Undecided

It was easy for me cause I had an American License,,, I didnt have to take any road tests or anything.. they just took and eye test for me and than I got a Qatari License, but I don't know if that's cause I was working for a big company at the time and they knew people or just because I was American and had an American License.. I am really not sure,, but like I said I am sure your not going to have any problems.

Trust me when you get here you must drive... it gets really hot here and you can't bare to wait on the side of the road for taxi.. not healthy..

Try to make sure that your fiancee trys to get a car allowance or a company car. Wish you Luck.. Look forward to meeting you!

Cheers Fairy

Haha your post made me LOL, you sound like a crazy woman on the roads! Fast and Furious!!!!

So, will I have to take a test out there in order to obtain a license? Or does the fact I have a British one entitle me to one easily enough?

Hubby-to-be is still in negations re: accommodation because of the fact he will have a wife soon but they say the want him out there by July. Even though that sounds ages away, it will go quick as we have so much to sort out!! Hoping to tie the knot this May, in Jamaica as we were always intending to holiday there this year. Will just be the 2 of us on the beach, which I am really excited about. Seems like its all coming together now!!

I will keep you posted once he has signed the contract and we have a move date!!

Look forward to catching up with you soon xxxxx

Corn...

Quit telling women to cover up...

Please...

Yes I am back LOL...

And no more butter onmy toast...:(

You can't teach experience...

Gemma I read my post and saw I had some mistakes so I fixed them that is why its under yours.

Anywayz back to your questions... regarding driving here it is fine..because we have round abouts like you do in London I think you will be fine driving, but you do have to be cautious because this country's population is built up upon expats coming from all over the world and each person drives diffrently! So keep your eyes on the road at all times you never know what might happen.

When I first moved to Qatar from the States and I saw the round abouts I freakedddddddddddddddddd out! I didnt think I would ever drive in Qatar and I met this younger English girl and I saw her driving and she gave me the boost to go out and try.. I will never forget the first time I went on a round about .. LOL she was dying laughing from me cause I was acting like a fool screaming thinking the other cars were going to hit me..

Now I just drive with the people... you have to becareful from the taxi drivers here because they higher cheap labor ... they don't know how to drive and I feel that they get in more accidents than the normal driver.

One other thing Qatari people tend to have road rage!!! And when I say road rage I mean they get crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy on the street.

One experience I had when I first got here.. I had just bought a new BMW and went out one night cruising.. and I was driving the speed limit, all of sudden I see this car from far behind me flashing his lights... and having that stubborn American mentality I said to myself I am not moving he can pass me.... well boy was I wrong.. This guy had a BMW too,, and started flashing more and more as he got closer to me.. I still didnt move... LOL

the next thing I know he taps my right hand mirror with his left hand mirror.. I about ------ in my pants! LOL

That was the last time I did that... so when a crazy Qatari or anyone else for that matter starts flashing his light you better move over and don't be stubborn like me.. cause they dont' care about their car...they are nuts... They have this controling problem they think they own the road!

Anyways not to be scared driving is fine and it has gotten much better.. the roads have gotten bigger, but there is always some construction going on somewhere... but everyone drives!

About work I don't think you will have any problems finding a job, but I would try to find one when you come over here. You should look at what your choices are... before accepting any one job...

In the meantime you can check out gulftimes.com, and there is sites where they have hiring agency's but I can't remember the name off the top of my head. Finding a job you won't have any problems I am sure!

Okay Dokie that's all for now.. Take care

When do you plan on moving here?

Excited Fairy!!!!!

I am glad you enjoyed my post! I know how hard it could be to make a decision like the one you have before you, but I know that if you accept it you will look back in a few years and be happy that you did because its always a great experience to be able to travel to a different country and live there for awhile and learn about the culture.. you will meet so many new people from all over the world and you will have so much to talk about with your friends back home and to your children.

