Living in Qatar

justlandedqatar
By justlandedqatar

Hey guys and girls. Its quite possible that Ill be joining the community of Qatar quite soon but I am pondering over a few things before taking the leap- wandering if you could all help me out.

im coming in from sunny S.Africa and the offer I have recieved sounds reasonable but you never really know unless you ask the locals who live in a place. basically ive been offered:

27,000 $ a year
-Plus accomodation
-Plus car
-Plus commission
-6 Days a week 8 hrs a day
-Flights and medical

So it kind of works out at about 2200$ a month. Is this something one could live off comfortably cos ill tell you - I dont want to struggle- otherwise what is the point of coming over to a foreign land?? I have a fiancee too who works in the region. That is another main reason for being in the area... so can ladies come over an visit you in your home--sounds like such a stupid question but I have been told that some things are taboo around this region- whats the storey with this? So..help me out here please, give it too me straight on the package deal and the storey on relationships. Accomodation is one room with bathroom, sharing with 4 others in a five bedroom villa... sounds dodgy to me and thats the part i dont like the most- how big are villa's- how big typiclly is a room? Im a pampered westerner so - we have to know these creature comforts( pampered westerner- i got that off another forum where some Asians were bashing the westerers for being spoilt!)I will look forward to your views and input..tks

By Xena• 18 Sep 2007 14:40
Rating: 5/5
Xena

but I things are definately more expensive there than here...

The only thing cheaper back home... well we think its expensive, till you come to Doha, is the accomodation.... for a house the size of a 4 /5 bedroomed villa back home... we would only pay about 10 000 riyal.... but then, you will be living in a very upmarket area in Johannesburg and you would be earning a huge salary....

for a 2 bedroomed apartment back home you will pay about 1500 riyal... so you can see accomodation is cheaper there than here...

But cars, fuel and food are more expensive definately....

By Amigo66• 18 Sep 2007 13:12
Rating: 4/5
Amigo66

If u r able to save what u earn backhome then it is worthwhile to move otherwise my advise is to stay put.

Jauntie have u been able to figure out.........or still need help..:))

By shreeya• 18 Sep 2007 13:01
Rating: 5/5
shreeya

Dear Pampered,

Please check out this thread too for your reference, this guy is from Morocco, http://www.qatarliving.com/node/36097.

Though you can take Xena's advice as she is from your part and knows the situation better....Best of Luck!!!!!!!!

[img_assist|nid=22259|title=Fruity..Kitty|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=135|height=180]

By Xena• 18 Sep 2007 12:46
Rating: 5/5
Xena

Firstly Alexa... SA is way more expensive than Qatar....

Justlanded... let put it this way.... 8000 Riyals is equal to R16 000. Remember that you don't pay tax here. So if you are earning less than that back home... and its possible, then you are scoring here. Esp if they give you a car, and accomodation. Those are two huge expenses that you don't have to pay every month.

The hours and work days are standard in Qatar's private sector.

The villa's are huge, trust me.... you will feel like you are living in a mansion. However, you will need to be careful about your fiance staying over. Your housemates might not like it and could report the issue..you will then have to face the consequenses. Also, becareful about company bi-laws. In most companies, if they bring you over here, you have to stay with them for 2 years at least. They won't release you to another company before that. They would rather send you home first.

Hope this helps a bit.

By ksarat16• 18 Sep 2007 12:17
Rating: 2/5
ksarat16

I wud take up on the ladies side...its a bit low salary to come here...away from home...

One more word and looked like i wud have got killed from Oryx...how r u doing chief...hows the day been so far...maybe u r right on a couple of sensitive issues like the girls...but dont u think 8000/- to spend is quite sufficient even if u r a pampered foreigner...u have been taken care of for the house, transport...dont u think 8000/- is a decent amount..

Alexa: Girl how r u doin...anymore target hit-drive by ur driver...hows ur kiddo doin...and hows things...

Hey ladies have u noticed the Salaam Shopping Center sale has begun a couple of days ago...have u been there...

----------------------------------------------

" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

By jauntie• 18 Sep 2007 12:15
jauntie

US$ ?

By Oryx• 18 Sep 2007 11:00
Rating: 2/5
Oryx

i agree with Amigo ... for a pampered person it is a poor salary

and Kasarat people do bother... I know of people who have been sacked for having a non-relative sleeping over night...

it depends on the attitude of your sponsor and who you piss off

- those are the key issues

By Amigo66• 18 Sep 2007 10:36
Amigo66

the pay package is not much but I could not make out what position u have been offered.If u consider urself a pampered person then consider it as peanuts.

By ksarat16• 18 Sep 2007 10:29
Rating: 4/5
ksarat16

Hey there buddy...

gone thru ur post...well as it might sound quite lucrative...the offer...u gotto be careful and watchful on ur personal living standards...

Well to be frank buddy...the salary is quite competitive since u r getting taken care of for the rest...

Regd the rooms and villas...trust me buddy...they're pretty big and decent sized...and are quite beautiful...and u r only 1 in ur room so that shud be fine...

Plus u get a car to commute around and working hours are quite fine cos thats the standard working hours in any country...its only in Govt comps that u get 5 day weeks...but looks like urs is a Private one so that shud be fine...

And regd ur Girlfriend visiting u...well officially...2 unmarried ppl arent allowed to stay together but hey who bothers...to knock on every door...its jus that the authorities are concerned about any illegal business that cud happen ... so thats why the look on that law...but for u shudnt be a prob ...cos ur gf wud be over sometimes...and thats ok to deal with...

So thats how things wud be in Qatar...this place is a nice place u jus gotto adjust to the conditions here primarily bcos this is a Muslim Country and the laws are a bit stronger here with respect to pubs, girls and stuff...but other than u have a decent living style here...

Anything else let me know buddy...

Cheers...

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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

By Oryx• 18 Sep 2007 10:19
Rating: 2/5
Oryx

the pay doesn't seem good nor the accommodation... and the hours are so long!

also will you have curfew etc.... I know of a couple of aussies who left their jobs in the hotels because of too many restrictions on personal life.

but it depends on your personal situation at the moment....

if you are living in Constantia or the Cape flats?

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