Moving to Qatar from Canada
By Scottish Thistle •
My architect husband and I are contemplating a move to Qatar.Our main concerns are:
schooling for our 15 year old daughter. She has been in school in Canada since she was 12 and is now in grade 10. There does not appear to be a Canadian school that covers those grades. Does anyone know, should she attend an American school or a British school? She hopes to attend University in Canada or the USA.
Also; we have two cats and a dog. I am concerned about bringing them to Qatar. Any advice?
Finally; finding accomodation to rent, should the firms employing my husband do this or should we? I do not want to end up living in some tacky dump.
I had not caught the age of your daughter in your post.
What a shame the Candian school doesn't have high-school!
I, too am doing the school research right now, as we will be arriving this summer (my husband is already in country.) I believe the American School of Doha is indeed THE American school in Doha. (It's the only one I've found so far, any way.) It also appears to be the most expensive English-speaking school in the country. I have seen school fees ranging from 2500 USD to about 20000 USD.
The main issue with the schools is the waiting lists - my understanding is that they are anywhere from 12 to 18 months. Since I will be leaving my job to move, I plan to homeschool for awhile. Later, we will probably send our sons to one of the better British schools, which I've found to be much more reasonably priced.
As far as your daughter preparing for American university, there's a whole handful of them right in Doha! You may be able to email admissions officers and find out what they want her to have. She may even be able to take some early courses.
Good luck to you!
Thanks everyone.
We are looking at a salary of between $120,000-$140,000 USD per year. Will that be okay?
15.000 - 20.000 = rent
5.000 = school fees
2.000 = car, rental or downpayment
500 - 1.000 = energy and water
food, I don't know.
But you already will have some 22.000 to 27.000 fixed cost without food and entertainment.
I believe that this is the Canadian school in Doha-
http://www.qcs.edu.qa/
hope your husband is earning big because you will need the cash. ASD tuition next year is nearly 60,000 riyals.
Housing, though stabilized for now, is still extortionate. Best if you can negotiate a deal for employer to pay for house. Dont accept anything under QR 15000 for a housing allowance becasue that is the minmimum you will need for a decent home. Welcome to Doha - the land where you can earn big but save squat. At the end of the year you may have a few riyals leftover for a Moosehead.
The American School in Doha is considered quite good for continuing education in the US or Canada. Two cats and a dog should be no problem, I would use a pet-relocator for peace of mind. Ditto the accomodations - you do NOT want to have to do this yourself.
Mandi