Hey Daithi,
I would agree with most of whats been said above..
I've moved out here last year from Ireland. Not sure if you're based there at the moment? If so, you need to be out of the country for a full tax year in order not to be liable for tax on your earnings.
As our tax year is Jan - Dec, that means your full tax year would be Jan 2013 to Dec 2013 assuming you make the move this year.
Despite the fact that Qatar/Doha is quite different to home, and can be boring depending on your level of enthusiasm, it does have positives. It is a good base to travel from, has interesting people and although the summer is very hot, it is really quite pleasant for 50% of the year. My main concern would be that your wife would need to be proactive to network on arriving, join some clubs, take up an activity if she can find time. There are lots of clubs for hobbies, sports or just chats and everyone understands that it is a difficult move to make.
Salary mentioned is high and will allow you to have a very comfortable life here. Its best to keep the weighting of your salary as high as possible relative to your accommodation/car expenses as your final renumerations on leaving will be based on your salary.
I really wouldn't worry unduly about the company terminating your contract. From what I have seen, if you are even reasonable by Western standards and work hard
you will do well. I think that provision is there to protect the companies from bad eggs..
Some info on living costs here - http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2294653
Last comment, don't be dazzled by the bling of the Pearl, its not necessarily the best spot to live especially for a family. It is a little isolated, is physically incomplete and when they recommence building in earnest will have added noise issues etc. It can suffer from very bad traffic as it is next to Katara and the Exhibition Centre. In my view, it is better as a place to visit than to live, but these are personal opinions. You will get a better feel for things when you have a look around. Everything here is car based for getting around ala US, so you may need a second car.
Best of luck with your move, feel free to get back to me if any questions.
(By the way, we're back in Ireland for hols in 2 weeks time. If you want to talk, let me know and I'll pass on
my contact details).
Hey Daithi,
I would agree with most of whats been said above..
I've moved out here last year from Ireland. Not sure if you're based there at the moment? If so, you need to be out of the country for a full tax year in order not to be liable for tax on your earnings.
As our tax year is Jan - Dec, that means your full tax year would be Jan 2013 to Dec 2013 assuming you make the move this year.
Despite the fact that Qatar/Doha is quite different to home, and can be boring depending on your level of enthusiasm, it does have positives. It is a good base to travel from, has interesting people and although the summer is very hot, it is really quite pleasant for 50% of the year. My main concern would be that your wife would need to be proactive to network on arriving, join some clubs, take up an activity if she can find time. There are lots of clubs for hobbies, sports or just chats and everyone understands that it is a difficult move to make.
Salary mentioned is high and will allow you to have a very comfortable life here. Its best to keep the weighting of your salary as high as possible relative to your accommodation/car expenses as your final renumerations on leaving will be based on your salary.
I really wouldn't worry unduly about the company terminating your contract. From what I have seen, if you are even reasonable by Western standards and work hard
you will do well. I think that provision is there to protect the companies from bad eggs..
Some info on living costs here -
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2294653
Last comment, don't be dazzled by the bling of the Pearl, its not necessarily the best spot to live especially for a family. It is a little isolated, is physically incomplete and when they recommence building in earnest will have added noise issues etc. It can suffer from very bad traffic as it is next to Katara and the Exhibition Centre. In my view, it is better as a place to visit than to live, but these are personal opinions. You will get a better feel for things when you have a look around. Everything here is car based for getting around ala US, so you may need a second car.
Best of luck with your move, feel free to get back to me if any questions.
(By the way, we're back in Ireland for hols in 2 weeks time. If you want to talk, let me know and I'll pass on
my contact details).