Moving to Qatar . To do or not do?

For an IT Manager the basic salary is ridicoulously low. it works out as 20,000 pounds a year.

I think you should be looking for a minimum of 18,000 before you step foot out here. Doha is an expensive place to live. Food is expensive, eating out is expensive and if you like a drink a pint will set you back 6 quid at least.

oh yes...forget to mention about the school fees thing. It would have been important if your child was any older. I am sure it will be 5 years before you guys think about putting her through school....and who knows where you will be 5 years from now...Hong Kong :) ???

That mortgage is a killer, ain't it. I can see how prepared you are to move out.if another gbp800 (total net ~QR15000) makes you feel comfortable (and if the company is willing to offer you that much), it's your call.

have you found someone who is willing to sublet your house?

Do your math very well regarding your mortgage payments with current/prospective net pay.

the hospitality industry dishes out a load of crap to its hardworking employees the world over so I guess you should settle in just fine.

As others have mentioned, you absolutely must have a confirmation of "comprehensive" medical care for yourself and your family. Else, that is an additional expense you have to factor in (and it is not going to be cheap).

700 as "car" allowance will get you nowhere. Renting/leasing/buying will cost you in the range of QR 1500-2800/month.

GreatDohaFind also makes a good point about coming over to Doha for a few days before taking the plunge. If finances permit, fly in for a week, meet the people who you will be working with, get a first-hand feel of the place, visit the green grocers, check out the residential areas, and then make up your mind.

Finally, to answer your question - Given the current economic situation the world over (and don't let them fool you by saying it is getting better), QR15000 will keep you afloat quite well if you find someone to rent your house and pay off the mortgage with that.

What about school fees? It might not be an issue now, but it will be relatively soon.

Hello All.

Thanks for the info,

GDF: My nationality is British, Im being offered the housing allowance plus all utilities paid, so my NET pay is my NET pay. Only have to pay for food and leisure.

Car allowance is very low, and NET pay is very low. I think it works out to be £1700 NET which is less than I am on now. Obviously in the UK i have my mortgage to pay which I would not have to worry about in Doha, as I would rent my house out.

I thought £2500 NET pay would be okay (this is what I am aiming for) as I would not have any outgoing bar my food, kids stuff, wife stuff and social life. Would this not be enough?

hi, i'd love to advise you as you are in a very similar situation when i moved here last year, with a 3 month old baby.

your housing allowance is fine, but let them give you the option of you chosing the housing with that cash given to you.

your salary is very low, may i know which nationality you are as that plays a big factor!

keep in mind the only reason expats move to qatar is to make money so if you are not saving or having a decent lifestyle thers is no reason to move here.

also i recommend you come here and stay for 2 weeks before taking up a job. you really need to know what you are getting into before you come.

it looks like they are giving a fancy word for your health insurance but what they really are giving you is standard government insurance. that is really not what you need, especially with the baby. i recommend you get AL AHLI and make sure they give private health insurance!

700 is a lot for gas (unless you have a job that involves driving around) but a lot less for a decent car. as someone advised you above, you need at least 3K for a decent car, and yes it should be an SUV, anything smaller wouldnt be safe for your baby!

So:

1-The salary has to be at ranging between 18 and 20 thousands riyals.

2-Accommodation allowance at least 10 thousands riyals.

3-Annual leave ticket for yourself and your family has to be included in the package.

4-Car allowance at least 2000 riyals, so you could be able in the future to buy a car, because transportation is very important in Qatar, unlike UK.

5-School expenses are sometimes paid by the company, it all depends on the company. If it's something like QP, Ras Gas and so on, they pay the school expenses; otherwise they don't.

6-Electricity/Water is paid by yourself, so you will need to make sure to deduct that from your salary.

7-Air Fares discounts are also included (depending on the company's deal with the ailrine)

8-Qatar isn't cheap, that's why you need this kind of salary, and maybe even more.

Anyways good luck in your search, I am sure you will find a better company to hire you.

You got experience and you're an IT Manager.

Cheers!

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Sorry about that mate but staying away would be a very good decision in your case. Even if you negotiate, net pay could be upped to 15000 at the most. That is not worth a complete lifestyle change (when you have a wee tiny one along). I know things are tough but don't despair. Enjoy your new family, stash away as much as you can for stormier days. Just hang in there...and as they say, it's always darkest before the dawn.

