Advise PLEASE!!

sbdesign
By sbdesign

I would really appreciate some advise from everyone’s experience.

I currently live in Dubai and have been offered a job in Doha.

Does anyone know of any difficulties i may have getting residency for my family. My wife and her daughter (my step-daughter) are Polish. The biological father of her daughter has never had anything to do with her.

We haven't had any problems in UAE as we live in Dubai, but Obviously i am very nervous about accepting a job without knowing the facts.

In addition, had anyone re-located from Duabi to Qatar and driven of shipped their car. My Car is only 6 months old and is on finance. So to sell it and buy a new one would loose me money. Any advice on this topic would also be greatly appreciated.

If you wish to respond directley my you can sb.design(att)mac.com

Many thanks

By charmed• 2 Jan 2008 17:30
charmed

that step children couldnt be brought in under the family visa - im not sure how they would know whether she is your step daughter or not - you need to clarify this first! i will try and find out here for you and post if i get a resposnse ( law firm)

congratulations to your wife on being pregnant - there are a few hospitals out here - Al Ahli has the best rep being the newest - its an ok hospital but very hard to get an appointment there with the maternity / gyno section and because they have so many people there its hard to have consistent care. Only certain hospitals will let a man be present at birth.

waiting lists for schools and nurserys are horrendous - again see if there are spaces before you come out!

doha is a lot more expensive than people let on - i have been here two years when we first came out food shopping cost us 350 per week ( QR ) now we spend about 570.00 QR - its getting mroe and more expensive out here.

be very careful when looking at moving out here - Qatar most people will tell you is livable and it is - some people love it some hate it if you can come over for a weekend first much better that way!

good luck

its a boring life but perfect if you are family orientated.

[img_assist|nid=13270|title=Love Life|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=113]

love life!

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 14:59
sbdesign

Dweller - I am in the process of doing this, it isn't a quick process.

However I have request that my contract be revised to cover this, same for medical and annual flights etc. My main concern is the residency visa.

Alexa - do you know this from experience?

Thanks

By dweller• 2 Jan 2008 14:58
dweller

I don't think that residency will be a problem but the company could object to paying school fees if the daughter is not legally adopted.

By dweller• 2 Jan 2008 14:03
dweller

Have you legally adopted your wifes daughter?

I ask as your new company may not pay school fees if you have not legally adopted her.

By amnesia• 2 Jan 2008 14:00
amnesia

@asahat, so your reason for staying in Dubai is because breaking the law costs less? What a stupid reason.

I'm saying this simply, Dubai's cost of living is higher than Doha. Simple as that.

Funny thing is you mention crime has 'duplicated' (I guess you mean doubled) but it hasn't. You look at the rate of crime per population and the percentage of crime has actually DECREASED by .5%

It is also 9% LOWER than Dubai.

__________________________

By amnesia• 2 Jan 2008 13:59
amnesia

@asahat, so your reason for staying in Dubai is because breaking the law costs less? What a stupid reason.

I'm saying this simply, Dubai's cost of living is higher than Doha. Simple as that.

__________________________

By SPEED• 2 Jan 2008 13:22
SPEED

Same in my case company was paying the cost of cargo but to avoid all the hassle i changed my mind since the place was new for me.

Anyhow, if you can bring your stuff you will safe lots of money. If Co is providing accommodation then it's fine, otherwise you must search for the accommodation well in advance.

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 13:07
ashahhat

welcome to Doha

just keep emailing me if u moved

[email protected]

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 13:03
sbdesign

Speed - Sounds like alot of hassle bringing everything over, however the company will be paying for it. And the car is pretty new and i'd loose money on it.

Ref Speeding fines - So unless i want to pay out larger fines........... i should keep to the speed limits. Simple hey.

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 12:31
ashahhat

ohhhh Canary u caught me like the camera loooool

that is why i was complaining

anyway i still convinced that 80 in the stadium road is unfair but i have to obey the canarybird

By anonymous• 2 Jan 2008 12:26
anonymous

Aren't we the fast one then, no need to say I told you so!!!!!

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 12:23
ashahhat

cuz i've been caught twice by hidden radar (red light camera) which are hidden proffisionaly to catch u and i have to pay 1200QR now

my friend in Dubai will pay the same for 9 fines!!!!!!!!!!!

By SPEED• 2 Jan 2008 12:10
SPEED

Not yet buddy ... coz Doha is still far behind in Hi Tech radar such as in dubai !

Yep 200 for speeding if limit exceed 20km, more speed more fine but not more then 500 in Dubai, now i don't know if they might have increased of no.

Yes i agree fines are crazy here ... but it's good for public safety after all. Why are you so worried ?

