Tell me about living in Doha

getting back to the topic about the summer season in Qatar...

Did anyone of u go to Dubai?? GODD it felt like hell over there!! Qatar's temperature is heaven comparing it to Dubai's and all UAE.

I went there and was affraid that Qatar would have the same temp. but noo noo here is much less... eventhough is really hot.. but A/C everywhere don't let u feel anything...

Can u see the football aka the English premiership and the Champions League also as a matter of interest can u smoke in Qatar?

To LoobyLoo - Western kids (and their mothers) in Doha do fine so long as they get into a Western school and, preferably, live on a compound with other families.

There are a few hospitals here, government and private. Staff turn-over seems to be highish at the main government one (Hamada general) where most nurses are Philipina and Indian - and the salaries may reflect that.

Rydges is definately playing it, any place that has showtime. The European Family club did not show the England game the other day as their sattelite provider was not showing it

The rugby should be on at the Rugby Club and Garvies 'European Families Club' but you'll need to be signed in and pay a small entrance fee. Garvie's would be easier, but taxi drivers don't know it so phone first for directions. The rugby will probably also be on at Rydges hotel and possibly even at the Ramada itself. (They've got two bars: one posh, one not.) Get a copy of Marhaba on arrival - the Ramada should stock it, and so should Megamart, the nearest supermarket - for telephone numbers, maps and general tips on car-hire etc.

It'll take you some time to get acco, and no-one can tell you about 'decent areas' in general terms, I'm afraid, cos the market's so volatile and tastes so variable.

Good Luck

Hi

Im flying out to Doha tommorrow

I would be most interested to know if any one went to Dune Fest last year and was it any good

I would like to catch the 6 nations rugby ,any places or hostelries that have the rugger on

Am interested in doing some camping in the desert , any one got any leads on that one and where to hire a 4wd for a w/e

Im going to be in the Ramada on Wed so may not be able to reply immediately

Got any decent areas to get a flat , my office is relativly near the airport

Thanks for any replies

Cheers

Yeah... a bit of sunstroke and dehydration never hurt anyone, right super? :) especially for cold blooded reptiles like us ;)

Respect

GIASI

You stop burning your skin with hats, rashtops (UV proof shirts for the water) and sun cream

Seriously, I think I'd die (if I had to work outside in a Qatar summer).

Yes, I am a wuss. :) It's incurable.

I work outside, also in summer. You get used to it, as long as you cover up, drink well and try to catch some shade now and then.

it's not about sweat ...it's about burning ur skin ...u can't be in the sun noon time 12 to 3:00 pm.. aftre that time it might be ok

Mad dogs and Englishmen.

Toughen up you lot, its not that bad. I get out on the water kitesurfing etc throughout summer.

It is not that bad. It is only really bad when you don't want to sweat i.e. if you are wearing a suit or nice clothes. If you sit by a nice chilled pool it is fine

yeah ...it's even a very bad idea to go to the beach it will be like spending the day inside the oven .... u just have to stick to indoors there is AC almost everywhere... and in the summer it's not only the high temp. but also the very very very high humidity it makes u feel like u r underwater can't breath ..... only the AC can save ur life ;)

During June, July and August no-one in his right state of mind would go out. It is imposible.

It is from a/c home to a/c car to a/c mall.

49 seems a little too optimistic.

Thanks everybody. I am looking forward to my relocation. I was wondering what should I do during the summer, which I was told the temperature goes up to 49 degree C during the daytime....

Sound scary with such weather. We will probably need super strong air conditioning. How you guys/gals go out at this weather?

Thanks everybody. I am looking forward to my relocation. I was wondering what should I do during the summer, which I was told the temperature goes up to 49 degree C during the daytime....

Sound scary with such weather. We will probably need super strong air conditioning. How you guys/gals go out at this weather?

Loobyloo

Hi, my husband is considering a job in Doha. I have two kids 9 and 7 years, just wondering what there is to do in Qatar for kids their age. Also I am a critical care nurse and would like to know whether there are many hospitals in the area?

Thanks

Its safe in Doha, well probably as safe as you will get anywhere. Id rather walk the streets here at night than anywhere in Europe.

About harassement... hmmm well I suppose its maybe best not to walk alone as a woman in the area around the Mercure hotel... Or in parts of the industrial area. But i dont think anyone will do anything, just stare.

My wife is western but her parents are immigrants, its funny to see how people get confused about her origin. Get used to staring though...

Its a funny place, people seem to sort of live together but most people only really have alot of contact with people from their own "group" (outside of work).

I think the Qatari people are ok, they arent unfriendly or anything but it's true that there is not much contact with them, certainly if (like me) you don't work with any Qatari. But I see them in traffic and in the city center all the time lol.

Crime here is indeed minimal and I've never heard of anyone being assuaulted in the street in the five years I've been here. The corniche is a nice place for a walk at any time and there are some nice leafy back streets here and there. However, Doha Traffic's very bad and few roads have pedestrian crossings, so strolling out in the evening (shops and banks are open then, by the way) can be dangerous and unpleasant. You wouldn't want to think of your kids out there.

Solitary females can get stared at and made to feel uncomfortable (some western women cover up with an abaya if going out though it seems to be Asian-looking ladies who are subject to the worst harrassment) but actual physical assault is virtually unheard of.

As regards meeting the locals, you won't much. There are very few Qataris in the front line of retail or commercial hospitality and although Arabs take great pride in courtesy and hospitality, Qatari society is very family centered and religious, so in practice you'll probably only get to know any Qatari colleagues you might have. There is a small bar culture, mind you, and a few Qatari men venture into that.

Most Westerners and Qataris spend more time in malls than on a street.

Don't worry fun lover.Some members here just enjoy calumny when their mood is bad.The crime rate is LOW in Qatar, It's a fact.

Fun lover, it is pretty safe here. I have been in Qatar for 3 weeks and my wife arrives in April and after what i have seen, I am not worried about bringing her here.

The police are quite strict here on any form of assualts on women. There a large number of expat families here from many countries in the world.

Qatar has the lowest crime rate in the world - apparently. So it is safe. Generally, people do not walk around - everyone drives to go places - even if its a minute away. Not because its unsafe, its because they enjoy the convinience of a car. So your wife wont necessarily have to be walking around anyway.

You and yourfamilt will be safe.

Hi, I will be moving to Qatar soon and I am not so sure to bring my family along as I have read some of the comments that it is not so safe for female especially when they are out alone. I saw some people mentioned about rape cases which is in the rise...

Can anybody enlighted me about the above?

i just wonder how the nite life there. do the groceries and stalls closed so early, like in UK during winter? what about shopping complex, restaurants?

Meanwhile, Where the qatari spend their weekends? Are they mix with expats?

Pete;

Not sure _why_ you'd want to walk the streets at night, unless this was a stroll along the corniche - most places are a long way apart so driving is required.

But yes, it is certainly safer here than in 90% of cities in the UK.

You could even say that it is safer to walk at night than drive at night :-)))

Meeting other people depends on your social outlook - it helps to be outgoing! ... doesn't it always. There are plenty of social venues which provide opportunities to meet people, depending on your interests.

it's totally safe here

hey Pete..it is very safe here as safwany said.. so no need 2 worry bout safety :) trust me.. i was born here :)

It is very safe here even after midnight and I believe it is also easy to meet other British expats.