Is this a good offer?

JimandJoyce
By JimandJoyce

I have an offer to move my wife, son, and I to Doha. My company has offered to pay for my housing in Doha in full (including all utilities). They will pay full tuition for my son's schooling including application fees and such. They will cover our automobile and all insurance, fuel, and maintenance. They have offered two trips home in the course of the year for all of us in business class. My contract will only be for one year so I will keep my home in the states. After paying the bills for my home in the states, we will have $770 USD per week left. We would be responsible only for our food and recreational expenses in Doha. Is $770 adequate for a good lifestyle with all of these essentials already paid?

By donald_duc168• 15 Jun 2011 20:54
donald_duc168

don't take it... not enough

By chocoholic• 15 Jun 2011 20:52
Rating: 4/5
chocoholic

Mandi took the words right out of my fingertips...

If it's only for a year and you've got a house and job when you go back, go for it.

Your son is not too young. Kids are resilient! It will be a good experience for him. If you don't have time/funds to do tons of traveling during the year, plan a great trip on your way back home.

By Mandilulur• 15 Jun 2011 20:43
Rating: 4/5
Mandilulur

My decision would probably be based on what happens after the one year. If you have a job and a home waiting for you at the end of the contract, well, why not? Your basics will be covered and you will have had an adventure. If you are taking a gamble with your future then I'd be more cautious. Oh, and remember, the $92,000 isn't automatic, you have to qualify for it.

Mandi

By tonyhanna1• 15 Jun 2011 16:30
tonyhanna1

Well mate, I wouldn't do it. Your son is too young and I'd say most of the guys on the page are missing the fact that the 770USD are for a family of three.

My life style, which is quite normal but includes a lot of traveling wouldn't match such a salary.

Decision is yours, I wouldn't do it.

Cheers

By JimandJoyce• 15 Jun 2011 15:15
JimandJoyce

Thank you you all for your comments. Others are welcome to add more please!

Tonyhanna1-Our son is 8 years old and will be in 3rd grade.

Frenchieman-The non salary benefits of this offer are significant and will push me WELL past the threshold of 92kUSD.

Moving (even though only temporary) is a very difficult decision for us. With the added stress of an unfamiliar environment, the care of my home in the US, and the job requirements, the LAST thing I want to worry about is running short on cash. Part of my willingness to consider this move is the fact that we would have the opportunity to learn a new culture, and we would be only a short flight to Europe for travel. If the offer does not support having the funds to do this, I will need to seriously consider saying no to the offer.

By bral1960• 15 Jun 2011 09:05
bral1960

hey guys, don't forget (without any offence off course) that we are western and our life-style is different of the asian.

Ciao

By zain79• 15 Jun 2011 08:40
Rating: 5/5
zain79

food and misc would cost you at least QR.5000 per month so you will save around QR.6000

now consider if you are saving more than this amount currently..if not then i say its a good offer for you.

By hms• 15 Jun 2011 08:14
hms

you might have missed my first line " I agree with - colt"

By hms• 15 Jun 2011 08:13
hms

thats what i said, i agree with colt,

By Colt45• 15 Jun 2011 07:50
Colt45

and what did I say?

By just1s• 15 Jun 2011 07:46
just1s

$770/ week is more than enough.

By hms• 15 Jun 2011 07:43
hms

Colt. 770$ is quite sufficient for a normal life, and u can save as well.

By Colt45• 15 Jun 2011 07:34
Colt45

$770/ week will suffice if you don't lead a very extravagant lifestyle.

By frenchieman• 15 Jun 2011 07:30
Rating: 5/5
frenchieman

It depends on your lifestyle, but I agree with bral1960. You won't save anything on salary, but if you are coming for JUST a year and want to have the experience, then I say there is nothing wrong with that.

If you are a US taxpayer, you also need to check into the tax implications of you being here, as the US government counts non-salary benefits as part of your income, and you pay taxes on everything past a certain threshold.

By tonyhanna1• 15 Jun 2011 07:24
tonyhanna1

I think it is not worth it unless you like exotic destinations :)

no honestly moving ur family for that? not worth it...how old is ur son?

By bral1960• 15 Jun 2011 07:19
Rating: 4/5
bral1960

USD 3000 (QR 11,000) per month are not enough at all!!! 3 person will spend minimum QR 3,000/month for food, QR 500/month for restaurant, QR 500/mpnth for alchool, QR 500/month clothes, QR 300 clubbing, QR 2000/month various expenses so what remain to you? QR 6000!!! Nothing.

Think very well man. Good luck

Ciao

By britexpat• 15 Jun 2011 06:40
britexpat

Yes, you can live comfortably on US$770 per week..

By galloper48• 15 Jun 2011 05:30
galloper48

that the company is providing all comodities, and considering the end of the month income is around + 10000QAR seems to be a good proposal.

Nevertheless, be sure that the company is actually agreeing to all that in written in the contract; otherwise don't take it!!!!

Regards!!

By JimandJoyce• 15 Jun 2011 03:57
JimandJoyce

skywardo,

$770 per WEEK! Not per month. I should have stated that more clearly.

We would only be responsible for food, personal items, clothing and entertainment.

Thank you for your comment.

By skywardo• 15 Jun 2011 03:33
skywardo

Most probably, it will not be enough to survive with $770 a month.

I've learnt from my post that even 3.500$ is not pretty much for a good lifestyle.

Considering that all other expenses are paid by the company (i.e. with the same salary package as yours).

[reference: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1890736]

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