HOT topic- UAE vs QR
I am posting this to offer some clarification on the topic that I posted earlier, which, judging from the responses, got lots of people hot under the collar. And reading back on what I wrote, I can't say that I really blame them. It was written in an impulsive moment of desperation hoping for some solace and I really didn't clarify what my objections were to some of the places that I saw.
Let me start by stating where I am at now in the UAE. I am living in a compound with excellent finishes and green communal parks all around for the equivalent of QR18K. The kids cycle to school every day on the bike path that ends at the school. I guess the shock was realising that I am not going to get something similar in Doha. That what was on offer for that price either had excellent finishes (but barely a drop of green and quite a tiny backyard with no space for the kids trampoline, let alone a table and chairs and a barbeque and overlooked by other villas) or had better spaces but really cheap finishes or old finishes.
But really one of the biggest issues is around my maid. I love our maid and I am so eternally grateful to her that she has agreed to uproot herself and leave her friends to go with us to Doha where she knows no-one. She is currently living in an outside access maids room which makes such a difference. She can have friends around, she can come and go as she pleases on her weekend, she's got her own (albeit little) outdoor space. I was really struggling with putting her in an inside room which would really make it much harder for her from what she is used to. I do apologise for calling Al Fardan's maids room a rathole.. but the one I saw was in the centre of the house in a tiny, dark, low room under the stairs. It was really more like a cupboard. I am sure there are better ones and I don't judge anyone for putting there maid in one. It's just that after all she's doing for us, I want her life in Doha to be better for her- not worse.
Anyway, having said all of that, I have reevaluated my priorities and have settled for something in Doha that I really like. I saw Riviera Gardens which is so green that I felt like I could breathe again. It's old and out of date, yes, but at least the finishes were decent. But most importantly it has a decent sized outdoor maids room and it has a back yard with a huge tree in and lots of space with no other buildings overlooking. It feels spacious. I would love to get some feedback from you guys. Do you live in Riviera Gardens? Do you know any one who does? What's it like?
On another note, seeing Doha I have realised just how unnatural and wasteful Abu Dhabi's green city is. Yes, we have tree and grass and flower lined streets where-ever you go. But AD also has the highest water consumption per capita in the world because of it. And I certainly don't support that. So actually Doha is more true to nature because it is a desert town and you do know it.
RikiTiki, Welcome to Doha!
Your posting words resonate in my ears! I just moved to Doha from Dubai and i know exactly what you are talking about, the shock, or may be i would describe, an earthquake :)
Only people who lived in Dubai or Abu dhabi would understand what you are talking about. And actually only poeple who lived in these cities should comment because they can compare.
I lived in many Arab countries and i can assure you, you will not find anything like Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Muscat anywhere in the arab world.
Quality of living does not exist in many areas of the Arab World and poeple think you are being fussy for asking for nice and sophisticated things. They think that nice thing should be only for rich people.
I mean what kind of a villa that does not have even a shrub close to it. how about feeling claustrophobic when you look at your backyard and you find a high wall in front of you with 2x3 meters that people call here a"backyard"!.
I have looked at a new villa compound close to landmark in Al gharrafa area, and i tried to close the window, it would not close due to bad workmanship. the tiles in the kitchen were not even, kitchen cabinets look ugly. bathroom sinks do not have any cabinet underneath. this is brand new villa!!! but it is huge! how about make it smaller but with high quality instead of making big ugly thing!!!
Just take a drive behind QNCC and you know what i am talking about.
I mean we all know that dubai and Abu Dhabi are ahead of the pack by at least 20 years.
i think the city needs more focus on quality, more open parks, more open beaches, more highways, , etc.
http://www.mercer.com/articles/quality-of-living-survey-report-2011
this is the ranking of mercer's Quality of living survey:
this is World Ranking:
■Abu Dhabi (23rd)
■Muscat (29th)
■Dubai(39th)
■Doha (67th)
it is true that tea boys / maids are treated badly and often required by agencies that they work for to work 2 or even 3 jobs but only getting paid for 1 :o(
the saddest thing is that it's normally agencies from their own countries treating them this way. Shame on people using their own people!
I agree MarieCor, Westerners do treat housemaids well. However, locals have a different view in the word respect. Read the site qatarsucks for more details.
or you just heard it as a rumor?
How many maids have you interviewed and how many maids do you think are here in Doha?
My wife has a good friend (our neighbor), working for a local family for 18 years, yes 18 years! You think she was maltreated? I know personally many maids who are treated well and yes, there are also some treated unfairly.
Koen1815, you said "Maids are treated without any respect and are paid max QAR 800 a month." - this maybe applicable for most of the arab employers.
I heard that most of the european employers treat the housemaids nicely and pay them them more than QAR 800.
Im glad that RikiTiki is one of those good employers. Keep it up!
Unfortunately that is common practice. Office teaboys are a bit better off, they get paid QAR 900. The guy in our office gets up at 4:20 AM, will be picked up at the compound at 5 AM to start to work at 6 AM until 2:30 PM then he has to do a second round until 9PM. Earlier this week. he was 'asked' to continue his work at the world petroleum congress to work from 10pm until 1:30 am.
Sounds familiar ?
REALLY??????????????
My advice:
- You should find a compound with 4 bedroom villa's for QAR 13-14,000. Anything more is too much. Of course, if the company pays, don't worry.
- Although completely illegal, the landlord will ask you to sign 12 postdated cheques to pay for the rent in advance.
- Choose a brand new compound. Overall, standards are low. Plumbing, electricity, etc is not according to standards.
- NO ONE cycles in Doha. Yes, you will need two cars.
- Maids are treated without any respect and are paid max QAR 800 a month.
Yes, I do wish it was the norm that helpers were treated well. But sadly, it's the norm to work them like slaves and treat them really badly. Here there is a lot of abuse going on as I am sure there is in Qatar. I believe in the end of the day there is more cost to the abuser than the abused. You lose so much of your humanity by behaving in this way that it simply not worth it. And what message do you give your children when they see you behave this way? You make them into these unfeeling superior human beings without compassion. That's not the legacy I want for my kids.
All I can say is that it's a shame there aren't more people like you. I love the way you talk about your helper and how you treat her. Well done! People should learn from you :o)
Rikitiki, as I said, I lived there years ago...so my info is not current.
Just wanted to let you know what I had experienced then.
Hi there
I did read your responses about the problem with the stink. Apparently this is long been cleared up. The problem was with the muncipality but the Riviera management have found a way around it. Also the pit in the ground is not offensive to me if I am not living near it. Everything else seems fine. Is there any other comment that you have regarding Riviera? I met the managing director and he seemed a really nice man and the staff seemed really nice too. I had a good feeling about the place. Was I wrong??
There is a Ghost in riviera.
stay in U.A.E it is much better
after such a long rant why would you want to move Qatar
Did you not read what I posted on the other thread about Riviera?