Regarding the marriage I feel its better to get married if you are 100% sure that your ready than just go for it, life is to short. It is much safer being married and living together in Qatar, but I do know many living here and unmarried that act married, but its much safer to be truly married if the FBI, Police coming knocking on your door the first thing they will ask for is your marriage certificate... you also can't go to the hotels and be in one room with a boyfriend you must be married and some ask for the marriage certificates some don't it all depends on your luck. If your not married living together you must keep in your mind this country's law is based on the religion of Islam... so there is serious consequences.. jail time, maybe even slashing's. Not trying to scare you just like to make it clear for you.

I really hope you decide to get married and come over here. I believe if your married and move here with your future husband you will only get closer in a country that's not yours, because you will only have each other to experience the life away from home. Now again its up to you. If you move here consider you already have a friend and boy do I have stories I can tell you. ;)

Your lucky cause when I moved here I didn't know about this site or even know if it was running... but it helps a lot.

Things I do ... I love going to movies, shopping, coffee shops, walk on the corniche is very peaceful, I use to go to the clubs and now I am not that much of a club girl... but I do like to go out and eat dinner with friends and have a girls night out... the sad thing is most of my friends moved away,,,, so its been hard and lonely trying to find new friends here... my job doesn't help with that either.. I work alone.

O yes I do go to my aerobics class 3 to 5 days a week depends on my work schedule... I want to start to take Arabic lessons to learn how to write and read.. I do speak fluently... there is many things to keep you busy here..

You asked about having blonde hair... there is many girls here with blonde hair, but it doesn't matter how many there are the Arabic people will always stare at you...I have dark brown hair and they still stare at me.. I don't know how they can tell that I am not from this country even though I have Arabic background... Funny its like they can smell it.. LOL

But they love to stare at ladies especially.. and the way you dress can make them stare more... but you can wear what ever you want.. but I wouldn't go out in a mini skirt in this country.. just for respect to the people and I am not that type of girl that likes to wear mini skirts anyway's... but I do like to look good..

Some stores they have got here that I like : Mango, Vero Moda, Oasis, Promod, Evita Peroni, Accessorize, almost forgot Zara.. I love Zara!

and many more that I like... no worries there...

That's all for now.. Take care and try not to think to much.. I go by signs ,,, and the sign for you is so clear.. if your fiancee got offered a good job than go for it... and get married and come over.

I am waiting for you.. to take you shopping :)

Cheers

Fairy

Sleep good tonight! Fairy dust blowed on you to come my way ;) LOL

Great post again ARABIANFAIRY, you have really helped me make this decision :-) What more does a girl need other than Zara and a friend! The wedding plans have started already haha

Sounds like you keep active and you are more busy than me, and I live close to London and all my friends!

I am a bit concerned about driving, I hear there are a number of accidents on a daily basis? London is a nightmare to drive around, lots of congestion and one way systems etc. Again, I suppose it’s like anything -it just takes getting used to?

What do you think my chances of getting work are? I worked as an Airhostess prior to my current role of 3 years as PA/Office Manager for a construction company. I am not expecting to walk into a well paid dynamic job. I just want to do something that will keep me busy and help me make friends. Are there employment agencies out there that I could register with on arrival?

That’s all the questions for today, at least the wheels are in motion and hubby-to-be can rest!

Thanks again xxxx

Practical living comes first, not wise having partners unofficially married.

Practical living comes first, not wise having partners unofficially married.

to add but would confirm .....don't take the risk of living together un-married. It's not worth the risk.

U don't have to cover, don't worry being blonde doesn't offend anyone and there are plenty of them here so u won't attract alot of attention. Just jeans and tshirt is more than enough.

When u got more questions, u know where we are ;)

I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong -Garfield

Thank you for you post :-)

I don’t have the figure for mini skirts on tank tops anymore haha

What about covering your head in public places as I have blonde hair and don’t wont to attract attention or offend anyone.

As I said previously, I agree that marrying before we arrive looks like it will benefit us most.

Sounds like there is lots to do and I am getting excited now haha

Thanks again I don’t have anymore questions at the moment, but no doubt when I am struggling to go to sleep tonight my brain will be doing overtime again and I will be back again tomorrow with some more annoying questions!!