Jobs in the IT sector are very hard to come by here in Q. You must also take your future career plans into consideration. In my personal opinion, look out for opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Excellent place to be and more opportunities available.

btw.. you need at least 7000 to live decently in Qatar!

you can get a better offer.. negotiate with them more!

or look for other employers.. you can find a better job..

hello every one I need information on how to get a work visa or permanent stay visa to Qatar am not yet in qatar but want to come over kindly help me with useful information thanks.

Many thanks for all the info guys, little depressing as was looking forward to his transfer, don't think I can take it on the package that is on offer.

I new that the salary was coming in low. Its actually less than what I am getting here net. I guess because they are paying towards accommodation (9000) and paying all Utilities. They are also paying for flights home once a year. they want to offer less net in my pocket.

ace, 10000 is peanuts, I agree. I am an IT Manager with 4 years experience, but work within the hospitality industry. My Salary here is more than what they are offering.

Stressful times!

Congratulations on the baby! I wish you and your family much happiness and health.

You are an IT manager in the UK and want to move to Q for a paltry 10000/month base pay!!!???

QLrs will be able to help you out more if you can provide the following info:

1. work sector (finance/IT/Oil & Gas, etc)

2. years of experience

3. You dont have to mention ur current pay but is the pay offered to you here in Q marginally more that what you actually take home every month? If yes, don't take up on this offer

4. Is this offer from a private or public sector company?

Public sector expat packages for senior staff are good and offer comprehensive benefits ranging from - allowances including (housing,comprehensive health care, travel, yearly air-fare for self, etc.).

5. Qatar is quite expensive. rents are crazy. though 9000 will get you a good 3 bedroom apartment. Qatar is generally a very safe place so no issues about safety.

It is indeed a big decision so give it a lot of thought. Personally, I would not make the move for 10,000 (if you are not a fresh graduate and have 3-5 years work exp under ur belt) and the accompanying allowances are nothing stellar.

I think Uranus has given you some good rules of thumb to work by.

Having said that, the pay could sometimes be a little less than what he suggests, depending on the industry you work in. (For example, the hospitality industry doesn't give one higher salaries (I'm talking only about large international companies) just because one takes a Middle East transfer.)

However, it has to be at least the same as your salary back home, if you want to have a similar lifestyle as well as put something aside. Or a little more, if you still ahve tax considerations to deal with.

Doha is NOT cheap if you want to live well.

You might just get a decent flat for 9,000, but I hear that prices go up in March-April annually because of school terms.

But note that I said 'decent'. For very nice in a good locality, it would be 10,000 and up for 2 bedrooms. We just finished a flat-hunt yesterday, hence I know :)

I know of a couple of people who rent a car for 1200 a month (mid-sized SUV).

In the long run, if you plan to be here a couple of years, buying a car is the best.

As a general rule for a Western expat coming over I would suggest the following rule of thumb:

1.2 times whatever your salary would be for the same job in your home country. More for Americans because they still pay some tax (or a tax offset program, which is what some American companies offer). Otherwise Uncle Sam will rob you blind in taxes.

Housing. This ranges from a single person to a large family, but I would think 12,000 minimum for a VERY MODEST villa in an OK place. For a two bedroom apartment in a good to very good location, 9,000 would be tough.

A car lease for an mid-size SUV will run about 3,000 a month. If you love your wife and child, do not drive anything smaller than a mid-size SUV. I threw my worry about carbon emissions out the window after driving here for two days. Buying a car is much cheaper, and you can pick-up a decent used mid-size SUV for well under 70,000.

Private medical insurance. You need this, especially with a baby. Period. I am not saying public healthcare is horrible, but it is overstretched here.

Other Western expat benefits typically include school fees for children, and flights home every year.

Qatar workmens compensation is not medical coverage it is something completely different!

Salary: Hard to comment. That is a lot of money for a fresh grad taking up an admin job but little if you have a niche role with years of experience. Whether it is enough or not, depends on your lifestyle. Although with a child and wife to support, maybe not.

Apartment allowance: Pretty decent.

Car allowance: I doubt you can lease a good car for QR 700.

Qatar Workman's compensation policy: Never heard of this before! Best to verify with your potential employer. If they mention "Hamad hospital" that is the public hospital.