools, BBQ etc - often new, good quality and not oversubscribed. Complexes also oftern have tennis, table tennis, etc..
TV/Internet/Landline bundles cost around QR250 per month combined, but you will want to upgrade tv package to approx QR450 per month.
Food can vary hugely, there is every type and cost range available. Possibly more economical than back home, more choice and if you buy your own food it can save if you can cook local produce rather than only imported. One other point is that depending on where you settle, all incidental costs can vary too depending on local businesses, e.g. shops, restaurants, dry cleaning, etc.
Water and Electricity is good value - approx QR300 combined per month for a 2 bed, (excluding air conditioning which is covered) in my experience..
Flights home can be expensive if you travel often.
QR16,000 seems more than a little on the light side for a family, especially if you need 2 cars, medical, schooling, emergency travel home, etc.. but as mentioned earlier it also depends on position, experience etc..
I would probably try and research any similar job types here to compare. I'm sure you will find plenty of varying views based on peoples individual experiences, but hopefully this is of some use for you.
Meanwhile good luck and hope you find your answers...