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 12:04
ashahhat

speed

didn't u caught by hidden radar in doha yet!!!!!!

check ur fines

by the way when u ticketed by dubai radar how much did u pay

150 or 200 aed

here 500 to 1000

in fines dubai is micro doha

By azee• 2 Jan 2008 12:02
azee

i am 100% agree with speed , no traffic jam, very peaceful life especially environment is good for family

By SPEED• 2 Jan 2008 11:51
SPEED

I recently moved here from Dubai, I also had a car and house furniture from Ikea ! i did lots of studies on moving my personal stuff to Doha, finally I decided to sell off everything and came here with my family.

Since I didn't want to go into all the headache of doing of making export plate of my vehicle then paying custom in doha and then the resigtration procedure which was only possible after getting Residence Permit stamped in the passport (it takes not less then 4 - 5 weeks) then cargo the furniture and keep it in a container or in a warehouse for couple of months till you find a suitable accommodation, to do all this you have to be out of office almost everyday till you are finally settled.

I found much convenient bringing cash money in your pocket and get everything from Doha. There is not really huge price difference here, yes thing are bit expensive but if your perk is good then it should be fine.

Things are too slow compare to Dubai. Rest Doha is a wonderful place to live specially after spending my life in traffic jams/ everyday fines from Salik/Municipality or hidden radars or any other traffic offense in Dubai.

Me and my family are very happy with Doha life style. After all It's PEACEFUL. No Traffic jam (as compare to Dubai - Sharjah), no parking fines, no salik, if you have office in Doha and live in city then distance in the city is nothing compare to Dubai.

After all I call Doha mini Dubai ;-)

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 11:44
ashahhat

i don't know about ur accomodation level in UAE but here this will give u anormal 2 levels villa "without pool for example" in an ordinary location

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 11:34
sbdesign

Sorry, but i will not be making my decision to accept a new position based on a few forum posts alone.

I am a family man, not to intersted in party and going out. I know there are places to go when i want to go out and sufficent amount of places to go shopping. I ave been there on business before. I am interested mainly in quality of life for my family, we are not ones so sit around being grumpy. and we love heading out into the desert or to the beach.

The package, is very very inviting and i have bugeted for around 175-190k for accomidation only per year. Any views on what i'll get for that?

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 11:13
ashahhat

sbdesign

sorry for curiosity

but i wanna know do u still wanna move here

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 10:58
sbdesign

Thanks...

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 10:57
sbdesign

eeerr Do you want to start another thread on this subject?

Thanks

By LAMBORJEEPNEY• 2 Jan 2008 10:53
LAMBORJEEPNEY

yes, HSBC has branch here

By LAMBORJEEPNEY• 2 Jan 2008 10:52
LAMBORJEEPNEY

I was accidentally trapped (caught in the middle)at AnDalus junction due to the traffic chaos (accident at Ramda signal) then red light came on. I am waiting for the bill now and worried about the fine of QR 10K to 50K or maybe a one way ticket back home? what to do yani?

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 10:41
sbdesign

Yes we are really Married (hahaha) and my wife’s Daughter is 3 years old. (Not that it makes any difference to me she’s my daughter) I have checked out various websites on Nurseries and Schools but does anyone have any view on the best British style schools.

We are expecting our second child in July, knowing that it’s very hot, any advise on birth’s in Qatar. The wife is keen to head back to Europe.

The car is financed with HSBC, do they have a branch in Qatar.

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 10:39
ashahhat

for the 1st time this year the crimes rate have duplicated !!!

why? cuz the people with low incomes who used to live here now they can not afford the living here and this subsequently will reflect on the society as general

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 10:23
ashahhat

here u will face a not justified high expense

for example the rents slightly higher than Dubai but at a very low quality and extremly lack of services

Dubai is more civilized with the same cost

everyday there is anew law which make ur live harder

as an example in the new traffic law the fine of red traffic signal is vary from 10000 to 50000 QR is that logic??

what if u make accidentaly or for emergency??

By qatman• 2 Jan 2008 10:21
qatman

As far as your car is concerned, If the bank that is financing you in Dubai has a branch in Qatar then you should have no problem transferring the loan on car. A friend of mine got it done when he shifted from Qatar to Dubai.

By Oryx• 2 Jan 2008 10:17
Oryx

good luck - I agree with with heartless...

I have been here over 4 years.... every year there is more happening in Doha and with normal social skills you should be fine :)

and yes asha... substantiate your views please.

By Heartless• 2 Jan 2008 10:15
Heartless

You shouldn't have visa problems for your wife so long as you are actually married.

You can apply for a transit visa to drive through Saudi and bring your car over here. This would be recommended since it is under finance.

In my opinion, whether Doha is a good choice for you depends entirely on your attitude. If you are pro-active in developing a social circle and finding things that interest you, they are there to be found.

Good luck.

By sbdesign• 2 Jan 2008 10:15
sbdesign

Ashahhat - Would you care to elaborate on your reasons why?

By ashahhat• 2 Jan 2008 10:10
ashahhat

as a general advise

DO NOT SHIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doha is not a good choice..

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.