Wishing you all the very best

x

Thanks for your input :-)

That bit about babies made me laugh as its true to say I have considered it.

I agree with you that it’s a good idea to marry before we come- saves us £16k straight away!

I wish you luck in Qatar and well done for making the move x

Hey Gemma,

I think it would be better if u got married before coming here. As Arabianfairy said, ur fiancee would get a better package if he's married rather than single. Also u would come under his sponorship rather than having a visit visa and having to keep renewing it until u found a job.

However, if u decide that ur not ready to get married before coming, then u can live together but have to be careful and discreet, the consequences of finding u living together can be deportation or jail. It's usually more lean on couples who are both westerners, however u still might get into trouble. So avoid being caught!!

As for the social life, u can be as social as u want. There's everything here from movies, pools, beaches, BBQs, bars, parties, all sorts of sports and activity clubs. There are plenty of singles and couples, so if u easily make friends then u should have no problem at all. Oh and there are countless number of restuarants! Sometimes it seems like all we do is eat!!

You can wear anything u want, but ofcourse if u wear a mini skirt and tiny tank top u will get looks and u'll feel uncomfortable but it's all up to u.

I would say Qatar is heading in Dubai's direction, it's opening up alot and stuff are getting better.

All the best :)

I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong -Garfield

Lady,

I just arrived on monday from london and i must say doha is nice....probably great once im used to it. met a couple who have lived here for 3yrs, some 5 (from uk) and that says something about the place. As for dressing, you can put your jeans on and walk till you find an oasis. If i were you, id get married (small quick wedding at the magistrates office) and then have your hubby sponsor you. Your skills are always in demand here and im sure youll find something to keep you busy.........if not....just make babies. Dont stress too much....unless you hate change.

ARABIANFAIRY- thank you for your response, it made interesting reading.

Do you have any knowledge of what the consequences would be if we were found to be living together unmarried?

I was glad to hear that I wouldn’t have my legs whipped for not covering up haha

It is a very hard decision to make but I suppose what have I got to loose. I have a job I enjoy but don’t love, we own our own home that is easily rentable, and with facebook I can stay in contact with all my friends.

I hope you don’t think I am being nosy but what sort of things to you get up to in your spare time? Movies, swimming etc? Do you have an active social life compared to when you lived in the states? Do you intend to stay in Qatar for much longer? Sorry if to many questions – just trying to get an insight…..

Ahhh and shopping, my favorite thing in the whole word! What shops do you have, are the prices reasonable?

One last thing where are the majority of expats from?

You’re a star – thanks

Gemma x

I always hate making these life time changing decisions.

I have been in Doha for 5 years now... There is good and bad as in any country. You are the only one that knows if you are ready to get married in advance to come to Qatar. There are advantages and disadvantages...

Advantages: Your fiance's package with the company should get better than the offer as a single male if you get married. He should be offered better housing allowance.

You don't have to worry about getting sponsored by a company in Doha which is good, however if your husband gets fired God Forbid than you will automatically get canceled with him and you will have to leave the country for at least 2 years before you can return. I am not sure if that law has changed or not on that.

Being a British ex pat you could get by with not getting married and living together but you would have to keep it low profile and you will need to find a job that will sponsor you so you can live in the country you also should get housing benefits if your hired as a single and you can ask to get the allowance instead of having the company provide you with housing in advance.

The first year I moved to Qatar it was very hard for me moving from the States to an Arabic Community and it was much more closed in that time than now. It has opened up a lot.. I would say that Qatar is in between Saudi and Dubai... Religious wise it is more strict.

I love shopping in Qatar and there is many nice places to dine with your fiancee''

I think it is a good opportunity and I would accept it you will meet new people and friends and this is something in the long run you can tell your children about.

In the end its your choice! Wish you luck :)

Cheers

Fairy

welcome to Qatar..in advance..i have nuthing else to say lol

If you come here married, then you can more than likely can find a job that allows you to stay under your husband's sponsorship and that leaves you more in control of when you want to leave the country. You can drive. People seem to wear just about anything. There are lots of places to eat out and I think you can be as busy as you want with your social life.