Cost of Staple Items: Milk and Coffee?
I keep reading how the cost of living in Qatar is 20 to 30 percent higher than in the UAE and don't doubt that this is true, especially when I see that prepaid cell phone rates are about double that in the UAE. I'm sure that this is equally true for people who shop only at stores and markets that stock a wide array of western imports, but what about local stores, markets, and shops? Is it possible in Doha to find a liter of milk for less than QR5? Is it easy to find coffee for QR3 at local cafeterias?
Thanks.
Update: Coffee is available all over Doha at the small cafeterias and restaurants for 1.5 to 4 rials.
Update: I've now been in Doha five days and have been looking at prices of various things. While some things are definitely much more expensive than they are in the UAE (Parmesan cheese almost double), many things, if not most, seem to be the same, if you are willing to look around just a bit. Milk and fruit appear to about the same, as long as you're buying regionally local to the GCC. Many name brand breakfast cereals are more expensive at a place such as Mega Mart, but Carrefour prices seem to be similar to Carrefour prices in the UAE. This was a pleasant surprise. I was even more surprised to see many things, mainly at Carrefour, cheaper in Doha than in the UAE.
Traffic, on the other hand, has lived up to everyone's dire warnings. I feel like I need to be a NASCAR driver (or, perhaps, a demolition derby driver) every time I get in the car.
techn: MM used the word "privilege," which I understood to mean that there are obvious and hidden costs that one must pay to live in Qatar. While taxes are not levied on individuals in Qatar, "taxes" by other means are still levied by higher prices for some things. I also understood "privilege" to be used sarcastically, in that many people are attracted to ostensibly high salaries in Qatar, but there are hidden costs that diminish those "high" salaries. I replied that in the U.S. there are many hidden costs to things that diminish the standard of living there, which is corroborated by many studies of standards of living around the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality-of-life_index
I am also confused as to why some items are very expensive here in Qatar. For example when an item is imported from some countries, the compared the original price(converted to QR) and the local price, it is about 50% more. May be a lot of profit is taken by middle men. But items such as Electronics goods cost almost same or some cases it is less here.
Another point which is not clear to me is how the "privilege" and price is linked for a nation. I can understand it in the context of some five star hotel or some places, where they artificially increase the price to reduce common people to access the service or they provide best of class service. If the high prices are due to taxes, which will be used for the benefit of the people, it is understandable.
btw: tea is available for QR1~3 in industrial area in Doha
Let me rephrase a question. Can you buy a QR3 cup of coffee in the industrial area? And speaking of industrial area, do the men there do good work in general? I spend a lot of time in the industrial area of Al Ain getting tools and some metalwork, glasswork, and woodwork done for various hobbies.
I have read that many Qatari locals go to Dubai for tools and supplies, as choice and availability is not that good in Qatar, though nearly everything is made in China anyway. The new Dragon Mart may solve the problem of choice, but I've never been thrilled with the available choices at the Dragon Mart in Dubai. Deira Dubai, though, is where it's at for all types of tools and supplies. That I will miss.
I think you actually have to pay a lot more for the privilege of staying in the U.S. and you get very little in return for that privilege. There is only a fleeting appearance of benefit.
Does this mean it is impossible to buy a cup of cheap coffee for QR3?
Can you buy two kilograms of frozen chicken breasts for QR30? A Kilogram of sliced turkey for QR53?
Not that it is wise to eat fast food, but the online Cost of Living comparisons put fast food meals at the same price of around QR21 to AED21. A can of Coca-Cola costs AED1.5. How much in QR?
The sample CoL break down at the link below suggests that some things are indeed more expensive, but other things are about the same as in the UAE or less expensive.
http://www.expatarrivals.com/qatar/doha/cost-of-living-in-doha
Any disagreements with any of the estimates?
We buy 30 eggs for AED18 here in Al Ain. QR17 for 24 eggs is close enough. We also pay AED8 for a five-gallon container of water. What does this cost in Doha?
Stay with the word expensive if u plan to stay in qatar
You must pay for the privilege of staying here .................................... Fri, 09.05.2014 , 07.30 hrs